🌱 Laurel HS Bomb Threat + Former TV Production Manager Died

Alexis Goring
Updated ·7 min read

Up and at 'em, Laurel! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday, February 11 off on an informed note. Here's everything going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 60 Low: 48.

Here are the top four stories today in Laurel:

  1. Since Tuesday, Prince George's County Public Schools said threats were made to Crossland, Gwynn Park, Laurel and Suitland high schools. Laurel High School went on lockdown due to a bomb threat. Prince George's County Police were notified and conducted a search of the building. Students at the other schools remained in their classrooms while the buildings were searched. (WUSA9.com)

  2. A possible berth in the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie (G3) is on the line for Team Gaudet and Five Hellions Farm’s multiple stakes-placed Fraudulent Charge as live racing returns to Laurel Park Thursday. Fraudulent Charge beat older horses going the same distance in an open allowance Dec. 18 at Laurel to snap a six-race losing streak that included five runner-up finishes, four of them in Laurel stakes. (laurelpark.com)

  3. In observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday, the City of Laurel and Passport Offices will be closed on Feb. 21. There will be no Residential Special Pickup and Yard Debris collection during the holiday week. The next collection is set for March 2. You can schedule a pickup by calling Public Works at 301-725-0088 or e-mail them at dpw@laurel.md.us. (City of Laurel)

  4. Next door to Laurel, workers at Greenbelt's New Deal Café no longer rely on tips to make their weekly paycheck. Since the summer, the café has paid hourly staff $14.40 an hour and put all tips in a pool that is divvied up each week based on hours worked. The new model was put in place when the café began a new arrangement with the Greenbelt Co-op Supermarket and Pharmacy that gave New Deal Café staffers access to employer-supported health, dental and vision insurance. (The Hyattsville Wire)

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Today in Laurel:

  • Love Jams with Ryan Shookman at the Cardinal Tavern in Baltimore (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

  • Parents Night Out: Painting, Pizza and Princess & The Frog—Every parent needs a night out, especially for Valentine's Day! Take that time and bring your child to The Thrifty Teacher in Laurel for a night of fun!Bring your child already in their pajamas (ready to jump into bed when they get home!). Your child will be guided through a dancing frogs painting, have pizza for dinner, and then enjoy The Princess and the Frog, the movie (rated PG). Single Ticket: $40Discounted family member add-on tickets are available for $10 for each additional artist registering at the same time. *Masks are required for this event* (5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

  • Night to Shine — The Special Needs Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden will host Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older.
    Night to Shine is held simultaneously around the world on the Friday before Valentine’s Day each year. This is not just an event, but an invitation into a community that values, honors and supports people with special needs and their families. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Night to Shine 2022 will be a virtual experience. (6:00 p.m.)

  • Paint Night Series (for Teens, ages 13-17 years old) — Paint the night away with step by step instructions to a masterpiece that you can take home. (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

  • Lantern Festival 2022 in Rockville — Celebrated in many Asian countries, the Lantern Festival marks a major celebration on the 15th day of the first month on the lunar calendar. Our Lantern Festival celebration tonight (Friday, Feb. 11) at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre will feature cultural performances, food, interactive calligraphy and cultural displays. Kids can take home beautiful personalized calligraphy after the celebration. This event is family and kid-friendly! (6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

  • Jacob Banks performing at the 9:30 Club in D.C. (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

  • Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special — Enjoy listening to Broadway’s Greatest Love Songs while relaxing in an intimate ambience in a beautiful venue (National City Christian Church) bathed in candlelight. A talented pianist will perform the best of Broadway love songs featuring vocalists on select pieces. (6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

  • Erin Jackson Performs at the DC Improv Comedy Club — Erin started her entertainment career right here in Washington, working her way from the open mic circuit to the Improv stage. She found national success, with appearances on “Last Comic Standing” and “Ellen,” and most recently on Tiffany Haddish's Netflix series "They Ready." Comedy has taken her around the country again and again, and she was the first headliner to take our stage when we reopened in April 2021. Now she's back for another weekend in the nation's capital! (7:30 p.m.)

  • Anaïs Mitchell + Bonny Light Horseman at The Strathmore—Anaïs Mitchell, the esteemed singer-songwriter whose Broadway smash Hadestown won 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is joined by Bonny Light Horseman, a folk supergroup trio comprised of Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson (best known for his project Fruit Bats and stints with The Shins), and Josh Kaufman (instrumentalist and producer known for his work with Hiss Golden Messenger, Bob Weir, The National). (8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

  • (BWMEG) presents The Lovers & Friends Laugh Til It Hurts Comedy Show at the Island Pride Oasis in Gaithersburg. (9:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • City of Laurel - Government: It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of our good friend Oliver Wilford at the age of 92 on February 6. Oliver is a former production manager of Laurel TV, back when it was called the Laurel Cable Network Foundation. We will pass along funeral information as soon as we can. (Facebook)

  • City of Laurel - Government: As we continue to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth, take a moment to learn more about local history like the Grove, located by Emancipation Park. More information can be found at www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org. (Facebook)

  • City of Laurel - Government: Do you have a budding young artist in the family? Let them know about the Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition! (Facebook)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Cherry Branch: I tow throughout the whole DMV but I’m stationed in Laurel/Beltsville. If you need a tow, need a lockout, need a jump, anything dealing with a motor vehicle call me 240-988-4849. (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Snowden Woods: Looking for LPNs in the DMV. I work for a small Black-owned agency in the Lanham/Bowie area. Need experience in working with pediatric care. In-home care. Full-time or part-time. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you around.

— 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.

This article originally appeared on the Laurel Patch