MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg Recognized as 2023 Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member by Transit Industry

Published August 17, 2023 at 2:53PM

Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg has been awarded 2023 Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for his vision, leadership, and commitment to transit. More below, per WMATA:

Since first joining the Metro Board of Directors in 2016 and being elected Chair in 2019, Smedberg’s leadership has helped Metro return to a state of good repair through an aggressive capital program, guided the transit agency through the pandemic, spearheaded the selection of a new General Manager, and helped Metro recover ridership faster than any other transit agency in the country.

Burtonsville

WSSC Issues Warning For Anyone Who May Have Come in Contact With T. Howard Duckett Reservoir Water

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2023 at 10:20AM

WSSC Water has detected high concentrations of blue-green algae, known as a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), in the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir. These HABs can cause adverse health effects. The reservoir, located along the Patuxent River in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties, serves as a drinking water source for WSSC Water and a recreational area for hiking, fishing and boating.

The on-going Health Advisory for the Triadelphia Reservoir remains in effect. WSSC Water’s drinking water is not affected and continues to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act standards. As a precaution, WSSC Water is closely monitoring water quality conditions at its Patuxent Water Filtration Plant. Visitors to WSSC Water’s T. Howard Duckett Reservoir should do the following:

Education

Two 2007 Students Voted “Most Likely to Teach at Good Counsel” Are Now Teaching at Good Counsel

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2023 at 9:10AM

From “best” to “worst,” and everything in between, there are a lot of superlatives high schools include in their yearbooks. In 2007 Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney named two students, Tom Kramer and Maureen Giusti, as “Most Likely to Teach at GC.” 16 years later, both of them are teaching at the school.

Tom Kramer has always wanted to be a teacher. He came from a family of teachers who instilled in him the idea of guiding and supporting students through their educational career as a trusted ally. As he enters his 11th year teaching, Kramer is the Director of Bands and Orchestras, and handles all instrumental music at Good Counsel. “We should definitely bring back the white polos, but maybe leave the hair back in ’07!” he said of the the old yearbook photo.

Crime

Police Respond to Shooting in Montgomery Village Wednesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2023 at 7:46AM

Montgomery County Police is investigating a shooting on the 9400 block of Hickory View Pl. in Montgomery Village.

According to police, “an adult male was shot and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No suspects are in custody at this time. The scene is secure and there is no current threat to the public.”

Chevy Chase

Detectives Seek Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 87-Year-Old-Woman

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2023 at 7:22AM | Updated August 17, 2023 at 2:23PM

She was last seen on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 9 a.m., in the 4700 block of Essex Avenue in Chevy Chase. Description: 5-feet, 3-inches tall, 130 lbs., brown eyes, shoulder length gray hair. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Julie Burfield is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Beyond MoCo

Metro to Host Back-to-School Celebration and School Supply Giveaway on Saturday, August 19

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 6:02PM

Per WMATA: Metro is kicking off the new school year with our first Back-to-School Celebration and School Supply Giveaway. Families across the DMV are invited to join us at the Fort Totten Station on Saturday, Aug. 19, for music, food, games, and free school supplies.

The Metro Transit Police Department’s Community Services Bureau will host the inaugural back-to-school event. School supplies, collected by Metro employees across the region, will be provided to school kids and teens in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. “This is an opportunity for our MTPD officers and employees to support the DMV and create positive relationships with the community,” said MTPD Chief Michael Anzallo. “Metrorail, Metrobus and MTPD help thousands of kids get to and from school throughout the year. In addition to keeping them safe, we want to ensure that every student has the supplies they need to start school.”

Bethesda

MD 190 (River Road) Safety Study Results To Be Shared in September Meeting

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 4:31PM

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has initiated a safety study along MD 190 (River Road) from Springfield Drive to Little Falls Parkway in Montgomery County. The purpose of the study is to improve pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ safety along approximately 4,000 linear feet of MD 190, which includes multiple driveways and nine intersections. The study is expected to be completed summer 2023 and the results will be presented during a virtual meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 6:30-8 p.m.

The virtual meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 6:30-8 p.m. Details are available on the State Highway Administration-District 3 Web page: https://bit.ly/MDOTSHA-D3. You may attend by using Microsoft Teams Live or by calling 1-443-409-5228, Conference ID: ID: 302 157 731# on your phone. Those calling in will be able to hear the presenters and discussion but will be unable to see the presentation.

Maryland

Montgomery County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team Has Left For Maui

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 4:16PM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich made the following statement via social media: “Montgomery County’s Urban Search and Rescue team today is on its way to assist and will use its training and equipment in this massive recovery effort in Hawaii led by Maui County, the State of Hawaii, and FEMA. Our Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue team is part of a highly specialized 70-member group known as Maryland Task Force 1. This team is among the best in the country, so it has experience with situations like this. It is my hope that its presence will help bring closure to the families impacted by this terrible tragedy.

Our thoughts go out to the people of Maui County and the people of Hawaii as they deal with this unthinkable event. This assignment will be difficult for all the search and rescue teams that have been deployed. I want to thank them for their unwavering commitment to assist others in their time of need. The search and rescue teams will make sure people in need get the help they deserve.

Restaurants

Jolloff Etcetera is Open in White Oak

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 4:05PM | Updated August 16, 2023 at 5:48PM

Jolloff Etcetera recently opened at 11237 New Hampshire Avenue, which was the longtime home of Hunan Manor (there for 20 years by most recent ownership group) until it closed permanently in February 2022. The restaurant is located in the White Oak Shopping Center near Dollar City and Montgomery County liquor store.

Jolloff Etcetera offers Nigerian cuisine and opened its first location in nearby Hyattsville, MD (Prince George’s County). The menu offers a variety of Nigerian cuisine, including Jolloff rice, grilled fish, fried rice, multiple soups, and more. Featured photo courtesy of Jolloff Etcetera.

Glenmont

Metro Police Investigates Clothing Set on Fire on the Top Floor of Glenmont Metro Parking Garage

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 1:56PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a report of “someone burning clothes on the top floor” of the Glenmont Metro Parking garage at approximately 11am on Wednesday morning.

According to MCFRS Assistant Chief David Pazos, Metro employees were able to extinguish the burning clothes on the top floor of the garage. There were no injuries and no extension of the fire. “Metro Police has taken over the scene while the fire department units go in-service.” No details currently available on why the fire was started. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Beyond MoCo

Howard County Inmate Escapes Transport Van Wednesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 11:12AM

According to Howard County Police, around 8:30am Wednesday morning police were notified that a Department of Corrections inmate, incarcerated for burglary, escaped a transport van in the area of Dorsey Run Rd/32. Police are searching on foot and with drones, with the help of neighboring jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County Police and Maryland State Police.

Randy Morris, 38, is described as a white male, five feet nine inches tall, 130-140 pounds, bald, with a beard. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue shorts and is no longer wearing handcuffs or shackles. Anyone who sees Morris should call 911. Maryland State Police is taking the lead on the search with Howard County Police assisting.