News and Review: Gas Leak Causes Residents to Evacuate Homes and Governor Martin O'Malley Signed Dream Act

This week in Silver Spring Governor Martin O'Malley signed the Dream Act, Montgomery County welcomes new superintendent of schools, the property manager of downtown Silver Spring resigned, residents are evacuated from their homes after a gas leak, Congresswoman Edwards hosts a forum for nonprofits, motorcycle fire blocks traffic, and keep a tab on crime in downtown.

1. Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signed legislation Tuesday that extends in-state college tuition rates regardless of a student's citizenship status, prompting advocates to celebrate. The law will allow undocumented high school graduates to receive in-state college tuition rates first at community colleges, then at state universities upon completion of 60 credits. 

2. The works of three of Montgomery County's grant-winning artists star in the Betty Kramer Gallery's latest exhibition, “Free Forms and Faces.” The show was welcomed on Tuesday with a free public reception at the gallery, located in Silver Spring's Civic Center.

3. After four years of managing the downtown Silver Spring business community, Jennifer Nettles bids farewell. In a statement released Thursday afternoon from Nettles' email, she announced that she will leave the "Peterson Companies to pursue an opportunity with another firm."

4. Montgomery County officers were busy this week. Keep a tab on crime in downtown Silver Spring with the Patch crime summary map. 

5. Need to know the major construction going on in Silver Spring? Stay updated with Getting Around Town. Every Monday at 9 a.m. know where the streets will be blocked off every week. 

MORE ON PATCH: Don't miss the opportunity to save money in your local neighborhood with our daily feature of a Downtown Deal and Stretching the Family Budget.