MoCo Government

Marc Elrich has declared victory in the Democratic Primary after an update earlier on Saturday night showed that Marc Elrich (55,469, 39.20%) had a 42 vote lead over David Blair (55,427, 39.17%) with all mail-in ballots and all but 37 of the 7,000 + provisional ballots tabulated. He released the following statement via social media:

When asked about a potential recount, County Executive Marc Elrich replied, “Recounbt [sic] wont change ahmnything [sic]. It chan ged 2. Votes in 2018”


MoCo Government

All mail-in ballots and all but 37 of the 7,000 + provisional ballots have been tabulated, according to Montgomery County’s Board of Elections. The latest update by the Maryland State Board of Elections in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive  (8:15pm, 8/6) shows that incumbent Marc Elrich (55,469, 39.20%) has a 42 vote lead over David Blair (55,427, 39.17%), going from a lead of 198 after Friday night’s update.

David Blair led by 1,191 votes when early voting and Election Day votes were tallied. The lead went back and forth with Marc Elrich keeping a three-digit lead over David Blair the last few days until Saturday night’s update. Overall, Blair has received 26,073 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 27,441 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in the 2018 Democratic Primary.


Rockville

Adventist HealthCare’s hospitals in Montgomery County have received national awards for providing rapid, research-based and high-quality care to heart attack patients. Shady Grove Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center have both earned American Heart Association awards. Shady Grove has received the Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus award and White Oak Medical Center has received the Mission: Lifeline STEMI & NSTEMI Gold awards. The hospitals previously earned national recognition for providing high-quality stroke care.

Per the press release: Each year, more than 280,000 people nationwide experience a STEMI heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery. Known as the deadliest type of heart attack, the STEMI must be treated in an efficient, timely manner. The NSTEMI is experienced by over 546,000 people a year and is caused by a partial blockage of blood flow to the heart. Both types of heart attacks require medical staff to work as quickly as possible to restore blood flow, either mechanically or by providing medication.


Education

MCPS currently has 247 full-time teaching positions and 60 part-time open teaching positions as the first day of school approaches (August 29th), according to the school system’s website. Last Tuesday, MCPS hosted a virtual informational session for job seekers to learn about available openings for the 2022-2023 school year. On Friday morning the Montgomery County Board of Education tweeted, “MCPS is looking for special education teachers! Do you know someone who would be a great fit? Encourage them to apply at mcpscareers.org“.

According to a late July post on the MCPS website, the school system offered the following information: MCPS is the largest and most diverse school system in Maryland. The district is seeking highly qualified professionals to join its workforce as classroom teachers and support professionals. The system is looking to hire for these critical areas:


Bethesda

Bethesda Gourmet, a small cafe/deli that has operated inside one of the Bethesda Towers at 4350 E W Hwy #100 for over a decade, will be closing towards the end of the month, according to one of the owners we spoke with earlier this week. The restaurant offers traditional breakfast and lunch items, as well as daily specials that include a variety of Korean and Chinese dishes.

An auction for the restaurant’s equipment, which has already started, is running until August 26th. 68 different items, ranging from coolers and refrigerators to fryers and griddles, are being auctioned off with the winners being able to pick up the equipment on August 27th.


Maryland

The measure would amend the Maryland Constitution to add a new article, Article XX, which would authorize individuals 21 years of age or older to use and possess marijuana. The added section also authorizes the Maryland General Assembly to “provide for the use, distribution, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the state.” During the 2022 legislative session, the state legislature also passed the implementing legislation (HB 837) that would take effect once the amendment is adopted. Currently, marijuana is legal for medicinal use in Maryland under a 2013 law. In April 2014, possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana was decriminalized.

HB 837 would temporarily expand decriminalization from January 1 to June 30, 2023, if the amendment passes. It would decriminalize the possession and use of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana with a civil fine of up to $100. Currently, the decriminalized amount is 10 grams. It would also reduce the penalty for possession of more than 1.5 ounces but not exceeding 2.5 ounces to a civil fine of up to $250.


Maryland

Maryland Online Puppies, LLC, and Sara and Nathan Bazler Must Refund Payments for Sick Dogs, Pay Civil Penalties, and No Longer Sell Dogs in Maryland

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement with online puppy retailer Maryland Puppies Online, LLC and the company’s owners, Sara and Nathan Bazler (collectively, “Maryland Puppies”). The settlement provides restitution to Maryland consumers, imposes civil penalties, and bans the company from selling dogs in Maryland.


MoCo Government

“Most, if not all” canvassing of mail-in ballots has been completed and work has begun on 7,000 + provisional ballots (additional information below). The latest update by the Maryland State Board of Elections in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Executive  (9:47pm, 8/5) shows that incumbent Marc Elrich (53,224, 39.29%) has increased his lead over David Blair (53,026, 39.14%), going from a lead of 154 votes after Wednesday night’s tabulations to 198 after Friday night’s update (canvassing did not take place on Thursday.

David Blair led by 1,191 votes when early voting and Election Day votes were tallied. Elrich took the lead early on during the canvassing of mail-in votes, but Blair closed the gap and eventually reclaimed the lead. Elrich regained the lead on the first day of August, increased it by 53 additional votes in Tuesday night‘s update, with David Blair cutting the lead by 19 in the Wednesday night update before Elrich increased his heal by 44 votes a Friday night. Overall, Blair has received 23,672 mail-in/provisional ballot votes compared to 25,196 for Marc Elrich. Marc Elrich defeated David Blair by just 77 votes in the 2018 Democratic Primary.


Crime

The Defendant also Instructed a Co-conspirator to Hide the Murder Weapon

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: Jordan Moreno, a/k/a “Joker”, age 23, a Honduran national recently of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal kidnapping charges related to the death of Victim 1, a 19-year old woman.  Moreno had previously pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County to First Degree Murder in Victim 1’s death.


Beyond MoCo

Anne Arundel County Police are investigating the death of a 43-year-old Montgomery County woman whose body was found in Chesapeake Harbor East on Saturday. The woman’s identity has not been released, but it has been reported that the woman is from Chevy Chase.

At approximately 1:30pm on Saturday, July 30, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department was dispatched to the community off of Edgewood Road in the Annapolis area for a body that was found in the water. Upon arrival, the fire department requested the Anne Arundel County Police to assist at the scene. Her body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy and identification. Chesapeake Harbor is located just outside Annapolis city limits. Anne Arundel County Police continues to investigate the death.


Rockville

Work continues on Phase One of Twinbrook Quarter, the upcoming development located on the southwest corner of the property at Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. It includes residential, office and commercial space, and will include Montgomery County’s second Wegmans.

The framework is now two stories above ground level on the side facing the Metro parking garage (photo below). Though progress continues to be made, construction on the actual Wegmans grocery store isn’t expected to begin for at least another year, according to a representative from the Germantown location. The following update was provided by Reimagine Twinbrook, prior to some of the progress, last month:


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