Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Spring Cleaning of Montgomery County Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to Begin on Monday, April 10

Published March 21, 2023 at 9:11AM

Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) on Monday, April 10, will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton on nights and weekends. The cleanings will start with the Bethesda garages and are scheduled to conclude with the Silver Spring garages on Saturday, June 3. Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Meets on March 21 at 9:15 a.m. to Begin Review of the County’s FY23 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published March 21, 2023 at 7:50AM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, March 21 at 9:15 a.m. and the meeting will begin with a proclamation presentation recognizing National Agriculture Day, presented by Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Dawn Luedtke. The afternoon session will begin at 1:15 p.m. with a proclamation recognizing Ramadan, led by Council President Evan Glass and County Executive Marc Elrich. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on LMA Application H-147 for property located at 11105 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring. The application is a request by White Oak Self Storage to rezone approximately 2.62 acres of property from the CR-2.5, C1.5, R-1.5, H-200’ (Commercial Residential) to CRTF 2.25, C-2.25, R-1.5, H-200’ (Commercial Residential Town Floating). The applicant proposes to use the property to continue self-storage, expand the existing structure by 3,600 square feet and build a new freestanding 116,000-square-foot self-storage building. The hearing examiner recommends approval of the local map amendment.

Sandy Spring

MCFRS Respond to Collision With Overturned Vehicle at Horse Stable on Monday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 6:32PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a single vehicle collision with an overturned vehicle on Monday, March 20, around 4:30pm in Sandy Spring.

According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision occurred in the 16900 blk of Norwood Rd when a single vehicle traveled about 200 feet off road and across the yard of a horse farm/stable. One adult was evaluated but refused transport to the hospital. There were no injuries to nearby dogs or horses. Property damage included one horse trailer and a few Japanese Maple trees.

Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Man Arrested For Attempted Kidnapping This Morning at Bus Stop

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 5:11PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have arrested 30-year-old Jamaal Germany, of Gaithersburg, for an attempted kidnapping that occurred this morning, Monday, March 20, 2023. SVID detectives are asking for anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of Germany to call 240-773-5400.

At approximately 7:54 a.m., the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) of Redland Middle School responded to the school for the report of an attempted kidnapping. The victim stated that they were standing at the bus stop in the 17600 block of Towne Crest Dr., at approximately 7:20 a.m., when the suspect allegedly grabbed the child and pulled them toward an apartment building. Several students who were standing at the bus stop attempted to intervene and the victim was able to break free. When the school bus arrived, all the students boarded the bus and the incident was reported to school staff.

Kensington

27-Year-Old-Woman Pleads Guilty to Murder of Her 92-Year-Old-Roommate

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 4:48PM | Updated March 21, 2023 at 5:05AM

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable John Maloney, defendant, Julia Birch, 27, of Kensington, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death of her 92-year-old roommate, Nancy Ann Frankel. Birch faces up to 40 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 29^th at 10 a.m.before Judge Maloney.

On July 28, 2021 Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a residence on Spruell Drive in Kensington, Maryland for a death investigation. Upon their arrival, the complainant, 26-year-old Julia Birch, told officers that she had suffocated and killed her 92-year-old roommate, identified as Nancy Ann Frankel, who was found deceased in her bedroom. Birch had staged the body to look more presentable, laying the victim on a pillow, folding her arms over her chest, and putting perfume on her. This was after initially unsuccessfully trying to get the body back into her bed. Birch was taken into custody and transported to Montgomery County Police Headquarters to be interviewed. She admitted to killing Nancy Ann Frankel by trying to place a plastic bag over Frankel’s head to suffocate her, and when the victim poked a hole in the bag, Birch took her to the ground and strangled her to death. Physical evidence and autopsy confirmed the method of death. Birch admitted to then calling 911 to report the death.

Maryland

Governor Moore Proclaims Irish American Heritage Month in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 4:20PM

Per the State or Maryland: Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed the month of March 2023 as Irish American Heritage Month in Maryland. The proclamation recognizes the millions of Irish who immigrated to the United States and their role in making both our country and our state a place of hope and opportunity.

“The history of the Irish in America reflects a very American story of triumph over turmoil,” said Governor Moore. “Beyond St. Patrick’s Day, we continue to celebrate the proud heritage of Irish Americans and we recognize the cultural significance that those deep roots helped foster.”

Damascus

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 42-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 4:07PM

Per MCPD:

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 42-year-old from Damascus. Jay M-Tuner was last seen on Friday, March 17, 2023, at approximately 3 p.m., leaving his residence on Showbarn Circle in Damascus.

Bethesda

MCFRS Respond to Collision With Roll Over Monday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 1:47PM | Updated March 20, 2023 at 6:36PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a single vehicle collision with roll over on Monday afternoon. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred on the Outer Loop I495 between Old Georgetown Rd and River Rd, prior to the I270 Spur/Bradley Blvd overpass. EMS transported two adult trauma patients, both with non-life threatening injuries.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “OL I495 between Old Georgetown Road and Bradley Blvd overpass IAO Big Curve/I270 Spur, collision with rollover, vehicle struck tree, @mcfrs A723, PE720, RS741B, A711, PE711, EMS702, BC702 responding on scene”

Gaithersburg

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 16-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 10:49AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old from Gaithersburg. Betsy Santiago was last seen on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at approximately 12:15 a.m., in the 400 block of Muddy Branch Rd.

Santiago is approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. She has brown eyes and shoulder length hair that is dyed purple and was last seen wearing all black clothing. She also has her lip and nose pierced. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

MDLottery

MoCo Resident Plans to Use $50,000 Scratch-off Win to Pay for College

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 10:33AM | Updated March 26, 2023 at 8:48AM

A $50,000 winning scratch-off ticket was recently sold at the 29 Convenience Mart at 10755 Colesville Road in Silver Spring. Full story below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:

“A prospective college student from Silver Spring stopped by a convenience store to quench her thirst and walked out with a cold drink and the ticket to some cold hard cash. She used an extra $10 to purchase a Gold X50 scratch-off and won $50,000. Lady Luck was shining on the 20-year-old when she entered 20 Convenience Mart in Silver Spring last week. The winner doesn’t play Lottery games often and her scratch-off purchase was a last-minute thought. The Montgomery County resident played the game at home, where she revealed the big win.

Gaithersburg

MCFRS Respond to Attic Fire in Gaithersburg Monday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 10:21AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to an attic fire in the 18600 blk of Chickadee Ln., off Quail Valley Blvd in Gaithersburg on Monday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the alarm company notified the homeowner, however the alarm/call to fire department was initially cancelled/delayed. The fire was electrical in nature and caused by a bathroom exhaust ceiling fan. The house was unoccupied at the time and damage is estimated to be ~$35K.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Chickadee La, TH, small fire in attic, in area of a exhaust vent fan, fire is out, a little extension around fan, no injuries”