Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Montgomery Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decreased by 30 Percent Between 2005 and 2020, According to Council of Governments

Published January 25, 2023 at 5:21PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 30 percent between 2005 and 2020, despite a 13 percent growth in population, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) GHG emission inventories. COG has 24 member jurisdictions in the Washington Region, including Montgomery County. Montgomery County’s inventory covers GHG-emitting activities from the entire community, including the County government, businesses, industry, residents and visitors.

“This inventory demonstrates that in every sector of our County—from our businesses to our residents and local governments—we are successfully working together to bring down greenhouse gas emissions,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Our Countywide efforts, including moving toward electrification and away from fossil fuels, encouraging electric vehicle adoption, planting more trees and making it easier and safer for people to bike and walk, are all contributing to our goals to cut GHG emissions 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035.”

MCDOT

Ride On Bus Will Be Increasing Frequency on 31 Routes Starting This Sunday, January 29

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 5:19PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will increase service on 31 Ride On bus routes starting Sunday, Jan. 29. The increases are part of the adjustments to 44 routes overall to improve efficiency based on ridership. Throughout the year, ridership data and on-time performance are monitored regularly to identify routes that could achieve increased efficiency with schedule updates.

“Public transit that is reliable and on time is critical to the people who count on it,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is a best practice to regularly evaluate and adjust bus service to ensure needs are being met. Dependable and reliable bus service leads to increased ridership which supports our sustainability efforts, reduces congestion and increases the quality of life for our residents.”

MoCo Libraries

Energy Assistance Programs and Energy Savings Information Tables Will Be Available at Montgomery County Public Libraries Through April

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 5:07PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer staffed information tables to learn about energy assistance programs and energy saving resources on seven select Mondays through April. The resource tables will be staffed by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and Pepco.

For more information about the energy savings display tables, contact Clotilde Puértolas at [email protected].

Bethesda

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle in Bethesda; Driver Did Not Remain on Scene

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 5:02PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision in Bethesda on Wednesday afternoon around 3:15pm. According to MCPD, “a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian has Hampden Lane and Woodmont Avenue shut down towards Waverly Lane.” The victim has been transported to an area hospital and their condition is unknown at this time. The striking vehicle did not remain on scene. Drivers are advised to an seek alternate route and to expect significant delays. We will post an update when additional information is available.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: A vehicle collision involving a pedestrian has Hampden Lane and Woodmont Avenue shut down towards Waverly Lane. Drivers are advised to an seek alternate route. Expect significant delays. #mcpd #mcp #traffic #trafficadvisory pic.twitter.com/qR4vDF3FQk

MoCo Government

16 Multiple Electric Vehicle Charging Ports Added in County Parking Facilities, Bringing Total to 56 in County Garages and Parking Lots

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:52PM | Updated January 25, 2023 at 5:31PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has added 16 electric vehicle charging ports in County garages over the last four months, increasing the total of electric vehicle (EV) charging ports to 56 for public use in County parking garages and parking lots. Eight ports were added in the NOAA Garage (G58) in Silver Spring this month, four ports were added in the Cordell-St. Elmo Garage (G40) in Bethesda in December and four ports were installed in the Wheaton Market Place Garage (G13) in October. MCDOT has eight more charging ports planned. Four will be installed in the Bethesda-Elm Garage (G57) later this winter and four ports have been ordered for the Cameron Street Garage (G7) in Silver Spring.

EV charging ports are now available in the following County parking facilities within each of the three County maintained Parking Lot Districts (PLD):

Kensington

Gorilla Statue Stolen; Reward of up to $10,000 Offered for Information That Leads to Arrest of Suspect

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 2:28PM

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Patrol Services are investigating a theft of a gorilla statue that occurred on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Design Emporium Antiques in the 4000 block of Howard Ave. in Kensington. Detectives have released video of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The investigation has revealed that at approximately 3:18 a.m., the suspect arrived at the store in an older model Chevrolet Colorado Z71, got out of the vehicle and approached the statute. The suspect then cut the cable that was locking the statue to the front of the store, loaded it into the truck and left the scene. Officers reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained a physical description of the suspect. The suspect is described as a White male, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall, medium build, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, light gray sweatpants and light-colored shoes.

Germantown

Police Investigating Attempted Armed Robbery in Germantown; Victim Attacked After Placing PS4 for Sale on Snapchat

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 2:02PM

The investigation by detectives determined that the victim placed a PlayStation 4 (PS4) for sale on Snapchat. The victim and suspect agreed to meet at the victim’s house to complete the sale. Two suspects arrived at the victim’s home and when the victim gave the first suspect the PS4, he stated that he was not going to pay it. A struggle occurred between the two suspects and the victim. At some point, the first suspect produced a handgun and hit the victim with it, causing minor injuries. The suspects ran away without any property. While running, the first suspect tripped causing the gun to go off. The first suspect is described as a Black male, 6-feet, 2-inches tall, 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Wheaton

MCFRS Respond to Overturned Vehicle on High School Baseball Field

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 12:51PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the scene of a collision involving an overturned vehicle on Wednesday around 11am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred in the 12400blk of Dalewood Dr., near Everton Street in Wheaton, near the Wheaton High School baseball field. One teenage patient has been extricated and is being evaluated/transported with Priority2 medical/trauma.

Per MCPD: “Montgomery County Police are on scene of a single vehicle collision at Wheaton High School. One person has been transported in stable condition. No other injuries reported.”

Germantown

New Grand Mart Coming to Germantown Plaza

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 12:17PM

New Grand Mart, a Korean grocery chain with several locations across Maryland and Virginia, is coming to 13069 Wisteria Drive in the Germantown Plaza shopping center. It is taking over the space previously occupied by Lotte Plaza, which closed in November. According to its website, “New Grand Mart carries a variety of fresh produce, fish, meats, and ethnic specialty items that is hard for other markets to match.” No opening date has been announced.

About: “New Grand Mart, a subsidiary of Green Paradise Enterprises, opened its first store in Falls Church, Virginia in August 2013 by acquiring the former Grand Mart – Seven Corners. Following the acquisition of its second store, the former Grand Mart – Alexandria, VA, in November 2013. New Grand Mart opened its third store in Langley Park, MD in July 2014, fourth store in North Chesterfield, VA in May 2015, fifth store in Henrico, VA in Oct 2017, and sixth store in New Carrollton, MD in March 2018.”

Silver Spring

Police Investigating Commercial Burglary on Georgia Ave; Surveillance Photos of Suspects Released

By Patrick Herron

Published January 25, 2023 at 10:37AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary that occurred on Friday, January 13, 2023, at the Tobacco Cloud store in the 11300 block of Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the two male suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

At approximately 5:19 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial burglary alarm. The investigation by detectives has revealed that the two suspects forced entry into the store, stole an undisclosed amount of merchandise and left the scene.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Police Seek Public Assistance In Identifying Suspect Allegedly Involved In Commercial Burglaries in Mt. Airy

By Patrick Herron

Published January 24, 2023 at 10:55PM

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at the Mount Airy Police Department at 301-703-1374 or via email at [email protected]. Callers may remain anonymous.