He learned of his big win sitting in his car, only moments after leaving the Montgomery County store. The winner immediately took a photo of his lucky scratch-off and sent the photo to his wife. He and his wife of 10 years plan to use the prize to pay debts. The Hot 777 scratch-off went on sale on April 24 and became one of the hottest games on the market. It’s now the second most popular scratch-off at the Maryland Lottery.
Per Montgomery County (5.31.23): County Executive Marc Elrich today announced that Montgomery County Government won 13 awards for its operations and innovation in the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards. NACo is a nonprofit organization that provides services to the nation’s 3,069 counties and represents county governments across the United States. The NACo Achievement Awards recognize a county’s outstanding commitment to public service in various categories such as civic education and public information; community and economic development; children and youth; and arts and entertainment.
Since the beginning of the Elrich Administration in 2019, Montgomery County has won 176 NACo Achievement Awards, including four Best in Category awards. In the 2023 awards, Montgomery County won the Best in Category Award in the Parks and Recreation category. The County was recognized for its outdoor fitness equipment program at the Holiday Park Senior Center in Silver Spring. The center features the first outdoor fitness space in the region expressly geared toward the needs of adults 55 and older.
“Behind each and every one of us, there is a teacher who believed in us and pushed us to succeed,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “And the impact of the teachers in this room has undoubtedly shaped the success of countless Marylanders. The Moore-Miller Administration thanks all of you for your work you do to shape Maryland’s future.”
Dewdney, who has taught Pre-K at The Commodore John Rodgers School in Baltimore City for ten years and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, is using the latest studies in neuroscience to inform her professional technique. She plans to pursue a doctorate in education.
Now through August 31, high school students ages 14-19 can work out for free at all Planet Fitness gyms. Students can sign up for the free pass at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass. Planet Fitness has Montgomery County locations in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring. Additional details below:
“Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, officially kicks off its High School Summer PassTM program today, opening its doors to high schoolers ages 14 – 19[1] to work out for free this summer through August 31 at any of the more than 2,400 Planet Fitness locations throughout the United States and Canada. Sign up now at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass or at any Planet Fitness club. Teens under 18 in the U.S. and under 19 in Canada must register with a parent or guardian online or in-club.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Kevin Hessler sentenced defendant, Rodjaun Neal-Williams, 21 of Clarksburg, to 30 years in prison. Neal-Williams was convicted by a jury on March 7th, 2023, on charges of Voluntary Manslaughter and Use of Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence for the death of 23-year-old Javon Gordon of Boyds.
This stems from an incident on April 13, 2021, on the 12900 block of Ethel Rose Way in Boyds. The defendant who was 19-years old at the time, was a passenger in a vehicle that pulled up to small group of individuals in the street. There was an altercation between Neal-Williams and Gordon while Neal-Williams was seated inside of the vehicle, and he fired a handgun, killing Gordon.
Per MCPD: Six suspects have been arrested in connection with a November 2022 homicide and shooting in Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park. On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Montgomery County Department of Police 3rd District officers responded to the 9000 block of Piney Branch Road for multiple calls of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds in a wooded area behind an apartment complex. That victim was transported to an area hospital in serious but stable condition.
As K-9 officers canvassed the crime scene, they discovered a deceased male with apparent gunshot wounds, close to the area where the shooting victim was found. The body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and identified as 20-year-old, Edvin Moises Agustin Leon. The victim had no known address. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that the shooting and homicide were gang related.
New Grand Mart, a Korean grocery chain with locations across Maryland and Virginia, will open its newest store at 13069 Wisteria Drive in the Germantown Plaza shopping center on June 8th. It is taking over the space previously occupied by Lotte Plaza, which closed in November. 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.”
In addition to the grocery store, New Grand Mart will also feature a food court. Vendors announced include Gogi Friends (Korean BBQ), Noodles & Friends (Korean-Chinese fusion), Tous les Jours (bakery), Sushi Friends, and Fortune Cha (bubble tea and dessert.) According to a representative at Grand Mart, the food court is scheduled to open a few weeks after June 8th.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Patrol Investigations Unit (PIU) are investigating a theft that occurred in the 11300 block of Georgia Avenue on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.
The preliminary investigation by detectives has determined that the suspect entered the store at approximately 1 p.m., walked to the back of the store and entered the manager’s office. The suspect searched the office until he located an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect stole the cash and exited the store. The suspect is described as a Black male, tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a black shirt and dark jeans.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Carter Prince, a missing 11-year-old from Silver Spring. Carter was last seen on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at approximately 8:30 a.m., leaving his residence on Auden Place in Silver Spring.Carter is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 90 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue/orange Adidas backpack, a gray t-shirt and black/gray Crocs. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carter Prince is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has announced its 2023 dates for this upcoming summer. This will be the 74th annual fair and it’s third year back after having to cancel for the first time in its 70+ year history in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. This year opening day for the MoCo Fair will be on Friday, August 11th and it will go until Saturday, August 19th.
Events this year include a Chesapeake DockDogs canine aquatics competition on August 11th and 12th, Truck Drag Racing on August 14th, Renegade Monster Truck Tour on August 16th and 17th, and Demolition Derby “Night of Destruction” on August 18th and 19th.
Montgomery Parks will host a Pride Awareness Hike on June 18 from 10am-12pm at Fairland Recreational Park (3928 Greencastle Road) in Fairland. Additional details courtesy of Montgomery Parks: “Celebrate PRIDE […]