Erica Johns | Article Author |

18 Jan 2024

Charlestowne North Tenants Meet With City Staff and Local Officials

by Erica Johns

Over 80 Charlestowne North tenants filled the Greenbelt Library auditorium on Saturday, January 13 to meet with city staff; city, county and state elected officials and community legal advisors. The apartment complex has been plagued with health, safety and security … Read More

10 Jan 2024

Charlestowne North Tenants Call for Attorney General Action

by Erica Johns

The News Review first reported on security, health and safety issues at the Charlestowne North apartment complex in the September 14, 2023, issue of the News Review. Since then, the property has incurred multiple city code violations and fines and, … Read More

6 Dec 2023

GSA to Evaluate FBI HQ Greenbelt Selection Process

by Erica Johns

The General Services Administration (GSA) plans to evaluate the process by which GSA selected Greenbelt for the new national headquarters of the FBI. GSA’s Acting Inspector General Robert Erickson will conduct the evaluation. Following GSA’s November 8, 2023, announcement of … Read More

21 Nov 2023

GHI’s New General Manager, James Claggett Jr., Fits Right In

by Erica Johns

James Claggett Jr. is the new general manager at Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI). He has been on the job for four months, starting on July 10. The News Review talked with Claggett recently about how he was settling into his … Read More

16 Nov 2023

FBI HQ Comes to Greenbelt, Finally

by Erica Johns

Greenbelt’s City Council Room was full of jubilation and pride on the rainy morning of Friday November 10, when Maryland Governor Wes Moore led an extraordinary press conference to celebrate Greenbelt’s selection as the location of the Federal Bureau of … Read More

19 Jul 2023

Mengel Takes on a Life-long Goal: Owning a Restaurant

by Erica Johns

In this final part of a three-part series, Erica Johns introduces readers to Aaron Mengel, the new owner of Generous Joe’s. Aaron Mengel began his love of cooking as a child living in Baltimore. He would often accompany his mother … Read More

13 Jul 2023

Joe Jr. Flips Burgers at Age 12, Makes Partner by his Mid-20s

by Erica Johns

This is the second part of a three-part series about the historic diner. The News Review reported last week that Generous Joe’s was sold to its manager, Greenbelt resident Aaron Mengel by the Natoli family who opened the diner in … Read More

5 Jul 2023

Natolis Sell Generous Joe’s; Remembering Golden Start

by Erica Johns

This is part one of a three-part series. The orange booths in Generous Joe’s Deli were busy with families, couples, teens and kids at lunchtime on a recent Tuesday, eating pizza, sandwiches and Italian hoagies. The air was filled with … Read More

4 May 2023

Greenbelt Museum Wins Grant, Prepares to Join Recreation Dept.

by Erica Johns

The Maryland General Assembly has granted $100,000 to the Greenbelt Museum for its expansion project, achieving $360,000 of the $550,000 estimate needed. This timing coincides with the July merger of the Museum with the Recreation Department, which will increase staffing … Read More

22 Mar 2023

Strong Women Are the Backbone Of the Greenbelt News Review

by Erica Johns

Spotlight on Women Part II of a Three-Part Story Following in the footsteps of many “grand dames,” strong women continue to lead and nurture the News Review today. Cathie Meetre (2011-Present) News Review Board President Cathie Meetre led a 2022 … Read More