Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

MCPD: Sobriety Checkpoint to be Conducted Tonight

Published July 3, 2023 at 9:11PM

Last week, Montgomery County released the following message regarding an increased police presence over the holiday weekend: “As Independence Day weekend approaches, the Montgomery County Department of Police and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are warning motorists: Impaired driving is drunk driving. County Police and allied local and State police departments will be on the road with enhanced patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend.

Nationally, the holiday weekend, marked by celebrations and increased travel, often comes with a surge in traffic crashes caused by excessive speed, impairment and distracted driving. The National Safety Council estimates 619 people may die on U.S. roads this Independence Day holiday.

Gaithersburg

New 6th District Police Station in Gaithersburg Will Be Montgomery County’s First Renewable Energy-Designed Public Building

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 5:29PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by County Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Sidney Katz for the groundbreaking of a new 6th District County Police Station in Gaithersburg on June 29. The project represents County Executive Elrich’s commitment to renewable energy as it will be the first public NetZero, sustainably designed energy-efficient building in the County.

Serving the Upcounty, including the Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village communities, the new 6th District station will be constructed at the northeast intersection of I-270 and Watkins Mill Road, near 222 Paramount Park Drive. Scheduled to open in spring 2025, the new 6th District Police Station will replace an outdated facility. It will have space to accommodate up to 178 department staff and volunteers and has been sized to meet the needs projected in the Police Chief’s Staffing Plan.

Health

Governor Moore Announces New Medicaid Benefits to Enhance Health Care Access and Support Services for Marylanders

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 4:28PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced the introduction of new Medicaid benefits that will enhance health care access and support for Marylanders. The new benefits expand pregnancy care coverage, support interventions for community violence prevention, and increase access to care for certified peer recovery services, in addition to expanding the settings where such services are provided.

“These new benefits will help improve the well-being of Maryland Medicaid participants and contribute to the overall health of Maryland communities,” said Gov. Moore. “The new benefits mark a significant milestone in Medicaid’s ongoing efforts to ensure accessible and inclusive health care for all Marylanders.”

Germantown

Concern for Missing 28-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 3:20PM

Green was last seen on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at approximately 1:46 p.m., in the 19700 block of Germantown Rd. Green is approximately 6-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black jean shorts, black leggings and black boots. He also has a nose ring. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

MDLottery

Tonight’s Powerball Drawing Worth Over Half a Billion Dollars

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 12:37PM

The Powerball drawing scheduled to take place tonight, Monday, June 3, has an estimated jackpot of $522 million, with an estimated cash option of $269.6 million. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. The odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. Additional details below courtesy of Powerball:

For the second time this year, the Powerball® jackpot has crossed the half billion dollar mark, with an estimated jackpot of $522 million ($269.6 million cash value) for the next drawing on Monday, July 3. The Powerball jackpot rolled after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Saturday night – white balls 4, 17, 35, 49, 61 and red Powerball 8. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X. Top-winning tickets in the Saturday, July 1 drawing include 28 tickets that matched four of the five white balls and the red Powerball. Twenty-two of the tickets won $50,000 prizes. The other six tickets (sold in Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Texas (2), and Virginia) increased the $50,000 prize to $100,000 by including the Power Play® option for an additional dollar. Nationwide, the drawing produced more than 998-thousand winning tickets, with players winning lower-tier prizes worth a combined total of $7.1 million.

Bethesda

What’s Coming Soon to Montgomery Mall: July 2023 Edition

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 11:34AM | Updated July 3, 2023 at 12:21PM

Below is a list of businesses that are coming soon to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Coming Soon: VinoRita VinoRita Wine Slushies is coming to the Montgomery Mall food court, taking […]

Maryland

Governor Wes Moore’s Statement on Saturday Night’s Mass Shooting in Baltimore

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 8:44AM

Governor Wes Moore released the following statement on Sunday, July 2: “Last night, we saw yet another mass shooting strike our community where a celebratory gathering turned deadly. My heart breaks for these victims, their families, and the Baltimore community that is coping with the loss.

Marvland has had enough of watching gun violence continue to ravage our state and our nation. The fact that these horrific shootings continue to take place is abominable. We as a state will continue to do everything we can to prevent senseless acts of violence like the one we saw last night.

MCPD

Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Driver Near Bus Stop Early Monday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 8:13AM | Updated July 3, 2023 at 8:37AM

Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred early this morning, Monday, July 3, 2023. According to MCPD, “At approximately 12 a.m., Takoma Park officers and Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Glenside Drive in Takoma Park for the report of a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that a Nissan was traveling south on New Hampshire Ave at Glenside Drive when, for reasons that are still under investigation, it left the roadway and collided with a bus stop before coming to rest in a wooded area.

Gaithersburg

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published July 2, 2023 at 5:21PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ava Smith, a missing 15-year-old from Gaithersburg.

Smith was last seen on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m., in the 9800 block of Washingtonian Boulevard. Smith is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. She has brown hair that is styled in a bob with bangs. She was last seen wearing a gray wool sweater and jeans. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Hillandale

Suspect Arrested After Recklessly Firing Handgun With Extended Magazine in Parking Lot

By Patrick Herron

Published July 2, 2023 at 4:25PM

Per MCPD: A 37-year-old has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment following a shooting that occurred in the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane on Sunday, July 2, 2023. At approximately 2:24 a.m., 3rd District officers were conducting a traffic stop in the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Oakview Lane when they heard the sound of gunshots near their location.

The preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male was in a residential parking lot of the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane recklessly firing a handgun with an extended magazine. No injuries were reported.

MoCo Government

Statement From Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on SCOTUS Decision Impacting LGBTQ+ Rights, Student Loan Debt

By Patrick Herron

Published July 2, 2023 at 10:28AM

It is difficult to estimate at this point the complete impact this ruling will have, including on some operations within County government. However, it is immediately clear that it will have a detrimental impact and reflects that we are currently living under the dictates of the most reactionary Supreme Court I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

Justice Elena Kagan summarized it well in her dissenting opinion on another of today’s rulings by stating, “In every respect, the Court today exceeds its proper, limited role in our Nation’s governance.”