2022 - Page 115 of 530 - The MoCo Show

Published October 27, 2022 at 10:13PM

Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section are asking the public for help in locating a missing Gaithersburg woman. Allure Isabella Mack age 20, was last seen by her family on Wednesday, October 26, at approximately 9:40 p.m., in Gaithersburg. Family has been unable to contact her since that time.

Allure Mack is approximately 5’00” tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds. Police and family are concerned for Allure Mack’s welfare. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Allure Isabella Mack or anyone who sees her is asked to call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

MCDOT

Rockville Metrorail Station Westside Will Experience Temporary Bus Stop Closures, Effective Monday, Oct. 31 – Tuesday, Dec. 27

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 10:02PM

Fare collection resumed on all Montgomery County Ride On buses on Aug. 1. The one-way pre-pandemic fare, which was $2 per ride, is now $1 for all Ride On buses including the Flash. Monthly passes, which were $45 per rider, are now $22.50.

Passengers using Montgomery County’s Ride On buses are encouraged to wear a mask but are no longer required to wear them. Masks are available on all buses for riders who need them. Bus interiors will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are also treated with a disinfectant.

Damascus

Damascus High School Renovation Approved; Project Scheduled to Be Completed August 2026

By MCS Staff

Published October 27, 2022 at 8:11PM

A major capital project was approved to address various building systems and programmatic needs for Damascus High School, located at 25921 Ridge Road. The Board of Education, in the requested FY 2021–2026 CIP, included expenditures in FY 2022 to continue the planning and design of this major capital project with a completion date of August 2025, but the County Council delayed the expenditures by one year. An FY 2023 appropriation was approved to begin the design of this Major Capital project. An FY 2024 appropriation is recommended for construction funds. This project is scheduled to be completed August 2026. Once completed in 2026, school capacity is expected to increase from 1,543 (where it’s at currently) to 2,250. Community meetings are expected to take place in 2023 regarding future plans for the project.

Damascus Elementary School, located in the Damascus HS cluster at 10201 Bethesda Church Rd, has been approved for a feasibility study for a major capital project. The Key Facilities Indicators (KFI) is utilized to identify schools for possible major capital projects. The scope for the project will be identified based on the individual building system and programmatic and capacity needs for each school. Once the feasibility study is complete, a recommendation regarding scope, timeline and funding will be considered in a future CIP.

Maryland

State of Maryland Holds Statewide Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 6:48PM

“These tabletop exercises are another prime example of our administration’s efforts to coordinate cybersecurity preparedness and response across the entire state,” said Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, who took part in the exercise. “The importance of exercises of this nature and the collaboration between all of the participants cannot be overstated.”

Attendees worked through a cybersecurity scenario that simulated a real-life cyber incident and tested the plans and processes of state organizations. The scenario was developed in collaboration with the State Chief Information Security Officer (SCISO), State Chief Data Officer, State Chief Privacy Officer, and exercise planners from MDEM.

Education

MCPS: Nine Things to Know For Thursday, October 27

By MCS Staff

Published October 27, 2022 at 6:14PM

Here are nine things to know for Thursday, Oct. 27. You will find information about the district’s efforts on electric school buses, recent progress on student literacy and mathematics, national principal month upcoming live music experience for students, high-performing student musicians, and some reminders about how to get information about closures and inclement weather.

Montgomery County Public Schools

MDLottery

Powerball Jackpot up to $800 Million for This Saturday’s Drawing; $50,000 Ticket Sold on October 26 in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 5:51PM

The estimated cash value of the jackpot for Saturday’s drawing is $383.7 million.

The lucky player who won a $50,000 third-tier prize bought the ticket at Route 40 Sunoco located at 5612 Baltimore National Pike in Baltimore. The winning numbers for the Oct. 26 drawing are 19, 36, 37, 46 and 56; the Powerball was 24 and the Power Play multiplier was x2.

Bethesda

22nd Annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition to be Held November 21 at Strathmore

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 5:29PM | Updated October 27, 2022 at 5:46PM

The 22nd Annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition will be held on Monday, November 21 at The Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Ln) in Bethesda. Sixteen schools will compete in 7 different categories that include salsa, cha cha, and bachata. The event is open to the public and tickets go on sale November 1. Additional details below courtesy www.strathmore.org:

“The annual MCPS Latin dance competition has been taking place at the Music Center at Strathmore since 2010 and is the culmination of Montgomery County’s elite high school Latin dance program which started back in 1999 at Seneca Valley High School. The main objective is to strengthen the social emotional well being of our students and promote health, exercise, and unity through Latin dance education. Students compete in the Junior and Senior categories showcasing their choreographies in Duets/Partner: Salsa, Chacha, Merengue, Bachata, Jack and Jill, Parent/Student, and Best in Show (Group). This event is not presented by Strathmore.”

Wheaton Mall

Latest Update on Five Below in Wheaton Mall

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 5:14PM | Updated November 1, 2022 at 1:43PM

We first reported that Five Below was coming to Westfield Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) back in August and we were recently informed by representatives from Westfield that the store is scheduled to open this December. Five Below will be located in the upper level center court, in the space that was recently occupied by Gussini Fashion & Shoes. Gussini will be relocating to the former Panera Bread location, which closed in 2020. Five Below opened its most recent MoCo location at 516 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, the former location of Chuck E. Cheese, back in July. Five Below has additional MoCo locations in Gaithersburg (Kentlands), Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

This Saturday, October 29, Westfield Wheaton will host a Halloween ‘BOO!sterama’ event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to provide the new bivalent COVID-19 boosters to anyone age 5 and older who had their last vaccination at least two months ago. The shots are free and no appointment is needed. The new Pfizer bivalent booster is approved for anyone 5 and older and the updated Moderna bivalent booster is approved for anyone 6 and older.

MCPS

The MoCoShow MCPS High School Football Week 9 Preview & Predictions

By Damon Anderson

Published October 27, 2022 at 2:53PM

Manchester Valley (4-4) at Poolesville (7-1) – The Falcons overcame the injury bug to stage a 2nd half comeback to beat Kennedy 13-12. RB Tyler Shefter rushed for 99 yards and 1 TD in the win. The win pretty much locks Poolesville in as the #1 seed in the 2A West region. Manchester Valley of Carroll County visits to close out the season. Prediction: Manchester Valley by 8

Einstein (2-6) at Northwood (0-8) – The Titans lost to Blake 28-18. As a team Einstein rushed for 159 yards and 2 TDs. The Gladiators lost to Rockville 38-6. Prediction: Einstein by 35

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Director Mitra Pedoeem to Retire

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 2:27PM

“I am proud of what we have accomplished at DPS since I was appointed to this position,” said Director Pedoeem. “We moved the entire department from Rockville to Wheaton during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we reorganized the department, creating a new division for Customer Support and Outreach with a renewed focus on providing excellent customer service. Plus, we streamlined many of the permitting processes and practices, and cross-trained employees to enhance and improve the customer experience.”

Director Pedoeem was appointed as DPS director in April 2020. Before joining DPS, she worked at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission where she served as deputy director of administration for Montgomery Parks until 2019. Director Pedoeem began her career as a bridge engineer with the Maryland State Highway Administration and went on to work as a senior engineer and senior budget analyst for Montgomery County Government.

Montgomery Planning

Montgomery County Council Appoints Five Temporary Acting Planning Board Members to Ensure Continuity of Service

By Patrick Herron

Published October 27, 2022 at 1:59PM

“Given the unprecedented challenges at the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Council has selected a diverse group of experienced leaders, who will reset operations, support the Park and Planning staff, and provide a bridge to the next Planning Board,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz.

“Restoring trust in the agency is job one. The Council is confident that this group of dedicated individuals will immediately hit the ground running and work collaboratively with Acting Planning Director Tanya Stern and Park and Planning staff to restore the public’s confidence in the agency. They will perform the critical functions of the Planning Board and move planning projects and services forward for residents.