Author: Patrick Herron

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Lottery Player Wins $191,129 Jackpot Prize in Frederick

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Lottery: A FAST PLAY Lucky Numbers ticket sold in Frederick on Dec. 14 will make the holidays even brighter for the person who played the $10 game and won its $191,129 progressive jackpot prize. The site of the lucky sale was Wawa #8513 located at 1001 West Patrick Street in Frederick. Sales of the game closed after the big win. Lucky Numbers was one of the Lottery’s original FAST PLAY tickets, having launched in February 2020. The game featured a progressive jackpot that started at $100,000 and increased with the sale of each ticket until a jackpot-winning ticket was sold.

Instructions on claiming prizes in person or by mail are available HERE. Players must redeem prizes larger than $25,000 by mail or at Lottery headquarters in the Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330 in Baltimore. The Lottery’s Claims Center in Baltimore is open by appointment only (no walk-ins). Click here to schedule an appointment.

Go to Beyond MoCo: Lottery Player Wins $191,129 Jackpot Prize in Frederick Read more
MoCo History

‘Glen Echo’s Wurlitzer Band Organ—A 50-Year Perspective’ Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Free Online Presentation Starting Monday, Dec. 19

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Durward Center, the restorer and caretaker of Glen Echo’s Wurlitzer 165 Band Organ for the last 50 years, will explore the journey of the organ at the historic park in a free online presentation from Montgomery History. The presentation will be available for a one-week period starting Monday, Dec. 19.

Glen Echo Park is an arts and cultural center in Glen Echo. The park’s site was initially developed in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly. Following the foreclosure and sale of the Chautauqua grounds in 1903, leisure facilities were developed there to serve Washington’s growing population. In 1911, the site was expanded to become the privately owned Glen Echo Amusement Park, a popular facility that operated until 1968. The National Park Service now operates the park, which serves the Washington area as a regional cultural resource offering classes, workshops and performances in the visual and performing arts.

Go to ‘Glen Echo’s Wurlitzer Band Organ—A 50-Year Perspective’ Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Free Online Presentation Starting Monday, Dec. 19 Read more
White Oak

Last Remaining Office Depot in MoCo to Close

By Patrick Herron

Office Depot at 11130 New Hampshire Ave in White Oak has announced it is closing. A representative from the store tells us that it will be closing “sometime in January”. Office Depot’s closest competitor Staples has MoCo locations in Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

The Office Depot that was located at 15790 Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg closed back in November of 2020 and is the site of the upcoming Amazon Fresh, which will be opening in early 2023, according to signage on the door (exact date still not available). No word yet on what could be replacing the White Oak location.

Go to Last Remaining Office Depot in MoCo to Close Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Offers Tips to Prepare for the Winter Storm Season

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: As the winter season begins, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) are encouraging community members to familiarize themselves with what to do before, during and after a winter storm.

With winter weather, there are several factors that residents should be aware of and prepare for, such as: slippery road/sidewalks, cold temperatures, heavy snow and ice, frostbite, hypothermia, wind chill and power loss.

Go to Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Offers Tips to Prepare for the Winter Storm Season Read more
Health

Four ‘Unsung Heroes’ of Health Equity Honored on World AIDS Day

By Patrick Herron

The winners were:

The awards and event are part of the County’s push to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 after being named a priority jurisdiction for the Federal Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative in 2020. Dec. 1 marks two years since the public release of A Plan to End HIV in Montgomery County, which outlines strategies to reduce new HIV transmissions by 90 percent in 10 years.

Go to Four ‘Unsung Heroes’ of Health Equity Honored on World AIDS Day Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County Holiday Schedule for Christmas Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 24, Through Monday, Dec. 26

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have the following schedule and program changes for the Christmas Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Dec. 26.

Go to Montgomery County Holiday Schedule for Christmas Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 24, Through Monday, Dec. 26 Read more
Health

With COVID Cases Rising Again, County Recommends Precautionary Measures to Protect Against Greater Community Spread of Virus

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region, Montgomery County officials today offered precautionary recommendations to prevent further community spread of the virus. The County’s COVID-19 case rate has risen steadily over the last month and is now more than double the recent low on Nov. 28.  

 The increase in transmission has occurred both in the County and in other jurisdictions around the region.  Combined with influenza cases and other significant respiratory disease, emergency department visits and hospitalization rates have increased as well.

Go to With COVID Cases Rising Again, County Recommends Precautionary Measures to Protect Against Greater Community Spread of Virus Read more
Beyond MoCo

Silver Spring Man Arrested for Stealing Restaurant Grease

By Patrick Herron

Lugo Peralta, 19, of Silver Spring was arrested in Lexington Park, MD on Wednesday morning for stealing used oil from nearby restaurants. Additional information courtesy of the St. Mary’s County Police Department:

“Deputy First Class Phillip Henry was conducting a premise check at the Lexington Village shopping center in Lexington Park early Wednesday morning when he came upon a suspicious vehicle and individual behind the Golden Chicken restaurant.

Go to Silver Spring Man Arrested for Stealing Restaurant Grease Read more
Highways / Interstates

Maryland State Highway Administration Prepares for Statewide Winter Storm

By Patrick Herron

The storm is expected to begin as a wintry mix for points north and west of the I-95 corridor. Garrett and Allegany counties are expecting icing conditions, so motorists are encouraged to keep updated with forecasts and delay travel in the event of icing. The application of salt brine is used to prevent precipitation from initially bonding to the pavement. Motorists are encouraged to remain home and off the roads so crews can effectively and efficiently treat the roads.

“We’re asking for motorists’ patience while our crews are out doing their jobs, clearing paths for drivers,” MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “While we encourage everyone to stay home if travel becomes hazardous, those who must go out should remember that the safest spot for people that have to drive is safely behind our equipment.”

Go to Maryland State Highway Administration Prepares for Statewide Winter Storm Read more
Bethesda

40 Year Sentence for Co-Defendant in Bethesda Target Store Stairwell Murder

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the honorable Judge Karla Smith sentenced defendant, Joshua Wright, 18, of Bethesda, to life in prison suspend all but 40 years for the death of 33-year-old, father of six, Lawrence Wilson Jr., on December 19th, 2021. Judge Smith ordered that Wright be admitted into the Patuxent Youthful Offenders Program while incarcerated.  He will be placed on five years of supervise probation upon release. Wright had pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree murder in July 2022.  Co-defendant, Antonio Lawrence, who is facing charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, is scheduled for trial beginning February 6, 2023.”

Original December 2021 report: Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division, Homicide Section arrested and charged two juveniles and an 18-year-old with first degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery, following the death of a 33-year-old male in Bethesda.  16-year-old Antonio Lawrence, 17-year-old Joshua Wright, and 18-year-old Blaise Uchemadu, all from Bethesda, are accused of killing 33-year-old Lawrence Richard Wilson, Jr. on Sunday, December 19, 2021.

Go to 40 Year Sentence for Co-Defendant in Bethesda Target Store Stairwell Murder Read more
View More Stories