Rockville

Building permit and license fees consist mainly of building and trade-related permits, nonbusiness licenses, fire safety permits and life-safety reviews on new commercial buildings, additions and alterations, as well as occupancy permits. Certain fees, such as those for residential solar panel installations and EV charging installations, remain unchanged to support and facilitate the city’s Climate Action Plan. Additionally, to limit increases to residential one- and two-family permits, there will be small increases in fees for single-family residential projects.

Most fixed-rate fees will increase by about 2.5% to account for inflation. Rental license fees will increase from $200 biennially to $220 biennially. A new fee of $450 has been established for a short-term rental license (anticipated to be effective later this year or in early 2024).  A 10% automation fee will be assessed on all permits, to offset costs associated with use of technology in connection with permitting and inspection services.


Crime

Per MCPD: A 32-year-old Damascus man was shot and killed on the evening of Sunday, June 18, 2023. At approximately 9:57 p.m., Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District officers were dispatched to the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Rd., for multiple calls for a shooting that just occurred.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim, James Joel Austin, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel, Austin was pronounced dead at the scene. There is no one in custody and no suspect information is available at this time. The victim has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.


Briggs Chaney

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

Osborne was last seen on Friday, June 16, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m. on Shepperton Ter. Osborne is approximately 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has waist length braids, that are colored pink and blonde, and brown eyes. Osborne has a nose piercing and pierced ears.  She was last seen wearing a brown hoodie with pink letters on the front, black leggings and grey and green sneakers. She was carrying a black duffle bag with “Pink” written in pink. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.


Gaithersburg

Chick-Fil-A at 700 N. Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg has announced it will open next Thursday, June 29. The restaurant is located in the new Progress Labs, a 44-acre property that directly fronts I-270 at the Montgomery Village Avenue exit. Progress Labs will also be home to Montgomery County’s first Sheetz, which is expected to open on August 10.

Chick-fil-A has additional MoCo locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg (Kentlands), Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Silver Spring.


Bethesda

Last summer we let you know that Andy’s Pizza, the 2021 winner of the International Pizza Challenge™, is coming to Montgomery County with an upcoming location at 4600 East West Highway– the former site of sandwich shop Booeymonger in Bethesda. Last month the restaurant had its hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) and we’re told Andy’s is currently targeting a mid to late July opening.

Andy’s Pizza currently has locations in Adams Morgan, NoMa, Navy Yard, and Shaw in DC, with an additional NoVa location at Tysons. Another upcoming location is planned for Old Town Alexandria. Owner Andy Brown, who grew up in Bethesda, stated that he had been looking in the area since his restaurant began expanding. According to Business Journal, “The Bethesda location will also have more space than average — its other locations run roughly 1,800 square feet — to accommodate larger parties.”


Crime

Montgomery County Police responded to a stabbing on Sunday night at the corner of New Hampshire Ave and Powder Mill Rd (Exxon) in Hillandale. According to MCPD, “The call for a stabbing was received at approximately 10:55 p.m., on Sunday, June 18th, 2023. 3rd District officers responded to the location and located an adult male victim suffering from non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to an area hospital. No suspect(s) are in custody at this time.”

We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps. 


MCPD

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Darwin Rivera, a missing 17-year-old from Silver Spring.

Rivera was last seen on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m., in the 900 block of Browning Ave.   Rivera is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has medium length black hair and brown eyes. Rivera has a mustache, pierced ears and tattoos on his left forearm and hands. It is unknown what clothing he was last seen wearing.


Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 10000 blk of Trafalgar Sq, off King James Way, near Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg around 4am on Monday, June 19. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located in a bedroom on the second floor of a townhome.


Crime

Montgomery County Police responded to a fatal shooting in the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Road on  Sunday, June 18. According to MCPD, “at approximately 9:58 p.m., the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center received a call for a shooting at the above location.

Upon arrival, 5th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel located a 32-year-old male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.  


Damascus

Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting Sunday night in Damascus. According to MCPD, “5th District officers are on scene of a shooting in the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Road in Damascus. This is an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released when it becomes available.”

Per @cordelltraffic on Twitter: DAMASCUS CRITICAL SHOOTING: ~10PM Sunday, near the Damascus Garden Apartments at the corner of MD-124 Woodfield Road and Bethesda Church Road (Montgomery County). Man found shot, critically injured. MCP 5D Officers aided victim prior to 🚑 arrival.


Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision around 11:00am on Sunday, June 18 in Montgomery Village. The incident occurred at the intersection of Goshen Rd and Stewartown Rd. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, two patients were evaluated by EMS. All lanes have reopened.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Goshen Rd and Stewartown Rd, @MCFRS_EMIHS Evaluating 2 patients, @mcfrs A708 and PE708 on scene Some lanes blocked.”


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