Gaithersburg

Per the Maryland State Police: The pilot and passenger of a single engine plane that crashed yesterday into a power line tower in Montgomery County have been rescued and transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.

The pilot is identified as Patrick Merkle, 66, of Washington, D.C. He was operating a Mooney Mike 20P single engine plane. One passenger on board is identified as Janet Williams, 66, of Marrero, Louisiana. Following the rescue operation, both occupants were transported to Suburban Hospital for medical treatment.


Gaithersburg

The pilot and passenger of a small plane that crashed into a power line tower near Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village around 5:30pm on Sunday were successfully rescued without incident by EMS personnel using two specialty crane/boom trucks just after midnight on Monday.  According to Maryland State Police, the pilot was identified as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C. and the passenger was identified as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. Both were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The plane was also removed from the power lines early Monday morning.

ICYMI @MontgomeryCoMD Rescue operations @mcfrs @dcfireems Technical Rescue Team(s) rescue/removed 2 adult occupants trapped on plane that crashed into power lines in Gaithersburg, MD area. Tower & Crane company (contractors) working w/ PEPCO & @mcfrs to get plane down. https://t.co/bgesIAf7uQ pic.twitter.com/sY3O0Eq2tG


Maryland

Maryland State Police are on the scene of a single engine plane crash in Montgomery County where rescue efforts are underway. The plane involved is a Mooney Mike 20P single engine plane.  The pilot is identified as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C. The passenger is identified as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. Both the pilot and the passenger are reportedly unharmed inside the aircraft awaiting rescue.

Shortly before 6:00 p.m. today, Maryland State Police at the Rockville Barrack were dispatched to the report of a plane crash located about four miles northwest of the Montgomery County Airpark in the area of Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive.  Arriving troopers found the plane suspended in the air, entangled in a power line tower. Maryland State Police from the College Park and Rockville Barracks are on the scene along with emergency medical service personnel from Montgomery County. Personnel from the Potomac Electric Power Company are also on scene.


Gaithersburg

There are widespread power outages in Montgomery County after a small plane crashed into a power tower/transmission lines in the area of Rothbury Dr & Goshen Road in Montgomery Village. The incident occurred around 5:30pm on Sunday night.  According to the latest information from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue, there appears to be two individuals inside the plane, which is currently suspended about 100ft.  As of right now there are no injuries reported.  Fire and rescue crews are working to rescue the occupants of the plane, but at this time the power lines surrounding the plane are still energized.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cle5YvHgLYE/


Gaithersburg

6:20pm Update: “Small plane into powerlines & tower plow, suspended about 100 feet in the air, two persons on board uninjured at this time, @mcfrs on scene, Widespread power outages, some roads closed in area” per MCFRS

A small plane crash in the area of Rothbury Dr & Goshen Road in Gaithersburg has caused widespread power outages in the area.  According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, the plane crashed into powerlines and is “dangling hundred feet in air, pilot and passenger trapped in plane”. The incident occurred around 5:30pm and the pilot of the involved aircraft is in contact with Montgomery County’s Emergency Communications Center (911), according to Public Safety Reporter Cordell Pugh. We will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.


Rockville

Per the City of Rockville: For nearly a half century, through the Holiday Drive, Rockville has sponsored outreach that brings the community together each year to provide food baskets, gift certificates and toys to needy Rockville families throughout the Thanksgiving and December holidays.

Here are some ways you can make a difference in 2022:


Bethesda

Hornor is six-feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has salt and pepper hair, and was last seen wearing a long sleeve cream color shirt with dark green stripes, dark slacks, and an American Flag baseball cap. He is currently clean-shaven. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Phillip Richard Hornor is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the 2nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710. Callers may remain anonymous.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in which one person died and two others were injured early this morning in Harford County. Shortly before 2:15 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police JFK Memorial Highway Barrack responded to southbound Interstate 95 in Aberdeen, Maryland for a report of a hit-and-run crash involving pedestrians. According to a preliminary investigation, three pedestrians were on the shoulder of the road putting gasoline into a vehicle, when a white sedan with tinted windows, for unknown reasons, veered onto the shoulder and struck the pedestrians. One victim, identified as Guiermo Che, 19, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was declared deceased at the scene. Two other victims were transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Investigators are continuing to search for the suspect vehicle, which they believe was a white 2013-2017 Audi A5 or S5. It was last seen getting off of I-95 South at Exit 85. The vehicle may have damage to the right front bumper, headlight and fog light.  The Maryland State Police Crash Team are investigating the case. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the JFK Memorial Highway Barrack at 410-537-1150. The case remains under investigation.


Gaithersburg

Below is a list of restaurants and businesses that will be coming soon to Gaithersburg, MD, as well as an update on the future plans for Lakeforest Mall (updated November 26, 2022).

The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s will serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese and a southern fried chicken sandwich. It will be joining the recently announced Sportrock Climbing Centers and Charley Prime as well as the recently opened Donutchew, as locally-based businesses opening in Gaithersburg’s Rio. No opening date has been provided.


Gaithersburg

The annual Montgomery Village Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Wednesday, November 30, from 6-7pm next to the CVS parking lot at 19100 Montgomery Village Ave. The event includes a free holiday concert, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa. 

Per Montgomery Village: “Free fun for the entire family! Join Santa and the Montgomery Village Community Band to kick off the holidays. The tree is located adjacent to the Village Center on Montgomery Village Avenue, between the parking lot and CVS. Bring the family to enjoy festive music, an opportunity to sing along with classic carols and complimentary hot chocolate and treats to help celebrate.”


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