Beyond MoCo

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland– U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher today sentenced Clayton Alexander McCoy, age 32, of Chesterland, Ohio, to 262 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for transporting explosives with intent to injure and to possession of an unregistered firearm/explosive device, in connection with an explosion at a home in Carroll County, Maryland.  A resident of the home was the boyfriend of a woman in whom McCoy had a romantic interest.  Judge Gallagher also ordered that McCoy pay restitution in the full amount of the loss, which is at least $96,378.38.

According to his guilty plea and court documents, McCoy built a bomb in his home in Ohio, then drove the bomb to Victim 1’s home in Carroll County, Maryland, intending to kill the victim.  McCoy knew the victim and a woman, who was Victim 1’s girlfriend, for a number of years through a live action role-playing battle game/social club.  In October 2020 McCoy expressed romantic feelings for the woman, who informed McCoy that she was in a relationship with Victim 1 and did not share McCoy’s romantic feelings.


Education

The Montgomery County Board of Education issued a letter updating the Montgomery County Council’s Education and Culture Committee, confirming their intent to address community concerns for a “transparent, thorough, fair and expeditious process.” The full letter can be seen below:

Dear Councilmembers Jawando, Albornoz, Mink,


Education

U.S. News & World Report today announced its ‘2023-2024 Best High Schools’ rankings. The rankings evaluate nearly 18,000 public high schools at the national, state and local level. According to U.S. News & World Report, “This year’s rankings showcase the schools whose students demonstrate outstanding outcomes, surpassing the anticipated benchmarks, including achieving high graduation rates.” The top 20 ranked public high schools in Maryland can be seen below:

1. Poolesville High School (Poolesville, MD)


Crime

At approximately 7:39 p.m., Montgomery County Police officers responded to an apartment in the 12500 block of Winexburg Manor Drive in Glenmont for the report of a stabbing/assault.

According to police, “The preliminary investigation has revealed that there was a domestic dispute between a husband (adult male) and a wife (adult female) as well a family member (adult male). The husband cut his wife on her arm and cut the family member in the face with a knife. The family member punched the husband in the face.


Montgomery Parks

Over the weekend, the Montgomery County Community Cat Coalition (MC C³) announced via social media that 33 Himalayan cats/kittens have been found in two Montgomery County parks. All 33 are currently in foster care with a trapper out for another cat that has been spotted.

According to MC C³, Himalayan cats and kittens have been found in the Wheaton area, most of them near the Sligo Creek Trail or in Wheaton Regional Park. Some have also been found in nearby neighborhoods. Citizens are engaged in an active effort to search for these cats and kittens and report sightings. Initially, over 20 of these cats were found and trapped and a later updated stated that 33 were found. Currently, there is no word on who released the cats in the area or why, with efforts concentrated on ensuring their safety.


Beyond MoCo

1:44pm Update: MPD’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squad conducted a precautionary sweep of the zoo and found no hazardous materials.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW DC) is being evacuated due to a bomb threat. According to FOX5, “Authorities say a reported bomb threat was received around 11:13 a.m. Tuesday morning. Visitors and staff have been asked to evacuate the zoo.”


Crime

On August 29, at approximately 3:04 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of University Boulevard (7-11) for an armed robbery that had just occurred.

According to Takoma Park Police, store surveillance video revealed that at approximately 2:55 am, an unknown Hispanic male suspect without a shirt on, wearing dark-colored pants/sweats, white sneakers, a black ski mask, and carrying a coral-colored shirt entered the 7-11, grabbed merchandise, and went to the register as if attempting to pay for the items.  At this point, another unknown Hispanic male suspect entered the 7-11, wearing a dark-colored hoodie, light gray pants, gray shoes, and black ski mask, carrying a black handgun, pointed the gun at the cashier, and demanded money.  The victim complied and the first suspect who entered the 7-11 grabbed the cashier tray and both suspects fled the 7-11 in an unknown direction; unknown if it was on foot or in a vehicle.


Entertainment

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church will hold its annual Greek festival starting Friday, September 8th and running until Sunday, September 10th. The festival will take place over three days–  on the grounds of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 701 Norwood Road in Silver Spring: Friday, 9/8: 4pm-9pm, Saturday, 9/9: 11am-9pm. Sunday, 9/10: 11am-7pm

You‘ll be able to enjoy homemade Greek dishes and desserts, such as gyros, souvlaki, and loukoumades or shop at local Greek vendors for Greek groceries, jewelry, and crafts all while enjoying Greek music with live performances from Greek dance troupes. A raffle for a brand new 2023 Mercedes GLB (donated by Mercedes of Silver Spring) will also be taking place at the festival, with the winner of the raffle being given the option to accept the car or $40,000 cash as the prize.


Crime

Shortly after midnight on Tuesday (12:06am), Montgomery County Police responded to a report of a shooting at Top Golf in Germantown (20101 Century Blvd). Police say, “On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at approximately 12:06 a.m., MCP officers responded to Top Golf in the 20100 block of Century Blvd. in Germantown for the report of a shooting.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that an unknow suspect fired his firearm for reasons that are still under investigation, and two Top Golf employees (adult males) were shot. One was shot in the leg and the other one in the torso area. Both victims were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect left the scene in an unknown vehicle.”


Entertainment

UPDATE: THE PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CONCERNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT

The City & the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Department celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the 85th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 4, 2023, at 1 p.m.


Maryland

With summer being a popular time for teens to get driver’s licenses and an average of eight teens dying every day from motor vehicle injuries, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers, with Maryland coming in ranked as the 8th best state for teen drivers– including a number 1 ranking in two sub-categories (seen below).

In order to determine the safest and least costly driving environments for U.S. teenagers, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 23 key metrics. The data set ranges from the number of teen driver fatalities to the average cost of car repairs to the presence of impaired-driving laws.


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