Crime

Per MCPD: 19-year-old Oliver Perez-Fierro, of Montgomery Village, 19-year-old Osman Maldonado, of Gaithersburg, and a 16-year-old, from Gaithersburg, have been arrested and charged with multiple firearm related charges.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 7 p.m., officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Decentralized Community Action Team conducted a traffic stop on a Black Honda Accord in the area of Montgomery Village Ave. and Arrowhead Rd., for a traffic violation.


Bethesda

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police responded to the Bullis School (10601 Falls Rd) in Potomac for the report of a bomb threat. The school was evacuated and after several hours it was determined that the threat was not valid. MCPD tweeted that the school had been turned back over to Bullis administration and that it is believed this incident is related to a “swatting call” that occurred August 18 at Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. 

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 12pm on Tuesday, August 22: “MCPD is at Bullis School for a reported bomb threat. School is being evacuated as a precaution. Currently investigating the validity of the report. More information will be released as it becomes available.” We will post an update when additional information is available.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Child Care Support Services (CCSS) is seeking nominees for its first-ever presentation of the Montgomery County Early Care and Education Excellence Awards. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Self-nominations are encouraged. The awards were established by the County in partnership with all County early care and education associations to recognize and honor those dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that the County’s youngest children (ages birth to 5) receive the highest quality early care and education. Award selections will be made by a panel of child care organization representatives. Awardees will be honored at the Montgomery County Early Care and Education Fall Conference in October.

“We know that quality early education is critical to the development of a child and leads to lifelong benefits,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Those who receive positive guidance in their early years are more likely to pursue higher education, attain better jobs and live healthier lives. Educators who demonstrate exceptional service should be recognized, and I am glad that DHHS has created this awards program. I encourage everyone to participate in nominating their favorite early childhood educator.”


Montgomery Village

Antojitos Salvadoreños Isabel at 19114 Montgomery Village Ave is scheduled to open this Friday, August 25. The restaurant is located in the former Einstein Bagel Bros spot in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. The restaurant will serve traditional Salvadorian dishes like pupusas, tamales, yuca con chicharron, and pastelitos (full menu can be seen below.) Einstein Bros closed its Montgomery Village store in December 2021. La Poteria, which sells Colombian street food and coffee, is located next door.

In other Montgomery Village Shopping Center news, signage has been installed at the upcoming Hangry Joe’s.  The Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant will be located adjacent to the Starbuck’s at 19290 Montgomery Village Ave.  Also, construction is ongoing and “coming soon” signage is up for Baskin Robbins, which will be located next to the upcoming Safe Splash Swim School and Suburban Hair.


Education

On Monday, Councilmember Dawn Luedtke and County Council President Evan Glass sent a letter to State Inspector General for Education Richard Henry and Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Limarzi asking that they conduct a “truly independent” investigation into Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) response to allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation that were uncovered in a recent Washington Post article.  MCPS announced last week that it had  “instigated an external, independent investigation with the law firm of Jackson Lewis.”

Glass tweeted the following on Tuesday morning: “As the new school year is about to begin, our educators, staff, students and families need to know that a truly independent investigation is being conducted into the allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and retaliation by one of the school system’s middle school principals. and I believe that the Maryland Inspector General for Education and the Montgomery County Inspector General are best positioned to conduct this important investigation.” Full letter below:


MCPD

The Special Victims Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Xavier Beltran, a missing 15-year-old.  Beltran was last seen on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at approximately 12 p.m., in the 200 block of Poplar Spring Road in Rockville. He is 5’6″, 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Xavier Beltran is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


MCPD

The Bullis School is located at 10601 Falls Rd in Potomac. We will post an update when additional information is available.

MCPD is at Bullis School for a reported bomb threat. School is being evacuated as a precaution. Currently investigating the validity of the report. More information will be released as it becomes available. #mcpd #mcpnews pic.twitter.com/hjQzFAyjI8


MCPD

The Special Victims Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Hagan Rousseau, a missing 16-year-old. Rousseau was last seen on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at approximately 9:30 p.m., at the Dunkin Donuts in the 11000 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5’7″, 145 lbs., with brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black shirt.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Hagan Rousseau is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Bethesda

Montgomery County Police are continuing to investigate a “series of inappropriate touching” that occurred this spring on the Bethesda Trolley Trail. Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Patrol Investigations Unit are investigating a series of inappropriate touching committed by a suspect who groped women in the adjacent neighborhood along the Trolley Trail located between Edson Lane and Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda. Detectives have released video of the male suspect and are urging anyone who may be a victim of an inappropriate touching by this suspect to come forward.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a female victim was walking on Nicholson Lane near the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center when she was approached by the suspect who was riding an electric scooter. The suspect then knocked her to the ground and groped her before she was able to escape and call police.


Chevy Chase

UPDATE: An update provided on Tuesday night by Alert Montgomery states that all lanes have reopened in both directions on Connecticut Ave (MD-185) between Chevy Chase Lake Dr. and Dunlop St.

Connecticut Ave. is closed in both directions between Chevy Chase Lake Dr. & Dunlop St. in Chevy Chase as the result of downed trees and wires, according to a tweet from Montgomery County Police. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays. We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured photo courtesy of @mr_dantej on Instagram.


Rockville

Per REDI: Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) has announced the expansion of its grant programs, Rockville MOVE Program and Business Expansion Fund, to now encompass retail and restaurant businesses. These updates aim to provide enhanced support to Rockville’s diverse business landscape.

The Rockville MOVE Program is designed to foster and bolster business relocation, expansion and startups within the City. The Rockville MOVE grant offers up to $4.00 per square foot for office, industrial, retail, and flex space to businesses that invest and create jobs in Rockville. Application deadlines for Rockville MOVE are September 30 and April 30 each year. Additionally, the Business Expansion Fund has been expanded to offer support to existing Rockville retail and restaurant businesses expanding within the city. These businesses can now apply for grants of up to $40,000 per application to facilitate their expansion plans. Similar to the Rockville MOVE Program, the application deadlines for the Business Expansion Fund are September 30 and April 30.


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