Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Montgomery County Issues Warning Against Impaired Driving Ahead of Independence Day Weekend; Information on Free Sober Rides July 4

Published July 2, 2023 at 10:25AM

Per Montgomery County: 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.

MCPD

MCPD Respond to Incident Involving Barricaded Person Early Sunday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published July 2, 2023 at 8:32AM

Montgomery County Police responded to an incident involving a possible armed suspect that was barricaded in his residence in the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane in Silver Spring around 4am on Sunday, July 2. Because of the large police presence, Mount Pisgah and Hampshire Green Lanes were closed for several hours. Residents in the area were also asked to shelter in place while the situation was ongoing.

MCPD announced that the suspect, an adult male, had been taken into custody and roads had reopened around 6am. We will post an update if any additional information becomes available.

Clarksburg

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 20-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published July 2, 2023 at 8:02AM | Updated July 3, 2023 at 1:32PM

Che was last seen on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at approximately 7 p.m., in the 23000 block of Birch Mead Road. Che is approximately 6-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ian Bama Che is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Gaithersburg

Update on Tonight’s Fireworks Displays

By Patrick Herron

Published July 1, 2023 at 7:36PM | Updated July 1, 2023 at 8:22PM

Montgomery County Recreation tweeted the following: “Due to inclement weather, our Independence Day celebration at Einstein High School is currently paused. Those at the event should seek shelter using the school’s cafeteria and the Ride On shuttle buses”

‼️A SEVERE STORM IS APPROACHING THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS SO WE ARE TEMPORARILY EVACUATING BOHRER PARK UNTIL THE STORM PASSES. PLEASE TAKE COVER IN YOUR VEHICLES OR AT THE ACTIVITY CENTER‼️

Bethesda

A List of Where to Buy Marijuana (Legally) in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Published July 1, 2023 at 10:52AM

The sale of marijuana for recreational use in Maryland begins today, July 1. Below is a list of all the cannabis dispensaries located in Montgomery County. Visit the Maryland Cannabis Administration website for information on dispensaries across the state of the Maryland.

Bethesda:

MoCo Government

Message From the County Executive: Recreation Cannabis Will Be Legal in Maryland Starting July 1—With Some Exceptions

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 11:18PM

Per Montgomery County:

Gaithersburg

Multiple Officers Assaulted in Gaithersburg; Two Hospitalized With Serious Injuries

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 10:14PM

According to Montgomery County Police, “At approximately 8:03 p.m., MCP officers responded to an apartment building in the 7900 block of Spiceberry Cir in Gaithersburg for the report of an individual spraying a fire extinguisher in the hallway.

Officers arrived at the scene and spoke with a victim who advised that the same individual had broken into his/her apartment. Officers searched for the suspect and located him in the area of Washington Grove Lane and Mineral Springs Drive, where the suspect assaulted officers. The suspect then fled to the McDonald’s located at 18273 Flower Hill Way and assaulted more officers.

Germantown

Police Respond to Shooting Friday Night in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 7:49PM | Updated June 30, 2023 at 8:06PM

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following on Friday, June 30 at 7:41pm: “MCP 5th District officers are investigating a shooting in the 19600 block of Crystal Rock Drive in Germantown. No reported injuries. The scene is secured. More information will be released as it becomes available.”

We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Germantown

Food Court Now Open at New Grand Mart in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 5:45PM

Noodles & Friends and Gogi Friends Korean BBQ have opened inside of the food court at New Grand Mart supermarket at 13069 Wisteria Drive in the Germantown Plaza shopping center. Additional vendors, including Tous les Jours (bakery) and Fortune Cha (bubble tea and dessert) are expected to open by the end of July. Menu items at Noodles & Friends include JjaJang (noodles with blackbean sauce), Jjampong (seafood soup), KimChi fried rice, and Shrimp Tangsu. Menu items at Gogi Friends includes BulGogi, Bibim Bap, Ramyeon noodles, and dumpling soup.

New Grand Mart opened in the space previously occupied by Lotte Plaza on June 8th. According to its website, “New Grand Mart carries a variety of fresh produce, fish, meats, and ethnic specialty items that is hard for other markets to match.”

MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Scott Goldstein Retires After 8 Years Leading the Department; John Kinsley to Serve as Acting Fire Chief Until New Leader is Selected

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 5:14PM

MCFRS serves and protects over one million residents across five hundred square miles. Annually, MCFRS responds to over 130,000 calls and operates with an annual budget in excess of $260 million.

The Montgomery County Government is currently interviewing candidates to permanently replace Chief Goldstein. MCFRS Human Resources Division Chief John Kinsley will serve as Interim Fire Chief until a new MCFRS Chief is nominated for County Council confirmation. Kinsley has been with MCFRS for 37 years. He is also credentialed by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International as a Chief Fire Officer.

MoCo Government

Council Statement Reaffirming Montgomery County Council’s Commitment to the Values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 5:11PM

Per Montgomery County: Today, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement reaffirming its commitment to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion for all people, despite the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings to restrict affirmative action in college admissions for students of color and limit LGBTQ+ protections.

Yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard overturned the 2003 landmark ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger, which established that race could be considered as a factor in the college admissions process because universities had a compelling interest in maintaining diverse campuses. Today, the court ruled in favor of a web designer who refused to create websites for same-sex weddings.