Author: Patrick Herron

Germantown

It’s a Girl! Mom and Baby Doing Well After I-270 Delivery

By Patrick Herron

Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center has provided an update on the mother who gave birth to her baby girl on southbound I-270 early Friday morning: “Alexa Almonte never expected her first daughter to arrive roadside, but baby Valentina had other ideas. Mom and baby are resting comfortably at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center after the exciting delivery Friday, April 7. Valentina was born along southbound I-270 in Germantown at about 2 a.m.

Valentina weighs 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measures 21 inches. Her name means “healthy and strong” says Alexa, who also has two sons. Alexa says the delivery was “very unexpected” and came just 30 minutes after experiencing signs that she might be in labor. She praised the outstanding nurses at Shady Grove Medical Center for the care and emotional support they are providing to her family after the experience. “It’s so important to have,” Alexa says.

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Germantown

MCFRS Respond to House Fire in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire on Drumcastle Ct, near Frederick Rd and Germantown Rd, on Friday, April 7 around 11am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the occupants of the home smelled smoke and discovered that the roof of the townhouse was on fire. The cause of the fire is believed to be “resistive heating of electrical wire which ignited wood framing.” One family (two adults, two kids) has been displaced and damage is estimated to be ~$80-100K.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Drumcastle Ct; TH, Origin/Cause, 2nd floor wall (damaged sheathing of 2 cables caused by over-driven cable staple) fire cause, resistive heating of electrical wire which ignited wood framing; Damage >$80K; Occupants smelled smoke, discovered roof on fire, called 911”

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MDLottery

Gaithersburg Man Purchases $50,000 Winning Lottery Ticket at 7-Eleven

By Patrick Herron

His wife was startled and asked if something was wrong and if he was OK. “Just drop everything by 2, at least,” he recalls saying to her. Once she arrived at their Gaithersburg home, the happy Powerball player revealed his third-tier winning ticket.

He had bought the lucky $2 quick-pick ticket at 7-Eleven #32879, located at 3 Professional Drive in Gaithersburg. A Powerball and Mega Millions player, he buys tickets to the national jackpot games when he stops at Lottery retailers to fill his gas tank. He’ll check tickets from past drawings and buy tickets for upcoming ones.

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Wheaton

Police Continue to Investigate Fatal Stabbing; Identity of Victim Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division, are investigating a fatal stabbing on Amherst Ave. in Wheaton. On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at approximately 12:23 p.m., 4th District officers responded to a stabbing that just occurred in front of Montgomery County Public Parking Garage #45, in the 11300 block of Amherst Ave. Upon Arrival, officers located 28-year-old Amontae Robert Cunningham of Rockville, with what appeared to be a stab wound. Cunningham was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and through the course of the investigation, learned that Cunningham, who was a passenger on a WMATA Metro bus, got into an argument with an unknown male suspect. The bus driver stopped the bus in front of the parking garage on Amherst Ave. and Cunningham got off the bus. The suspect followed Cunningham off the bus and stabbed Cunningham. Detectives are asking for any passengers on the bus before the stabbing to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime, is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Germantown

Baby Born on 270 Early Friday Morning

By Patrick Herron

A mother gave birth to a child on southbound I270 between Route 121 and Route 27 (Ridge Rd) in Germantown on Friday morning around 2am. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, both mother and newborn were transported to the hospital by EMS and everyone is doing well.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “child birth on SB I270 between Route 121 and near Route 27 (Ridge Rd) @MCFRS_EMIHS A735 responded & family w/ newborn. Mother & newborn child were transported. Everyone is reportedly doing well.“

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative Awards Micro-Grants to 10 Organizations to Support Efforts for Health, Wellness and Social Services

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), one of three minority health initiatives that are part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded 10 local organizations a total of $71,000 as part of AAHI’s Asian American Center of Excellence (AACE) micro-grants funding opportunity.

The AACE was launched in January to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-serving community-organizations in developing and increasing their capacity to successfully provide health, wellness and social support programs and services. Through AACE, AAHI offered micro-grants to improve the capacity, sustainability, and infrastructure of smaller AAPI community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, and non-profits.

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Silver Spring

Suspect Charged with Assault and Robbery; Arranged to Meet Victims on Dating App

By Patrick Herron

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, Montgomery County Police responded to a call for a robbery that just occurred. The victim, an adult male, stated that he had met the suspect on a dating app and the two exchanged messages.The suspect, later identified as Kane, and the victim agreed to meet. Shortly after arriving at the address given to him, the victim was physically assaulted by Kane, who then stole the victim’s wallet and forced the victim out of the apartment.

Kane was arrested on Thursday, April 6, 2023 and charged with two counts of robbery and first degree assault. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim by Brandon Darryl Kane, is asked to contact the Third District Investigative Section at 240-773-6870.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Announces Renewed Commitment to End Homelessness by 2025 through ‘Zero for All’; Bethesda Cares Will Be Campaign’s New Co-Chair

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Interagency Coalition on Homelessness (ICH) has recommitted to ending homelessness for all groups by the end of 2025. The “Zero for All” campaign will be co-chaired by Bethesda Cares, a community nonprofit organization and member of the ICH.

In 2015, Montgomery County was one of the first four communities in the U.S. to reach functional zero for veterans’ homelessness. Through the Inside (not Outside) campaign, more than 450 adults experiencing chronic homelessness were housed. Between 2013 and 2022, there has been a 41 percent decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, including a 50 percent reduction in homelessness for households with children under age 18.

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Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 17-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating, Rackeal Thompson, a missing 17-year-old from Silver Spring.  Thompson was last seen on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in the 600 block of Winona Court in Silver Spring. Thompson is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. Thompson has short brown hair, brown eyes, a nose piercing and a tattoo on the right forearm. Thompson was last seen wearing a gray sweatsuit, black shoes and carrying a black and gray backpack.  Police and family are concerned for Thompson’s welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Rackeal Thompson 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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Kensington

MoCo Resident Wins $50,000 Powerball Prize

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County resident said he has no special plans for his third-tier prize, saying he wants to settle up a few bills and put the rest away for the future as a hedge against inflation. In addition, he is likely to plan a small celebration later in the month. The player bought the hot ticket at Kensington Sunoco, located at 10550 Connecticut Avenue in Kensington. No one hit the jackpot in that drawing or the ones that followed, giving players a chance to win an estimated jackpot annuity of $186 in the Saturday, April 8 drawing. The estimated cash option is $98.9 million. So far this year, Maryland has sold 26 third-tier winning tickets.”

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Germantown

Concern for Missing Germantown Man

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating, Jeremy Nathan Levitt, a missing 28-year-old from Germantown.

Levitt was last seen on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., walking in the 20500 block of Neerwinder Street.  Levitt is 5-feet, 6-inches and weighs 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown curly hair.  He was last seen wearing an unknown color baseball hat, a brown Carhart jacket, gray sweatpants and brown hiking boots.  Family and police are concerned for his welfare.

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