Author: Patrick Herron

Potomac

New ‘Resiliency Hub’ Dedicated at Scotland Community Recreation Center

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery County  Department of General Services’ Office of Energy and Sustainability (OES) led a ribbon-cutting event Thursday, April 20, at the Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center in Potomac to celebrate the center as a new “resiliency hub.”  The resiliency hub is designed to provide a haven for the historically Black community by keeping the center powered during electrical grid outages.

The effort to create a resiliency hub began in February 2019 when OES applied for funding from the Maryland Energy Administration Resiliency Hub Grant Program and was awarded a grant in April of that year. OES selected Scotland to be its first resiliency hub and various design phases took place over the next two years. Construction began in June 2021 before concluding last year.

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Kensington

16th annual Kensington ‘Day of the Book Festival’ Will Be Family Friendly Street Festival on Sunday, April 23

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The 16th Annual Kensington “Day of the Book Festival,” which is a family friendly street festival spanning three blocks of Howard Avenue in the heart of historic Kensington, will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. The festival will feature authors, poets, literary and community organizations and will have live music on several stages.  Special guest speakers, poetry readings, cookbook demonstrations and children’s programs are all part of the event, which is billed as “Not your average book festival.”

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MoCo Government

Consumer Complaints Against Auto Repair Shops Can Be Assisted by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection

By Patrick Herron
Auto mechanic controlling car with checklist in workshop

Per Montgomery County: Spring and summer are times when more people get into their vehicles and head out on adventures. However, more miles driven mean increased chances for vehicle break downs, and in some cases, the need for major repairs. When transactions between vehicle owners and car repair businesses in Montgomery County reach serious conflicts, the County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) often can help. OCP registers car repair shops and enforces the County code regarding consumer rights. When a resident registers a complaint concerning an interaction with a business, OCP is guided by Montgomery County Code 31-A, which governs automobile repair businesses in the County. Maryland State Commercial Law, Title 14, Subtitle 10 also applies.

The highlights of laws regarding vehicle repairs performed by Montgomery County auto repair services include:

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Silver Spring

Police Searching for Missing 13-Year-Old Girls

By Patrick Herron

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating two missing 13-year-old girls; Erica Sofia Mejia, from Silver Spring and Allison Flores from Laurel.  Per MCPD:

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Allison Flores and Erica Mejia 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.

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MoCo History

Germantown Cider Barrel Vandalized

By Patrick Herron

The iconic Cider Barrel structure on Frederick Rd/355 in Germantown was vandalized on Wednesday, April 19. The Cider Barrel opened in the mid-1920s and sold non-alcoholic cider from the Ballincar Orchard in Germantown during the height of Prohibition and remained in business until 2003. Plans to reopen Cider Barrel in 2020 were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. History of the Cider Barrel below, courtesy of a 2020 article by Karen Adjei:

“The Cider Barrel has deep roots with the local area’s history. It was originally built by Andrew Baker in 1922 (some sources say around 1925 or 1926). He was a local insurance entrepreneur who also developed the Ballincara Mansion, the Selby/Soderberg House and Livery Stable, and the original Germantown Bank.

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Damascus

Tuesday Evening House Fire Causes Approximately $125K in Damage

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 10500blk of Tralee Ter in Damascus on Tuesday, April 18. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated on the exterior of the three-story townhome and spread to the 2nd fl and attic. The cause of the fire is believed to be an outdoor electrical outlet. Damage is estimated to be ~$120K and there were no injuries reported. Four adults and four children have been displaced. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update (4/18 ~7p) 10500blk Tralee Ter, Damascus; 3-sty TH; exterior fire spread to 2nd fl/attic; Origin/Cause, near floor level elevated deck, vinyl siding, *only ignition source outdoor electrical outlet; Damage ~$120K; 4 adults/4 kids displaced; no injuries; passerby called 911”

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MDLottery

$100,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at Gaithersburg Shell

By Patrick Herron

The 47-year-old visited the Quince Orchard Shell gas station located at 501 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg, which is near his workplace. He went to the Lottery kiosk and bought one of the $10 bingo-themed scratch-offs. A short while later, he discovered that the scratch-off he selected at random was a $100,000 top-prize winner.

“My body started shaking,” the player told Lottery officials, noting that the shock of his win was too much for him. He immediately called his wife and son to share the great news. The Germantown resident has no definite plans for his prize yet other than paying bills and paying off loans on his cars.

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MDLottery

$1 Million Winning Lottery Ticket Sold at MoCo 7-Eleven Remains Unclaimed

By Patrick Herron

Check your tickets for a $1 million win if you visited 7-Eleven #11572 at 12405 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Three other players in California, Iowa and Ohio also matched five of the winning numbers in the drawing to capture $1 million second-tier prizes.

The winning numbers to match were 7, 9, 15, 19 and 25; the Mega Ball number was 4 and the optional Megaplier number was 2. Maryland had a total of 11,721 winners in the Tuesday night drawing. Lottery officials encourage all winners to sign the back of their tickets immediately and put them in a safe location until they can claim their prize.

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Silver Spring

Thirty-Five-Year-Old Man Charged with Indecent Exposure; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Patrol Services Bureau have arrested and charged 35-year-old Emmanuel Horton of an unconfirmed address, with indecent exposure, second-degree assault and fourth-degree sex assault. Officers have released a photo of Horton and encourage anyone who may be a victim of indecent exposure by Horton to come forward. On Monday, April 17, 2023, at approximately 9:37 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the 900 block of Thayer Ave. for the report of a male subject who exposed himself to customers on an elevator.

While on scene, officers identified Horton as the suspect and located him a short distance from the scene. Officers transported him to the 3rd District station, where Horton was interviewed. Horton was transported to the Central Processing Unit where he is currently being held without bond.

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Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 16-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Andre is 6-feet tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black ripped jeans.  Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Andre Ricardo White is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services Launches New Podcast Series to Assist Residents and Businesses with the Permitting Process

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has introduced a new podcast series to help residents and businesses become more familiar with the permitting process. The first episode is now available. The DPS podcast will connect listeners to permitting department staff including permit technicians, building inspectors, plan reviewers, the fire marshal, field supervisors and code compliance staff. All who will be featured on the podcasts are experts in their various fields. Collectively, they are known as “first preventers.” These code officials who will provide the latest information from the department, as well as resources and tips.

“DPS continues to streamline its processes to make the permitting process more efficient for customers and sharing information about these improvements is important,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.  “We are always looking for ways to enhance our communication methods and this new podcast is an innovative way to reach customers on the platforms that they use to keep them informed about DPS programs and services.”

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