Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Fatal Stabbing During Drug Deal

Published September 22, 2023 at 5:11PM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith sentenced defendant, Dakari Thomas, 20, of Silver Spring, to 25 years in prison suspending all but 12 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. Judge Smith recommended Thomas be admitted into the Patuxent Youthful Offenders program while incarcerated.

On July 6, 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the stabbing death of Getro Marius Benamna. The defendant and victim encountered one another along the 900 block of Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring on December 7^th, 2021 and began to conduct a drug transaction. Thomas was attempting to pass off another substance as marijuana. The two men became involved in a physical altercation and Thomas produced a knife, fatally stabbing Benamna. Assistant State’s Attorneys Cortenous Herbert and John Lalos prosecuted this case.”

Arts

Governor Moore Announces Investments in Maryland Arts Organizations Through Arts Relief Initiative

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 2:12PM

Per Montgomery County: Governor Wes Moore today announced a record investment in Maryland arts organizations through the state’s Arts Relief initiative. Through $40 million in supplemental funding added to the Maryland State Arts Council’s annual appropriation of $28.9 million in FY23, this record investment is helping arts organizations cope with the lasting financial impacts of the pandemic, spurring arts projects and employment in all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, and has elevated Maryland to second in the nation in per capita spending on the arts in FY23.

“Even as the world continues to reopen, we know that many arts organizations are finding it difficult to return to pre-pandemic audience levels. The same is true for artists, who are still getting back on their feet after recent challenges,” said Gov. Moore. “Thanks to this historic investment, which illustrates how much we value a strong creative economy, our arts ecosystem is poised to thrive in the coming years.”

Bethesda

Reality TV Stars Ashley Darby and Gabby Prescod to Appear at Montgomery Mall’s Remix Event on Saturday, October 7

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 2:09PM

Per Westfield Montgomery: This autumn, fall fashion takes center stage at Westfield Montgomery Mall’s remix event on Saturday, October 7. The city-making destination for high-brand fashion, luxury, and entertainment will welcome the new season with appearances from reality TV personalities, designer customizations, personal styling, fun photo opportunities, and more.

Ashley Darby and Gabby Prescod will headline the event with a fireside chat from 1pm to 2pm in the Nordstrom Wing on the Lower Level. Fresh off the latest season of runway shows from New York and Paris Fashion Week, Fashion editor Gabby Prescod will lead a lively discussion with fan favorite and Montgomery County native, Ashley Darby. Get a sneak peek into their lives and behind-the-scenes tales of their most memorable fashion statements. Beyond the glitz and the glam, discover the heart, passion, and sensibilities that drive their styles.

MCPD

Newport Mill Middle School Placed on Lockdown Friday Afternoon Following Nearby Sounds of Gunshots; No Active Threat

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 1:11PM | Updated September 22, 2023 at 1:41PM

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

MCFRS

MCFRS Respond to Collision With Vehicle Fire Friday Afternoon in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 12:55PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) responded to a collision with vehicle fire on Friday, September 22 on Great Seneca Highway, near Wisteria Dr. in Germantown. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, “Several people left the scene quickly, otherwise vehicle fire is being being extinguished. It appears people that left the scene are in the company of police.

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of @shxt_idk on Instagram.

Derwood

Scrap Tire Recycling Collection Event Scheduled for Sept. 25-29 at Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 12:39PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a free residential scrap tire drop-off event from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25–29 at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station located at 16101 Frederick Rd, in Derwood. The limit for the free recycling is 10 tires per County resident.

“The more items we can put to reuse the better for all of us, said County Executive Marc Elrich.”This event is a convenient opportunity for residents to do their part for our environment by turning old tires into new products and materials. By recycling more materials, we are throwing away less trash which moves us closer to our zero waste goals.”

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Office of Animal Services to Host Animal Welfare Presentation Wednesday, Sept. 27, with Author and Advocate Sara Pizano

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 12:37PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Animal Services will host a free animal welfare presentation from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the County Executive Office Building Auditorium in Rockville. Noted animal welfare advocate and author Sara Pizano, founder of Team Shelter USA, will talk about best practices for shelters.

Dr. Pizano is also affiliated with Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge, which fosters community-centered programs and outreach efforts to ensure optimal outcomes for every pet by offering consultations and mentoring services. The program will provide the County with a complimentary shelter consultation.

Olney

Mackie’s Barbecue Co. to Open Monday in Olney

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 10:02AM

Mackie’s Barbecue Company at 5500 Olney Laytonsville Rd (previously Umberto’s Italian Restaurant) in Olney will hold its soft opening on Monday, September 25. The restaurant will be open with a […]

Germantown

County Executive Elrich’s Next ‘Community Conversation’ to Seek Input on Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget Will Be Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 9:18AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, is hosting a series of 10 “Community Conversations” from September through December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The next conversation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The BlackRock Center for the Arts is located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.

Seven of the 10 conversations will be conducted in English, including one focusing on issues for older residents and another focusing on issues of importance to Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members. For a County first, one of the forums will be conducted in Amharic (Oct. 18). Two other non-English language forums were on the schedule. The Sept. 21 forum was conducted in Spanish and the Nov. 27 forum will be in Chinese. A select number of Community Conversations will be held online so that residents have the option to participate remotely.

Gaithersburg

Volunteers Sought for Nadim Khan Memorial Homeless Resource Day on Thursday, Oct. 19, in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2023 at 9:13AM

Per Montgomery County: Volunteers are needed for the Nadim Khan Memorial Homeless Resource Day to be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Activity Center at the City of Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park. The one-day fair provides Montgomery County residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with a one-stop opportunity to access a variety of resources and services focusing on health, employment, housing, legal, tax and veteran benefits.

Bohrer Park is located at 506 South Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg. The event is co-sponsored by the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the City of Gaithersburg.

MCFRS

MCFRS Respond to House Fire in Montgomery Village Thursday Evening; Four Displaced

By Patrick Herron

Published September 21, 2023 at 7:53PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 9600blk of Brassie Way in Montgomery Village on Thursday, September 20, around 5:30pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from a third floor bedroom window. The fire was extinguished and there were no injuries reported. Four adults have been displaced.

We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Photos courtesy of @h.h.fireproductions on Instagram.