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Community Corner

🌱 Pets Up For Adoption At Laurel Shelters + Man Sues Police For $500K

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

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Welcome back, Laurel! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on today in Laurel.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 57 Low: 32.

Here are the top four stories in Laurel today:

  1. According to Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch staff, a 64-year-old resident of Prince George's County who had not played lottery games in almost three years went into the Express Mart in Bowie to buy coffee and saw the Racetrax game. He thought of his late grandfather, who worked at the Pimlico Race Course, and decided to place a bet in honor of his memory. His Racetrax Trifecta wager resulted in a $31,454 prize! (Patch)
  2. According to Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch staff, a 21-year-old man has filed a lawsuit against the Prince George's County Police Department. He claims that police officers illegally searched and arrested him without any justifiable reason. Two weeks ago, Umar Ali was leaving an event when he approached a checkpoint set up along Sweitzer Lane in Laurel. According to the lawsuit, Ali said he gave officers his license and registration. When the officers asked if he had a gun, he replied he did and added that he had a permit for the gun. Officers handcuffed Ali who sought medical treatment afterward due to bruised wrists. His lawsuit sites assault and battery, false arrest and false imprisonment. He is seeking $500,000 in damages. (Patch)
  3. Del. Darryl Barnes says we "need diversity and inclusion" in our Maryland business climate. Barnes, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, said Black-owned businesses receive about 14% of the 29%. He said one major problem remains that the state of Maryland isn't meeting its 29% goal for Minority Business Enterprise firms to receive contracts on various projects. Barnes has taken initiative to improve the state's business climate, especially when it comes to minority and women-owned businesses. (The Washington Informer)
  4. If you want to add a pet to your family, start with these Laurel area shelters for a pet up for adoption. Millions of companion animals are surrendered or taken in each year by adoption facilities nationwide—3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. (Laurel Patch)

Today in Laurel:

  • Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market—Open on 9701 Fort Meade Road (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
  • Manna For Moms—Study the Bible with other Moms. We can share our struggles and celebrate our joys together. We meet every Thursday. Right now they are meeting on Zoom, but they hope to resume their meetings at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Laurel when it is safe to do so! Contact the church to get connected. (10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
  • Chesapeake Woodturners Exhibit at Montpelier House Museum in Laurel (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
  • The Color of Freedom: Honoring the Diversity of America's Servicewomen—In collaboration with the PGCMLS Workforce and Community Development Team and the Military Women's Memorial, "The Color of Freedom: Honoring the Diversity of America's Servicewomen" is a touring exhibit created by the Military Women's Memorial to shed light on the sacrifices and contributions of a selection of minority women who served in or alongside the U.S. Military throughout history. The interactive display at Laurel Branch Library will include the stories of 21 servicewomen of color and bring to light the impact that these women made while serving in various branches of the U.S. military. (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
  • Horse Racing at Laurel Park (12:40 p.m.)
  • Brian McKnight show at the City Winery in NE D.C.—Brian McKnight has gained international and domestic recognition, earning himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 19 albums to date over the past twenty-five years, selling over 30 million albums worldwide. With 16 Grammy Award nominations and numerous chart-topping songs, McKnight has established himself as a musical legacy. (6:00 p.m.)
  • Music Therapy: A Night of Musical Healing at Busboys and Poets in Columbia (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Laurel Police Department: Cops Camp will be back for the summer of 2022! It will take place Aug. 15 to Aug. 19. It costs $150 per camper and children ages 6-13 are eligible to attend. Registration will begin in May. Stay tuned for more information. (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development: What image best represents what's great about your business? Snap and Share It! National Economic Development Week is May 9 to May 13. We want you to send a picture to us that shows us the greatness of your business so we can post it online! (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Montpelier: *Hummingbird Sighting* We usually put our feeders out around tax day, so I may have just not noticed yet, but a male ruby-throated flew right by us as we were in the yard today...in case anyone else is watching for theirs to come back. (Nextdoor)
  • Corporal Kenneth Hibbert, Prince George's County Police Department: *Law Enforcement Youth Group Fundraiser* Prince George's County Explorer's Program is a youth program to keeps students involved with the community and give them leadership skills to become great leaders throughout life. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Montpelier: Would someone let me know if you have a lawn service, how much it costs, and what services they provide? I mowed my lawn today and it was exhausting and hot. I want to see if it's worth paying someone to do it for me. (Nextdoor)
  • Associate Commissioner, Consumer Education & Advocacy Joy Hatchette, Maryland Insurance Administration: Coverage for a basement under a NFIP flood insurance policy. What does it mean? Watch this video for the definition. #WordOfTheDay (Nextdoor)
  • Associate Commissioner, Consumer Education & Advocacy Joy Hatchette, Maryland Insurance Administration: April is Flood Awareness Month! Watch this important video from the Prince George's County Office of Emergency Management on the flooding that Prince George's County suffered on September 10, 2020. #FloodAwareMD (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Bowling Brook Farms: Does anyone know of a screen door repairman? My screen slider needs to be adjusted about a quarter or half an inch up so that I can lock it. (Nextdoor)
  • Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialist Kevin Wegman, Prince George's County Government: *Your Guide to Summer is Here!* Summer is almost here and with it comes opportunities for kids to spend more time outdoors. It's a time to put aside the electronics and enjoy a season filled with fun and imagination under the sun! (Nextdoor)
  • Prince George's County Planning Department Carly Brockinton, Prince George's County Government: *Blue Line Corridor* Check out the #WMATA strategic timeline for transit oriented development (TOD) around the County. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, West Laurel: Looking for glass figurines of animals, fruits, clowns or anything to add to my collection. Anyone have something they are ready to let go? (Nextdoor)
  • Corporal Kurt Schnitzenbaumer, Prince George's County Police Department: *Leadership & Life Camp: Register Today!* This weeklong, co-ed, camp is open to Prince George's County youth ages 11 to 14 as of July 1, 2022. (Nextdoor)

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Events:

  • D.C.Temple Public Open House (April 28)
  • Garage Sale......EBTH.....Everything But the House (April 30)
  • Empowering Fathers and Enriching Families Orientation (May 3)
  • Hot Topics in Elder Law (May 5)
  • Virtual Arts Workshop & Talent Showcase Maryland Students Competition (May 7)
  • Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
  • Maplelawn Farmers Market // 2022 Season Opening Day (May 14)
  • Add your event

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

That's it for today! See you tomorrow morning for 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?

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