MoCo Government

Community Meetings Being Held In-Person to Address Progress of Purple Line Construction

By Patrick Herron

The Purple Line will be a 16-mile light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. It will provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line also will connect to MARC, Amtrak and local bus services. The revised planned completion date is 2026.

MDOT MTA is planning community meetings, open houses and Community Advisory Meetings (CATs) to give residents updates on the Purple Line. Additional information is available on the project’s website at purplelinemd.com/upcoming-meetings.

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Health

Free At-home COVID-19 PCR Test Kits Available at Multiple Locations, But Which COVID-19 Test is Right for You?     

By Patrick Herron

In-person PCR testing continues at multiple sites throughout the community. A schedule of testing locations can be found at the County’s website.

If you are high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, wear a mask indoors in public settings. In addition, talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions and whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP and monoclonal antibodies.

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Highways / Interstates

Collision on 370 Blocks Some Lanes at Shady Grove Road

By Patrick Herron

 A collision on EB I370 has closed several lanes in the area of Shady Grove Road.  EB I370 is down to left lane only just prior to Shady Grove. The collision occurred around 11:30am on Thursday, May 26.  Two adults were transported to an area trauma center after being evaluated EMS, according to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Pete Piringer. 

Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and expect significant delays. 

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MoCo Government

County Council Unanimously Approves $6.3 Billion Operating Budget and $5.3 Bllion Six-Year Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the county’s $6.3 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2023 and the $5.3 billion six-year capital improvements program at this morning’s council meeting.  The budget includes $2.9 Billion for Montgomery County Public Schools.  “Montgomery County’s $6.3 billion operating budget and six-year capital budget creates the foundation for what is most important to us: a community with excellent schools, housing for all our residents, strong economic development, green spaces for recreation and relaxation, safe neighborhoods, robust libraries, strong public health services, resources for older adults to age in place with grace, a healthy environment and an essential safety net for our most vulnerable resident,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz on May 19 after a preliminary vote was held.  The budget resolutions will be available on the Council’s webpage later today.

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Education

Quince Orchard High School’s ‘Just Drive’ Social Media Campaign Selected as Winner of $10,000 Educational Grant

By MCS Staff

Quince Orchard High School’s submission to the Spring 2022 Just Drive Social Media Campaign by Impact Teen Drivers was chosen as the First Place Winner and will be awarded a $10,000 educational grant, according to Quince Orchard media and video production teacher Kunal Arora.

Impact Teen Drivers’ mission is to stop the number one killer of young people in America— reckless and distracted driving. Participation in the Maryland Just Drive contest assists Impact Teen Drivers and NJM Insurance Group in the shared commitment to the health and safety of Maryland drivers.

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Silver Spring

Detectives Ask For Assistance in Locating Missing 32-Year-Old Man

By Patrick Herron

Patterson is approximately 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 245 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, a grey sweatshirt and grey sweatpants.

He may be operating a bronze Dodge Charger bearing DC registration plate GS3272.  Police and Family are concerned for his welfare.

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White Oak

White Oak Medical Center Now Performs Watchman Heart Procedure

By MCS Staff

Minimally Invasive, Permanent Implant in the Heart Reduces Stroke Risk for Some Patients

Per Adventist Healthcare: Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center now offers the WATCHMAN™ heart implant, a one-time, minimally invasive procedure that lowers bleeding risk and risk of stroke in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).

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Education

MCPS: Graduations Begin June 1; Schedule, Speakers, and Locations

By MCS Staff

The 2022 high school commencement season is set to begin on Wednesday, June 1, and will end Tuesday, June 14. Graduation ceremonies will take place on individual high school campuses, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and on the campuses of Mount St. Mary’s University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. More than 11,000 students are expected to receive their diplomas.

The ceremonies will include an array of commencement speakers, including TV reporters, politicians, educators, MCPS staff members and others.

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Briggs Chaney

Montgomery Planning Invites Community to Attend Visioning Workshops for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan

By MCS Staff

Community members are invited to attend in-person and virtual events in June and July to share ideas for the future of the plan area

WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department announced the launch of the Visioning Phase of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan. The community is invited to attend virtual and in-person events to share ideas for the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney plan area. This phase will kick off with a virtual Visioning Workshop on June 27.

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Crime

Annapolis MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Three Violent Murders, Including One in Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro,” “El Pastor,” and “Gasper,” age 24, of Annapolis, Maryland, to life in federal prison for a racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit murder in aid or racketeering, as well as related violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including three murders, connected to his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13.

On October 31, 2019, after a nine-day trial, a federal jury convicted Sandoval-Rodriguez of murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, in connection with a murder that occurred on March 11, 2016.

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