Author: MCS Staff

Entertainment

Wheaton Mall to Transform into a Winter Wonderland for the Holidays on Saturday, December 2

By MCS Staff

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season as the mall debuts its inaugural Wheaton Wonderland event featuring holiday crafts and activities, theatrical performers, Santa’s arrival, live musical performances, pet photo parties and other festive family fun all month long

Westfield Wheaton Mall invites the Wheaton community to get into the holiday spirit with its first-ever Wheaton Wonderland event on Saturday, December 2 from 12pm to 5pm in Macy’s Lower Court. The whimsical pop-up craft market will transport visitors into an immersive winter wonderland experience, boasting theatrical performers, stilt walkers, and princesses, all against the backdrop of an enchanting frosted village. Pose for a caricature artist on-site or take holiday photos in front of the picture-perfect décor featuring street lamps, trees, and snow. A live DJ will amplify the cheer while Mrs. Claus herself carefully oversees a rotation of festive craft stations. Visitors can create homemade ornaments, gingerbread snowflakes, snowmen, houses, wearable holiday hats, holiday greeting cards and more. Complimentary hot cocoa will keep mall patrons warm while supplies last. Due to limited capacity, advance sign-up is required here where guests can reserve their spot in the wintry fun.

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Celebrities

MoCo Native Jordan Hawkins Scores 31 Points on The Nuggets Monday Night

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County native and New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins, making a start in place of CJ McCollum, scored a career-high 31 points on Monday night in a 116-134 loss to the defending World Champion Denver Nuggets. Hawkins’ coach Willie Green referred to him as fearless, saying, “When he’s open he’s going to shoot it. He’s aggressive and the beauty of it is Brandon, Z, all of his teammates are looking for him.”

The young man from Gaithersburg was drafted 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2023 NBA Draft. He is averaging 12.6 and 4.7 rebounds per game coming off of the bench, but earning significant minutes, for the Pelicans this year. Including the seven he hit on Monday night, Hawkins has made 20 three pointers in seven games this season. He has made 11 in his last two, showing that he is the outside-shooter he was drafted to be in the NBA.

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Business

Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center Earns An ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade

By MCS Staff

Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that “sets standards for excellence in patient care.” Leapfrog assigns an A, B, C, D, E, or F grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by The Leapfrog Group for the second consecutive time as one of the safest hospitals in Maryland,” said Anthony Stahl, president, White Oak Medical Center. “The ‘A’ safety grade reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our patients.”

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MCFRS

Main Lanes of SB I-270 Blocked Following Multi-Vehicle Collision

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) have responded to the scene of a crash involving several vehicles on southbound I-270, between exits 6 (W Montgomery Avenue) and 4 (Montrose Rd.) on Monday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the Express/Main lanes are blocked as of 9:21pm and at least two patients have been evaluated/transported to the hospital. We’ll provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps

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Education

Montgomery College Secures Ninth U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Grant to Support Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Services for MoCo Residents

By MCS Staff

Montgomery College has received a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grant under Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services. The College will provide at least 500 lawful permanent residents with citizenship preparation classes, activities to support integration into American civic life, and naturalization application services.

USCIS announced $22 million in FY2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program awards to 65 public and private non-profit organizations across the country that prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization. Montgomery College, Maryland, was awarded $450,000 over two years to serve 500 learners.

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DMV

Doug Kammerer is Calling For Major Snow This Winter; 30-40” in Rockville/Gaithersburg, 38-52” in Frederick

By MCS Staff

Doug Kammerer of NBC4 has released his winter outlook, which is currently only available on NBC4 newscasts. In the outlook he projects as much as 38-52 inches for places like Frederick and Hagerstown, 30-40 inches for places like Gaithersburg, Leesburg, and Rockville, and 22-30 inches for Bethesda, DC, and Prince George’s County.

Kammerer had some of the lowest snow totals projected for last winter, and provided one of the most accurate outlooks for the 2022-2023 winter. This year, he’s going the other way. In a Facebook Live following a 6:50 presentation of the 2023-2024 Winter Outlook, he stated that “if this sets up correctly, we can see more than predicted.”

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MCFRS

Driver Hits Pedestrian Monday Evening on River Rd

By MCS Staff

A driver struck a pedestrian at approximately 5:30pm on River Rd. at Newbridge Drive in Potomac on Monday evening, according to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services PIO Pete Piringer tweeted the following at 5:37pm, “River Road and Newbridge Drive, collision, involves pedestrian”.

According to Pugh, the pedestrian has been “transported to an area Trauma Center with serious injuries. Scene being held with River Road closed.” Alert Montgomery sent out the following Severe Traffic Alert at 6:32pm: “Collision reconstruction investigation closes both directions of River Rd (MD 190) at Newbridge Dr. This may be an extended incident. Expect significant delays. Seek an alternate route.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Rockville

Rockville Residents Will Vote on Lowering Voting Age to 16, Permitting Non-Citizens to Vote, and More in November 7th Election

By MCS Staff

As well as choosing seven members to elect to the City of Rockville’s Mayor and Council, voters will decide on advisory referenda questions for the City of Rockville’s 2023 election. The questions, if approved by voters, would amend the city charter to:

For the exact wording of the questions, view Resolution 08-23. The amendments are recommendations from the Charter Review Commission. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters who live within Rockville city limits. All ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voters will be able to vote by mail, in person at the two election day vote centers on Nov. 7, or at an election drop box.

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Montgomery Planning

Loehmann’s Plaza Redevelopment Sketch Plan Goes to Planning Board on Nov. 9 (Renderings Included)

By MCS Staff

Rosenfeld Investments has proposed the redevelopment of Loehmann’s Plaza at 5200 Randolph Rd. in Rockville, and the sketch plan will be going in front of the Montgomery Planning Board on Thursday, November 9. The plan (renderings below) includes 710,000 square feet of residential uses and up to 40,000 square feet of commercial uses for a cumulative density of up to 750,000 square feet of mixed-use development, with 15% Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs), open space, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and associated public benefits to support the requested incentive density.

Summary: Planning Staff recommends approval of the Sketch Plan with conditions. The proposal will transform the existing shopping center with surface parking and a one-story brick building pad site into a mixed-used development with retail. Under the Optional Method of development, the Applicant requests approval for up to 710,000 square feet of residential use (currently estimated to be up to 680 dwelling units) with 15% MPDUs and up to 40,000 square feet of commercial use.

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Montgomery Planning

Community Meeting to Discuss Proposed Sensory Trail at Montgomery County Park Takes Place on Nov. 12

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks invites the public to a community meeting and walking tour at Fairview Road Urban Park to discuss the proposed sensory trail at the park. The meeting will take place on November 12, 2023, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. The rain date is December 3, 2023, 2 – 3:30 p.m. During the meeting, park planners will present two concepts for the potential sensory trail location with a detailed introduction to the various sensory stations planned along the trail. Below is a list of sensory stations proposed for this trail:

Sensory trails are designed outdoor spaces that stimulate and engage the senses. They are typically used as an inclusive environment for people of all ages and abilities, including those with sensory processing disorders, autism, are blind or have low vision or other disabilities, as well as individuals seeking relaxation and sensory exploration. The project will be a first for Montgomery Parks and will help to make our parks more inclusive and welcoming to all our visitors.

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