Author: Patrick Herron

Health

Montgomery County Urges Residents to take Precautions During Excessive Heat

By Patrick Herron

“We encourage residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Acting Director Marianne Souders. “Check on elderly friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure they are not showing signs of heat-related illnesses.”

Extreme heat affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature, which can create dangerous conditions if appropriate safety measures are not taken. Heat may affect air quality, especially in urban areas, and may have a stronger impact on the elderly, children. and sick persons.

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Olney

Surgical Assistant Charged with Sexual Assault in Olney

By Patrick Herron

On the strength of the evidence, a warrant for Naqvi’s arrest was filed on May 5, 2022. Naqvi was arrested on Wednesday, May 18. 47-year-old Naqvi of Ellicott City has been charged with second-degree sexual assault and third- and fourth-degree sexual offenses.

Naqvi is currently being held in the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he awaits a bond hearing. Detectives believe that there may be additional victims of Mir Asadullah Naqvi that have not contacted police.  Detectives are urging victims to contact the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Looking Into Changing “Intimidating” Black Police Uniforms

By Patrick Herron

At Thursday’s weekly media briefing, County Executive Marc Elrich said that the county is looking into changing the all black uniforms that Montgomery County Police Officers currently wear. Elrich said that there is a broad consensus that the black uniforms appear to be intimidating, and were originally “meant to be intimidating”, and that the change to a new color is a part of the “reimagining police” initiative.  “It’s something that we ought to do, and it will help take some of the intimidation out of the appearance of an officer” he said.

Montgomery County is discussing alternate colors with MCPD and their union. Elrich also mentioned that black uniform are hot and that the new uniforms should be more comfortable, and that they are leaving the decision up to the department and officers.  The cost of the uniform change could be more than a million dollars.    Prior to the black uniforms, Montgomery County Police Officers wore khaki colored uniforms. You can view the media briefing below:

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MoCo Government

Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on the Tragic Mass Shooting in Buffalo, NY

By Patrick Herron

“This past weekend a lone gunman changed the world for a countless number of Americans. Ten people were tragically killed at a grocery store in Buffalo, NY, and countless others have been traumatized by an attack that not only targeted the innocent but was also motivated by hate. Police have discovered the man they arrested for the crime drove hours to get to that supermarket because he wanted to target the Black community. It’s the kind of detail that prompted President Joe Biden to call the shooting ‘terrorism’ when he visited Buffalo on Tuesday.

People are increasingly feeling insecure about being able to move freely about our communities. We cannot allow this to be tolerated or to become ‘normalized’. Replacement theory is pure garbage and there is no replacement of anyone planned – the last replacement event in North America was when Native peoples were replaced by Europeans. Along with the demonization of critical race theory, otherwise known as our history to most of us, these are attacks on efforts to build an inclusive and unbiased community where all are valued, and all are safe.

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Silver Spring

Detectives Continue to Investigate Armed Robbery of McDonald’s; Additional Surveillance Video of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a commercial armed robbery of a McDonald’s in the 8500 block of Colesville Road (Silver Spring).

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, at approximately 12:15 p.m., 3rd District Officers responded to the above location for an armed robbery that just occurred.

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Silver Spring

(Located) Detectives From the Montgomery County Department of Police Ask For Assistance in Locating Missing Silver Spring Woman

By Patrick Herron

Update: Dana Lauren Berg has been located safe and unharmed.

Berg may be driving a light blue Honda CRV with MD tags 6EK1945. She may also have two Tibetan Terrier dogs, one a golden-brown color and the other, reddish brown. Berg is 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 280 lbs. She has blonde shoulder length curly hair. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

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Bethesda

Montgomery County Police Investigating Fatal Collision Involving 84-Year-Old Pedestrian

By Patrick Herron

The operator of the Honda and several witnesses stopped and rendered aid. The pedestrian, 84-year-old Carole Barbara Weiss, was transported to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on May 17.

The initial investigation by the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) has revealed the pedestrian crossed to the center median, toward the western side of Rockledge Drive, and entered the southbound lanes of Rockledge Drive, where she was struck.

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Arts

Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore Celebrate 75 Years

By Patrick Herron

Highly regarded regionally and nationally as one of the country’s most outstanding youth orchestra programs, The MCYO is the oldest and most established youth orchestra program in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. In MCYO, students experience a seamless connection between the artistic and the educational experience. Since 2005, MCYO has been a resident partner in the Music Center at Strathmore.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Carney and Music Director Kristofer Sanz, MCYO offers three full orchestras: a chamber ensemble, two string orchestras, small ensembles and chamber groups to nearly 500 talented musicians in grades 2-12.

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Health

COVID-19 Test Kits and N95 Masks Still Available at Montgomery County Libraries

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy MCPL

Kits and masks are available on a table or cart near the library service desk. Residents can get two test kits and four adult N95 masks per person per day. Each kit contains two tests. If you are unable to access COVID test kits or masks due to a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by contacting 240-777-2982. Request rapid test kits for your organization.

Rapid tests produce results 15 minutes after you complete all steps.

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Book Festival Returns This Saturday, May 21

By Patrick Herron

The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual all-day celebration of books, writers and literary excellence. One of the premier literary events in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the 2022 Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm (506 S. Frederick Ave.) in Gaithersburg, Md. Activities will include author appearances, discussions and book signings; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; onsite sales of new and used books; literary exhibitors and food, drink, ice cream and more. Admission is FREE, and free accessible shuttle service will be available from Shady Grove Metro and Lakeforest Mall.

The Gaithersburg Book Festival is sponsored in part by the David and Mikel Blair Family Foundation, The Universities at Shady Grove, Asbury Methodist Village, Web Mobile Image, C-SPAN Book TV and Washington Parent, and is put on in partnership with Politics & Prose Bookstore, Montgomery County Public Schools, Washington Independent Review of Books, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton, rio, and Dawson’s Market. The Gaithersburg Book Festival also hosts author events in Montgomery County throughout the year as a way to encourage continued appreciation for all things literary.

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