Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Montgomery College Receives $500,000 Donation to Help Students Enroll in Workforce Programs and Gain Employment

Published August 26, 2023 at 11:48AM | Updated August 26, 2023 at 12:45PM

Per Montgomery College: Starting this year, a new Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WDCE) scholarship will assist 50 to 60 students with job training and certification expenses. In July, the Montgomery College Foundation announced the establishment of the Robert I. Schattner (RIS) Job Training and Certification Scholarship, a $500,000 gift to establish the scholarship.

Award recipients are students pursuing eligible career path courses with the intention to obtain employment (and ready to work by June 30, 2024). They receive up to $4,000 to be used to cover training tuition, fees, and required books, plus career navigation, certification exam fees, and/or emergency assistance, if needed.

Gaithersburg

Gold’s Gym in Gaithersburg Has Closed

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:00PM | Updated August 26, 2023 at 10:18AM

Gold’s Gym at 18810 Woodfield Rd in Gaithersburg, located next to the Montgomery County Airpark, has closed. The gym’s last day in business was Friday, August 25. The chain recently opened a new location at 12922 Middlebrook Rd in the former location of DSW in the Germantown Commons shopping center. According to an email Gold’s Gym sent to members earlier this month, “The county is taking the land back under what is called eminent domain relating to the neighboring airfield – we are being required to exit and turn the building back over to the landlord.” Full email below:

We have some important news to share about your membership at Gold’s Gym Airpark and want to be transparent in our communication of some upcoming changes set to occur this month. The county is taking the land back under what is called eminent domain relating to the neighboring airfield – we are being required to exit and turn the building back over to the landlord. This is out of our control, unfortunately, and we are forced to permanently close Gold’s Gym Airpark on August 25th, 2023.

Crime

Germantown Oral Surgeon Found Guilty of Second-Degree Depraved Heart Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 7:03PM

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Cheryl McCally, a jury found defendant, Dr. James Michael Ryan, 50, of Clarksburg, guilty of second-degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter for the death of 25-year-old Sarah Harris, along with possession with the intent to distribute midazolam and distribution of ketamine and diazepam. The jury deliberated for less than three hours following a two week trial. Ryan faces up to 55 years in prison when he is sentenced. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

The victim, Harris, was found deceased in the home she and Ryan were renting in Clarksburg on January 26, 2022. A medical examiner determined her cause of death was ketamine, propofol and diazepam intoxication. Ryan had been supplying her with drugs, taken from his oral surgery practice, often administering them himself. Prior to their romantic involvement, Harris was Ryan’s patient who he recruited as an employee.

Bethesda

Two 20-Year-Olds Arrested for Bethesda Tobacco Shop Burglary

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 11:34AM

Per MCPD: Two 20-year-olds from Baltimore have been arrested for a commercial burglary that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, August 21, 2023. At approximately 3:50 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the Island Smoke Tobacco Shop in the 7900 block of Norfolk Avenue for the report of a commercial burglary.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that Nathan Stewart and Donald Pevia III forced entry into the store, stole property and then left the area on foot. An alert citizen witnessed the two suspects exit the store and was able to provide police with an accurate description of both Stewart and Pevia III.

Germantown

Germantown Walmart’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for $7 Million Remodel Rescheduled; Update on Charley’s Cheesesteaks

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:56AM

The ribbon cutting ceremony at Walmart (20910 Frederick Rd) in Germantown scheduled for Friday, August 25 has been rescheduled to Friday, September 1 at 7am. The event is being organized by the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) to mark the completion of recent renovations at the location. According to the GGCC, “Join us for Walmart Supercenter’s ribbon cutting and unveiling of its new store remodel at the Germantown location! The $7 million remodel includes a new floor plan, parking lot project, new merchandise, food online grocery delivery , and 60 new associate hires. Walmart’s Germantown location currently employees nearly 500 people and is celebrating 20 years of being part of the community.”

Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings will also opening inside the Germantown Walmart, possibly as soon as this weekend. Charleys is taking over the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. A representative at the restaurant tells us that they are just waiting for final inspections to be completed. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Crime

Suspects Arrested for Series of Residential Burglaries; Ghost Gun Recovered From Stolen Vehicle

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:46AM

Detectives from the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th Districts Investigative Sections, along with detectives from Gaithersburg Police, collaborated and determined that a series of residential burglaries were committed by the same suspects. The investigation by detectives has revealed that the two suspects posed as workers wearing a reflective vest, forced entry into at least 7 homes, stole property and left the scenes.

Chevy Chase

County Executive Elrich to Hold the First of 10 ‘Community Conversations’ to Seek Input on Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget on Thursday, Sept. 14

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:38AM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners will host 10 Community Conversations from September through December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The first conversation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Mid-County Recreation Center in Layhill.

The official address of the Mid-County Recreation center is 2004 Queensguard Road in Silver Spring.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council to Hold a Public Hearing on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan on Sept. 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:22AM

The Council will receive testimony on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, which is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the County’s long-term priorities, which includes a vibrant economy, equity for all residents and a healthy environment.

The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and neighborhoods of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the U.S. 29 Corridor near Paint Branch on the south toward Greencastle Road on the north. The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities and the environment.

Gaithersburg

Update: Two Adults and Two Children Displaced After Gaithersburg House Fire

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 9:07AM

Approximately 65 firefighters responded to an attic fire in the 7400 Blk of Rosewood Manor Lane in Gaithersburg on Thursday, August 24. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Pete Piringer, two adults and two children have been displaced. No civilians were injured and one firefighter was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Crime

Police: Wanted Murder Suspect Turns Himself In

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 8:40AM

Per MCPD: The suspect wanted for a July 5 homicide is in custody. 20-year-old Lawrence Marcellus Marshall IV was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 40-year-old Cedric Warner and turned himself in at the Montgomery County Department of Police 6th District Station in Gaithersburg on Thursday, August 24.

Marshall IV, of Montgomery Village, allegedly shot and killed Warner on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, in the 11500 block of Lockwood Drive in Silver Spring. Officers arrived at the scene and located Warner inside an apartment, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

MCPS

Students at 58 MCPS Schools to Receive Breakfast and Lunch at No Cost, Regardless of Household Income

By Patrick Herron

Published August 24, 2023 at 6:52PM

Per MCPS: New for the 2023–2024 School Year, 58 MCPS schools will operate under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Students enrolled at these CEP schools may receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, regardless of household income. A list of the participating schools can be found here. The Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) encourages all families with students enrolled at non-CEP schools to complete a Free and Reduced-price Meals Application.

Visit the Division of Food and Nutrition Services web page for information on prices, how to add money to your child’s account and more. We look forward to opportunities for community and student feedback on new and current menu items this fall.