Maryland

ANNAPOLIS,MD–Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed a day of service and remembrance across the state of Maryland in memory of those lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The proclamation is part of an initiative that Governor Hogan, the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives observe to mark the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance and to launch Just Serve, an annual monthlong initiative to promote service and volunteerism statewide through October 10.

“Today, 21 years later, we remember each and every single life cut short by an act of evil on September 11th, including 69 of our fellow Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “In memory of those lost, and inspired by the enduring example of the first responders who ran into danger to save lives that day, we again rededicate ourselves to a season of service. May God bless the families of the fallen, may God bless our heroes, and may God bless the United States of America.”


Germantown

Rio Grande Grill at 13541 Clopper Rd in the Seneca Plaza shopping center in Germantown has been sold. Former owner Erika Myers tells us that the new owners will be keeping the same name and menu.  The restaurant is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in a few weeks.

Rio Grande opened in December 2020, in the location that was previously home to the Mistik Taverna, Germantown Kabob & Sweets, Bhima’s Kitchen & Bakery, and Arirang Korean restaurant. The restaurant offers an extensive menu that goes beyond Tex-Mex cuisine. Menu items consist of “bar food” such as crab pretzels, spinach dip, mozzarella sticks, etc., various salads, build-your-own burgers, fried chicken and pasta dishes, tacos al carbon, bowls, and a wide variety of entrees.


Maryland

From the Office of the Maryland Comptroller: Comptroller Peter Franchot urges eligible Marylanders to act fast and apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Programfor Tax Year 2022. Applications must be submitted by September 15. “Going to college may seem out of reach for many Marylanders given the huge expense, but tax credits like these help make it possible. I urge everyone to apply now before time runs out,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Any way to bring down the cost of higher education is a big benefit.”

The program, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), provides an income tax credit for Maryland residents making eligible undergraduate and/or graduate education payments on loans from an accredited college or university. To be eligible, you must claim Maryland residency for the 2022 tax year, file 2022 Maryland state income taxes, have incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt and have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt upon applying for the tax credit.


Events

The Germantown Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual open house event at the department (20001 Crystal Rock Dr. Germantown, MD 20874) on Saturday, September 17th from 12pm until 3pm. The open house will consist of a big mix of activities, vendors, and things to see. “As a department, we’re just excited to reach back out into the community after three long years! We got a last minute notification that we were allowed to hold this event again and we jumped at the opportunity to hold it. This event has all come together in just under 5 weeks.”

People will be able to park in the Regal Movie Theater Parking Lot and Aircraft Dr will be closed down between Century and Crystal Rock on the day of the event. Most of the activities will be on Aircraft drive just in front of the department. Activities and vendors will include:


Burtonsville

At approximately 9:42am Saturday morning, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a call on Strauss Terrace in Burtonsville for a cat trapped inside of a wall.

Upon arrival, units were told that the cat fell from a third floor crawl space and was trapped within the first floor walls. After breaching the wall and using a toy to lure the scared cat out, the cat was rescued and reunited with its owner outside of the walls at the Burtonsville home.


Maryland

Per Maryland Restaurant Week: Maryland Restaurant Week is back for its third year, kicking off September 16th. For ten days, we’re bringing all counties and all restaurants together to celebrate and support our industry. Participating restaurants may offer special menus, discounts or seasonal fare for dine-in, curbside, or carryout.

The dining public is invited to enjoy these Maryland Restaurant Week-specific specials September 16-25, 2022. Brought to you by the Restaurant Association of Maryland and generous sponsors. Montgomery County restaurants participating include:


North Bethesda

Filo Cafe, a self-described “mom and pop restaurant” that will offer Filipino cuisine, is coming to 4836 Boiling Brook Pkwy. The restaurant, which announced in August that it is hoping to open this month (September), will take over the storefront that was previously home to NYC Pizza and Subs. Last week the restaurant posted on its social media that it is hiring for kitchen staff and cashier positions. We’ll have updates and additional information as the restaurant prepares to open.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChU6gMZrm9s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link


Germantown

Back in December we let you know that Pizza Hut is moving into the Cloppers Mill shopping center in Germantown. It will be located at 18070 Mateny Rd, between Shoppers and Popeyes. Construction began earlier this summer and today we were told by a worker that the restaurant should be open in “a couple months” (photo of progress below).

The location is smaller, so it will likely be similar to the upcoming Pizza Hut location that is taking over part of the former GameStop location in Four Corners, which is also a smaller store.


MoCo

Originally published in October 2020, by Tom Merritt

By using both the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail (C&O Canal), as well as the Great Allegheny Passage Rail-Trail (dubbed “America’s Friendliest Long-Distance Rail-Trail”), you can bike all the way from the Southernmost point in Montgomery County all the way to the Steel City without ever needing to bike on a road. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail starts in Georgetown and follows the Potomac River to Cumberland, Maryland. Then the Great Allegheny Passage Rail-Trail goes the rest of the way from Cumberland, making its way past the Mason-Dixon Line, through the Appalachian Mountains and finishing up in Downtown Pittsburgh.


Olney

Pacha Mama Juice Co., a mobile food truck that offers made-to-order fruit and vegetable juices, has moved to a permanent location in the One Life Fitness parking lot in Olney as of September 1st (17821 Georgia Ave).

The food truck was first announced in April of this year and has operated at various events across the county over the summer. It will operate at its new location from 8am until 8pm Monday through Saturday (closed on Sunday). Fresh fruit and vegetable juices typically run between $9-$12 or lemonade for $5-$7 (a previous menu of juices can be seen below, but is subject to change)


Aspen Hill

On Friday in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before judge John Maloney, a jury convicted defendants Vaughn Darvel Bellamy, 32, of Hagerstown, MD, and Bryan Byrd, 31, of Washington D.C., on charges of first-degree murder for the death of Alexander Buie in Rockville/Aspen Hill in 2013, and multiple related charges. Bellamy and Byrd face a potential sentence of life in prison. A sentencing hearing for Bellamy is scheduled for Oct. 17, at 2pm. A sentencing hearing for Byrd is scheduled for Oct. 28th at 2:30pm.

Prior to this trial, a third defendant pleaded guilty to charges of attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy to use a firearm in commission of a crime of violence. He is in custody and awaiting sentencing. In November of 2013, the three defendants forced their way into a home on Grenoble Drive in Rockville, intending to rob one of the occupants. At the time, the residence was serving as a recovery house, and home to several residents. The defendants were unaware their intended target had recently moved from the home. They confronted three adult males in the home, one of whom was the victim, Buie. A struggle ensued, during which, Mr. Buie was shot and fatally wounded. The defendants then fled the residence. Neither of the other two victims were injured.


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