Author: Patrick Herron

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Bans Sale and Use of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council enacted legislation today that will prohibit the sale and use of combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in most areas of the County. The vote was 10 – 1, with Council President Evan Glass, Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, Natali Fani-González, Will Jawando, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Kate Stewart voting for the bill.  

Bill 18-22, Noise Control – Leaf Removal Equipment – Amendments, was proposed by County Executive Marc Elrich and introduced by Council President Evan Glass. As enacted by the Council, the effective date of the ban on the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will be July 1, 2024. The ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will go into effect on July 1, 2025. 

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MoCo Government

Bill Introduced Would Require Gun Retailers to Distribute Information about Suicide Prevention 

By Patrick Herron

As part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass held a press conference today introducing legislation that would require gun retailers in Montgomery County to provide information at points of sale on suicide prevention, firearm safety and conflict resolution. According to a press release, “The SAFE Act (Bill 36-23, Sale of Firearms or Ammunition – Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education) would bolster gun violence prevention efforts. The new legislation would require the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to develop literature about firearm safety, suicide prevention and conflict resolution, which retailers of firearms and ammunition would be required to distribute at the point of sales.”

“Firearms are the leading method of suicide in Maryland and nationwide,” Council President Evan Glass said. “This legislation is being introduced during National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness about treatment and support for those who need it the most.

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MDLottery

$100,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at MoCo 7-Eleven

By Patrick Herron

A ride share driver is $100,000 richer after purchasing a winning lottery scratch-off ticket from the 7-Eleven at 7980 Georgia Ave. Full story below courtesy of MD Lottery:

A father of three who spends hours on the road every day making his living as a contractor for a ridesharing company, made a lucky stop to fuel up at a 7-Eleven in Silver Spring.

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Beyond MoCo

$3 Million in Jewelry Stolen From Home in Urbana; Suspects Arrested

By Patrick Herron

Per the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office: On Aug. 18, 2023, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies responded to a call for service of a residential burglary in the Urbana area of Frederick County, Maryland. FCSO detectives discovered that, during the burglary, suspects stole approximately $3 million in jewelry from the victim’s home.

Through a thorough investigation, FCSO Detective Josh Stears and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Baltimore were able to identify two suspects who reside in Las Vegas and had traveled to Frederick during the time of the burglary.

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Crime

Attorney General Anthony Brown Releases Revised Interim Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: “Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today released a revised interim Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The revised interim release, as authorized by the August 16, 2023 Order of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, removes some redactions that the court had previously ordered in this Office’s initial interim release on April 2023.

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Gaithersburg

Spirit Halloween Now Open in Rio; Germantown and Rockville Locations Fall Through

By Patrick Herron

Spirit Halloween is now open at 30 Grand Corner Ave. in Gaithersburg’s Rio. This will be the only Montgomery County Spirit location for 2023. The planned locations at 12940 Middlebrook Rd. (formerly Bed Bath & Beyond) in Germantown and 2210 Veirs Mill Rd., (formerly CVS) in Rockville will not be opening, according to a representative from the company.

New at Spirit this year will be a buy online/pickup in-store option, as well as delivery through DoorDash. A sneak peak of the Rio location can be seen below. During the Halloween season, Spirit operates over 1,400 stores in North America. The Spirit Halloween website is open year-round, offering its in-store products online. The store usually open 30-60 days prior to Halloween.

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MCPD

Southlawn Lane in Rockville Closed Due to Downed Wires

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 2:15pm on Tuesday, September 26: “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Downed wires have the 15100 block of Southlawn Lane closed. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Downed wires have the 15100 block of Southlawn Lane closed. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays. #MCPNews #MCPD #traffic pic.twitter.com/dCmYFEKcHB

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North Bethesda

PIKEtoberfest Takes Place This Sunday

By Patrick Herron

Per Pike & Rose: Spend the day with family and friends at North Bethesda’s premier fall festival– PIKEtoberfest. Get into the fall groove Oktoberfest-style with live music and entertainment throughout the day. Grab a pint of local and craft brews at Owen’s Ordinary beer garden and enjoy a bountiful harvest of eats and treats from the neighborhood’s retail and restaurant partners. Discover artisanal hand-crafted goods at the pop-up Makers Market, play against your friends in exciting games, and get creative with kid’s activities. The event is free to attend and dogs are welcome!

WHAT: PIKEtoberfest at North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose

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Montgomery Village

Hangry Joe’s Now Open in Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Hangry Joe’s is now open in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center.  The Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant is located adjacent to the Starbuck’s at 19290 Montgomery Village Ave.  Hangry Joe’s in know for its hot chicken sandwiches, known as the “Chicken Sando”, and allows guests to choose the spice level of the fried chicken (Plain<Mild<Medium<Hot<Angry Hot). The menu also consists of chicken fingers, chicken & waffles, wraps, nuggets, loaded fries, and salads. Sides include cider slaw, waffle fries, and fried okra.

Hangry Joe’s has additional Montgomery County locations in Wheaton (2533 Ennals Ave) and Rockville (718-B Rockville Pike and 10050 Darnestown Rd.)

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MCFRS

Downed Tree Causes Power Outages and Road Closures Monday Evening

By Patrick Herron

A large tree down at Dale Drive and Grace Church Road has caused power outages in the Silver Spring/Montgomery Hills/Forest Glen area on Monday evening. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS, multiple people were briefly stuck on the elevators at the Forest Glen Metro station.

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 5:53pm: “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: A down tree and wires has Dale Dr. closed between Crosby Rd. and Woodland Dr. Expect significant delays. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

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