Author: MCS Staff

Bethesda

Ten Montgomery County Restaurants Currently Participating in Winter Restaurant Week

By MCS Staff

Winter Restaurant Week runs from January 16 to January 22, with ten Montgomery County restaurants participating. Founding Farmers, J. Hollinger’s, Lia’s, all three Matchbox locations, Morton’s, Spanish Diner, The Daily Dish, and Dish & Dram will be the participating MoCo restaurants. Per the Metropolitan Restaurant Week website:

“With some of the nation’s best know chefs, restaurateurs and rising culinary stars helming eateries in our region, Metropolitan DC is known for its restaurants. One of the most highly anticipated food-related programs in the region, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week is a week-long celebration of area restaurants and the diversity of world-class cuisine. For local diners, Restaurant Week is an opportunity to experience new flavors, explore restaurants in different neighborhoods or visit old favorites. For visitors to the area, it’s an opportunity to experience many of the best of our regional restaurants without breaking the bank.”

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Rockville

Rockville: Bulk Waste Collection Suspended Due to County Incinerator Issues

By MCS Staff

Due to issues with the solid waste incinerator at the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility in Dickerson, the City of Rockville will not be collecting bulk waste at this time. Household recycling and trash collections remain on their regular schedule.

Scheduled bulk refuse collections are suspended until the county-owned facility resumes operations. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws for updates about the status of the county facility. Bulk waste collections are for large waste that does not fit into carts, such as a couch, desk, sink, door, or cabinet up to 499 pounds. Scheduled bulk metal and bulk yard waste collections will be made as scheduled. For information about scheduling a bulk metal or bulk yard waste collection, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/recycling-trash.

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Takoma Park

Takoma Park Accepting Applications for its Quality of Life Grants Program

By MCS Staff

The City of Takoma Park is currently accepting applications for its Community Quality of Life Grants Program through Thursday, March 9, 2023. The Community Quality of Life Grants Program provides financial support for specific programs, projects, and events that improve the quality of life for city residents by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences. Projects are eligible for up to $10,000 in financial support.

Funding for FY23 is available for projects taking place between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Additional Resources below:

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Takoma Park

New, Resident-Requested Four-Way Stop Temporarily Installed in Takoma Park

By MCS Staff

The State Highway Administration (SHA) approved a resident-requested four-way stop at Ethan Allen and Elm avenues in Takoma Park. It has been installed and has been operational since Saturday, January 14. This is a temporary installation, as SHA is concerned that traffic may routinely back up into the New Hampshire Ave intersection and reserves their right to discontinue the 4-way stop.

Per the City of Takoma Park: “We ask that motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians please use caution in the area as everyone adjusts to the new traffic control.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Gaithersburg

Lakeforest Mall to Close at the End of March after Almost 45 Years

By MCS Staff

WRS, Inc. officially announced that Lakeforest Mall will be closing at the end of March, after almost 45 years in Gaithersburg. The closing of the mall aligns with the recently announced closing of Macy’s, the last of the remaining anchor stores at the mall. The announcement was made at a City of Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council meeting on Tuesday night. WRS plans to demolish “as soon as they can.” Financing requires the mall to remain as an option in case “things go really sideways”, which could cause WRS to have to look at re-tenanting the mall. It was made clear that WRS does not intend to do this, but needs to keep it as an option. Previously, WRS mentioned 2024 as a target date for demolition to occur and new construction to begin.

Lakeforest Mall first opened on September 12, 1978. At that time, the mall’s anchor stores were JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht’s. The mall was one of the first in the United States to feature an indoor ice skating rink on the lower level, in the “H section”, along with being the biggest indoor shopping mall in the county at the time of grand opening. The ice skating rink was replaced by a NTI Theaters movie theater in 1984, later renamed Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5, then by a food court, which now occupies the space. The mall was built on top of Lake Walker, a park on the property prior. The mall opened with approximately 30-50 stores, with some of the first stores being relocated from the then nearby indoor Village Mall (now an outdoor strip mall called Montgomery Village Center since 1991) and absorbed onto the property.

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MCFRS

West Gude Drive Closed Due to Critical Injury Crash

By MCS Staff

West Gude Drive is closed near Watkins Pond Blvd and King Farm Stream Valley Park (Rockville, MD) due to a crash with ejection and critical injuries that occurred at approximately 2:30PM on Tuesday afternoon. The roadway will remain closed for crash reconstruction, according to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.

Montgomery County Police has issued a traffic advisory, stating that “West Gude Drive is closed between Gaither Rd. and Watkins Pond Blvd. due to a traffic collision. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks Warns of Canine Influenza in County and Urges Dog Owners to Take Precautions

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks  is alerting park visitors and dog park users of a canine influenza (dog flu) outbreak affecting Montgomery County and the Washington, DC area. Dog owners should take precautions to ensure their pets’ health and safety.   According to the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services, the respiratory disease is caused by a specific strain of Type A Influenza virus and is highly contagious. While most cases of dog flu are mild, more severe disease can lead to death.  “Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that affects dogs. Vaccination and avoiding contact with any unknown dogs or dogs who are showing signs of upper respiratory infection are the best ways to protect pets. Please talk to your vet about getting vaccinated today,” said Dr. Gregory Lawrence, DVM Chief Veterinarian for Montgomery County Office of Animal Services.

Montgomery Parks advises dog owners and dog park users in the county to contact their veterinarians if they notice symptoms of dog flu, which include cough, runny nose, eye discharge, fever, lethargy, and poor appetite. Infected dogs should be separated from other dogs for at least 28 days and not go to dog parks, doggy daycare, or grooming and boarding facilities. Some ways to help protect your dog from becoming ill include:

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Seeks Applicants for Montgomery County Planning Board; Deadline for applications has been extended to Jan. 20, 2023 at 5 p.m.

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board. In October 2022, the County Council appointed five temporary acting Planning Board members. All members serve until their successors are appointed. The Council intends to appoint successors for three members. The following temporary Board members will vacate their positions at the end of February 2023: Ms. Presley, Mr. Hill and Ms. Branson. The following vacancies are available to fill the unexpired terms of the prior Planning Board members:

• One Montgomery County resident registered to vote in the County as a Republican (term ends June 14, 2024).

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Rockville

Rockville Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder

By MCS Staff

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: “Before the Honorable Karla Smith, a jury found defendant Sergey Danshin, 35, of Rockville, guilty of first-degree murder and related handgun charges for the death of 39-year-old Javier Gonzalez-Mena. On June 22nd, 2022, Danshin and co-defendant, Micah Clemons, 33, of Virginia, knocked on the door of a room at the Red Roof Inn along the 16000 block of Shady Grove Road in Rockville, where victim, Gonzalez-Mena, had been staying. After an initial confrontation, Danshin left the area of the room, only to return several minutes later to ambush Gonzalez-Mena.  Danshin then fatally shot the victim.

The victim, Gonzalez-Mena’s, girlfriend was holding his hand as he was shot and fell to the ground. Danshin ordered her to come to a waiting get-away car where he removed a facial covering that he was wearing and revealed his identity. The two were known to each other. As soon as Gonzalez-Mena’s girlfriend had the opportunity, she called 911. Danshin and Clemons were arrested along with the driver of the getaway car, Willman Quintanilla, 43, of Boyds. Danshin faces the potential of life in prison when he is sentenced on April 6th, 2023. Assistant State’s Attorneys James Dietrich and Gabe Carrera are prosecuting this case. Co-defendant, Micah Clemons, has pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and a related handgun charge and is scheduled for sentencing on March 10th, 2023. Co-defendant, Willman Quintanilla, has pleaded guilty to accessory after fact murder 1st and is scheduled for sentencing on March 10th, 2023.”

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Silver Spring

Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in Home Invasion Case

By MCS Staff

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: Before the Honorable John Maloney, a jury found defendant, Tremayne Dorsey, 44, of unknown address, guilty of first-degree murder, felony murder, home invasion, two counts of first-degree assault, and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. This stems from an incident on November 30th, 2021, when Dorsey forced his way into an apartment along the 12300 block of Treetop Drive in Silver Spring, shooting and killing 39-year-old James Beverly whose eight-month-old daughter and other family members were just feet away, inside of the unit.

Dorsey also assaulted two women inside of the apartment. As detailed in court proceedings, Dorsey had previously stayed at the residence with the victims and had a falling out with them, so he was known to them. He was found by police nearly a month later in Colonial Heights, VA. Dorsey faces the potential of life in prison when he is sentenced on March 23rd, 2023. Assistant State’s Attorneys Peter Larson and Kimberly Cissel are prosecuting this case.

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Clarksburg

Family Forum on Fentanyl & Life Saving Narcan Training At Clarksburg High School

By MCS Staff

On January 28, from 9:30 – 11:30 am, Clarksburg High School will host a Family Forum on Fentanyl & Life Saving Narcan Training. Panelists will share important information for families on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl, prevention tools, and protective factors for students and resources for treatment when needed.

This is a family discussion about what you need to know about this deadly drug, including Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) will be available for tours to learn signs of substance use, plus a resource fair, refreshments, Covid-19 vaccinations, and SSL Hours available. You can register here.

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