Author: Patrick Herron

Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Explosion Believed to Have Been Caused by Person Who Died by Suicide

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones and Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein held a press conference on Friday to give an update on the Quince Orchard Blvd condo fire and explosion that occurred on Wednesday, November 16.  It was announced that the body of the deceased recovered from the wreckage on Thursday had been positively identified as 36-year-old Juan Pablo Marshall Quizon. The manner of death is being ruled a suicide and the cause of death was smoke inhalation and burns.

A suicide note was found was found at the scene and it is known for a fact that Quizon had recently made statements that were indicative of suicide. Authorities said they had no information to believe that Quizon intended for others to be injured or harmed in the incident and if he were still alive, he would have been found culpable.  Quizon had purchased Unit 102 at 826 Quince Orchard Blvd in August of this year. Specific details on how exactly the fire/explosion started have not yet been released.

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Education

MCPS: A Letter from the School System Medical Officer with Important Information for Thanksgiving Break

By Patrick Herron

I would also like to share these health news items before the break:

The pandemic has shown us the importance of cherishing time together with friends and family, and our shared responsibility in health and safety.  Once again, I thank everyone for their commitment to the health of our school community, and for supporting each other with respect and kindness.

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MDLottery

$50,000 Winning Scratch-Off Purchased at MoCo 7-Eleven

By Patrick Herron

“I thought it was a mistake,” he said. However, it was the real thing: a top-prize win on the $5 Power Spot Multiplier game. His previous personal-best Lottery scores were in the $250 to $1,000 range. The Montgomery County man plans to share his winnings with his wife and adult children, coordinate a celebration dinner and pay some bills with his prize. After that, he plans to keep playing Lottery games, focusing, as always, on scratch-offs. He says they have “more luck.”

Sharing in the winner’s scratch-off fun is 7-Eleven #22921 at 8101 Fenton Street in Silver Spring. The Montgomery County store management earns a bonus of $500, equal to 1% of the prize, from the Lottery for selling a $50,000 top-prize winning scratch-off.

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Gaithersburg

Sam’s Club Lowers Price of Hot Dog and Soda Combo to $1.38

By Patrick Herron

In a direct shot at rival Costco, Sam’s Club has lowered the price of its hot dog & drink combo to $1.38. Walmart/Sam’s CEO Doug McMillon made the announcement earlier this week during a third-quarter earnings call with investors. Previously, the combo was priced at $1.50, to match Costco’s famous pricing. According to the Wall Street Journal, “the move was part of the company’s strategy to cut prices on some products even as many everyday items remained higher than usual.” Sam’s Club has one Montgomery County location at 610 N. Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg.

Costco has been selling its combo for $1.50 since 1985. When asked in September if the price of the hot dog and drink would ever be raised, Costco CFO Richard Galanti said the deal would be $1.50 “forever.” Costco has Montgomery County locations at 880 Russell Ave in Gaithersburg and 11160 Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton.

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MoCo Government

Asian American Health Initiative’s Healthy Communities Fund Awards $830,000 to Programs for the Asian American Community

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative(AAHI), one of the three minority health initiatives that are part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded 10 local organizations a total of $830,000 from their Healthy Communities Fund. The funding will be used to develop new and sustain existing culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services in behavioral health, senior wellness and health and social support services for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

 AAPI communities are very diverse and have unique challenges collectively and individually. With 15 different Asian American subgroups in the community, and unique needs in each subgroup, programing must be tailored for each subgroup with consideration to the language and culture of the population being served.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office Warns of Holiday Scams

By Patrick Herron

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: For most of us, the holidays are full of giving, getting and goodwill. But some bad actors use the holidays to take advantage of people’s generous spirits. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are quickly approaching and they are prime time for crooks looking to scam you out of money or personal financial information.

Holiday Shopping Scams

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Bethesda

Detectives Investigating TD Bank Robbery in Bethesda; Surveillance Photos of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a bank robbery that occurred on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at the TD Bank in the 8100 block of Wisconsin Ave., in Bethesda. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 10:32 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the location for the report of a bank robbery that just occurred.  The investigation by detectives revealed that the suspect entered the bank and approached an employee who was working behind the teller counter. The suspect then implied that he had a weapon and demanded money. The employee complied and handed the suspect a teller drawer, containing an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect took the money and left the scene.

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Traffic

Governor Hogan Statement on Progress of Traffic Relief Plan for Capital Beltway and American Legion Bridge

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement after the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan: “Now that we have secured final federal approval, the most important transportation project for the National Capital Region in the last 50 years is well-positioned to move forward—and we are confident it will move forward. No project is more critical for improving the quality of life and stimulating the economic growth of the region.

While this extension is necessary due to the months-long delay of the record of decision at the federal level—along with years of moving the goalposts at the local level—we have advanced this project to the point that it can move forward quickly barring further needless delay.

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Beyond MoCo

MoCo Resident Wins $50,000 Playing Powerball

By Patrick Herron

A Silver Spring man is $50,000 richer after purchasing a winning lottery ticket for the November 5 Powerball drawing at the Upper Marlboro Xtra Fuel at 15009 Marlboro Pike in Prince George’s County. Full story below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:

Charlie Ayoub is a Powerball fan who plays the game two to three times a week. His loyalty and persistence paid off on Nov. 5, when the Montgomery County resident won $50,000 with a $2 quick-pick ticket.“I have been playing both Powerball and Mega Millions for about 15 to 20 years. I like to play the games with the bigger prizes,” Charlie explained.

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Restaurant

Mi Rancho Burglarized Six Times by Same Suspect; Surveillance Footage Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred at the Mi Rancho restaurant in the 8700 block of Ramsey Ave., in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

Since July, the same suspect has burglarized the restaurant on six occasions. In each burglary, the suspect jumps over a fence to enter the restaurant and steals property.  Detectives reviewed surveillance cameras and obtained a description of the suspect.

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Gaithersburg

One Body Recovered From Wreckage of Gaithersburg Condo Explosion; Police Investigating Incident as Criminal Act

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue held a media briefing on Thursday evening to give the latest update on the Quince Orchard Blvd condo explosion that occurred on Wednesday, November 16. Notes below:

On Wednesday, Gaithersburg mayor Jud Ashman informed the community of where they can donate to help the families impacted by the fire at Potomac Oaks in Gaithersburg. “Any amount helps and 100% of it will go to those families.” Ashman tweeted. A November 16 fire injured multiple residents, including four children, at a condominium complex at 826 Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg. Many people were evacuated with little or nothing and now are in temporary shelter. At the request of Montgomery County, MHP is collecting financial donations to help affected families. Per MHP: While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties with the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County, and are playing a role by managing financial donations to help impacted residents. Anyone interested in donating may do so at this link.

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