Author: MCS Staff

Traffic

The I-270 Sinkhole Has Been Repaired; All Travel Lanes Now Open

By MCS Staff

The Maryland State Highway Administration has announced that all travel lanes are now open on southbound I-270, following over two weeks of repairs for a sinkhole that was caused by a failed corrugated drainage pipe in the right lane of I-270 southbound, prior to Exit 9 (I-370).

Per MDSHA last week: “Major pipe failure looked small on surface of SB I-270, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. Damage underneath was not visible to drivers but is 20 ft wide, 15 ft long & 12 ft deep. Crews are installing new 80-ft pipe w/a focus on your safety.”

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Rockville

City of Rockville’s Water Quality Meets/Exceeds Federal Regulations, According to City’s Drinking Water Report

By MCS Staff

The City of Rockville’s Department of Public Works has released its Annual Drinking Water Quality Report today, proclaiming that Rockville’s water has met or exceeded all federal water quality regulations. A press release sent out by the City of Rockville cutes challenging working conditions due to ongoing upgrades that are currently occurring at the city’s water treatment plant, which is located on the banks of the Potomac River. The full press release can be seen below:

In another year of challenges to provide the city with safe and reliable drinking water, Rockville’s water once again met or exceeded all federal water quality regulations limits, the city’s Department of Public Works said in the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report released today. The city’s water treatment plant, on the banks of the Potomac River, serves 70% of Rockville, or approximately 13,000 accounts and 52,000 community members. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission serves the remainder of the city.

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Bethesda

Medium Rare Delivers 600 Meals to Campers at Camp Airy in Frederick After Fire Destroys Dining Hall and Causes $2 Million in Damages

By MCS Staff

“When crisis strikes, we help get the community back on its feet!” That was the quote from local restaurant Medium Rare as they prepared to deliver 600 meals for campers at Camp Airy in Frederick, after a fire destroyed the camp dining hall, causing $2 million in damages on Wednesday.

“Today in partnership with Feed the Fridge, we will be preparing and delivering 600 meals for campers at Camp Airy in Frederick Co., MD after their mess hall was destroyed in a large fire yesterday. Meals include Steak and Grilled Chicken with Salad, along with a vegetarian option.

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MDLottery

Beyond MoCo: Frederick Cancer Survivor, Husband Win $1 Million Scratch-Off Prize

By MCS Staff

Playing the Lottery during treatment helped take their minds off their worries

A husband and wife claimed a $1 million Maryland Lottery scratch-off prize on June 28, but they were already celebrating something even bigger. Upon claiming the prize, the husband explained, “She just survived cancer, so it’s a blessing!”

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Montgomery Planning

Montgomery County Planning Board and Planning Department Announce July 2022 Events

By MCS Staff

Join the first in-person Visioning Workshop for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan on July 6

The Montgomery County Planning Board and the Montgomery County Planning Department have announced their July 2022 calendar of events and meetings. All persons attending Planning Board meetings in person at M-NCPPC’s Wheaton Headquarters (2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902) must be vaccinated, must sign up in advance, and may be required to show proof of vaccination. Those who participate are expected to observe general rules of decorum and address only the issues relevant to the decision before the Planning Board.

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Damages Estimated at $2,000,000 for Camp Airy; Frederick Fire Marshal’s Office Deems Building a Total Loss

By MCS Staff

Press release from Frederick County Fire & Rescue: On Wednesday June 29, 2022, the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services was dispatched to a building fire at Camp Airy, located at 14938 Old Camp Airy Road, Thurmont, Maryland. A Frederick County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer as well as a Maryland State Trooper were first on the scene and confirmed smoke on the second floor of the structure and that the building was evacuated. Arriving fire crews located the camp’s dining hall with visible smoke and a rapid intervention dispatch, tanker task force, and second alarm were requested. The incident brought in over 100 firefighters from Maryland and Pennsylvania to battle the blaze. Fire and Rescue crews were able to isolate the fire to the dining hall and Camp Airy staff relocated all campers safely to a distant section of the property. The fire was brought under control in about three hours but numerous crews remained on scene for the duration of the day extinguishing hot spots.

As is normal for a fire this substantial, hot spots rekindled overnight and throughout the morning today bringing crews back out to continuously monitor and put water on it. Today, local construction company, W. F. Delauter & Son provided an excavator to assist with moving debris so that firefighters could access material that was still smoldering. Over 85,000 gallons of water was placed on the remnants of the structure to ensure it was completely extinguished.

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Crime

Former Rockville Medical Worker Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse of Patient After Jury Convicts Him in Similar Case

By MCS Staff

Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Judge David Boynton, defendant, Macdoff Oghenejabo Okah, 46, of Silver Spring, entered a guilty plea to charges of sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult and sexual offense in the third degree. This follows his conviction in a separate case yesterday where a jury found Okah guilty of one count of sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult and three counts of sexual offense in the third degree. He is facing a maximum of 60 years in prison for the combined six counts. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2022 at 1:30 pm.

These cases stem from two incidents involving separate victims at Adventist Healthcare Behavioral Health located in the 14900 block of Broschart Rd. in Rockville. Okah was employed as a Psychiatric Technician there since 2016 and was terminated on June 7, 2019. “This defendant abused his position of trust and authority over the victims, preying on them while they were in a vulnerable state. It took courage for the victims to come forward and that bravery will help to prevent further abuse. We look forward to a lengthy prison sentence in this matter,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

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