Author: MCS Staff

Derwood

Two Adults Hospitalized After Driver Crashes Into Utility Pole on Muncaster Mill Rd

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a driver crashing into a utility pole on Muncaster Mill Rd, between Avery Rd and the MD200 ICC overpass, on Tuesday evening.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the driver crashed into a utility pole, with wires coming down on the vehicle and across the road. Communication/Verizon wires were also affected by the crash, which blocked lanes on Muncaster Mill Rd. One patient was transported with priority 1 trauma (life threatening injuries) and another was transported with priority 2 trauma (serious, but non-life threatening injuries). There is no word on what caused the crash.

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Montgomery Planning

Montgomery County Council Seeks Applicants for Montgomery County Planning Board Chair and a Planning Board Member

By MCS Staff

Applications must be received no later than Monday, April 3, 2023 at 5 p.m. The cover letter should indicate if you wish to be considered for the chair position. Acting Planning Board members are eligible to apply for these positions.

Members generally serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed.

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DMV

Beyond MoCo: National Harbor Celebrates Cherry Blossom Season with a Festival from March 20 to April 16

By MCS Staff

National Harbor has become a prime location for its cherry tree celebration each year. This year’s festivities take place from March 20 to April 16 with National Harbor also serving as an official participant of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to National Harbor’s waterfront views, this year’s celebration will be filled with entertainment, food and drink specials, classes and more. The annual Sakura Sunday festival, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will be held on Sunday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature free cultural activities including Japanese inspired art, music, dance, culinary delights, and a Japanese market.

Per the press release: On April 8, in the Capital Canopy at National Harbor, Katsucon Entertainment, Inc., a Japanese entertainment and educational organization will provide an authentic Japanese tabletop experience. Games include Riichi Mahjong; Karuta card game flash cards to help teach Japanese to children ages five and older; Hanabi, a collaborative game where players have to give each other hints on the cards in order to make a firework display together (ages 10-15.) Games will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 8. Register Here. Also on April 8, National Harbor, the Embassy of Japan will host a film day Lu Over the Wall and MIRAI.The films will be shown on National Harbor’s waterfront screen (150 National Plaza) starting at 2 p.m.

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Crime

Residential Burglary Leads to Fight Between Suspect and Victim; Suspect Still At Large

By MCS Staff

Per Takoma Park Police: On March 13, at approximately 7:23 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6600 block of Gude Avenue for the report of a residential burglary in progress. An unknown male in his 20’s broke a window on the ground floor and crawled through.  Once inside, a fight ensued between the suspect and the victim, owner of the residence.  The fight ended on the front porch at which time the suspect fled on foot.  The suspect ran down Gude Avenue toward Poplar Avenue.  The victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as a Black male, 20’s, last seen wearing a puffy light blue jacket, black pants and carrying a backpack. Investigation continues under case #230012185.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps

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Maryland

New 227 Area Code Coming to Maryland in June

By MCS Staff

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 240/301 area code region which serves all or portions of Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Bowie, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Hagerstown, Potomac, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Wheaton, and many other small communities. The new 227 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 240/301 area codes.

What is an Area Code Overlay? An overlay is the addition of another area code (227) to the same geographic region as an existing area code region (240/301). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 240, 301, and new 227 area codes.

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Beyond MoCo

Bird House Reopens at National Zoo for First Time in Six Years

By MCS Staff

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) invites visitors to soar into its renovated Bird House, having opened on Monday, March 13. The innovative exhibit explores the fascinating world of migratory songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds native to North, Central and South American ecosystems. Migratory birds play critical roles in pest control, pollination and seed dispersal for trees and plants as well as crops. Bilingual panels—in English and Spanish—tell the story of how migratory birds connect communities and contribute to healthy ecosystems across the Americas.The Bird House closed for renovation Jan. 2, 2017 and March 13th marked the completion of the six-year, $69 million project. Additional information below, courtesy of the press release:

As Zoo visitors “migrate” through the shores of the Delaware Bay, a lush prairie pothole and a tropical Bird Friendly coffee farm, free-flighted birds stride, paddle, tweet and fly all around them. These multi-sensory, immersive aviaries mimic natural ecosystems—places that are of critical importance to the annual life cycles of migratory birds and that boost human well-being. From this exhibit, visitors can learn seven simple actions to live bird friendly to protect native species in their own backyards. The Bird House opening celebration is made possible with the support of Boeing.

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Poolesville

Town of Poolesville FY 2024 Budget Now Available

By MCS Staff

The Commissioners of Poolesville have presented the FY2024 Budget and Tax Rate. The FY 2024 proposed budget maintains the constant tax rate .1781¢ per $100.00 of assessment and water rates remain the same. 

Per The Commissioners of Poolesville: The Town’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget is balanced, funds all debt service obligations, and funds critical operation and maintenance items. As has been the case for the last several years, the Town continues to grapple with rising costs for construction projects, equipment replacement and overall increased costs for goods and services. A Public Hearing will be held on April 3, 2023, 7:00 PM @ Town Hall. FY2024 Proposed Budget & Tax Rate

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Arts

TRANSFORMATIONS Art Opening Reception to Take Place on Thursday, March 23

By MCS Staff

Per the Takoma Park Newsletter: The origin of paper winds through history and across centuries from papyrus in ancient Egypt to pulp-based paper from the Han dynasty in China to the invention of photographic paper in the early 19th century. Artists have transformed this common material into new worlds of invention and creativity. Three artists will share their paper-based work in the TRANSFORMATIONS exhibition at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave) with an opening reception at 7:30 pm on March 23. The featured artists include Beth Caruso, Landry Dunand, and Randall Williams.

Beth Caruso’s work often depicts aspects of the self and the body in relation to nature. In her Inner Life series, she photographs subjects and scenes and then uses digital tools to transform them into mirrored, kaleidoscopic imagery. “This series stems from a vivid interplay of intellect and emotion, combined with the workings of my conscious and subconscious,” she said. “In this light, the work can be viewed as a dialogue between the inner life of the artist and her surroundings, reflecting a desire to reorder the elements of the external world.”

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MCFRS

Driver Crashes Into Market and Outdoor Seating Area of Restaurant; No Injuries

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to a driver crashing into the Corner Market and then the outdoor seating at the Daily Dish in the Rock Creek Shopping Center on Grubb Rd in Silver Spring.

According to a witness on the scene, we were told that the driver appeared to lose control and initially crashed into the market before driving into the outdoor tables outside of the Daily Dish restaurant. Per the witness, there were no injuries. Photos below courtesy of @comidatragosyco on Instagram.

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Gaithersburg

Public Hearing for Proposal That Would Bring 380 Residential Units to Old Nike Missile Site in Gaithersburg Scheduled For March 20 Public Hearing

By MCS Staff

Pleasants Development/Muddy Branch Investments, LLC  has submitted Sketch Plan application SK-9497-20231, to establish a new sketch plan for approximately 13.71 acres of land at 770 Muddy Branch Road, the former Nike Missile Site, surrounded by the Muddy Branch Shopping Center, Lakelands Ridge, City-owned park land, and Timberbrook Condominium. The Application proposes to create a residential community of up to 380 multifamily units. The Applicant has submitted an application proposing to develop a new multifamily residential community with associated open space and amenities. The development will include up to 380 dwelling units. The Applicant, as part of the application, has submitted a statement of support and justification outlining the purpose of the current request:

According to the Statement, the main purpose of the sketch plan is to redevelop the former Nike missile site into a multifamily residential development that will complement and be compatible with the surrounding Lakelands Ridge, Timberbrook, and Shady Grove Village communities, as well as the Muddy Branch Square Shopping Center. The Application proposes a maximum of 380 multifamily dwelling units, located within four separate development blocks. Individual blocks have been allocated a maximum number of dwelling units out of the overall 380 unit cap. Although the 380 units proposed across the entire 13.71-acre site is significantly less dense (27.7 units per acre) than other recently-approved stand-alone multifamily developments, such as the Fishman Site (109 units on 0.99 acres, or 110.0 units per acre), Kentlands Apartments (365 units on 3.1 acres, or 117.7 units per acre), and Camden at Washingtonian (365 units on 5.86 acres, or 62.3 units per acre), the proposed density is comparable to and compatible with the surrounding Timberbrook Condos (168 units on 9.74 acres, or 17.2 units per acre) and Lakelands Ridge Condos (159 units on 9.39 acres, or 16.9 units per acre).

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Crime

Teenager Arrested for Stolen Auto; Other Offenses

By MCS Staff

Per Takoma Park Police: On March 12, at approximately 12:57 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7100 block of Holly Avenue for the report of a stolen auto.  As officers arrived, they observed a vehicle driving away at a high rate of speed with the stolen auto being driven behind it.  Officers attempted to make a stop of both vehicles without success.  Upon reaching Maple Avenue and Erie Avenue, the vehicles split up, with the vehicle in front turning onto Erie Avenue towards Flower Avenue.  Officers continued to surveil the stolen auto.  The driver of the stolen auto lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway onto a tree stump near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Kennebec Avenue.  The suspect was taken into custody, identified, and a search incident to arrest yielded items of evidentiary value on his person indicative of tools to jump start vehicles.  The victim was notified.  A lookout for the other vehicle was provided to surrounding jurisdictions.

The driver of the vehicle, a 15-year-old male from Hyattsville, Maryland, was charged with Auto Theft, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle and various other traffic offenses. The charged juvenile was released to the custody of a parent(s). Investigation continues. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100 and refer to case #230012056. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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