MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Police Investigating Second, Unrelated New Year’s Day Shooting; Councilmember Kate Stewart Releases Statement Regarding Shootings

Published January 1, 2023 at 10:08PM | Updated January 1, 2023 at 10:28PM

The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating a shooting in the 8500 block of 16th Street at/near the Summit Hills apartment complex. According to a news release earlier today, an adult male victim was transported with serious injuries. No suspect is in custody at this time and officers believe this is an isolated incident.

Earlier today police was investigating a shooting on the 9200 block of New Hampshire Ave. An adult male victim was transported with non-life threatening injuries. No suspect is in custody at this time. Councilmember Kate Stewart released the following statement regarding the shootings:

Glenmont

Approximately 85 Firefighters Respond to 2nd Alarm Fire Sunday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published January 1, 2023 at 9:41AM | Updated January 1, 2023 at 10:21AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at the Glenmont Crossing Apartment complex on the 2300 block of Shorefield Rd, off of Georgia Avenue, a little before 6am on Sunday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 85 firefighters responded to the 2nd alarm fire and the fire was extinguished by 6:37am. At least five residents, including children, were rescued with ladders and others were assisted out of the complex. The occupants of the apartment where the fire originated closed the door behind them, helping to contain the fire. There were no serious injuries, but several families will be displaced.

Bethesda

Mexicue Closes After Six Months in Bethesda

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 3:54PM | Updated December 31, 2022 at 4:20PM

In July 2021 we let you know that New York based Mexicue, which has a nearby location at 1720 14th St NW in DC, would be coming to 4733 Elm St. in Bethesda, the former site of Gusto Farm to Street. The Mexican restaurant opened on Tuesday, June 7th with a menu featuring tacos, bowls, shareable platters, margaritas and weekend brunch. Just over six months later, the restaurant has closed permanently.

Olney

2022’s Top Stories: Olney’s Highest Priced Residential Listing Has Sold; Breaking the Previous Record Set in 2019

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 11:46AM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from June: The housing market exploded last year and the trend has continued halfway through 2022. 18632 Woodgate Place, a 7 bedroom, 8 bathroom, 5,915 SF home in Olney, was listed at $2,499,000– and it ended up selling for $2,175,000, making it the highest priced residential listing in Olney history (photos below). The home beat the previous Olney record of $2,066,986 for 16672 Bridle Ridge Lane, which sold in 2019. The Bridle Ridge house is a Toll Brothers home with 11,182 SF living space with 5 car garage on just over half an acre (0.55 acre), according to our real estate expert Nurit Coombe.

The home on Woodgate Place, which was listed by Jamie Coley and Leigh Reed of Long & Foster, is described as a “one-of-a-kind resort home with multiple additions and upgrades nestled on a cul de sac backing to acres of wooded Rock Creek parkland.” In addition to the 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, the home has a 6-car garage, two outdoor kitchens & outdoor bar, fire pit, sport court and horseshoes pit with lights, propane fire pit, hot tub, and heated pool with custom slide., and a pool house with lockers, two showers, two baths, sinks, and pool toy storage area. A home just outside of Olney, at 17734 Norwood Rd in Sandy Spring, is currently under contract after being listed at $2,580,000. That home has 16 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and 13,227 SF.

Laytonsville

2022’s Top Stories: House Party With Over 600 Tickets Sold Prevented From Taking Place Sunday in Laytonsville

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 11:23AM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from September: A large house party that had sold over 600 tickets and was scheduled to take place Sunday night in Laytonsville was cancelled after the owners of the home became aware of the event and alerted Montgomery County Police. According to a Tiktok video that was promoting the event, it promised to be the “DMV’s Biggest Mansion Pool Party” and was taking place on over “3+ acres of land” with “10+ security guards.” MCPD sent out a notice to the community on Sunday afternoon, stating “An event scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 4 in the 5900 block of Sundown Rd. in Laytonsville, has been cancelled. Montgomery County Police will be present and are advising attendees to stay away from the area and contact event organizers for a refund.”

According to MCPD. “the event organizers had rented the house for what was supposed to be a private party, but they posted on social media and sold tickets to the party. Over 600 people purchased tickets. The owners of the home became aware of it, cancelled the event and made police aware of what was happening.”

Bethesda

2022’s Top Stories: Amazon to Close All 68 Retail Stores, Including Amazon Books and Amazon 4 Star Stores

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 11:13AM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from March: Amazon announced on Wednesday that it plans to close all 68 of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, pop-ups and shops carrying toys and home goods (including Amazon 4 Star) in the United States and United Kingdom, per Reuters. Amazon has an Amazon 4 Star location in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and one that was planned for Germantown, with signage at that location recently going up. A call to the Bethesda Amazon 4 Star location led to a message stating the store was temporarily closed until tomorrow. The Germantown location is no longer going to open.

Amazon also has an Amazon Books location in Bethesda, which is closed on Wednesdays. Exact dates for closures will vary by location, and Amazon stated it would help affected employees find roles elsewhere in the company. We will have closing dates for all Montgomery County location as soon as they are available. The company also stated that it would continue its focus on Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market grocery chains. An Amazon Fresh grocery store recently opened in Chevy Chase and one is planned for Gaithersburg. It was recently announced that an Amazon grocery store is in the plans for White Oak Town Center as well.

Beyond MoCo

2022’s Top Stories: (Beyond MoCo) Latest Update on the 126,000 SF Indoor Water Park Coming to Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 11:09AM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from August: Mid-Atlantic families will have something fun to howl about as Great Wolf Lodge, North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, has announced that its newest resort in Perryville, MD (located in Cecil County, northeast of Baltimore City) is scheduled to open in August 2023. Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be the company’s 20th resort in North America, and their largest. It will offer 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 57,000 square-foot entertainment center, and 12,000 square-feet of conference space. The resort is currently offering 25% off reservations at www.greatwolf.com/maryland.

Great Wolf Lodge, which broke ground in July 2021, will sit on 48 acres on the western edge of Cecil County, for what is being dubbed as “a convenient family getaway destination for guests living throughout Maryland, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and many other Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas.” Offerings include the indoor water park that has a variety of indoor pools and slides and is open throughout the year. The adventure park touts engaging attractions for the whole family, and daily events and activities are included in the cost of your stay. Per Great Wolf Lodge:

Olney

2022’s Top Stories: Olney Ale House For Sale

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 10:54AM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from September: “For Sale” signage is up at the Olney Ale House at 2000 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd in Olney. Owner John Roach tells us that he is looking to sell the 99-year-old building to someone that will continue to run it as the Olney Ale House restaurant. A kitchen fire caused the restaurant to shut down in 2019 and COVID-19 only compounded the issues for the restaurant. There will be additional information regarding the potential sale/reopening of the Olney Ale House in the next few weeks, according to Roach.

Back in July of 2021 it was announced that the Montgomery County Green Bank and Sandy Spring Bank would be teaming up to provide flexible financing to help the Olney Ale House re-open. Roach tells us that both financial institutions are still committed to helping the Ale House reopen. As we wait for the reopening, we wanted to share with you its history, courtesy of the Olney Ale House website: In 1923, Richard Bentley Thomas and Ethel Farquhar Thomas purchased the five acre triangular shaped piece of property from the estate of Sam Owens. The property had a four room log cabin in the middle of what is today’s parking lot. The corner was known as Davis Corner. Almost immediately construction began on a hipped-roof, pavilion-type building that would contain a kitchen, dining room and two bedrooms. This building was completed in 1924, and opened for business as “The Corner Cupboard.” They served homemade ice cream, breads, cookies, pies and cakes, as well as, sausage, scrapple and ham sandwiches from hams that were cured in their smokehouse. Garden vegetables were also grown and sold. The Corner Cupboard was a unique establishment and drew many loyal followers.

MCFRS

Fire Causes ~$100K in Damage; Displaces Three in Potomac

By MCS Staff

Published December 31, 2022 at 9:46AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the 10400 block of Heathside Way in the Glen Club neighborhood of Potomac for a fire on the second floor of a townhouse at approximately 3pm on Friday.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire extended to the attic but the occupants of the home were able to get out of the home. A cat that was in the home was also able to escape. Per piringer, the fire started when a 2nd floor bathroom fan (vent) caught nearby combustibles on fire. There were no injuries, but approximately $100k in damage (~$75k structural and ~$25k contents). Three adults and the cat have been displaced and the Red Cross is assisting.

Rockville

Water Main Break/Sink Hole in Rockville; Repairs Ongoing

By MCS Staff

Published December 30, 2022 at 7:13PM

As of 6pm on Friday evening, crews continue to repair a water main break (video below) at MD-28 and Maryland Ave. Traffic is closed on Maryland Ave. between Fleet St. and E. Montgomery Ave. and on MD-28 from N. Washington St. to Monroe St. No businesses or residences are without water at this time.

Per Rockville Police earlier today: Water main break/sinkhole in area of E. Jefferson St and Maryland Ave near District Courthouse. Road shut down, City Public Works en route. Please avoid the area and seek alternate route. Video below by David Hsu, @Tawei25 on Instagram

Education

2022’s Top Stories: 7 of Top 10 Public High Schools in Maryland Are in MoCo; All MCPS High Schools In Top Half of Rankings, According to Niche

By MCS Staff

Published December 30, 2022 at 6:48PM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from September: Niche, a rankings and review resource that provides information on K-12 schools, colleges, cities, neighborhoods, and companies across the United States, has just published its new 2023 Best Schools and Districts rankings. Now in its ninth year, the rankings include updated data for 92,743 public schools, 30,112 private schools, and 11,820 school districts nationwide. 7 of the top 10 public high schools in Maryland are located in Montgomery County, with Poolesville High School earning the top spot (All MCPS schools listed can be seen below and there are 282 public high schools in the state).

Per Niche: “While traditional rankings rely almost exclusively on metrics like test scores and academic performance, Niche’s rankings combine user input — ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities and more. The 2023 Best Schools rankings include 2,906 newly ranked public schools, 1,018 newly ranked private schools, and 547 newly ranked school districts across the country.”