Author: Patrick Herron

MCPD

Pedestrian Laying in Roadway Struck and Killed; Identity of Victim Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred on Piccard Drive near Redland Road on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.  At approximately 5:10 a.m., Rockville City Police officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the driver of a blue 2018 Honda Civic was traveling northbound on Piccard Drive, approaching Redland Road, when he struck a pedestrian that was laying in the roadway. The driver of the Honda remained at the scene.  Officers located the pedestrian who was pronounced dead at the scene. The decedent has been identified as 31-year-old Rajon Pierre Mozee, of Rockville.

Go to Pedestrian Laying in Roadway Struck and Killed; Identity of Victim Released Read more
Maryland

Rare 115-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossils Discovered in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Nation Park and Planning Commission: M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County paleontologists and volunteers discovered the largest theropod fossil in Eastern North America during a dig experience program at the Dinosaur Park on April 22, 2023. Additional fossils found nearby elevate the Dinosaur Park’s classification to a “bonebed.” The term “bonebed” is used by paleontologists when bones of one or more species are concentrated within a geologic layer. This is the first dinosaur bone bed discovered in Maryland since 1887.

“Finding a bonebed like this is a dream for many paleontologists as they can offer a wealth of information on the ancient environments that preserved the fossils and provide more details on the extinct animals that previously may have only been known from a handful of specimens,” said JP Hodnett, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Dinosaur Park Paleontologists and Program Coordinator. “Most paleontologists have to travel across the country or go overseas to find something like this, so having this rare find so close to home is fantastic!”

Go to Rare 115-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossils Discovered in Maryland Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County Expands List of Electronics for Recycling

By Patrick Herron

The County is working with organizations and recycling facilities that refurbish electronics for reuse or disassemble them to sell the metal and plastic components.  The County requires its contractor and nonprofit partners to erase data from equipment that will be reused and to destroy remaining memory devices. To protect against unauthorized use of personal information, it is recommended to erase personal data before dropping off computers and other electronics.

Community members and businesses can take their electronic recyclables to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. The electronics drop-off is open daily and is in the Recycling Area of the Transfer Station site. Residents are responsible for the off-loading of material from their vehicles.   View a complete list of acceptable electronic products and other related articles at https://bit.ly/2ZVZoB2. 

Go to Montgomery County Expands List of Electronics for Recycling Read more
Restaurants

McDonald’s to Give Away Free Fries on Thursday, July 13

By Patrick Herron

Fast food chain McDonald’s will be offering free fries of any size on Thursday, July 13. The deal is only available through the McDonald’s app and no additional purchase is necessary. The promotion is a part of National Fry Day, which technically falls on Friday, July 14. According to nationaldaycalendar.com, “In 2022, Checkers and Rally’s fast food restaurants went on a mission to petition National Day Calendar to change the date of National French Fry Day. Their goal was to change the July 13 date to the second Friday in July. Under advisement of Cal our Calendar Mascot, National Day Calendar changed the date. National French Fry Day would be celebrated each year on a Friday!”

McDonald’s currently runs a “Free Fries Friday” deal where customers get a free medium fries with any $1 minimum purchase when using McDonald’s app. On Friday, July 14, Burger King is offering free fries of any size with any purchase to its Royal Perks loyalty program members, Wendy’s is offering free fries of any size with any purchase made using the Wendy’s app, and Checkers is offering a free XL fries to Checkers Rewards app members.

Go to McDonald’s to Give Away Free Fries on Thursday, July 13 Read more
Maryland

Maryland’s Cannabis Business Assistance Fund Offers Second Round of Funding, Applications Open August 1

By Patrick Herron

The Cannabis Business Assistance Fund was created as part of legislation in the 2023 General Assembly session and seeks to increase small business and entrepreneur capacity to participate in Maryland’s adult-use cannabis industry.

The first round of funding was focused on providing grants to help existing medical-use licensees with the cost of converting their license to an adult-use license. Future rounds of funding will be offered to Historically Black Colleges and Universities for cannabis-related programs; to businesses applying for licenses; and to business development organizations, including incubators.

Go to Maryland’s Cannabis Business Assistance Fund Offers Second Round of Funding, Applications Open August 1 Read more
Laytonsville

Local Volunteer Fire Department to Receive Emergency Drinking Water Donation from Anheuser-Busch

By Patrick Herron

The Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department will be receiving more than 80 cases of canned water that will be provided by Anheuser-Busch InBev and Montgomery Eagle, a Gaithersburg-based beer distribution company, through an initiative in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council.  Press release below:

“Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and Montgomery Eagle, the Gaithersburg-based AB InBev marketing company, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), announced today their initiative to provide the Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department with cases of canned emergency drinking water.  The donation is part of AB InBev’s commitment to deliver more than 2.5 million cans – more than ever before – to volunteer fire departments across the country this year in support of disaster preparedness and relief efforts. This AB InBev and Montgomery Eagle emergency drinking water initiative demonstrates the companies’ deep appreciation for their local first responders and communities.

Go to Local Volunteer Fire Department to Receive Emergency Drinking Water Donation from Anheuser-Busch Read more
MCDOT

Montgomery County Department of Transportation Wins Regional ‘Commuter Connections’ Award

By Patrick Herron

Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Commuter Services Section, was recognized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Commuter Connections Network with a 2023 Employer Services Sales Team Achievement Award for its outstanding work in creating and promoting commuter alternative programs. The award was given at COG’s 26th annual Employer Recognition Awards ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Commuter Connections is a regional network of transportation professionals dedicated to helping employers set up, improve and expand comprehensive commuter benefits and telework programs. These programs have been proven to help businesses recruit and retain employees, while addressing air quality and Climate change concerns.

Go to Montgomery County Department of Transportation Wins Regional ‘Commuter Connections’ Award Read more
Beyond MoCo

Two Juveniles Arrested After Brandishing Firearms and Evading Fare at Metro Station

By Patrick Herron

Metro Transit Police announced that two juveniles were arrested at the Ft. Totten Metro station in Washington, DC on Monday, July 10 for brandishing firearms at the Silver Spring Metro station. One BB gun and one fully loaded 9mm handgun were recovered. Both juveniles suspects also evaded paying entrance into the Metro, according to a tweet by police. There were no injuries reported. We will post an update if additional information becomes available. 

ARRESTED: Two juveniles arrested at Ft. Totten yesterday afternoon for brandishing firearms at Silver Spring Station. One BB gun and one fully loaded 9mm handgun recovered. Both juveniles fare evaded into the system. No injuries. #wmata pic.twitter.com/lfLWjiXZja

Go to Two Juveniles Arrested After Brandishing Firearms and Evading Fare at Metro Station Read more
View More Stories