Author: Patrick Herron

Gaithersburg

Own a Piece of Lakeforest Mall: Liquidation Auction Now Live

By Patrick Herron

If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of Lakeforest Mall, now is your chance. Capital Auctions has just listed over 1000 items from inside of the mall, including fixtures from stores, decorative pieces, a Chevy Silverado and more. According to Capital Auctions, interested parties will be able to preview the items on Wednesday, July 5th 2023 10am-4:30pm with the auction closing on Thursday, July 6.

Lakeforest Mall closed permanently to the public on March 31st, after almost 45 years. The mall first opened on September 12, 1978. At that time, the mall’s anchor stores were JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht’s. The mall was one of the first in the United States to feature an indoor ice skating rink on the lower level, in the “H section”, along with being the biggest indoor shopping mall in the county at the time of grand opening. The ice skating rink was replaced by a NTI Theaters movie theater in 1984, later renamed Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5, then by a food court, which now occupies the space. The mall was built on top of Lake Walker, a park on the property prior. The mall opened with approximately 30-50 stores, with some of the first stores being relocated from the then nearby indoor Village Mall (now an outdoor strip mall called Montgomery Village Center since 1991) and absorbed onto the property.

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Maryland

Funding Now Available For Cannabis Related Businesses in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Department of Commerce: Maryland Commerce has announced that applications are now being accepted for the first round of funding available through the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. The funds will help small businesses and entrepreneurs participate in Maryland’s upcoming adult-use cannabis program.

“The Cannabis Business Assistance Fund will help ensure more equitable footing as our medical cannabis license holders transition to recreational marijuana use in Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore. “The fund promotes equitable economic growth and will empower our small, minority, and women-owned businesses to have a greater stake in this growing industry.”

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Kensington

$30,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at Safeway

By Patrick Herron

The married dad, who has a baby on the way, called his wife immediately to come check the instant ticket to confirm his win. He next shared the great news with his father. Both doubted the winner’s luck so they went to a Lottery retailer and got the top-prize win confirmed by the ticket scanner and the store cashier.

The lucky player, accompanied by his dad, claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore last week. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use the winnings for his growing family and will celebrate with a big family dinner. Also celebrating this huge win is the Lottery retailer that sold the winning instant ticket. Safeway #2753 located at 10541 Connecticut Avenue will receive a $300 bonus from the Lottery for selling the $30,000 top-prize winner. The Red Hot Cash instant ticket went on sale at the end of May with eight $30,000 top prizes. Seven top prizes remain. There are also 16 $1,000 prizes left along with over 806,000 prizes ranging from $3 to $500. The instant ticket joins a Hot family of games that went on sale May 22: a $1 Hot 7s, $2 Hot 7s Doubler, $5 Hot 7s Tripler and $10 Hot 7s Multiplier scratch-off. A $20 Hot 777 ticket went on sale in April. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

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Maryland

Governor Moore Hosts Maryland National Guard Change of Command Ceremony

By Patrick Herron
Governor Wes Moore with 4 National Guard Soldiers

Maj. Gen. Birckhead, who was promoted from the rank of brigadier general earlier in the day at a ceremony held at Morgan State University, previously served as the assistant adjutant general-Army since May 2018. She now leads the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department, which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard and Maryland Defense Force.

“I do not take this charge lightly. I will use the breadth and depth of my experience to do the best for you to ensure readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Birckhead. “I will remember my commitment to not only the Soldiers and Airmen but also the civilians who are a part of the Maryland Military Department.”

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MCFRS

MCFRS Respond to Fire at Bassett’s Restaurant

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at Bassett’s Restaurant at 19950 Fisher Ave in Poolesville on Monday, June 5 around 2pm. The fire has been contained and there are no injuries reported.

According to Assistant Chief for MCFRS David Pazos on Twitter, “MCFRS units extinguished all visible fire with no extension to the main building. No injuries were reported, and units are starting to leave the scene. Fire Code Enforcement has been requested to determine when the restaurant can open.” Featured photo courtesy of@jake.porter7123 on Instagram.

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MDLottery

$50,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at Food Lion

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Lottery: A Rockville man who keeps his eyes open for new Lottery scratch-offs had just finished his grocery shopping at a Food Lion store when he spotted the new Hot 7s Tripler game. “I was on the way out the door and I always check the (Lottery self-serving vending) machine,” the Montgomery County resident said. “I like when they introduce new scratch-offs, they’re usually kind of hot.”

The anonymous winner, who chose the nickname “Greg” to tell the story of his big win, said he has won small prizes over the years and decided to try his luck with the game that has “hot” in the title. He selected two of the $5 Hot 7s Tripler scratch-offs. The game went on sale May 22 and still had all eight top prizes available.

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Crime

$10,000 Reward Offered for Information on Block Party Shooting; Over 30 Shell Casings Found at Scene

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: A 16-year-old girl is recovering after being shot during a block party in Silver Spring. On Friday, June 2, 2023, at approximately 9:58 p.m., Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District officers responded to multiple calls of shots fired at a block party in the 11400 block of Stewart Lane.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers from the 2nd and 4th districts responded to the location to assist as officers and detectives processed the crime scene.

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Beyond MoCo

Silver Branch Brewing to Open Virginia Location

By Patrick Herron

Silver Branch Brewing has announced its opening a second location in Old Town Warrenton, Virginia. According to the brewery, the new facility will allow them to brew a wider selection of beer and increase production on core beers.  Silver Branch Brewing opened at 8401 Colesville Rd #150 in Silver Spring in 2019. Additional information below courtesy of Silver Branch:

Silver Branch Brewing Companyannounced today they will open a second taproom and biergarten in Old Town Warrenton, Virginia. Silver Branch Warrenton Station will expand our ability to brew a greater variety of beers and bring our brand of hospitality and taproom experience to Virginia.

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Frederick

Montgomery County Resident Killed in Collision Sunday Morning in Frederick County

By Patrick Herron

Per the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office: At approximately 8:35 a.m. today, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) and the Frederick County (MD) Fire & Rescue (DFRS) responded to a single vehicle crash at the Union Bridge Quarry located off Peter Shriner and Clemonsville Roads, in Union Bridge, Maryland. Upon arriving on scene, first responders found three adults, one male and two females, deceased.

Initial indications show that the 2022 Dodge Charger was traveling at a high rate of speed, left the roadway, and plummeted into the bottom of the dry quarry, owned and operated by Heidelberg Materials. First responders found one female ejected from the vehicle and the other female and male were still inside the heavily damaged vehicle. Those killed in the vehicle crash include:

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Beyond MoCo

Sonic Boom Heard Across DMV

By Patrick Herron

Residents across Maryland, DC, and Virginia reported hearing a large explosion around 3pm on Sunday, June 4. According to the Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, “The loud boom that was heard across the DMV area was caused by an authorized DOD flight. This flight caused a sonic boom. That is all the information available at this time.”  A sonic boom is defined as a loud explosive noise caused by the shock wave from an aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound.

According to Rueters, the Federal Aviation Administration reports that a Cessna aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain in southwest Virginia around the time the sonic boom was heard in the area and it is unclear if the two incidents are related.

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