Author: Patrick Herron

Wheaton

Man Sentenced to 10 years for Carjacking Victims He Found Through Social Media Ad

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Google Maps

Jones pleaded guilty to the charges on April 29th, 2022. He was arrested in June of 2019 for carjacking two individuals whose vehicle he had agreed to purchase through a social media ad. Jones met the victims at a Wheaton shopping center on June 9th, 2021, threatened them with a gun and took off with their BMW. Montgomery County police located the stolen vehicle and a pursuit ensued which continued into the District of Columbia. An MPD helicopter assisted, and you can see the spotlight from it in surveillance video used in court which shows Jones after he crashed the vehicle. He can be seen tossing the gun into a trash can and then hopping a fence. He was arrested shortly after.

An important reminder for the public: The Montgomery County Police Department has designated “Exchange Zones” at six police stations where residents can meet up to safely hand off items bought and sold online.

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Uncategorized

Montgomery County Police Add Laws Regarding Protests to Website 

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police have added a section to its website with applicable laws regarding protests in Montgomery County that can be viewed here: Montgomery County Police Protest Laws (PDF) and Disorderly Conduct Laws (PDF), as well as at the bottom of this post. The website specifically mentions protests in front of or adjacent to private residences, which has been been a topic of debate recently as residents protest in the neighborhoods of Supreme Court Justices.

“The Montgomery County Department of Police is committed to preserving the first amendment rights of all individuals. Peaceful, lawful protest and assembly is a cornerstone of our democracy. That said, there are content neutral Montgomery County Code and Maryland Law provisions that restrict protesting and assembling in a private neighborhood. These laws exist regardless of the type of protest or assembly, or their location within a residential neighborhood. To assist in educating the community, below is a list of the most common laws that can have an impact on protest or assembly. This list is not exhaustive and does not include any federal laws which may impact the time, place, and manner of protest or assembly. As always, the Department will work with any individuals or groups to ensure that their particular protest or assembly is being conduced in a lawful manner.”

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MoCo Government

Agenda for Montgomery County Council Committee Meeting on July 14, 2022

By Patrick Herron

The joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet on Thursday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m. to review Bill 4-22, Human Rights and Civil Liberties – Public Accommodations – Gender Inclusive Restroom, Bill 10-22, Personnel and Human Resources – Paid Parental Leave and Bill 11-22, Buildings – Lactation Rooms in County Buildings – Required.

The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.

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Gaithersburg

Update on Charley Prime Foods in Rio

By Patrick Herron

Coming soon signage is now up around the exterior of Charley Prime Foods, the new restaurant from Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks (Little Coco’s, El Chucho, Bar Charley, Quarry House Tavern) that will be replacing Tara Thai on the Rio boardwalk at 9811 Washington Blvd in Gaithersburg.  The restaurant is also scheduled to have its Class B: Beer, Wine, & Liquor license hearing on August 4. The restaurant scheduled to open “late 2022”.

According to a press release, the team envisions the restaurant as a mature version of their popular DC restaurant Bar Charley, with an expanded menu, but keeping its lively cocktail forward energy. The broader menu will remain steak focused, but will also feature house made pastas (a la Little Coco’s) as well as other items unique to just this location. The group has tapped Editlab@Streetsense to design the space. Explains Greenbaum, “We can’t wait to do our first suburban project and think the timing is perfect. We’ve always done restaurants that are near and dear to our hearts and that we feel are right or needed in the particular neighborhood. My partners both have young families and Rio has been a frequent destination for them for years, as it is for tons of people in north Montgomery county. This is especially true for our chef and partner in this project, Adam Harvey, who lives nearby. We’re really thrilled to bring something unique to the mix out there.”

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Travilah

Fatal Collision on River Rd and Stoney Creek Rd

By Patrick Herron

One person has died following a collision Wednesday afternoon on River Road and Stoney Creek Rd in Travilah. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, the collision involved a car and a gardening truck.

Per MCPD: “At approximately 1:50 p.m., Montgomery County Police officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a collision involving two vehicles. As a result of the collision, an adult male driver was pronounced dead at the scene.”     

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Bethesda

Montgomery Mall to Host ‘Dance for a Cause’ Fitness Classes to Benefit Girls on the Run Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

 Westfield Montgomery retailers Macy’s, Under Armour, Fabletics, Nordstrom and others will be on hand to showcase the latest in summer and fall athleisure styles and trends. Each week participants can enter for a chance to win a free one-month membership to OneLife Rockville. There will be additional prizes, discounts, and tastings from select center restaurants.

 The classes are open to individuals ages 11 and up and no prior dance experience is necessary to participate (ages 11 to 15 must be accompanied by a parent, 15 and up can participate unaccompanied).  To sign up, visit the event website and for more information about other events and programs, visit the Westfield Montgomery website. 

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MoCo Government

Press Release: Council President Albornoz Introduces Legislation Prohibiting Guns in Areas of Public Assembly in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County is facing an epidemic of gun violence, which, in line with national trends, has become exacerbated following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 alone, Montgomery County has seen 15 homicides linked to firearms. Montgomery County Police have recovered 727 guns, of which 105 are Privately Manufactured Firearms (PMFs), also known as ghost guns. These numbers show a significant increase over last year’s data. In all of 2021, the department recovered a total of 1,192 guns, of which 72 were PMFs. In 2021, the Council unanimously passed legislation spearheaded by Councilmember Albornoz that would restrict the sale and transfer of ghost guns to minors. This legislation was followed by the Maryland legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 387 in March 2022, which closes a dangerous loophole that makes it difficult for law enforcement to protect the public, by banning ghost guns statewide.

“I continue to believe that guns create immeasurably more problems, often with tragic outcomes, than they attempt to solve,” said Council President Albornoz. “This legislation will help to ensure that we do everything possible to minimize the amount of guns in our public space. I have confidence that our Maryland General Assembly will take action, but given the urgency of gun violence in our community, I felt strongly that we could not wait to take action at the local level.”

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Silver Spring

Detectives Investigate 7-Eleven Armed Robbery; Surveillance Photos of Suspects Released

By Patrick Herron

At approximately 1:40 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the location for the report of an armed robbery that just occurred. The investigation by detectives has determined that the two suspects entered the store and approached an employee who was working behind the counter. One of the suspects produced a handgun and demanded the employee to open the cash registers. The employee complied with the suspects’ demands. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and left in a silver vehicle.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage of the store and obtained photos of the suspects. One of the suspects is described as a Black male, between 20 and 30 years old, around 5-feet, 10 inches tall, approximately 200 lbs., armed with a black handgun, wearing a black mask, an orange hooded sweatshirt with unknown lettering on the sleeves, blue pants and white sneakers.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Enacts Legislation Requiring Climate Impact Statements for all Future Legislation, Zoning Measures and Master Plans

By Patrick Herron

This historic legislation, spearheaded by Councilmember Tom Hucker and Council President Gabe Albornoz, aims to curb climate change effects and facilitate the County’s efforts to reach its climate goals. All Councilmembers cosponsored the legislation.

“This legislation will require all bills and zoning text amendments to have a climate impact assessment, which will ensure our policies are made through a lens of sustainability and equity,” said Councilmember Hucker, who chairs the Transportation and Environment Committee. “These are the type of systematic changes needed to meet our ambitious climate goals.”

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MoCo Government

40th Anniversary of Shady Grove Transfer Station Celebrated by Beautifying Landscape with 33 New Shade Trees

By Patrick Herron

This beautification project is the first of its kind at the transfer station and is the first of several planned landscaping projects for the property.

The Transfer Station is located at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood. The County Recycling Center is adjacent to it. Both facilities are generally open seven days a week to accept trash and items for recycling. Last year, the transfer station received more than 730,208 tons of waste and the recycling center took in more than 70,000 tons of recyclable material.

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Gaithersburg

‘Kill Again’s Island’ Will Return to Murder at the Mansion’s Dessert Theater in Gaithersburg on July 15-16

By Patrick Herron

Attendees are invited to dress in island attire for a chance to win a prize. This event is recommended for those 15 and older. Purchase tickets online here.

The mystery is set on Kihiliikin Island, a small archipelago in the Pacific Ocean occupied by an eclectic collection of souls. One day a wave deposits a lost surfer on the beach and washes away their daily routines. Soon the island’s tranquility is submerged and tempests brew in every heart. Will the island return to its fantasy or will paradise be lost forever?

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