MoCo Government

On Tuesday, we reported that this year’s Taste of Wheaton event scheduled for June 4 at Marian Fryer Plaza (2424 Reedie Plaza) in Downtown Wheaton had been cancelled. Taste of Wheaton is an annual event that takes place in early June that features food, music and dance, rides, and children’s activities.  According to the Sidney Cooper of the Wheaton Urban District, the event “encountered contracting hurdles we could not overcome in time for the event to be the success the community expects and deserves” and “we look forward to bringing it back bigger and better in 2024.”

When asked on Twitter if restaurant recruitment played a factor in the cancellation,  County Councilmember for District 6 Natali Fani-González replied, “The County Exec team notified me a couple of days ago about the unfortunate cancellation. Restaurant recruitment has to do with the decision. More will be discussed at the June WUDAC meeting.” Last year’s participating restaurants included Frank’s Burger Place, Green Plate Catering, Hollywood East Café, IHOP, Los Cobanos, Methi Indian Restaurant, Nando’s Peri Peri, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nut House Pizza and Terra Mare Restaurant.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Thursday, May 25 at 9 a.m. The meeting will begin with two proclamations. The first, presented by Councilmembers Stewart and Albornoz, will recognize Foster Care Month. The second, presented by Councilmember Stewart, Council President Glass and Councilmember Balcombe will recognize Chesapeake Bay Day. In addition, the Council will hold a final vote on County’s $6.7 billion FY24 Operating Budget and the $5.7 billion amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.


Crime

Per MCPD: Gaithersburg teen has been arrested and charged with murder, in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old inside of the Wheaton Metro station on Thursday, May 18, 2023. 16-year-old Emmanuel Leonard Simmonds is accused of shooting and killing Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., of Greenbelt, on the Metro train platform following an altercation. Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes detectives learned that Simmonds and other juvenile males were on the escalator, along with Leslie, Jr., and a group of friends, when a physical altercation between the two groups occurred.

The altercation escalated and Simmonds allegedly shot Leslie, Jr. before boarding a train and leaving the scene. Detectives were able to identify Simmonds as the shooter, and a warrant for his arrest was requested. Simmonds is charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is also charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a loaded handgun. Simmonds has been charged as an adult in this murder.


Restaurants

Per REDI: Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) proudly announced the launch of the Explore Rockville: Global Bites pilot program, the first-of-its-kind initiative celebrating the diversity of cuisine across Rockville, Maryland. This 10-day event, running from June 2 to June 11, aims to highlight and promote the varied, award-winning international fare available within our own community. Rockville has become a premier dining destination of the DMV and continues to grow year-over-year.

Starting today, consumers can download a free digital dining passport (available via Apple and Google Wallets) pre-loaded with $25 worth of vouchers which can be redeemed beginning June 2 in $5 increments for dine-in or take-away purchases (excluding alcohol) of orders $25 and over. With over 10 international cuisines to choose from, diners can easily embark on a culinary journey across cultures every day of the week.


Gaithersburg

McCarthy was last seen on Monday, May 22, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., in the 8600 block of Fountain Valley Dr. McCarthy is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She has curly shoulder length black hair and brown eyes. She also has a nose ring. McCarthy was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie, a white crop top, shorts and red Jordan sneakers. She was also carrying a Tommy Hilfiger purse. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jocelyn McCarthy is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.


Montgomery Village

Permanent signage is up at the upcoming Dunkin’ location in the Goshen Crossing Shopping Center in Montgomery Village. Dunkin’ is taking over the former Capital One Bank building at 20000 Goshen Rd. According to a representative at Dunkin’, the location is scheduled to open on Saturday, July 8.

Dunkin’ has been making a big push lately in Montgomery County, with its newest location at the Layhill Center (14328 Layhill Rd) in Silver Spring. Dunkin’ also has upcoming locations in Rockville and Chevy Chase. Since Inspire Brands acquired Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins in late 2020 for $11.3 billion, the company has been opening in former bank locations that allow for easy installation of a drive-thru window. Dunkin has also aimed for non-traditional development that includes opening in airports and on college campuses, including the University of Maryland.


Crime

The preliminary investigation by detectives determined that two groups were involved in an argument. At some point during the argument, the suspect fired two shots at the other group. No injuries have been reported.  The suspect is described as a Black male, of a dark complexion, approximately 16 to 18-years-old, with short black hair, wearing a white t-shirt with the word “boss” on the front, light blue ripped jeans, and black and white Nike Jordan sneakers. He was also carrying a dark colored drawstring bag.


North Bethesda

The Block Food Hall, which offers “various unique Asian eateries in an upbeat community-focused setup with a bar, sports on TV, and weekend DJs nightlife,” at 967 Rose Ave in North Bethesda has reopened its “Block Bar”. The food hall had paused the sale of alcoholic beverages back in April. A representative from The Block tells us that the new operating hours will be 12pm-10pm daily.


Crime

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District – Community Action Team have arrested 28-year-old Humberto Guerra Jr., of Silver Spring, who had two outstanding criminal warrants that stemmed from a traffic stop that occurred on Friday, February 17, 2023. During that stop, an AR-15 was recovered and later determined to be stolen in a burglary from Alexandria, VA.

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, officers observed 29-year-old Maria Argueta of Silver Spring, who they knew had an outstanding warrant for burglary from March 4, 2022, and her brother Guerra Jr. both get into a Grey Honda CR-V at a 7-11 in Germantown along with three other individuals.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) units responded to 14508 Homecrest Rd (Homecrest House Stein Building) in Sandy Spring for a small fire in a 2nd floor apartment. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located in a kitchen and involved appliances/equipment. The fire was extinguished by maintenance crew prior to  MCFRS arrival. Five patients were evaluated and two adults were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injures.

We will post an update if additional information becomes available.


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