Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Massage Envy in Germantown Has Closed

Published September 2, 2023 at 4:35PM | Updated October 16, 2024 at 1:18AM

Update: The Gaithersburg Massage Envy will relocate into this location on December 1st.

Massage Envy at 20950 Frederick Rd in the Neelsville Village Center in Germantown has permanently closed. The store is redirecting its members to the Gaithersburg Massage Envy location at 127 Crown Park Ave in Downtown Crown. According to signage posted on the front door, the store never fully recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic. Massage Envy offers massages, stretch therapy, and facials, and has additional Montgomery County locations in Rockville and Silver Spring.

Bethesda

Joint Statement from the Principals of Walter Johnson and Bethesda Chevy-Chase High Schools Regarding Student Fight That Broke Out After Friday Night’s Game

By Patrick Herron

Published September 2, 2023 at 2:29PM

Following last night’s varsity football game at Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) High School between B-CC and Walter Johnson, a fight between students broke out at the nearby Bethesda Metro Station which resulted in serious student injuries. The principals of those schools released the following community message on Saturday afternoon:

Last night, Friday, September 1, B-CC hosted Walter Johnson for our first football game of the fall season. The game went well and was an exciting match. Our fans and attendees were great and everyone seemed to have a fun evening. The safety plans jointly made by both schools worked well on campus and all of the fans left school grounds safely.

MDLottery

Montgomery County’s First Sportsbook Now Open at Sports & Social in Pike & Rose

By Patrick Herron

Published September 2, 2023 at 11:31AM

Image courtesy Sports & Social

The Maryland Lottery has announced that Montgomery County’s first sportsbook is now open at Sports & Social (11800 Grand Park Ave) in Pike & Rose. Sports & Social opened in August 2021 and describes itself as a “premier dining, entertainment, sports viewing, and social concept located in high-profile entertainment and lifestyle districts, world-class casino resort destinations, and at the front door of professional sports stadiums around the country.” Additional details below.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) today issued a sports wagering facility license to Whitman Gaming, Inc., and its operator partner FanDuel, for a retail sportsbook operating at Sports & Social in North Bethesda.

MCFRS

Two Adults, Two Cats, and One Dog Displaced After Saturday Morning Fire

By Patrick Herron

Published September 2, 2023 at 11:14AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a townhouse fire in the 8800 block of Thomas Lea Ter in Montgomery Village early Saturday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the exterior fire was located around the chimney, with minimal interior extension.

There were no injuries reported and all occupants have been accounted for. Two adults, one dog, and two cats have been displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Rockville

Last Call: True Respite Brewing Company Closes Today

By Patrick Herron

Published September 2, 2023 at 10:27AM

True Respite Brewing Company’s last day in operation is today, September 2, 2023. True Respite owners Brendan and Bailey O’Leary opened up shop at 7301 Calhoun Place Suite 600 in Rockville in 2018 and the brewery made a name for itself in the local beer community by winning multiple Maryland Craft Beer Awards and hosting community events. The taproom is open today from 12-9pm and Steeze Burger’s will be there beginning at 2pm. Featured image courtesy of True Respite on Facebook.

We couldn’t possibly capture all that has occurred, all it has meant to us, and all those involved in a single social media post. But one thing is clear: none of this would have happened if it weren’t for the love and passion of every single person involved.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council President Glass, Councilmembers Jawando and Sayles Host Council’s African Heritage Month Commemoration

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 10:24PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will hold its third annual African Heritage Month commemoration hosted by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Laurie-Anne Sayles, and Council President Evan Glass on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m. The theme of this year’s event will focus on Celebrating African Changemakers who are redefining Culture and Community.

“This year the Council continues its tradition of commemorating African Heritage Month, honoring the many cultures within the African diaspora and recognizing their contributions locally and globally,” Council President Glass said. “I’m proud to serve on the most diverse Council in our County’s history, where we value and celebrate the rich diversity that makes Montgomery County so unique.”

Maryland

Attorney General Brown Defends Title IX’s Protections against Discrimination and Harassment in Schools

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 5:51PM

Per the Maryland Office of the Attorney General: Attorney General Brown today joined a coalition of 19 Attorneys General in filing filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a class-action case, Hunter v US Department of Education, supporting arguments that a 2020 rule adopted towards the end of the previous federal administration is invalid. Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded schools, requires that schools act to prevent discrimination and harassment on campus.

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of students opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) implementation of a new regulation governing Title IX’s religious exemption from antidiscrimination laws. The new regulation significantly weakened protections from discrimination on religious grounds. When Congress enacted Title IX, it included a narrow exemption for schools controlled by religious institutions that have tenets incompatible with Title IX. However, during the previous administration, the DOE used administrative rulemaking to vastly expand this narrow religious exemption.

Clarksburg

MCFRS Respond to House Fire Friday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 4:32PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire on the 23900 block of Trading Post Drive in Clarksburg around 3:30pm on Friday, September 1.

According to Assistant Chief David Pazos, “Units encountered fire through the roof with exposures on the left and right of the townhouse. One civilian is being evaluated on the scene,” and “Units will remain on the scene for an extended time while various hot spots are extinguished, and fire investigators have completed their work.”

Damascus

Clarksburg Road Closed Due to Collision Involving Motorcycle

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 4:30PM | Updated September 1, 2023 at 5:26PM

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 4:09pm on Friday, September 1: “Clarksburg Road is closed at Moxley Road due to a traffic collision. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays.” We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

MCFRS has dispatched units to the 28500 blk of Clarksburg Rd(Clarksburg) for a cyclist struck. Units on the scene have requested aviation and will be landing near the intersection of Woodview Dr/Clarksburg Rd. Traffic will be affected. @DavidPazos15 @mcfrsPIO pic.twitter.com/Y8DcI2Qw2H

Crime

Police Searching for Suspect Accused of Stealing Cash and Items From Mall Kiosks

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 12:42PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 4th District Investigative Section are investigating a burglary and multiple thefts that occurred at the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center, formerly known as the Wheaton Plaza Mall in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Road in Silver Spring. On Monday, April 3, 2023, at approximately 8:11 a.m., the suspect entered the shopping center and broke into the stand-alone, Cellairis kiosk. The suspect stole property and an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving the area.

On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 8 p.m., the suspect entered the shopping center and began to walk around the Toy World kiosk. The suspect then approached the kiosk, stole an undisclosed amount of cash and walked away. The suspect then walked around the shopping center looking at other kiosks. The suspect approached Rico’s Ice Cream, jumped over the counter, opened the register and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a heavy-set, Black male, possibly in his early twenties, with short black hair.

MCPD

Police Investigating Fatal Single-Vehicle Collision That Occurred Early Friday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 12:38PM

Montgomery County Police are investigating a single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred on Friday, September 1, 2023, in the area of East West Highway and Washington Avenue. According to MCPD, “At approximately 1:11 a.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a collision.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue Honda was traveling in the area of East West Highway and Washington Avenue when it left the roadway and collided with a tree. The driver of the Honda, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision. A news release will be distributed later today, once more information becomes available. The name of the deceased will be released following proper notification of next of kin.”