Author: Patrick Herron

Chevy Chase

Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Role in Auto Theft Ring

By Patrick Herron

The details are provided in a summary below, adapted from the State’s sentencing memo. Kemp was essentially the ringleader of a group who would travel from the District of Columbia into Chevy Chase, MD and steal cars from driveways and garages. In at least one case, they entered a home and burglarized it. A co-defendant, Azriel Echavarria, was sentenced to 18-months on April 26th, 2021 for burglary in the first-degree for his role in one of the incidents in June of 2020.

“We thank Assistant State’s Attorney Hannah Gleason for her work in this matter and Judge Burrell for appropriately holding this defendant accountable for such brazen, repeated auto theft in our community. This career criminal will no longer be able to target residents in Montgomery County,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

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Uncategorized

Department of Permitting Services and Office of Consumer Protection Advice: What to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

By Patrick Herron
Outdoor wooden deck being remodeled with new red cedar wood floor boards being installed

The Office of Consumer Protection website has resources to help homeowners select a contractor. The website addresses what to know before requesting an estimate; offers a list of questions to ask potential contractors; and provides advice on what a homeowner should know about the contract.

The Department of Permitting Services (DPS) advises homeowners to be aware that, before a project begins, the contractor should apply for, and obtain any required permits from DPS. If the permit is not issued to the licensed contractor, the homeowner may be held responsible for code violations if the work is not done correctly.

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MoCo Government

2022 Primary Election Update: Mail-In and Provisional Ballots Will Be Counted Following Election Day on Tuesday, July 19

By Patrick Herron

Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 – for their ballot to count. To identify the nearest ballot drop box and post office locator, text BOX plus zip code (example: BOX 20879) to 77788 or visit 777vote.org.

Election officials must review the returned envelopes containing voted ballots and verify the voter registration for voters who cast a provisional ballot prior to the ballot being counted. Mail-in and provisional ballots are counted in a public process by bipartisan teams of voters during the weeks following the election. Results for each ballot-counting session, referred to as the “canvasses,” are then added to the Election Day totals before the official results of the election are certified.

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Rockville

Planet Fitness to Open New Rockville Location

By Patrick Herron

Planet Fitness will be opening a new location at 5520 Randolph Rd in Rockville (Montrose Shopping Center) in the space that was formerly occupied by Gold’s Gym, according to a report by Rockville Nights. No opening date has been announced. Planet Fitness currently has MoCo locations in Germantown, Rockville, and two in Silver Spring.

In June, Planet Fitness at 255 Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg  announced it would no longer be open 24 hours, seven days a week.  The gym now closes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 9pm and reopens the following morning.  The other MoCo locations will remain 24-7 according to a representative at the Gaithersburg gym.  Also in Planet Fitness news, teenagers in MoCo can work out for free all summer at Planet Fitness through August 31st by downloading a digital key tag on PlanetFitness.com.  Any teenager to sign up for the program is automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship (one winner per state). Additional information can be seen below.

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Silver Spring

“LOVE AND MONEY” a Theatrical Listening Experience This Friday in Silver Spring (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

June 24th, 2022: A-Of-G Studio is delighted to announce the launch of the much- anticipated album by talented rapper, singer, and comedian, Money M.I.C, entitled “Love and Money”. Described as a theatrical listening experience, the album launch is scheduled to take place Friday July 15th 2022, at the Black Box Theatre on in DownTownSilver Spring from 8-11pm.

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Olney

Olney’s 27th National Night Out Returns on August 2

By Patrick Herron

The focus of National Night Out is to enhance the partnership among neighbors, law enforcement, and businesses, to cultivate a true sense of community.  “While Olney already has a good relationship with our first responders, this event provides a great opportunity to thank and engage those who keep us safe,” added Hogan. “It’s also a chance to get out and meet your neighbors, and that truly is what National Night Out is all about.”

Lieutenant Doug Miller, Deputy Commander of the Montgomery County Police Department’s Fourth District, said the police look forward to participating in Olney ‘s NNO event. “National Night Out is a great way to build community partnerships and engage with our Olney residents,” he said. “We enjoy connecting with our citizens, educating the community in crime prevention tips, sharing the best practices to stay safe, and quite simply having fun listening to music and eating delicious food.”

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Travilah

Update: Detectives Investigate River Rd. Fatality; Victim’s Identity Released

By Patrick Herron

At approximately 1:50 p.m., 1st District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a traffic collision.

The investigation by detectives has determined that the driver of a white 2019 Ford F-550 was traveling westbound on River Rd. The driver of a silver 2012 Toyota Camry was attempting to make a left turn from southbound Stoney Creek Rd. onto eastbound River Rd. This intersection is controlled by a stop sign located on Stoney Creek Rd.

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Bethesda

Updates on Several Arson Investigations

By Patrick Herron

According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, Fire Investigators recently arrested Bill Clinton Gomzez, 18, of Rockville and charged him with 2nd degree arson for allegedly setting a vacant house on fire on N. Horners La in Rockville on April 23, 2022.  Gomez, along with a juvenile, was also charged for motor vehicle thefts in April and June of this year that also involved arson.

Remember this (abandoned) vehicle fire on 6/21/2022 on Southlawn La near Avery Rd? Probably not, but @mcfrs Fire/Explosive Investigators figured it all out, along w/ a few other suspicious fires @MontgomeryCoMD & have recently made an arrest pic.twitter.com/nZTH1EotwT

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