MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

15 Years for Defendant in Shooting over Marijuana Deal

Published November 6, 2023 at 1:35PM

Per the Office of the State’s Attorney: “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Cheryl McCally sentenced defendant, Tavon Burton, 21, of Gaithersburg, to 20 years in prison suspend all but 15 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. The State requested Burton be admitted to the Patuxent Youthful Offender program and Judge McCally recommended he be admitted to the program while incarcerated.

Burton pleaded guilty on July 24^th, 2023 to first-degree assault for an incident on October 10^th, 2022 when he fired a gunshot at a 21-year old male from whom he planned to purchase marijuana. The victim told police Burton attempted to hand him counterfeit money and a confrontation ensued. As part of the plea agreement, Burton also pleaded guilty to an unrelated burglary charge from January 2021.”

Education

National Apprenticeship To Be Recognized By MCPS/Montgomery College Nov. 13-19

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 12:53PM | Updated November 6, 2023 at 1:14PM

National Apprenticeship will be recognized the week of Nov. 13–19. MCPS in partnership with Montgomery College, Worksource Montgomery and the Maryland Department of Labor will host two events during the week geared towards students and the business community.

On Monday, Nov. 13 an information session will be held for employers interested in learning how to hire students. Then on Wednesday, Nov. 15, students are invited to an apprenticeship job fair to learn about the vocational apprenticeship opportunities available to MCPS students either during school or beyond. The fair is open to students in grades 11 and 12. Representatives from employers will be on hand to provide information.

Maryland

Maryland is the 4th “Most Charitable State”, Per Report

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 11:36AM

With Americans donating around $500 billion per year to charity, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Most Charitable States for 2024, with Maryland coming in as the 4th most charitable state, including 1st in population who donated money. Additional information below:

Generosity in Maryland (1=Most Charitable; 25=Avg.):

Potomac

Over 1,500 People Have Signed A Petition to Save the Avenel Equestrian Center and Barn From Closing

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 11:20AM

Avenel Equestrian Center supporters have started a petition to save the facility and barn that they consider central to the Avenel neighborhood’s identity. According to the petition, which has garnered over 1,600 signatures as of November 6th, “WSSC has terminated the longstanding lease with the Equestrian Operator, effective December 1, 2023. The continuation of the Equestrian Facilities was contemplated and addressed in various recorded agreements since WSSC took ownership of the property. In good faith, and despite receiving no formal notice from WSSC relating to the lease termination, The Avenel Community Association, and Natelli Communities (successor to Rock Run, Avenel’s original developer) corresponded and met with WSSC officials, requesting that they reconsider their position and delay termination of the lease. Such a delay would provide the opportunity for constructive discussions between interested parties to identify a path forward that preserves the continued use of the Equestrian Facilities.” The full petition can be seen below:

“Please consider joining efforts to preserve the use of the Equestrian Facility and Barn that is central to Avenel’s identity and a significant historic feature in Potomac. To the Residents of The Avenel Community, Residents of Potomac, Maryland and other Interested Parties Concerning the Termination of the Lease for the Equestrian Facility by WSSC: The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is the owner of approximately 170 acres of property within the Avenel community.

Bethesda

Woodward High School Reopening Update; Boundary Study Scope to Create Service Area Approved Earlier This Year

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 9:54AM

HESS construction has made plenty of progress at the upcoming Woodward High School at 11211 Old Georgetown Rd in Rockville, which will be used as a holding school/facility for current Northwood High School while their new high school building will be built between September 2024 and August 2027. Charles E. Woodward High School originally opened in 1966 and closed in 1987, when the decision to merge with Walter Johnson High School was made. Tilden Middle School moved into the previous building in 1991, where it remained until the new school opened a few years back. Photos of the progress of the new building, per HESS construction, can be seen below. The completed Woodward High School will officially reopen as its own school in September 2027, following a boundary study to determine which students will be attending the school.

On March 28, 2023, the Board of Education approved the boundary study scope to create the service area for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School. The scope of the boundary study includes the following high schools: Bethesda Chevy-Chase, Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Walter Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Wheaton, and Walt Whitman. The scope also includes the following middle schools: Argyle, Eastern, A. Mario Loieder- man, Newport Mill, North Bethesda, Parkland, Thomas W. Pyle, Odessa Shannon, Silver Creek, Silver Spring International, Sligo, Takoma Park, Tilden, and Westland. No elementary schools are included in the boundary study. The boundary study process (community meetings, option development, feedback) is scheduled to take place between early 2024 and fall 2024. The boundary study report is scheduled to be released in early 2025, and the superintendent’s recommendation is scheduled to be released in winter 2025, followed by Board of Education work sessions, public hearings, and action on the superintendent’s recommendation.

DMV

Another Warm Week Ahead For the DMV

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 7:26AM

The coming week is expected to pick up exactly where this weekend left off, with high temperatures expected to reach the 60s and 70s for most of this week.

Today we are expecting partly sunny skies with temperatures getting into the low/mid 60s in the afternoon. Tuesday is expected reach the low 70s with variable cloudiness, but rain is not expected. Wednesday should be similar to today with temperatures getting into the low/mid 60s in the afternoon with plenty of sunshine. Thursday brings the highest chance of precipitation out of this upcoming stretch of four nice days, but right now it’s only at about 25% and it’s also going to be the warmest day of the bunch, likely reaching the mid 70s.

Entertainment

Rio’s ‘Light Up the Lakefront’ (Includes Fireworks Display) Takes Place on December 9

By MCS Staff

Published November 5, 2023 at 11:48PM

Rio Lakefront’s ‘Light Up the Lakefront’, which includes a fireworks display, will take place on Saturday, December 9th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. “Join us for a festive evening of holiday fun on the Lakefront with activities along the Boardwalk (near Guapo’s/Charley Prime) and Fire Lounge (between True Food Kitchen & Uncle Julio’s):

6:45 PM: Enjoy a Dazzling Fireworks show over the lake!* Perfect viewing all along the Boardwalk and Fire Lounge.

Entertainment

Cabin John Village is Hosting a “Winter Wonderland” Family Event on Dec. 3

By MCS Staff

Published November 5, 2023 at 11:40PM

EDENS and the Cabin John Village shopping center (11325 Seven Locks Rd. Potomac, MD) will be hosting a “Winter Wonderland” event on Sunday, December 3rd at the Community Green Space.

Per the event listing, “Bundle up and join us at Cabin John Village for a day of fun for all ages! Hot chocolate, live music, kids crafts + games+ more! Be sure to visit the special Milk Lady Holiday Farmer’s Market from 10am – 3pm. Support the community: bring a brand-new, unwrapped toy for the MHP Toy Drive.”

Damascus

Renovations at Damascus High School Now Have a Recommended Completion Date of August 2027; Will Accommodate Students From Clarksburg High School

By MCS Staff

Published November 5, 2023 at 8:22PM

A Major Capital Project was approved to address various building systems and programmatic needs for 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 had an original completion date of August 2025, however 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 was approved for construction funds. As part of the recommended FY 2025–2030 CIP, the completion date for this project is delayed one-year again due to an extension of the construction timeline. The recommended completion date is now August 2027.

Once completed in 2027, school capacity is expected to increase from 1,543 (where it’s at currently) to 2,250. Community meetings have begun regarding future plans for the project, as the capital project for Damascus High School will include a major addition to accommodate students from Clarksburg High School. A boundary scope recommendation will be included in a future CIP. Information courtesy of the MCPS Capital Improvements Program/Master Plan.

Beyond MoCo

Rockville-Based Gwenie’s Pastries to Open Frederick Location

By MCS Staff

Published November 5, 2023 at 5:56PM

Gwenie’s Pastries, a family owned bakery based in Rockville Maryland (12113 Nebel St.), is opening a new location in Frederick. The bakery has been serving the Washington DC area and more for over 15 years– specializing in classic Filipino desserts, fusion specialties, as well as our own unique creations. The new Frederick location will be opening at 220 B Shorebird Street in the Market Square at Frederick shopping center (2430 Osprey Way, Frederick, MD), across from Distill’d. Gwenie’s announced they had the keys to the space in February of this year, but an opening date is not yet available.

More per the Gwenie’s website: “Bakers and Cooks, three words which perfectly describe my family. The moments spent together at the kitchen, which usually end up with a sumptuous meal, has made food and pastries a big part of our family tradition. As our family recipes are handed down from one generation to another, cooking skills were also honed through time.

Crime

U.S. Park Police Officer Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter Following Shooting That Leaves Man Dead

By MCS Staff

Published November 5, 2023 at 3:54PM

Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau of Fairfax County Police, McLean Police District are investigating a reported unintentional shooting by an off-duty U.S. Park Police officer in McLean that left one man deceased.

Per the McLean Police District: At 12:20 a.m. this morning, officers responded to the 1700 block of Old Meadow Road in McLean for the report of a shot person. The caller reported an adult man was unintentionally shot inside of an apartment. Jesse Brown Hernandez, 22, of McLean was found deceased with a gunshot wound to the upper body.