Author: MCS Staff

Business

Maryland Tax Free Week 2023: Everything You Need To Know

By MCS Staff

Maryland tax free week will take place from Sunday, August 13th until Saturday, August 19th this year. Below we have everything you need to know about how Tax-Free Week works in Maryland:

Facts About Tax-Free Week: From 12:01 a.m. on the second Sunday in August through midnight on the following Saturday, qualifying clothing and footwear priced $100 or less will be exempt from Maryland’s six percent sales tax. The first $40 of back/bookbag sales also qualify. A list of exempt and taxable items is available on the Comptroller’s Website at www.marylandtaxes.gov, or by calling the Taxpayer Service Section at 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or toll-free 1-800-MD TAXES from elsewhere.

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Crime

Man Accused of Killing Pregnant Girlfriend and Gas Station Attendant Ruled Competent to Stand Trial

By MCS Staff

Torrey Moore, the man accused of murdering his 8-month pregnant girlfriend, Denise Middleton, and a gas station clerk, Ayalew Wondimu, in White Oak last December was found competent to stand trial, according to a report by MyMCMedia. Moore was previously ruled not competent to stand trial. The trial for the murder of Wondimu begins April 8, 2024. Trial begins May 8 for the murder of Middleton and her unborn baby boy. The chilling details of what occurred last year can be seen below in the Statement of Charges, per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney:

“On 12/8/22 at 3:00 PM, Montgomery County Police responded to a convenience store at the Shell Gas station located at 11150 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Ayalew Wondimu, a black male with date of birth of 11/6/61, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation revealed the victim was working inside the store, behind the register when he was shot. Wondimu was pronounced deceased on the scene.

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Bethesda

Annual Monitoring Report for Bethesda Downtown Plan Presented to MoCo Planning Board

By MCS Staff

Planners provide updates on Bethesda Overlay Zone, development, schools, and more 

The Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan recommended the creation of the Bethesda Overlay Zone. The Montgomery County Council, through Zoning Text Amendment 16-20, Ordinance No. 18-28, adopted the Bethesda Overlay Zone in July 2017 to implement the recommendations of the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan as it relates to density, building heights, affordable housing goals, parks and open space and design.

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Beyond MoCo

Hyundai Installing Free Anti-theft Software Upgrade at Mobile Service Center in DC in Response to Thefts Targeting The Brand

By MCS Staff

Hyundai has introduced a mobile service center to drive further installations of free anti-theft software from July 27-31, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. EDT at Parking Lot 8 (Zone 1) and Lot 8A of RFK Stadium (2400 Independence Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003). No Appointments Necessary For Customers Of Eligible, Affected Vehicles (you do not have to be a DC resident to bring your car in).

In response to persistent thefts targeting certain Hyundai vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices, Hyundai Motor America is collaborating with Mayor Muriel Bowser and acting Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith to provide a mobile service center at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. from July 27-31. The mobile clinic is intended to complement Hyundai’s nationwide network of dealerships and drive further installations of Hyundai’s free anti-theft software upgrade for customers who continue to be affected by the thefts. Specially trained mobile service technicians will be on-site to install and complete the software upgrade, which should take less than an hour.

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Events

August Special Events and Programs by Montgomery Parks

By MCS Staff

Enjoy the last full month of summer with Montgomery Parks. Take in the final Parks Playhouse and Playhouse Junior performances of the season, Foodie Fridays, the Underground Railroad Experience Trail and so much more. August events in Montgomery Parks include: 

Parks Playhouse | August 2, 15, 16, 17, 18 | Various times and locations: Parks Playhouse is a summer series of free, live performances to celebrate the artistry of local bands, troupes and groups.

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Crime

Suspects Armed With Axe Attempt to Break Into Olney Gas Station Twice

By MCS Staff

Per Montgomery County Police: Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who attempted to break into the Exxon gas station on two separate occasions, in the 18000 block of Georgia Ave. in Olney (photos below).

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, at approximately 2:36 a.m., the two suspects were at the gas station, when one of them threw a rock at the front window in an attempt to get in the gas station. The suspects were not able to get in the store and did not obtain any property.

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Crime

Police Respond to Early Morning Jewelry Store Robbery

By MCS Staff

On July 27, at approximately 5:05 am, Takoma Park police responded to the 1100 block of University Boulevard (Silver Spring Jeweler) for a burglary that occurred overnight. Per Takoma Park Police: Unknown suspect(s) entered the establishment by prying open a door and then shattering a second glass door.  Property was stolen.

The suspect is described as a Black male, slim build, last seen wearing black pants, black shirt, black sneakers with white soles and light blue latex gloves.  Suspect vehicle is a white newer model SUV. Investigation continues under case #230046357.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. This incident occurred in Ward 6. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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MoCo Police

MCPD Rolls Out New “Ghost Graphic” and “Slick-Top” Cruisers

By MCS Staff

Per Montgomery County Police: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Traffic Operations Division is rolling out two new versions of marked police cruisers: a standard “slick-top” cruiser and a “ghost graphic” slick-top cruiser. Neither police cruiser will have light bars mounted on the roof; however, they will have lights placed inside, on the top of the windshield and in the rear window.

The ghost graphic cruisers are outfitted with the department’s standard decal but will be displayed in what is referred to as “ghost graphics,” where the markings are a subdued gray and white instead of the standard black and gold lettering seen on most department-issued patrol cars. These graphics are faint during the day but are highly reflective at night.

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Worldwide

New Requirement to Travel to Europe, in Addition to a Passport, Coming in 2024

By MCS Staff

The rules of travel to Europe will change starting from 2024, as anyone traveling to Europe from the United States will be required to have a travel authorization to enter most European countries through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are being collected at this point.

ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveler’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization.

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Crime

Montgomery County Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Reveals Stolen Vehicle

By MCS Staff

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Yeison Jose Viloris Perozo, 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for stolen auto.

Per Takoma Park Police: On July 26, at approximately 3:30 pm, Takoma Park Police were conducting traffic enforcement in the 1100 block of University Boulevard.  During a traffic stop, an officer noticed the vehicle being driven had a punched-out ignition.  The vehicle was reported stolen from the District of Columbia. Perozo was charged accordingly and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. This incident occurred in Ward 6. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Beyond MoCo

Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza Will Open First U.S. Location in DC

By MCS Staff

Gordon Ramsay has already opened two restaurants at the Wharf, with his Fish & Chips and Hell’s Kitchen concepts opening within the last year. Last year, he also announced the impending arrival of the his Street Pizza concept– with plans for The Wharf in DC to be the home of the restaurant’s first United States location. BizJournals reports that permits have finally been obtained to move forward with the project.

Per the report, the all-you-can-eat pizza restaurant will move into a location that is “7,100 square feet across two floors and two tenant spaces at 501-507 Seventh St. NW, a block south of Capital One Arena and across the street from José Andrés’ Jaleo.” The restaurant will have over 200 seats and the “layout suggests each level will have its own bar, pool table, lounge, kitchen and dining area.”

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