Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Montgomery Parks to Host Meetings on March 15 and 16 to Seek Feedback on Future Bethesda Market Park Development

Published February 23, 2023 at 10:03AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery Parks will be hosting two meetings to present initial concepts and solicit feedback on the future Bethesda Market Park development. The first meeting will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, at the Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center located at 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase. The meeting will be held in the social hall.

The second meeting will cover the same content. It will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, at Bethesda Elementary School, which is located at 7600 Arlington Road in Bethesda. The meeting will be held in the all-purpose room

MoCo Libraries

Formal Plaque Unveiled to Recognize the Renaming of Rockville Memorial Library

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 9:52AM

Per Montgomery County: A formal plaque has been dedicated at the Rockville Memorial Library recognizing the name change from the original Rockville Library. The name change for the branch of the Montgomery County Public Libraries system was instituted in 2010 at the request of Gold Star families—those who have lost a family member in U.S. military conflicts—and the County Commission on Veterans Affairs.

The plaque is located on the first-floor lobby of the library, next to a digital display honoring the County’s Fallen Heroes. The Fallen Heroes digital display honors County residents killed in action dating to World War I

MoCo Government

Sixth Annual ‘Girl Power Contest’ Recognizing March as Women’s History Month Accepting Entries Through Friday, March 31

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 9:51AM

Per Montgomery County: In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Libraries and Friends of the Library is holding its Sixth Annual “Girl Power Contest.” County residents, ages 5 and up, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing or entry in the medium of their choice that addresses this year’s theme. Entries must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 31.

In 2022, the Montgomery County Council made history as voters in November elected the County’s first female-majority Council. In honor of this milestone, the following question is the theme for this year’s Girl Power Contest: We now have six women on the Montgomery County Council. What advice would you give them to make sure our community is a place where women and girls can feel safe and encouraged?

Silver Spring

Vigil to be Held Today for Melanie Diaz -Woman Killed in Silver Spring Apartment Fire

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 8:43AM | Updated February 23, 2023 at 10:23AM

To mourn and learn about Melanie Diaz and celebrate her life since the management has yet recognize her passing. We hope to provide a safe space for our community to come together and grieve and come out of this tragedy stronger.

Making Home Possible (MHP) has organized a dedicated relief fund to assist those affected by the fire.

Damascus

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 13-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 5:33PM

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 13-year-old from Gaithersburg. Kiesha Vogelsang was last seen on Monday, February 20, 2023, at approximately 10 a.m., in the 900 block of Clopper Road.

Kiesha is 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. She has dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. She was last seen carrying a gray backpack and wearing blue jeans, a black zip up jacket and black Crocs. She has a birth mark on her nose and wears glasses that have a pink frame.

Germantown

Germantown Man Arrested for Possession of Large Quantity of Methamphetamine and Fleeing Police

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 3:30PM

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery Country Department of Police – 6th District Community Action Team (DCAT) have arrested and charged 36-year-old Quinnel Martin of Germantown for possessing a controlled dangerous substance and fleeing police. On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at approximately 1:42 p.m., officers were patrolling the area of West Diamond Avenue when they observed a gold Toyota Camry committing a traffic violation. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as Martin, did not immediately stop the vehicle. In the area of Clopper Road and Firstfield Road, Martin hit a white Toyota Rav4 and then collided with a tow truck. Martin then got out of his vehicle and attempted to run away. Officers quickly apprehended him and located a large amount of methamphetamine/MDMA also known as, “Molly,” and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Martin was arrested and transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and obstructing and hindering a police investigation.

Germantown

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 71-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 2:00PM

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 71-year-old from Germantown. Robert Spence was last seen on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at his residence on Shipley Terrance in Germantown.

Robert is approximately 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has gray hair and dark colored eyes. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

MoCo Government

Council President Evan Glass Calls for Creation of Anti-Hate Task Force

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 12:52PM

According to the most recent Montgomery County Report on Bias Incidents, there were 143 reported bias incidents in 2021 – the highest number in nearly a decade. Of the 79 race-based incidents, 60.8% were anti-Black and 20.3% were anti-Asian. Of the 34 incidents motivated by bias towards religion, 85.3% were considered anti-Jewish, despite residents of Jewish faith making up only 10% of the population. The level of public animosity towards Jews is higher than it’s been in recent memory, with antisemitic hate crimes on the rise in our region and across the nation. Last year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a 34% increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide – the highest number on record since ADL began tracking such incidents.

As a Jew and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know the fear and pain many of our neighbors are experiencing. One of the central functions of government is to provide comfort and safety to our residents, which is why we have a moral obligation to promote inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, prevent the spread of misinformation, and reject hate in all its forms.

Potomac

MCFRS Respond to Collision Involving School Bus; No Injuries Reported

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 11:10AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a MCPS school bus and a passenger vehicle on Wednesday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision occurred around 9am on Accord Dr in Potomac. All 30 passengers on the bus were evaluated by EMS and there were no injuries reported. Passengers were then transferred to another bus.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update (~9a) Accord Dr, Potomac, collision, involved passenger vehicle & occupied school bus, ~30 passengers on bus, @MCFRS_EMIHS evaluated everyone involved, no injuries, @mcfrs PE710, T710, RS741B, A710, BC702, EMS702 responded, all passengers transferred to another bus”

MoCo Government

County to Offer $20,000 Incentive to Join Montgomery County Police; Department Currently Down 129 Sworn Officers

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 8:06AM

Chief Marcus Jones confirmed earlier this month in testimony before the Public Safety Committee of the County Council that the Department is currently down 129 sworn officers.

Bethesda

Police Respond to Carjacking Tuesday Night in Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

Published February 21, 2023 at 11:07PM

Montgomery County Police are investigating a carjacking that occurred Tuesday night in Bethesda. According to police, “At approximately 8:18 p.m., MCP officers responded to the 4000 block of Chevy Chase Dr. for the report of a carjacking that just occurred. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspects assaulted an adult male victim, stole his vehicle, and left the scene. The victim sustained minor injuries.” According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, the victim was an elderly man that had his 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen. We will post an update when additional information is available.

BETHESDA STRONG–ARM CARJACKING: ~8:10PM Tuesday on Chevy Chase Drive, off of Bradley Blvd and Hillandale Road (Kenwood Forest II near Norwood Local Park). Elderly man assaulted and his 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen. MCP Major Crimes Detectives investigating… pic.twitter.com/Zu8sLFiidS