Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

County Executive Marc Elrich Disapproves Planning Board Appointee James Hedrick; County Council President Glass Responds Via Statement

Published March 24, 2023 at 9:34PM | Updated March 25, 2023 at 10:59AM

County Executive Marc Elrich’s memorandum to County Council Oresident Evan Glass, disapproving the appointment of James Hedrick to the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Glass’ statement in response, can be seen below:

“Section 15-103 of the Land Use Article of the Maryland Code provides for the County Executive to approve or disapprove appointments of commissioners to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. On March 1, 2023, the Council submitted the appointment of James Hedrick to me for consideration.

Glenmont

Fully Automatic Ghost Gun and Hundreds of Fentanyl Pills Seized After Community Complaint

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 3:37PM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 8:21PM

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Community Action Team have arrested 20-year-old Alan Garcia of Silver Spring and a juvenile female following a community complaint in the shopping center located at 12345 Georgia Avenue in Glenmont.

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at approximately 4:50 p.m., officers were patrolling the shopping center in response to a community complaint made by business owners and residents of the area, regarding on-going alcohol, drug and disorderly conduct offenses occurring in the shopping center. Officers observed Garcia and the juvenile female in a stairwell to the rear of 12331 Georgia Ave., which is an area of the shopping center that is marked with posted “No Trespassing” signs. Upon approaching them, officers observed drug paraphernalia in their possession. Garcia attempted to run, but he was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest.

Glenmont

Suspect Arrested After Rollover Hit-and-Run

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 3:19PM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 3:40PM

Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a collision involving an overturned vehicle on Friday morning in Glenmont. According to MCPD, “At approximately 10:50 a.m., a MCPD officer came across a two-vehicle collision in the area of Randolph Road and Glenmont Circle. The driver of the striking vehicle fled on foot after his vehicle overturned. A brief foot pursuit ensued. The adult male was quickly apprehended and transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. No additional injuries have been reported.”

According to public safety reported Cordell Pugh, Montgomery County Park Police assisted during the incident. We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured image courtesy of @0_o_willliam_o_0 on Instagram.

Gaithersburg

Flagship Carwash Temporarily Closes Gaithersburg and Rockville Locations for Renovations

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 2:47PM

The Flagship Carwash locations at 87 Bureau Dr in Gaithersburg and 785 Hungerford Dr in Rockville are temporarily closed for renovations. A representative from the company tells us they expect to reopen both locations in about 60 days. The Germantown location at 11620 Middlebrook Road remains open. Flagship has over 20 locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

About: “Flagship Carwash is a professional car wash services company with several locations throughout the DMV area. Flagship offers the optionality of full-service, express service and self service washes. This location offers brushless full service, express detailing and self service interior and exterior wash options. The full service wash includes three different levels of wash options, ultimate, super or full serve, so you can customize your wash based on your needs. Our tenured customer service team is there to handle all the details. We also offer express detailing services and a 24/7 self service wash option. All of our locations offer the same speedy, high-quality car wash customers have come to expect from Flagship.”

Bethesda

Liljenquist & Beckstead Expanding Montgomery Mall Location

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 10:50AM

Westfield Montgomery has announced the signing of an expanded lease with Liljenquist & Beckstead. According to a press release, “The luxury boutique, housing exquisite collections of Swiss timepieces and stunning jewelry from around the world, will soon be home to a Rolex corner and storefront, along with an expanded selection of David Yurman offerings. The boutique will be built upon the existing location and expand into the former Lush and Swarovski spaces with Swarovski and Lush relocating nearby.”

Stuart Amos, Senior General Manager said: “we are honored to welcome the exciting expansion of Liljenquist & Beckstead. The Rolex boutique and expanded David Yurman offerings will be a welcome addition to our guests and speak to Westfield Montgomery’s evolution as an iconic shopping destination.”

Rockville

Petition Created in Opposition of Vape Shop Coming to Woodley Gardens

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 10:35AM

A change.org petition has been created to oppose a vape/tobacco shop that has signed a lease to take over the former bank space at 1101 Nelson St in the Woodley Gardens Shopping Center in Rockville. Woodley Gardens is home to Carmen’s Italian Ice, Hard Times Café, and Z&Z – Manoushe Bakery. According to the petition, “a shop of this nature would have a direct and negative impact on the community that frequents the current businesses in the shopping center and family amenities in the park.” Full text from change.org/p/oppose-the-vape-tobacco-shop-in-woodley-gardens below:

“The Woodley Gardens Shopping Center has signed a lease with a “tobacco shop” to be the new tenant in the old bank location. This business will likely be selling tobacco products and vaping supplies (which are often targeted at minors) among family-friendly retailers and across from the Woodley Gardens park. It is highly concerning that a shop of this type could open in such close proximity to an ice cream store, playground, park, sports fields/courts, family swimming pool and future early childhood education center.

Arts

Exhibit Featuring Artists with Austism and Other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Open This Saturday in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 9:51AM

A new exhibit by the artists of the VisAbility Art Lab opens at The Seneca (55 West Gude Drive) in Rockville this Saturday. The VisAbility Art Lab is a studio program that “provides artists with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities a place and the resources to create art and develop the skills necessary to work in the arts.” The exhibit will be open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM through Friday, April 26. Full details below courtesy of VisArts:

We are delighted to announce that more than 30 pieces of art will go on exhibit at The Seneca in Rockville on Saturday, March 25 – works created by the artists of VisArts’ VisAbility Art Lab. These highly talented painters, sketchers, and sculptors have two things in common: they are artists with autism or other intellectual and developmental disabilities and they are successfully pursuing careers in art.

Maryland

Governor Moore’s Statement Regarding the 13th Anniversary of the Signing of the Affordable Care Act

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 8:33PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Moore released the following statement regarding the 13th Anniversary of the Signing of the Affordable Care Act:

“On the 13th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, I’m reminded how good government drastically affects the people that we represent. This legislation provided health care for millions of Americans—and its benefits to our country and to the state of Maryland are innumerable. I’m so thankful to President Obama and his administration for everything they did to create a country where we leave no one behind.

Maryland

Governor Moore Denounces Rise in Jewish Hate Incidents in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 8:31PM

Since 2018, hate incidents have risen exponentially in Maryland. According to the Anti-Defamation League report, there were only 39 reported incidents in 2018, and this past year there were over 109 incidents in the state. The Moore-Miller Administration strongly condemns these actions. In an effort to safeguard Marylanders, the governor has proposed historic public safety investments in the budget, including $5 million to protect Marylanders against hate crimes. We ask Marylanders to report any antisemitic, bias, or discriminatory incident to the Anti-Defamation League, in addition to reporting incidents to law enforcement.

Wheaton Mall

Five Below Now Open in Wheaton Mall

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 2:29PM

Five Below is now open on the top level of Westfield Wheaton Mall at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. The discount chain plans to add to open 200 new stores in 2023, bringing its total to over 1,500, according to Bisnow. Five Below has additional MoCo locations in Gaithersburg (Gaithersburg Square and Kentlands), Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

In other Wheaton Mall news, last week we reported that Moe’s Southwest Grill had closed its location in the food court. The restaurant opened in 2019.

MCPS

Watkins Mill High School Placed on Brief Shelter in Place Thursday

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 2:01PM

Watkins Mill High School at 10301 Apple Ridge Rd in Montgomery Village was placed on a brief shelter in place on Thursday afternoon after an incident involving a juvenile driver near the school. According to MCPD, “At approximately 12:06 p.m., an off-duty federal officer was picking up his child at a bus stop near Watkins Mill HS when he observed a car driving erratically and at a high rate of speed. The off-duty officer stopped the driver, a juvenile male.

Following the stop, several students in the area converged on the officer. He called for assistance and MCPD officers responded. The car was towed. Watkins Mill HS was placed on a brief shelter in place. The driver was cited for driving without a license.”