Gold Medal Gymnast + See Santa, Lights + Loan Debt Paid: MD Good News

MARYLAND — With the holidays approaching, Maryland residents had lots of good news this week. But they had many reasons to celebrate, including the first U.S. trampoline gymnast to win a gold medal at a world championship in nearly 50 years. View holiday lights on display, visit Santa, help build a veterans monument, congrats to top schools and check out some whopping lottery wins.

1st U.S. Medalist In 49 Years At World Championships Hails From HoCo

One of the world's top athletes in trampoline gymnastics hails from Howard County and she recently became the first American medalist at the world trampoline championships in 49 years. Jessica Stevens, a senior at the University of Maryland, recently won two gold medals at the Pan-American Games in Chile.

Harford Officials Pay $305K Toward 1st Responders' Student Loan Debt

Sixty-one volunteer first responders serving Harford County have had their student loan debt knocked down a level thanks to the Next Gen Responder Student Loan Relief Program.

Veterans Monument Project To Start Next Year With $1M Pledge

During the Veterans Day ceremony, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball shared that the county would commit $1 million to jumpstart the construction of the Howard County Veterans Monument.

These Are The Best Elementary, Middle Schools In MD, New Ranking Says

Multiple elementary and middle schools in Maryland are included among the best in the country, according to new rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. Montgomery County dominated the rankings, with showing from Baltimore and Howard county schools, too.

New Vegan Restaurant Opening Soon In Downtown Bethesda: Report

Rooted 3, a vegan restaurant with the motto “food for mind, body and planet,” will be opening soon in downtown Bethesda, according to a report.

Santa's Arrival, Holiday Lights

• Santa Claus Returns To Select Bel Air Neighborhoods For The Holidays
• Where To See Santa Around Bethesda This Christmas Season
• Merri And Bright Tree Lighting, Hot Cocoa Bar, Kid's Corner Nov. 17
• Symphony Of Lights Turns Merriweather Post Pavilion Into Wonderland

Big Lottery Wins

• $500K Winning Lotto Ticket Claimed By Prince George's Man
• $100K Scratch-Off Ticket Claimed By Howard County Nurse
• $50K Top Prize MD Lottery Ticket Sold Monday At Silver Spring Store

More Good News

• Knock Out Breast Cancer Fundraisers Hosted By Title Boxing Club
• Rockville Buy Buy Baby Store To Celebrate Reopening On Saturday
• New Veterinary Clinic Apex Vets Opens At Westfield Wheaton Mall
• Perfume World To Open New Store At Westfield Montgomery Mall: Report
• 25 MD Nursing Homes Make 2023 U.S. News 'Best' List

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