Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Maryland’s Highest Court Upholds Murder Conviction for Man who Helped Kill Two Northwest High School Students in Montgomery Village in 2017

Published August 11, 2022 at 5:34PM | Updated August 11, 2022 at 5:58PM

In June 2017, on the eve of their graduation from Northwest High School, Shadi Ali Najjar, 17, and Artem Ziberov, 18, were ambushed and shot multiple times while they sat in a parked car in Montgomery Village. The Maryland Court of Appeals released its opinion today, affirming the second-degree murder convictions of Roger Garcia, 24, of Germantown, for his involvement in their deaths. Garcia will continue serving his 100-year prison sentence.

Garcia was one of three men convicted in the murders. Co-defendants, Jose Canales-Yanez, and Edgar Garcia-Gaona, were each found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The Maryland Court of Appeals reinstated the murder conviction for co-defendant, Rony Galicia, on June 27^th, 2022. He is also serving a life sentence without parole.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County to Open Applications for Retail Business Rental Assistance Grants on Sept. 1, with Informational Webinars to be Held Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19

By Patrick Herron

Published August 11, 2022 at 4:07PM

A business could be eligible to receive assistance from this program if it:

The SBRA program application, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and registration for informational webinars Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19,, are available at Montgomery County Small Business Rental Assistance Program – Phase 2.

Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Receives Financial Presentation Award

By Patrick Herron

Published August 11, 2022 at 12:03PM

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

“The residents of our community deserve the highest level of service we can offer, and this award demonstrates that our commitment to transparency and excellence is recognized on a national level,” said City Manager Tanisha Briley. “This award also reflects the tremendous efforts of the dedicated staff in our Department of Finance and Administration.”

MoCo Government

RESCHEDULED: County to Host Ceremony of Remembrance to Commemorate ‘International Overdose Awareness Day’ on Aug. 25, and Will Launch ‘Montgomery Goes Purple’

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:16PM | Updated August 23, 2022 at 3:58PM

UPDATE: Montgomery County’s ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose or substance use.

“Montgomery Goes Purple,” an awareness campaign aimed at spotlighting the impact of opioid addiction on the community, will be launched as part of the ceremonies which also lead to September being recognized as “Recovery Month.” The color purple has been adopted internationally to illustrate the struggles endured by people who are drug addicted and the related impacts on their families and friends.

MoCo

Electric Vehicle Ownership Continues to Rise in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:13PM

This growth is welcome news for the County’s carbon emissions goals. The Climate Action Plan identified transitioning to electric vehicles as a key action for reducing emissions in the County – along with reducing driving overall with increased use of transit, waking, and bicycling. With EVs only making up 1.5 percent of registered vehicles, there is a long way to go.

According to a Bloomberg News study of EV adoption around the world, once a market reaches 5 percent of new vehicle sales, demand starts to accelerate rapidly. The United States recently passed this milestone, and Montgomery County is ahead of the curve.

Silver Spring

Detectives Ask for Assistance in Locating Missing Silver Spring Man

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 7:44PM

Devante Britton was last seen on the evening of Friday, August 5, 2022, in the 9900 block of Medical Center Drive. Britton is approximately 6 feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and a scar on his neck. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Devante Britton is asked to call the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 or the 6^th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5770.

MoCo Police

Detectives Investigate Jewelry Distraction Thefts That Target Older Victims of Asian and Indian Descent

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 4:50PM

During these recent thefts, the suspects, in a vehicle, approached the victim, who was walking in the area. A female suspect placed imitation gold jewelry on the victim to distract him/her while removing the victim’s jewelry from his/her person. In many of the cases the female suspect hugged the victim while committing the theft. In some instances, the female suspect remained in the vehicle and committed the theft by calling the victim to the vehicle’s window.

These incidents have occurred in both residential and commercial areas during daylight hours. The suspects’ descriptions and their vehicles vary but investigators believe that there are multiple suspects working together.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Completes ‘High Road Economic Inclusion Framework for an Equitable Climate-Ready Economy’ Report Addressing Climate Change, Equity, Economic Development

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 2:08PM

The analysis, conducted by Emerald Cities Collaborativeand its subcontractors, Inclusive Economics and Health Care Without Harm, focuses on the need to actively align the County workforce and small business ecosystems. It also recommends leveraging partnerships with large “anchor institutions” to advance climate action and economic inclusion.

“We can’t reach our climate change goals without addressing systemic inequities and we can’t build a robust and resilient economy without considering climate change,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “While climate change is no doubt an extraordinary threat to our very livelihood, it also presents an historic opportunity to boost our economic development and address racial economic disparities. We intend to seize that opportunity.”

Potomac

Signage Up at The Scoop

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 12:43PM

Permanent signage has been installed at The Scoop (7909 Tuckerman Ln, Potomac), the former Baskin-Robbins location in Cabin John Village. The creamery is being opened by Timothy and Mitch Ryoo, Potomac natives and Winston Churchill High School Graduates (2010 and 2006). They are hoping to have The Scoop open by next weekend.

The Scoop will feature 24-30 permanent flavors and 8-10 seasonal options. All of the ice cream is made in house with natural ingredients, staying away from products like simple syrup. The owners tell us they are working with local distributors and are in talks with local farms to purchase ingredients from. The Scoops plans to stay open later than their competitors (11pm) as they want to be known as a late-night dessert destination. The Scoop will offer ice cream cones, cups, and milkshakes, as well as Italian ice and dairy free ice cream. They also plan to eventually serve gelato.

Derwood

Magruder High School Student Creates Ice Cream Business to Raise Money for the National Brain Tumor Society

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 12:29PM | Updated August 10, 2022 at 5:10PM

Lexi Suss, a rising senior at Magruder High School, recently started her own ice cream business to raise money for the National Brian Tumor Society. Lexi’s grandmother Jill Shultz passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, earlier this year.

“I love playing basketball but have found a new passion for making ice cream! My grandmother recently passed away in January from a glioblastoma. I recently donated 900 dollars, two months ago, to the National Brain Tumor Society from a popcorn fundraiser but decided to start my own small business just last month making my own ice cream with a variety of flavors! All profits are again going to be donated to the National Brain Tumor Society. Ice cream can be delivered locally in the DMV and also picked up.”

MoCo Government

County Council Seeks Applicants for the Merit System Protection Board

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 11:29AM

Letters of application must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7.

In additional to Ms. Chiles (Democrat), other members of the Board are Harriet Davidson (Democrat), and Barbara S. Fredericks (Unaffiliated). By law, no more than two of the three members of the Merit System Protection Board may be of the same political party. The appointee for this position may be Republican, Democrat, someone who declines to affiliate with a party, or a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.