MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Takoma Park Sets Annual Rent Increase at 3.7%

Published July 5, 2023 at 8:53AM

Beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, the Rent Stabilization Allowance is 3.7%. Landlords are required to comply with Takoma Park’s Rent Stabilization law and cannot increase the rent on occupied units any higher than this allowance.

Multi-family rental units and rental condominium units are subject to Rent Stabilization. Rent increases are limited to the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index published by the Department of Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period of March 2022 through March 2023.

MCFRS

Bag Full of Discarded Fireworks Cause Major Fire in Rockville Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published July 5, 2023 at 7:34AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to what was described as a heavy fire on the 15100 block of Rosecroft Rd., off of Georgia Avenue, in Rockville at approximately 10:45pm on Tuesday night. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the residents were home when the fire started and were first alerted by an explosion outside where they discovered a fire.

There were several reports of explosions, both before and while crews operated to extinguish the fire. Fire Investigators found several camping style propane tanks that had obviously exploded in the area of origin. The origin/cause was revealed to be a plastic bag full of discarded fireworks (purchased out of county) that ignited the cardboard/plastic fireworks and then spread to nearby shrubbery and other exterior combustibles and the siding of the home. Damage is estimated to be about $1.25M. Three adults, one child, and one pet have been displaced. One firefighter suffered a non-life threatening injury.

MCFRS

Vehicle Fully Engulfed in Flames on I-270 Late Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published July 5, 2023 at 12:07AM

We have received several reports of a vehicle being fully engulfed in flames near exit 6 on I-270. According to several different community members, the car is in the local lanes of northbound I-270 and was fully engulfed at 11:45pm on Tuesday night. We are currently awaiting additional information, but we recommend avoiding the local lanes for now with other delays possible due to rubbernecking.

MCFRS

MCFRS Responding to Heavy Fire in Rockville Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published July 4, 2023 at 11:15PM | Updated July 5, 2023 at 7:38AM

Update: Bag Full of Discarded Fireworks Cause Major Fire in Rockville Tuesday Night

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) are currently responding to what is being described as a heavy fire on the 15100 block of Rosecroft Rd., off of Georgia Avenue, in Rockville. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire is at a three-story home and all occupants were able to get out. Update here.

Burtonsville

MoCo Dispensary Has Been Sold For $8.25 Million

By MCS Staff

Published July 4, 2023 at 1:55PM

TerrAscend Corp., a leading North American cannabis operator, announced that it entered into a definitive agreement on June 29, 2023 to acquire Herbiculture Inc. (d/b/a “Herbiculture”), a medical dispensary in Burtonsville, Maryland.

With this transaction, TerrAscend will reach the four dispensary cap in the state. With the upcoming launch of adult-use on July 1, 2023, the Company believes that Herbiculture is well positioned to achieve substantial sales and profit growth. Under the terms of the agreement, TerrAscend will acquire Herbiculture for total consideration of US$8.25 million (the “Transaction”), composed of US$3.0 million in cash, with the remainder in a seller’s note. The transaction, which is expected to be immediately accretive to TerrAscend on an EBITDA and cashflow basis, has already been approved by the Maryland Cannabis Administration and is expected to close in the coming days.

MCFRS

MCFRS and RVFD Respond to Overturned Vehicle on Montrose Rd Early Tuesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published July 4, 2023 at 11:57AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) responded to the scene of an overturned vehicle on Montrose Rd at approximately 1am on Tuesday, July 4th.

According to the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, crews arrived to find one person trapped inside their vehicle on Montrose Rd., just prior to the SB-270 exit at approximately 1am. “Crews stabilized the vehicle with the tie-back and rolled the roof to gain access to the patient who was transported to a hospital. The extrication was completed in 12 minutes.” There is no word at this moment on the cause of the crash or the condition of the vehicle occupant.

Events

‘Germantown Glory’ Celebration and Fireworks Tonight

By MCS Staff

Published July 4, 2023 at 11:07AM

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.”

Tuesday, July 4, 7 p.m.: Germantown Glory at South Germantown Recreational Park, located at 18041 Central Park Circle in Germantown (Boyds)

DMV

Sheetz Drops Price of Gas to 1.776 per Gallon For July 4th

By MCS Staff

Published July 4, 2023 at 10:00AM

Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic gas station and convenience chain with an upcoming location in Gaithersburg and an additional Gaithersburg location likely coming soon, announced it will celebrate Independence Day by reducing its gas prices to $1.776 a gallon. This reduced pricing commemorates the year when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

This limited time promotion began at 12:01am on July 4th and will last all day, or while promotional gallons last. The discounted price will apply to regular, E85 (flex fuel), Unleaded 88, mid-grade and premium fuel grades at all of Sheetz 675+ locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. It will not apply to any diesel or Ethanol Free (E0) fuel offerings.

DMV

Code Orange Air Forecast For July 4-6 for D.C. Region

By MCS Staff

Published July 3, 2023 at 8:52PM

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast Code Orange air quality for the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Tuesday, July 4 through Thursday, July 6. On Tuesday, Fourth of July fireworks are expected to contribute to increased levels of fine particle pollution. On Wednesday and Thursday, a different pollutant, ground-level ozone, is expected to cause the unhealthy air quality. The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with heart or lung disease. COG advises the following health precautions:

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG’s website or the Clean Air Partners website. On unhealthy air days, COG advises the following actions to improve the air:

Maryland

MD Attorney General Brown Announces Settlement with CarMax, Inc. Over Its Alleged Failure to Disclose Vehicles’ Open Recalls

By MCS Staff

Published July 3, 2023 at 5:25PM

Per the Office of Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that his Consumer Protection Division (CPD) has reached a settlement with CarMax, Inc. over its alleged failure to disclose open safety recalls on the used vehicles it offered and sold. The CPD alleged that CarMax’s failure to disclose the recall status was an unfair and deceptive trade practice in violation of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

CarMax advertises vehicles as “CarMax Quality Certified,” alleging that its vehicles have undergone a 125+ point inspection and a detailed reconditioning process. CPD alleged that CarMax made these representations a focal point of its advertising for many years, and, before CPD began its investigation, failed to disclose to consumers that the inspection and reconditioning process did not include fixing open recalls. CPD alleged that consumers unknowingly bought vehicles with open safety recalls on them, which potentially placed those consumers’ safety at risk.

DMV

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect Until 10pm; “Wind & Hail Are Primary Threats Along With An Isolated Tornado”

By MCS Staff

Published July 3, 2023 at 5:15PM

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10pm for all locations along & east of I-81 (including all of Montgomery County). According to the National Weather Service this afternoon, “Wind & hail are the primary threats along with an isolated tornado. Mariners on the bay & tidal Potomac beware as these storms push east over the next 2-4 hours.”

Earlier today the National Weather Service stated, “Numerous showers and thunderstorms today, with some becoming severe, mainly along and east of the Blue Ridge. Damaging winds and large hail are possible with storms today and an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out.”