Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating two fatal multi-vehicle crashes that occurred this morning in Harford County. At about 6:45 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police JFK Memorial Highway Barrack responded to Interstate-95 North at MD Route 543 in Belcamp, Maryland for a report of a five-vehicle crash. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse was traveling north on I-95 in the left lane, when it crossed over the solid yellow line of the left shoulder and struck two tractor-trailers. The Chevrolet then rotated back into the road where another tractor-trailer struck the vehicle. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Caprice N. Davis, 27, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was declared deceased at the scene. There were no other injuries reported as a result of the initial crash.

The second crash occurred at about 8:35 a.m. on I-95 North at Maryland Route 24 in Edgewood, Maryland. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2021 Subaru Forrester was traveling north on I-95 when the driver, a female, crashed into the rear of a dump truck.  The truck was stopped for traffic associated with the initial crash. The victim, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was declared deceased at the scene. I-95 North was closed for about five hours as a result of the crashes.   The cause of the crashes remains under investigation. 


MoCo Government

Amendment to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program and Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY23 Capital Budget for the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), Business Continuity Phase II project, $7,469,000


Gaithersburg

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 6th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who committed a theft and credit card fraud in Gaithersburg.  On Friday, November 18, 2022, the victim reported that her wallet was stolen while she was shopping at the Sam’s Club store located at 600 N Frederick Ave. The suspects then used the victim credit card at the DICKS’s Sporting Goods store located at 2 Grand Corner Ave. Detectives were able to obtain a surveillance photo of the suspects.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to call the 6th District Investigative Section at (240) 773-5770 or (240) 773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers may remain anonymous.


News

NBC Washington (WRC-TV) announced today that longtime reporter Pat Collins will retire at the end of 2022. Collins joined News4 in 1986 and has spent over fifty years covering news in the DC area.  Prior to News4, Collins worked for WJLA-TV (ABC 7) , WDVM-TV (now WUSA-TV), and WLS-TV in Chicago . In addition to covering breaking news, Collins is most well-known for his human interest stories, including a 2011 clip of Collins dressed as a bunch of grapes that went viral(video below), as well as his “Snow Stick.”    NBC4 Washington posted the following message on their social media accounts:


Maryland

“Project Restore has been an incredible success in advancing our mission to make Maryland Open For Business, and today’s awards extend that impact even further in downtowns and on Main Streets across the state,” said Governor Hogan. “We’re now able to extend the initiative’s impact even further across the state—with just over 80% of this round of grants going to minority-owned businesses—supporting jobs and economic recovery for years to come.”

Project Restore was launched by the governor last year, and is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Through Project Restore, the department offers property assistance and operational grants to support startup and expansion costs and incentivize private investment in vacant spaces. In total, more than 725 businesses have now been awarded grants through Project Restore.


Bethesda

The Arts and Social Justice Fellowship (ASJF), presented by Strathmore with Core Partner Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company,  is looking toward its second year of identifying a next generation of artists with activism. The application deadline for the 2023 program has been extended to Monday, Jan. 2. The program supports youth leadership and vision at the intersection of arts and social change.

The fellowship centers youth leadership, young people’s vision of the future and building community in the face of crisis. It was created in 2021 as part of Strathmore and Woolly’s co-presentation of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower by Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon. It is seeking young artists whose activism reflects Butler’s dynamic lineage. More about the program, and the application form, can be found at 2022 Highlights (strathmore.org).


Beyond MoCo

TJ Maxx has announced it is closing its Mazza Gallerie location at 5300 Wisconsin Ave. in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. Signage on the store reads, “Friendship Heights T.J. Maxx closing Dec. 24th. Everything is 20% off this week!”, according to a report by PoPville.  Mazza Gallerie was purchased by Tishman Speyer at foreclosure auction for around $50 million back in August of 2020.  The Washington Business Journal reported in 2021 that Tishman Speyer was going to redevelop the center as apartments, and that the new owners planned to keep some retail space as well as the underground parking garage.


Gaithersburg

Taco Bamba at 670 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg has announced it will open on Friday, December 16 at 9am. The new location, which will feature an all-day breakfast menu, is giving away a free Taco Bamba coffee mugs and a free cup of coffee to the first 50 customers.  Gaithersburg exclusive tacos on the menu will include “the Mr. Zadir, which stuffs ground lamb and beef kafta in a flour tortilla with chipotle yogurt and chili-spiced feta slaw, and the McLovin It, which pairs crispy chicken nuggets with a chipotle barbecue sauce, hot mustard, Fresno slaw, pickled onion, and cornbread crumble.” The restaurant will be open Sunday-Thursday 9am-9pm and Friday-Saturday, 9am-10pm. Additional details below per Taco Bamba:

Victor Albisu will open his eighth location of Taco Bamba on Friday, December 16 at the Quince Orchard Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, Md. The first 50 guests will receive a complimentary branded coffee mug and a free cup of everyone’s favorite morning beverage with their order. Doors open at 9am. Taco Bamba is known for serving its breakfast menu all day, and last fall they added a complimentary coffee station to all locations. Coffee is available until mid-afternoon with any purchase.


Sponsored

The Carnegie is visionary retirement living with ageless style and graceful amenities that engage the senses and create opportunities to explore life with newfound inspiration. With a fresh new perspective to a maintenance-free lifestyle, The Carnegie is setting a new standard of excellence with five-star hospitality and a choice of intellectual programs designed to address the new mindset of younger seniors entering retirement. The Carnegie Discovery Center is open daily to the public in Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, showcasing a full-size two-bedroom model with the interior décor and architectural design featured in The Carnegie residences. Learn more: www.lifeatthecarnegie.com


Gaithersburg

Per the Gaithersburg Police Department: On Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at approximately 5:07 p.m., officers from both the Gaithersburg Police and the Montgomery County Police – 6th District responded to the area of Whetstone Drive for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Officers located a 24-years-old, male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers provided first-aid on the male victim until Fire and Rescue personnel arrived. The victim was then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An adult male suspect was apprehended.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Investigators ask that anyone with information about this shooting contact the Gaithersburg Police – Investigative Section at 301-258-6400. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the Gaithersburg Tip Line at 301-330-4471.


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