Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Rockville Mayor and Council Approve Public Review of Regulations for Accessory Apartments and Dwelling Units

Published January 30, 2023 at 6:49PM

Per the City of Rockville: The Mayor and Council in January initiated a public review process for changing city code and the zoning ordinance related to accessory apartments and accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Accessory apartments are small dwelling units either located within or attached to a single-family detached residence, subject to certain criteria. The code as it stands allows such dwellings through a potentially lengthy approval process for a special exception from the Board of Appeals. Proposed code changes would allow approval by staff, subject to compliance with certain criteria, reducing processing time.

ADUs, defined as small dwellings within a detached accessory structure on a single-family lot, are not currently permitted in the city. The proposed code changes would allow approval of ADUs by staff, subject to certain criteria, as a conditional use. If approved, such units would be subject to the same inspection requirements as other rental units in the city.

Takoma Park

Life in Prison Plus 25 Years for Defendant Who Shot 21-Year-Old Man in Broad Daylight

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 6:43PM

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney sentenced defendant, Abraham Douglas, 21, of Washington D.C. to life in prison plus an additional 25 years for the death of Ahamdou Bamba Gueye, 23, of Takoma Park.” Douglas received life for the first-degree murder charge, plus 20 years consecutive for Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony and another five years consecutive for Third-Degree Burglary. Douglas was convicted in December, 2022.

This stems from an incident on April 22, 2022, in broad daylight, in the parking lot of the Park Richie Apartments located at 7600 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park. Douglas can be seen on surveillance video exiting the passenger side of a vehicle, walking in the direction where a group of people were gathered off screen and then starting to run. In court, Assistant State’s Attorneys Marybeth Ayres and Lauren Turner explained that Douglas, wearing a ski mask, targeted Bamba Gueye, running toward him and shooting him in the back at close range. The bullet passed through the victim’s body, killing him, and then struck a nearby vehicle. Douglas also accidentally shot himself in the leg as he fled. He broke into a nearby apartment where he was ultimately located by responding officers with Takoma Park Police. Investigators recovered a 9mm pistol, a large 50 round drum magazine and red tipped bullets from the apartment.

Maryland

Maryland Joins U.S. Climate Alliance, Governor Wes Moore Affirms Support to Combating Climate Change

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 4:40PM

Per the State of Maryland: Last week, Governor Wes Moore reaffirmed his commitment to combating climate change by announcing Maryland’s participation in the U.S. Climate Alliance. Governor Moore proposed a $422 million investment in protecting Maryland’s environment through programs funded by the transfer tax that supports land preservation and operations and capital projects in state parks—along with another $129 million in General Funds to fully fund the transfer tax repayment provision as revised by the Great Maryland Outdoors Act.

“We are often told climate change is a problem for the future, something you only have to worry about if you live on farmland or in a flood zone–but climate change is an existential threat for our entire state, and it is happening now,” said Governor Wes Moore. “Confronting climate change represents an opportunity for Maryland to lead—and together, we can be a leader in wind technology, in grid electrification, and in clean transit.”

Silver Spring

Cars Seen Doing Donuts in Downtown Silver Spring Saturday Night

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 3:57PM

Montgomery County Police responded to Fenton St. and Ellsworth Dr. in Silver Spring on Saturday, January 28, after crowds gathered to watch cars doing donuts in the intersection. Officers responded to the scene around 10:30pm and were able to disperse the crowd, according to a report by FOX5. No arrests have been made. In November we reported that Montgomery County Police Officers responded to a large car meet-up at a parking lot on Cherry Hill Rd in Silver Spring which involved more than 100 vehicles.

Multiple cars were seen doing donuts in the middle of a busy intersection in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday night, video from the area shows. https://t.co/4Z5XB4xGO2

MDLottery

$100,000 Scratch-Off Sold at MoCo 7-Eleven

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 2:12PM

A $100,000 winning scratch-off lottery ticket sold at the 7-Eleven at 650 East University Boulevard in Silver Spring was among the top lottery prizes for the week of January 23-29. Other local winners included a $50,000 scratch-off sold at the 7-Eleven at 9900 Key West Avenue in Rockville, a $10,000 scratch-off sold at Ollie’s Beer, Wine and Deli at 2011 Veirs Mill Road in Rockville, and a $10,000 scratch-off sold at the Giant at 7919 Tuckerman Lane in Rockville. Additional information below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:

“Maryland Lottery players in Baltimore, Beltsville, Bowie and Silver Spring won $100,000 each playing scratch-off tickets, topping the list of big winners for the week ending Jan. 29. The scratch-off ticket $50,000 Cash delivered 10 of the 18 prizes of $50,000 that were won across the state last week. $50,000 Cash, which went on sale in late December, launched with 160 top prizes of $50,000 each. In all, the seven days ending Jan. 29 produced 39 winning tickets worth $10,000 or more that were redeemed or sold across Maryland, and the Lottery paid more than $28.5 million in prizes during that span.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Announces Total of $800,000 Awarded to Nonprofit and Faith-based Organizations to Deter Hate Crimes and Support Security Needs

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 1:45PM

In May 2022, the County Council approved $800,000 to be available in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for use by eligible local nonprofit or faith-based organizations whose facilities have experienced, or are at a high risk of experiencing, hate crimes.

Maryland

Governor Moore’s Statement on the Killing of Tyre Nichols

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 11:10AM

My statement on the killing of Tyre Nichols: pic.twitter.com/XKXw6icpVz

— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) January 28, 2023

Health

Maryland Department of Health issues consumer advisory for Enoki Mushrooms

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 11:06AM

Per the Maryland Department of Health: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is warning consumers not to eat enoki mushrooms produced by Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co Ltd. in Shandong Province, China, because of potential contamination with Listeria bacteria. Samples collected and tested by MDH in early January were positive for the Listeria bacteria. MDH is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other states to investigate the source of the contamination. This product is not currently linked to the ongoing recall of enoki mushrooms that was issued by Utopia Foods Inc of Glendale, NY, on December 13, 2022, and expanded on January 13, 2023.

The enoki mushrooms are sold in a 7.05 oz (200g) clear plastic package with a brown and green label. The photograph below shows the information contained on the front and rear labels:

MCDOT

Long-Term Westbound Lane Closure on Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring Due to Purple Line Construction to Begin On or About January 30

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 10:56AM

Per MCDOT: On or about January 30, 2023, Maryland Department of Transportation crews will implement a long-term lane closure and new traffic configuration on Wayne Avenue between Sligo Creek Parkway and Mansfield Road in Silver Spring. This will impact Sligo Creek Trail and Sligo Cabin Neighborhood Park. A detour for the trail will be established around the work zone, and the parking lot will be closed. Please follow posted signage. Work may occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays and weekends, as needed for the next 12 months. Riders should be prepared for service delays on Ride On Bus Routes 12, 15, and 19.

For additional construction, updates visit the Purple Line project webpage at purplelinemd.com/construction/construction-updates. For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts, or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

Beyond MoCo

Two Adults and Two Children Struck by Vehicle Monday Morning in Adelphi; MCFRS Assist

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 9:42AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MFCRS) assisted Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue in responding to a collision on Buck Lodge Road and Riggs Road in Adelphi, MD on Monday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS, four patients were transported to the hospital, including two children with Priority 2 trauma, one adult with Priority 1 trauma, and one adult with Priority 2 trauma. We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

Update – Mutual Aid PGCo – Buck Lodge Road and Riggs Road, Adelphi, multiple pedestrians struck, @mcfrs BC701 assisting, EMS evaluating & transporting 4 patients, 2 Pri2 children/pediatric, 1 adult Pri1 trauma, 1 adult Pri2 trauma https://t.co/b5Ak9XrLxQ

Rockville

Rockville Police Respond to Stabbing at Hotel

By Patrick Herron

Published January 29, 2023 at 9:54PM

Rockville City Police responded to double stabbing at the Ramada Hotel by Wyndham on Sunday evening. According to RCPD, “At approximately 6:30 p.m. RCPD responded to 3 Research Ct for a person stabbed, upon arrival a second victim was located. 2 adult males transported to hospital w/serious injures. No suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing – no further info is available.” We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

1/29/23 – At approximately 6:30 p.m. RCPD responded to 3 Research Ct for a person stabbed, upon arrival a second victim was located. 2 adult males transported to hospital w/serious injures. No suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing – no further info is available. pic.twitter.com/1Uot6BtoA0