This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 Fatal Local Car Crash + Laurel Park Closed + Wellness Walk

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Laurel.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

—Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Alexis Goring, your host of the Laurel Daily.

First, today's weather:

Colder with clouds and sun. High: 24 Low: 13.

Here are the top four stories in Laurel today:

  1. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George's County recently announced that most facilities, park maintenance operations and public events and programs will remain closed through Jan. 31. However these are set to re-open on Jan.18: Pre-registered pre-school, Before Care, After Care, and Therapeutic Recreation Programs. All parks and trails will remain open. Previously scheduled rentals at select venues will be honored. The Department is taking these steps in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Press Release Desk)
  2. The Omicron variant is spreading across the country, causing many retail workers to call out sick. As cases rise, Walmart continues to temporarily close stores across the country for deep cleaning. Gloria Song, a Walmart associate in Laurel, told NBC News that the company shut down the store as a crew in hazmat suits sprayed disinfectant throughout the building overnight while night workers restocked. (NBC News)
  3. A Silver Spring man died Thursday in a single-vehicle crash in Laurel. Rony Sibrian, 27, was southbound on U.S. Route 29 approaching Maryland Route 216 when his car went off the road and overturned, according to police. Sibrian was the only one in the SUV. He was pronounced dead at Howard County General Hospital. (WTOP)
  4. Laurel Park was set to be closed Friday and Saturday for "track maintenance work" and reopen for live racing on Sunday, Jan. 16. Live racing was suspended in early December following several horse fatalities on the track, which the Maryland Jockey Club renovated in the spring. In early December, state regulators questioned executives with Laurel Park after eight horses suffered injuries and had to be euthanized since October 2021. (CBS Baltimore)

Today in Laurel:

  • Wellness Walk—Walking is great for your physical and mental health! Learn how to establish a walking routine and connect with others with similar fitness goals. Participants can walk at their own pace on a route determined by the instructor. Level: All. Registration required. Ages 13 & up. This FREE event will take place at Fairland Regional Park. (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
  • Visit the Dinosaur Park in Laurel! (12:00 p.m.)
  • Girls Varsity Basketball @ Wilson - CMIT Academy North - High Public Charter (1:00 p.m.)
  • Wellness Awakening: Sister's In Financial Freedom (SIFF) will host an event focusing on Wellness. The Sip n Paint event will be held in person at 5 Sister's Restaurant this afternoon. The picture posted is what participants will be painting. There will be food and vendors available for light shopping. (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
  • Dinner Detective Baltimore: America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing at the Radisson Hotel Baltimore Downtown in Baltimore. Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it. (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
  • Dave and Rebecca perform Live at Bear Brick Oven Pizza: Guitar/vocal duo Dave and Rebecca will be performing at the new Bear Brick Oven Pizza in the Cloverly area of Silver Spring. Music from a variety of genres will be featured including singer/songwriter, rock, Motown, country, jazz and musical theatre. Bear Brick Oven Pizza offers authentic brick oven pizza, salads, and delicious sandwiches using the freshest ingredients. Serving MoCo Craft Beers & Wine. Vegan pizzas available. (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • City of Laurel - Government: Save the date for this important drive-thru pantry by the Knights of Columbus. (Facebook)
  • Laurel Police Department: The Laurel Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a critical missing person, Monica Quintanilla. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of this missing person please contact the Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092. Tips can also be emailed anonymously to LPDtips@laurel.md.us OR called in to our Tip Line at 301-498-7645. (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel - Government: *BE PREPARED* Winter Weather is coming Sunday into Monday, but forecasters are still determining how much and where. Prepare now! (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Montpelier Hills: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday. There will be NO CHANGE in collection schedule. Organics collections will occur on Monday, including food scraps and yard trim. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

Events:

Loving the Laurel Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Laurel