Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Dunkin Donuts

Published May 26, 2023 at 10:11AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed robbery of a Dunkin Donuts that occurred on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The initial investigation has revealed that an unknown suspect entered a Dunkin Donuts in the 4300 block of Aspen Hill Road. The suspect walked up to the counter, displayed a box cutter and demanded money. When the employee began to back away from the counter, the suspect leaped over the counter and threatened the employee with a large knife he had in his waistband. The suspect then removed the cash boxes from the registers and left the scene. The suspect is described as a White or Hispanic male, approximately 40-years-old, 5-feet tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a white baseball hat, black jacket, light colored pants and tan work boots. He also had a white t-shirt around his face.

MCPD

Concern for Missing 13-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 10:08PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Norma Lisseth-Amaya, a missing 13-year-old from Silver Spring.

Norma was last seen on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the 3000 block of Weller Road. Norma is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. She has auburn hair and brown eyes. It is unknown what clothing she was last seen wearing.

Gaithersburg

Update on Neal’s Bagels in Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 8:02PM | Updated May 26, 2023 at 2:04PM

Permanent signage is up and construction is ongoing at the upcoming Neal’s Bagels in Kentlands. Neal’s Bagels is relocating from its current location about a mile and a half away at 12141 Darnestown Rd in the Potomac Valley shopping center in Gaithersburg. The Jewish deli has been there for about 30 years, previously operating under the name Bagels Delox. The new shop will be located in the Kentlands paseo, next to Burtons and across from RanKen Noodle House. Originally scheduled to open this month, we’re told the store is now on track to open in June. The Darnestown Rd location will remain open in the meantime.

MoCo Government

Winners Honored in 24th Annual Recycling Achievement Awards

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 7:29PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich celebrated the 24th Annual Recycling Awareness Week by honoring recipients of the County’s Recycling Achievement Awards for outstanding achievements in waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The ceremonies, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, recognized individuals, multi-family properties, businesses, organizations and government facilities. Recycling Awareness Week is a designated week each year during which the County highlights and showcases the achievements of our community and honors them for their efforts to help the County reach its goals of reducing waste and recycling more, aiming for Zero Waste.

“Since 1999, Montgomery County has celebrated its own Recycling Awareness Week by highlighting the hard work and commitment by our businesses, government agencies, multi-family properties, and individuals,” said County Executive Elrich. “Each year, the list of awardees includes more recipients who recognize the importance of reducing waste and recycling more. I am thankful for today’s awardees who are taking action to help us achieve our goals as we aim for Zero Waste.”

Maryland

Maryland State Police Will Bolster Enforcement Efforts on Highways Over Memorial Day Weekend

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 7:27PM

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police will bolster enforcement efforts over the Memorial Day weekend to prevent dangerous driving behaviors and save lives as more motorists are expected to travel this holiday. State troopers from 23 barracks, including members of the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team, known as the SPIDRE team, will be focusing enforcement efforts on impaired driving, aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving and other violations that contribute to highway tragedies, especially during the holiday weekend. Additional troopers will be working overtime assignments funded by highway safety grants from the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.

Maryland averaged 152 fatalities and 2,003 injuries due to impaired driving crashes annually between 2017 and 2021, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. Many of these deaths and injuries were preventable.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Votes to Approve $6.7 Billion Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget and Amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 1:45PM

“The Council’s budget deliberations carefully balanced our strong and steadfast commitment to our students and teachers with our residents’ many other priorities, while also upholding our responsibility to be fiscal stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Glass. “We fully funded teacher contracts and met salary and benefit agreements for our hardworking first responders, police and healthcare workers. At the same time, we cut the County Executive’s proposed 10 percent property tax hike by more than half. I’m grateful to my Council colleagues who brought new and unique perspectives to the table and shared a commitment to transparency and oversight every step of the way.”

The Council’s budget deliberations this year focused on balancing the needs of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) with those of other County agencies and departments, as well as reducing the 10-cent property tax rate proposed by County Executive Marc Elrich. Following weeks of deliberations and careful review of Council and committee recommendations, the Council lowered the proposed tax rate and was still able to provide historic funding for MCPS.

MCDOT

Montgomery County Issues Warning Against Reckless Driving Ahead of Memorial Day

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 1:32PM

Per MCDOT: As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Montgomery County Department of Police and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are issuing a critical warning to motorists: Be safe, be aware and be responsible. Montgomery County Police and allied local and State police departments will be on the roads with enhanced patrols and sobriety checkpoints to get impaired drivers off the road. 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 469 people may die on U.S. roads this Memorial Day holiday.

“This Memorial Day weekend, let us honor the memory of our fallen heroes by ensuring their sacrifice is not overshadowed by preventable tragedies,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Every day, about 37 people die nationally in drunk driving crashes—that is one person every 39 minutes. Vision Zero and MCDOT continue to build and improve roadway infrastructure, but driver behavior plays a very important role as well. It is especially important for all of us to be diligent in making responsible choices this holiday weekend to ensure safer roads for everyone.”

Bethesda

Washington Folk Festival Will Return to Glen Echo Park for Its 41st Year with Free Performances on June 3-4

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 1:30PM

Per Montgomery County: The Washington Folk Festival, in its 41st year, will return to Glen Echo Park on Saturday-Sunday, June 3-4, with free performances each day from noon-7 p.m. The festival will host more than 450 performances on seven stages. Glen Echo Park is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo.

The festival annual features music of all kinds, participatory dance, a fine crafts market and storytelling. The festival celebrates the diverse American and international music styles to be found throughout the Washington area among the local and talented performers.

MoCo Government

Council President Evan Glass’ Statement on the Council’s Approval of the FY24 Operating Budget and Amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 11:11AM

The 11 members of the Council had very different views and opinions on this budget. Some wanted higher taxes, some wanted lower. This is what democracy looks like. The end result was one of consensus, recognizing that we all supported the labor contracts of our county and school employees, maintaining a strong social safety net, and preserving our reserve fund.

While there may be disagreements about the details of the budget, there should be no disagreement that this budget process has been more transparent than any other in recent memory. Each committee chair reported their recommendations to the full Council in open, televised meetings and I abolished the omnibus budget consent calendar.

The Laureate Apartments at Shady Grove Metro Now Open for Leasing (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 11:06AM

The Laureate, luxury apartments available at affordable and market rate located in Rockville, MD, is now available for leasing. The 268-unit community is a joint-venture partnership between Bozzuto, EYA, and the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC), and features a variety of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as an array of Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs). The elegant and inviting apartments are infused with fresh, modern finishes in the style of boutique hotels and resort spas and contain keyless entry, pre-installed Wi-Fi, open floorplans, sparkling tiled bathrooms featuring luxurious fixtures, and stylish kitchens with quartz countertops.

Located just steps away from the Shady Grove Metro and convenient to many of Montgomery County’s largest employers, The Laureate provides unparalleled access by Route 370, the ICC, I-270 and metro. The community also features upscale amenities, such as a top-of-the-line fitness studio and courtyard pool, a multipurpose creative studio, children’s playroom, pet spa, state-of-the-art clubroom (including a theater room), and more.

Bethesda

Seven Suspects Using Stolen Kia Steal From Target and Sephora

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2023 at 10:43AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating two thefts at department stores that were committed by seven suspects who used a stolen Kia to commit these crimes. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

On Friday, April 28, 2023, 2nd District officers responded to Sephora in the 5300 block of Western Ave. in Chevy Chase for the report of a theft. The investigation by detectives has revealed that the seven suspects walked into the store, placed merchandise in shopping bags and ran out of the store without paying. The suspects then left the scene in a black Kia bearing Washington, D.C. license plate GC-5918.