Author: Patrick Herron

Bethesda

Moco Show x Federalist Pig & Honeymoon Chicken Tasting This Thursday

By Patrick Herron

About Federalist Pig:

Three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand Winner, Federalist Pig is on a mission to form a more perfect BBQ, bringing all the best flavors together. Our menu is a walk around the country — and the world. We’re paying homage to the American Southern traditions that first inspired us, and the global traditions that made us curious. From fan favorites, ribs, wings, brisket, and sausage to creative sandwiches to captivating sides, you can find our inspo du jour — international, national, or something in between — front and center on our menu. The best way to learn about us is to join us for a plate of BBQ.

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Beyond MoCo

Sears to Close Its Last Remaining Maryland Department Store This Sunday

By Patrick Herron

Many of us likely grew up with a Sears department store somewhere nearby, but lately you may have noticed that you haven’t seen much from the brand that has been a household name for decades. Sears has been rapidly closing locations since 2018, when it filed for bankruptcy in October of that year. According to a report from the Frederick News Post, the Sears department store at Frederick’s Francis Scott Key Mall is set to close on January 15th. Note: There is still a Sears Hometown Store listed as open in Chestertown, MD, but it is not a traditional Sears department store and focuses on selling appliances, tools, hardware and lawn and garden equipment.

“Sears at Frederick’s Francis Scott Key Mall — one of the final remnants of a once great department store empire — is going out of business.The last day customers can shop at the store will be Jan. 15, a manager, who declined to provide her name, told a Frederick News-Post reporter on Tuesday afternoon. Bright yellow signs advertising the store’s impending closure in red block letters are plastered on the store’s windows. More hang around the building’s interior.”

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Lakeforest Mall

Store Closing Sales Begin at Macy’s in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

This was one of the largest hurdles in order for WRS Inc. to reach its target date of 2024 for demolition of the mall and the start of new construction. A more specific date will be available after the approval of sketch plans. The City of Gaithersburg Joint Planning Commission/Mayor and City Council Hearing on the plan is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 at at City Hall, 31 S. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

WRS purchased the core, ponds, and forest conservation of the mall back in 2019 and added the four anchor sites earlier this year, spending a total of $75 million to acquire Lakeforest Mall. At a meeting in October, WRS announced that they have worked with the City of Gaithersburg since March and plan to submit their zoning application and sketch plan in the next couple weeks. As mentioned above, the target date for demolition of the mall and the start of new construction is currently 2024, with a more specific date to come after the approval of sketch plans. The sketch plan requires at least 35% “green space” and WRS stated that initial sketches are currently at a little more than 35%. Green space is defined as trees, grass, walking/biking areas, etc.

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Education

Montgomery College Launches Rolling Raptor “EduKitchen” Food Truck

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery College: The Rolling Raptor EduKitchen is a 26-foot-long mobile food lab that arrived at Montgomery College in October. It is equipped with the most cutting-edge culinary equipment and technology to serve as a business lab that facilitates experiential learning experiences for students within the Hospitality Management Program. Its design enables students to develop a food truck business/ concept, fabricate and test out products to be served, cost out and develop menus, operate the food truck in a real setting (e.g., golf courses, breweries, City of Rockville events), and finally evaluate the success of the concept based on customer feedback and financial gains or losses. 

“The Rolling Raptor creates an unprecedented opportunity for students to gain real-life entrepreneurial experiences throughout their studies at Montgomery College,” said Jana Anderson, Hospitality Management Program coordinator and associate professor at Montgomery College. “The mobile food lab allows students to bring the products and business ventures they develop in the classroom to actual customers in real-life settings. It also creates an opportunity for the Hospitality Management Program to partner with local businesses such as True Respite Brewing Company in securing locations for the Rolling Raptor.”

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Uncategorized

Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) to Hold Public Forum on January 9th; PAC Believes That Traffic Enforcement Practices Do Not Meet Basic Tests of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equal Enforcement

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) of Montgomery County will hold a virtual public forum at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, to solicit community testimony and feedback on traffic enforcement by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). Other police departments—municipalities, park police, state police, etc.—are not under the PAC’s purview. Community members are invited to register to provide live testimony during the public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony. Residents will be asked to limit their live testimony to no more than three minutes and to one speaker per organization (if applicable). Written, audio and visual testimony submitted prior to the public hearing may be longer, if needed. The deadline to register to speak at the public hearing is 4 p.m. on Jan. 9.

The PAC believes that traffic enforcement practices in the County do not meet basic tests of effectiveness, efficiency and equal enforcement and that a change in mission, focus and strategy is necessary. The PAC’s report on traffic enforcement, including recommendations, can be found here.

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MCDOT

Norfolk Avenue Streetery Survey Open Through Tuesday, Jan. 31

By Patrick Herron

“The map on this page shows the current extent of the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue in red (between Del Ray Avenue and St Elmo Avenue). The project study area is shown with a dotted black line. The study area extends along Norfolk Avenue from Rugby Avenue to Woodmont Avenue. The study area also includes cross streets, approximately 100 feet in both directions from Norfolk Avenue.”

Per MCDOT: Have you been to the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue between Del Ray Avenue and St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda? Montgomery County is thinking about the future of this street and wants to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the online survey so that MCDOT can make informed decisions with our community’s feedback in mind. The survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes of your time. Take the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/PDRZ8K3. For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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Germantown

Several Families Displaced After Early Morning Fire in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a townhouse fire on the 13300 block of Demetrias Way (off Wisteria Dr) in Germantown on Sunday morning around 3:30am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, damage is estimated to be $300,000 and several families have been displaced. One person was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: (320a) 13300blk Demetrias Way, off Wisteria Dr, Germantown, 3-sty MOR TH, fire showing upon arrival, all occupants got out, fire is out, 1 civ transported, NLT, @mcfrs PE729, PE722, PE734, PE735, PE708, T734, AT735, RS729, M729, BC705, BC703, T731, PAT708, A722 & others responded

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MDLottery

Mega Millions Jackpot Now Over $1 Billion; $1 Million Ticket Sold Friday in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

After nobody matched all six numbers in last night’s drawing, the Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $1.1 billion. While there was no grand prize winner, CBS News reports that a  $1 million dollar ticket was sold on Friday at Marlboro Liquors located at 5725 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, MD. This past fall, lottery fever took over MoCo when Powerball’s jackpot reached a record-setting $2.04 billion and became the largest prize in lottery history.  Like Powerball, the Mega Millions jackpot continues to build after each drawing where no ticket is matched. The next drawing takes place at 11pm on Tuesday, January.

Per Mega Million: For the fourth time in a little more than four years, the Mega Millions® jackpot has topped $1 billion! After no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 3, 20, 46, 59 and 63, plus the gold Mega Ball 13 – the jackpot for the next drawing on Tuesday, January 10, is currently estimated at $1.1 billion ($568.7 million cash). If won at that amount, it would be the third largest jackpot in the game’s history.

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Bethesda

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 17-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Juarez is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black jacket and purple pants.  Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Maybeli Juarez is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Bethesda

Police Investigating Armed Carjacking in Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed carjacking that occurred on Thursday, January 5, 2023, in Bethesda. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspect’s vehicle and are asking for the public’s assistance.   At approximately 12:11 a.m., 2nd District Officers responded to the area of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue for the report of an armed carjacking that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives has determined that an adult female victim was parking her 2018 burgundy Hyundai Tucson SUV at the location, when a dark colored SUV pulled up next to her vehicle and stopped. A suspect exited the passenger door of the vehicle and forced open the victim’s car door, lifting his shirt to reveal a handgun in his waistband. The victim exited and the suspect then entered the victim’s vehicle and drove away from the scene, following the dark colored SUV.

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Gaithersburg

Two In Custody Following Motorcycle Carjacking in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Two suspects are in custody following an armed carjacking in Gaithersburg. On Thursday, January 5, 2023, at approximately 6:50 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the 400 block of West Side Drive for an armed carjacking of a motorcycle that just occurred. During the investigation, officers learned that the victim had posted a red 2014 Honda CRF motorcycle for sale on a social media platform.

One of the suspects, later identified as 19-year-old Martir Ismar Mejia of Washington, DC, contacted the victim about buying the motorcycle. They agreed to meet at the West Side Drive address. Mejia arrived in a silver Kia Optima, driven by a 16-year-old. Mejia asked to take the motorcycle for a test drive, and when the victim asked Mejia for his car keys as collateral, Mejia displayed a handgun and pointed it at the victim. He then rode away on the motorcycle, with the 16-year-old following in the Kia.

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