Montgomery Planning

Per Montgomery Planning: Montgomery Planning is honored to receive two awards from the American Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (APA-NCAC). The APA-NCAC’s jury of experts selected Montgomery Planning’s work on equitable engagement for Thrive Montgomery 2050, the update to the county’s General Plan, for the Leadership in Planning Award for Community Outreach and Engagement in Honor of Harold Foster and selected Montgomery Planning Director Gwen Wright for the Leadership in Planning Award for a Professional Planner in Honor of Frederick Gutheim.

“We are so honored to be recognized by experts in planning and engagement in the region for our excellent work on equitably engaging Montgomery County’s diverse community throughout the Thrive Montgomery 2050 process,” said Planning Director Gwen Wright. “I am also humbled to be recognized for my over 30 years in planning as I set my sights on retirement at the end of the year.” Learn more about Gwen Wright’s Montgomery Planning career and accomplishments.


Education

With World Teachers’ Day around the corner but teachers making an average of $2,150 less per year than they did 10 years ago when adjusted for inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst States for Teachers. The state of Maryland was ranked as the 9th “Best State for Teachers.”

In order to help educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to whether the state has a digital learning plan.


Crime

A call went out at approximately 6:50 p.m. for a fight that occurred at an adult soccer game at Argyle Middle School. One adult male was stabbed and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a local trauma center.

Approximately 30 people were involved in this fight and we have been told that there were over a hundred people in attendance. There is no one in custody at this time and this is not an MCPS related incident. The investigation is ongoing.


MCFRS

Per Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash in which one person was killed early this morning in Montgomery County.

Shortly after 3:35 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack responded to northbound Interstate-270 south of Montrose Road, where two separate, but related crashes occurred. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2015 Tesla Model S and a 2007 Toyota Sienna were traveling north on I-270 when the Tesla struck the rear of the Toyota before both vehicles came to a stop on the interstate. The driver and two of the five other passengers of the Toyota remained in the vehicle following the crash.


Beyond MoCo

Earlier this week, SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, continued its longstanding commitment to Maryland communities with an exclusive 10-year partnership with Maryland Athletics that includes the naming rights to Maryland’s football stadium. As “The Official Banking Partner of the Maryland Terrapins,” SECU will provide support for students and athletes through scholarships, financial education, and other wellness programs.

Per the press release: SECU will also secure the naming rights to University of Maryland’s (UMD) Big Ten football stadium, home of the Maryland Terrapins, which will be known as SECU Stadium. SECU Stadium will debut on October 1, 2022, as Maryland Football opens its Big Ten home opener against Michigan State.


Bethesda

Aiden Vining was last seen on Thursday, September 13, 2022. He was last seen in the 7900 block of Glendale Rd. in Bethesda.

Aiden has brown eyes and black hair, styled in twists or locs. He is 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and 125 pounds. He was last known to be wearing a black t-shirt and black Adidas pants with Timberland boots. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.


Gaithersburg

The principals of Gaithersburg and Northwest high schools sent out a joint message to the community following the altercation that took place during the football game between the two schools. The full statement can be seen below:

Dear Gaithersburg and Northwest High School Communities,


MCPS

Per MCPS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) strongly condemns the abhorrent and unacceptable behavior that occured at the football game last night – on Friday, September 16, 2022 – between Northwest and Gaithersburg at Gaithersburg High School.  The district is swiftly moving to develop and implement enhanced measures for safety at any athletic event and will communicate those to our community in the coming days.

As agreed upon by MCPS and both schools, all football operations at those two schools will be suspended temporarily, to assist in the ongoing investigation. The district will pursue disciplinary actions against any individuals who are found to have participated in this large altercation, while working to bring communities together around the importance of upholding safe and respectful environments.


Colesville

Earlier this month we let you know that Fryer’s Roadside, described as “a traditional walk-up window Chicken Shack/Ice Cream Stand”, was available for sale for an asking price of $150,000. The restaurant has been sold to Chef Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer, owners of All Set Restaurant and Money Muscle BBQ, according to a report by Source of the Spring (statement available below). Details of the sale are currently unavailable.

The restaurant is located at 12830 New Hampshire Ave (former location of Chopaan Kabob House) in Colesville’s Meadowood Shopping Center and has been open for a little over a year. Below you’ll see a statement by the new owners, per Source of the Spring:


Business

Per Governor Hogan:  The governor highlighted the announcement that UNDBIO—a Korean pharmaceutical company with unique proprietary insulin production technology—has leased 25,000 square feet of laboratory space in Rockville and committed $100 million for the research and development and preliminary production of insulin. The company has signed a lease with Twinlabs—a Rockville life science real estate company—to develop a state-of-the-art lab where scientists will produce insulin samples that will require U.S. FDA approval, and eventually enter the U.S. and global markets.

“Maryland is proud to be home to hundreds of life sciences companies that set the bar for biotechnology innovation and fuel our region’s innovative economy, and we are excited to welcome the life-saving work of UNDBIO to Rockville,” said Governor Hogan. “This is yet another shining example that Maryland is open for business and further evidence of our state’s special bond with the Republic of Korea.”


Restaurants

Back in April of 2021, we let you know that Firepan KBBQ started construction at the old Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza location at 962 Wayne Avenue Suite L-B in Downtown Silver Spring. Firepan had its Montgomery County ABS alcohol license hearing on November 4, 2021 previously announced an August 1st, 2022 opening date on its website. That date was then changed to Mid-September, and now just to “2022” according to the website. Not to worry, as Source of the Spring reports the restaurant is now hiring ahead of a planned early October opening.

Per its website, Firepan KBBQ offers a varied KBBQ menu, including both unmarinated and marinated meats, seafood, vegetarian selections like kimchi pancakes, and more adventurous options like beef intestines. The restaurant opened its first location at 6793 Wilson Blvd #c in Falls Church, VA in the first half of 2019. They offer appetizers, meat & grill options, combos, lunch specials, and all-you-can-eat options that range from $24.99 per person to special options for up to $69.99 for 2 people.


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