Author: Patrick Herron

MoCo Government

‘Montgomery Connects’ to Distribute 6,000 Additional Computers to Eligible Low-Income Residents

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: “Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, will distribute 6,000 laptops in March to low-income individuals funded by the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund grant and Maryland Emergency Education Relief grants. Montgomery County-serving nonprofit organizations, agencies and County departments who have clients eligible for the computers are encouraged to make information available to their clients about the limited remaining availability of the laptops.

Organizations are encouraged to provide assistance to help clients register for an appointment to receive a computer using registration links at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer. Organizations that need additional assistance are encouraged to contact Montgomery Connects by email at [email protected].

Go to ‘Montgomery Connects’ to Distribute 6,000 Additional Computers to Eligible Low-Income Residents Read more
MoCo Government

Reminder: When Changing Clocks and Checking Smoke Detector Batteries This Weekend, Reduce the Risk for Trash Fires by Properly Recycling Batteries

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Daylight Saving Time begins overnight Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12. In addition to moving clocks one hour forward, it is a good reminder to check or replace the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. If batteries are being replaced, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection encourages residents to not throw them in the trash. They need to be recycled properly.

Improperly disposed batteries in trash and recycling containers can result in trash fires. To avoid a potential tragedy, County residents can bring all types of batteries to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off area at the Montgomery County Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. The recycling facility is located at 16101 Frederick Rd. in Derwood. Some retailers also offer drop-off programs to recycle batteries. Check the Call2Recycle website to find a nearby location. For more information on all recycling opportunities in Montgomery County, visit Home – Recycling and Resource Management Division (montgomerycountymd.gov).

Go to Reminder: When Changing Clocks and Checking Smoke Detector Batteries This Weekend, Reduce the Risk for Trash Fires by Properly Recycling Batteries Read more
Arts

Sensory-Friendly Performance of ‘The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen’ This Sunday at Imagination Stage (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

There will be a Sensory Friendly Performance of The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen this Sunday at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Adaptations for Sensory-Friendly performances include:

Per Imagination Stage: Imagination Stage™, the metro DC region’s largest professional theatre for children, debuts its latest new play commission, The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, adapted for the stage by Gloria Bond Clunie from the book by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Angelisa Gillyard directs. Set in Harlem, this intergenerational story is a charming celebration of family and community ties. The show runs through April 8 and is best for ages 5+.

Go to Sensory-Friendly Performance of ‘The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen’ This Sunday at Imagination Stage (sponsored) Read more
Kensington

$100,000 Scratch-off Sold at Sunoco

By Patrick Herron

“I felt weird,” the loyal player said. As soon as she had the chance, she shared the great news with her family. The happy winner plans to save her prize for retirement and to spend time with family members. Her lucky Montgomery County retailer can also celebrate her Lottery luck. Kensington Sunoco will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for its role in selling a $100,000 top-prize winning scratch-off. The Gold X50 game, which debuted in January with 10 $100,000 top prizes, is a member of a Gold Multiplier family of games and the Gold Multiplier second-chance promotion. The Laurel winner claimed the game’s fourth top prize. Seven $50,000 second-tier prizes also remain along with 21 $10,000 prizes. Other members of the scratch-off family are the $1 Gold X5, $2 Gold X10 and $5 Gold X20 games.

Go to $100,000 Scratch-off Sold at Sunoco Read more
Rockville

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-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, Corey Kacala, a missing 15-year-old from Rockville.  Kacala was last seen on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at approximately 3:20 p.m., in the 11300 block of Schuykill Road. Kacala is approximately 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has red hair and brown eyes.  He was last seen wearing a gray sweatsuit and brown boots. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

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

Go to Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-Year-Old Read more
Damascus

Retired Landscaper Wins $50,000 at Local Laundromat

By Patrick Herron

The Damascus resident describes himself as a once-in-a-while Lottery player. “I rarely think to play. If the machine hadn’t been there in the laundromat, I never would have bought a ticket that day.” The Crazy 8s game debuted in November 2022 with eight $50,000 top-prize winning instant tickets. There are still five $50,000 winners in stores, along with six $5,000 second-tier prizes. Hats off to Aspen Hill Laundromat at 14201 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring for supplying the scratch-off that led to this happy ending. Management there will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling the $50,000 top-prize winning scratch-off.”

Feature photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Go to Retired Landscaper Wins $50,000 at Local Laundromat Read more
Boyds

Manslaughter Conviction in Shooting Death of 23-Year-Old in Clarksburg Neighborhood

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Kevin Hessler, a jury has found defendant, Rodjaun Neal-Williams, 21 of Clarksburg, guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter and Use of Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence for the death of 23-year-old Javon Gordon of Boyds. The jury returned the verdict on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023. Defendant, Neal-Williams, faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before Judge Hessler on May 31st at 1:30 p.m.

This stems from an incident on April 13, 2021, on the 12900 block of Ethel Rose Way in Boyds. The defendant who was 19-years old at the time, was a passenger in a vehicle that pulled up to small group of individuals in the street. There was an altercation between Neal-Williams and Gordon while Neal-Williams was seated inside of the vehicle, and he fired a handgun, killing Gordon.”

Go to Manslaughter Conviction in Shooting Death of 23-Year-Old in Clarksburg Neighborhood Read more
Potomac

Update on Kema by Kenaki

By Patrick Herron

Permanent signage is up at Kema by Kenaki at Cabin John Village. According to a representative at Kenaki, the restaurant has just started the hiring process for all positions and are hoping to open sometime in April.

The almost 2,000 square foot restaurant will be very similar to what Kenaki in Kentlands offers, but will be more “fast paced,” in what will be a hybrid between Kenaki and AKO. Kenaki is a full-service restaurant while AKO is a sushi counter at a food hall. Kema will offer signature rolls from Kenaki/AKO such as the Black Magic roll- made with “forbidden rice”, spicy tuna, pickled jalapenos, and truffle oil, the Donkey Kong roll- made with eel, fried plantain, cream cheese, cucumber, tempura flakes, togarashi spice mayo, and sweet shoyu, among others.

Go to Update on Kema by Kenaki Read more
Burtonsville

Police Asking for Public’s Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Larceny and Burglaries Across Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Wheaton Patrol Investigation Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 55-year-old man wanted for a number of crimes committed in Montgomery County. Jonah Ammiel Carter of Gaithersburg is alleged to have committed larceny and burglaries in Burtonsville, Silver Spring, and Kensington. Carter is reported to have stolen large quantities of items from a Giant Food in the 1200 block of East West Highway, on Monday, January 16 and a Giant Food in the 15000 block of Old Columbia Pike on Monday, February 6, 2023. He is also accused of stealing a large amount of items from a Safeway in the 10000 block of Connecticut Avenue in Kensington on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jonah Ammiel Carter is asked to call 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.

Go to Police Asking for Public’s Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Larceny and Burglaries Across Montgomery County Read more
Rockville

MoCo High School is First to Perform ‘Mean Girls’ in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Mean Girls is making its Maryland High School premier at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School this week. This is the first year that Mean Girls has allowed licensing for a select number of schools in the United States and Canada and Magruder HS is the first Maryland school to perform the musical. With two preview shows last week, the final two shows are at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10 and Saturday March 11 at Magruder HS, 5939 Muncaster Mill Rd., Rockville, MD.

Mean Girls is a musical from book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). The show took Broadway by storm and has joined the musical in-crowd. Adapted from Fey’s hit 2004 film, Mean Girls was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.

Go to MoCo High School is First to Perform ‘Mean Girls’ in Maryland Read more
MoCo Libraries

‘Hatchlings’ Program to Help Expectant and New Parents Build Skills as Babies’ Earliest Teachers to be Offered in March at Montgomery County Public Libraries

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Public Libraries in March will be participating in “Hatchlings: Ready to Hatch,” a Maryland State Library-sponsored program developed by Betsy Diamant-Cohen, the creator of Mother Goose on the Loose. The Hatchlings program helps expectant and new parents build the skills to be their child’s first teachers. Programs will be offered on Thursday, March 16, at the White Oak Library; Saturday, March 25, at the Wheaton Library (in Spanish and English); and Tuesday, March 28, at the Long Branch Library (in Spanish and English).

Details on the three dates and locations available in March:

Go to ‘Hatchlings’ Program to Help Expectant and New Parents Build Skills as Babies’ Earliest Teachers to be Offered in March at Montgomery County Public Libraries Read more
View More Stories