MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Councilmember Dawn Luedtke introduced a bill today that would improve emergency response by enabling the public to provide personal and medical information to assist emergency responders through a voluntary 9-1-1 registry program.  The voluntary registry established through Bill 33-23, Police – Voluntary Registry for Emergency 911 Calls – Established, would allow individuals or their caregivers to notify first responders that someone at their address has differing abilities or health challenges, such as being non-verbal, sensitive to loud noises or bright lights, prone to avoid eye contact, or exhibits other traits. This information would be included in the County’s emergency dispatch system and regularly updated.

“Voluntary 9-1-1 registry is a proven option to help our public safety professionals better support individuals during an emergency call,” Councilmember Luedtke said. “When our first responders arrive on scene, we want them to have as much information as possible so they can provide the most effective and appropriate care.”


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced $4 million in grants to six jurisdictions for repairs that will enable nearly 300 homes to proceed with comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits. The funds will be deployed through a new pilot program that integrates the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s energy efficiency programs and rehabilitation programs, providing the repairs necessary to proceed with upgrades for homes deferred for health and safety reasons.

“Through this pilot program, we’re opening the door for more Maryland homes to meet their energy efficiency goals,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “Encouraging these energy improvements at the residential level—and ensuring that they can be made efficiently—is an important step in addressing our climate challenges.”


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland Lottery: “We have to remember to stop for Powerball tickets,” is what a 30-year-old jackpot chaser said to her family after leaving a gathering last week. It’s a good thing she didn’t forget because the ticket she bought on July 19 turned out to be a $1 million second-tier Powerball winner.

The lucky lady was in disbelief as her husband started reading back the winning numbers. “I knew those were some of my numbers,” said the healthcare worker. “And, when I saw where the ($1 million winning) ticket was bought, I knew it was me.” The big winner just missed the jackpot by one number. She matched the first five white balls but missed the red Powerball, taking home a second-tier $1 million win.


North Bethesda

The Pike District Partnership is hosting a free ‘Dog Days of Summer’ event at the Pike District Pop-up Park (Grand Park Avenue and Banneker Street) this Thursday, July 27 from 6-8pm. This event will feature live music from Chasing Autumn Duo, local food and beverage vendors including Lone Oak Brewing, lawn games, and a “Best Dressed Pet Contest” for prizes from local businesses. The Montgomery County Humane Society will also be promoting their adoption/foster programs and will have adoptable dogs on site.

Per Pike District, “This is the third season for the Pike District Thursdays in the Park, a free concert series at the Pike District Pop-Up Park. The concert series kicked off Thursday, June 1 and features local food trucks and, for attendees 21 and older a local Montgomery County brewery and spirits distillery will sell a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are available for seating, but guests are welcome to bring chairs and/or picnic blankets. Other activities include lawn games, raffles and giveaways.”


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council have announced that $1 million in grants is available through the new Community Projects Fund to assist small, emerging and volunteer-led nonprofits in implementing community focused projects, initiatives and events. The first round of grants, totaling $250,000, is open now. The opportunity will be reopened later in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) with at least $250,000 available in each quarter to support new community needs and opportunities.

Awards will be prioritized to nonprofit organizations with fewer than three employees and annual budgets of $250,000 or less. Nonprofits do not need to be based in Montgomery County to apply, but all projects must occur within the County or be exclusively focused on County residents.


WMATA

Per WMATA: Metro has begun installing new higher, stronger faregates at Fort Totten Station as part of a systemwide rollout. The design improves upon the original prototype door following months of testing and modifications. The new doors are now 55-inches tall, twice as strong, and more resilient.

The installation at Fort Totten is expected to be completed overnight, followed by Pentagon City. The faregate modifications will be installed in phases with plans to retrofit faregates throughout the system over the next year. The first 10 stations are expected to be completed by early fall.


Damascus

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a motorcycle and a dump truck on Monday, July 24 around 4:30pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision occurred on Ridge Rd and Hawkes Rd in Damascus, close to Cedar Grove Elementary School, and involved one person trapped under the truck. EMS evaluated one adult with Priority 2 trauma.

According to MCPD, “Ridge Rd. is closed at Hawkes Rd. as the result of a traffic collision. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays.” We will post an update when additional information becomes available.


Beyond MoCo

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 25-year-old Jerald McCalla, of Clarksburg, with auto theft related charges.

In July 2023, detectives from the Auto Crime Enforcement Section began an investigation into a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT that was stolen in May 2023 through fraudulent means from a car dealership in Farmington, Missouri.  During the investigation, detectives identified McCalla as the suspect.


Crime

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and involved officer in the fatal shooting that occurred on July 22, 2023, in Montgomery County. The decedent has been identified as 19-year-old Franklin Castro Ordonez of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The involved Montgomery County Police Officer has been identified as Officer Justin Lee. Officer Lee has been with the department for one-and-a-half years and is assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau. Per MCPD:


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