Author: Patrick Herron

Bethesda

New Toy Store Now Open in Montgomery Mall

By Patrick Herron

Alex Baby and Toys, a new concept from FYE, is now open in Montgomery Mall. The store is located downstairs next to Old Navy.  According to Westfield Montgomery, “from legos and baby essentials to LOL’s and STEM, they are your one-stop-shop for all things play.” We’re told the store offers toys for all ages, not just toddlers and young children.

According to Billboard, FYE was purchased by Sunrise Records in 2020. Sunrise paid $10 million to take over ownership of the 200-store chain. The purchase included assuming some of the chain’s liabilities including, accounts payable, store leases, and the chain’s frequent buyer membership program while also gaining a target inventory of $40 million. It also took on all FYE employees. FYE closed its Wheaton Mall location in January 2019 and its Lakeforest Mall location one year later in January of 2020. There is another Alex Baby and Toys listed as being in Holyoke Mall at Ingleside in Massachusetts, but the phone number is not currently active, so it may also be opening soon.

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Poolesville

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for ‘Crossvines’ Project in Poolesville That Will Have a Winery and Custom Crush, Special Events Facility and Bistro

By Patrick Herron

Among those joining the formal groundbreaking ceremonies were County Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Craig Rice; Maryland State Senator Brian Feldman; Poolesville Mayor Jim Brown; Craig Beyrouty, dean of College of the Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland; Keith Miller, CEO of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority; and Marc Weller, founding partner and CEO of Weller Development Company. See photos from the groundbreaking event.

“For the past two years, Montgomery County and the nation have been dominated by the impact of COVID-19, but we continued to plan for the future—and for our future economy,” said County Executive Elrich. “Crossvines is an exciting project that will change the economic prosperity of the Agricultural Reserve. As one of the only grape-crushing facilities in the region, this will open up opportunities for more landowners to grow profitable grapes and to explore winemaking as part of their future options.”

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I-270

Maryland State Police SUV Struck on I-270

By Patrick Herron

All lanes are open on SB I-270 at Montrose Rd after a collision Thursday evening that involved a Maryland State Police vehicle. The incident had closed three lanes on southbound 270 from Exit 4 (Montrose Rd) to Exit 1 (Democracy Blvd). According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Pete Piringer, at least two adults were transported by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.

WJLA reports that the Maryland State Police vehicle involved was an SUV. Drivers are warned to expect residual delays. We will post an update when more information becomes available.

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Derwood

Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is Waiving Adoption Fees During National Pet Week

By Patrick Herron

Standard adoption procedures are still in place. Interested adopters should visit the website to view available pets. An appointment can be made by filling out the application online, calling the shelter at 240-773-5900 during business hours, or walking in. Patrons with scheduled appointments will have priority over walk-ins. Submitting a questionnaire does not reserve an animal for adoption and adoptions are first come, first served by appointment. Information on how to adopt can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.html.

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Silver Spring

MCFRS Respond to Single Vehicle Collision with Rollover and Vehicle Fire in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

16th Street at Lyttonsville Road is closed in both directions as a result of the collision, according to Montgomery County Police.  Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays.

Update – IFO 8600 16th, on zCsx RR overpass bridge, Single vehicle collision rollover & vehicle fire, fire is extinguished, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 1 adult Pri2 trauma, TRAFFIC ADVISORY – some lanes BLOCKED between Lyttonsville Road and Spring Street https://t.co/jnBqVzTeDY pic.twitter.com/oM0LnCzEyt

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North Bethesda

Pedestrian Struck by Driver on Tuckerman Lane Has Succumbed to His Injuries; Police Now Investigating

By Patrick Herron

The investigation by detectives determined that the pedestrian was jogging across southbound Tuckerman Lane, in the crosswalk. For reasons still under investigation, the operator of a 2019 Subaru Forester, who was traveling westbound on Tuckerman Lane, struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk. This crosswalk is equipped with a push-to-activate pedestrian signal. Detectives are investigating whether the signal was activated. The adult male driver of the Subaru remained on scene. The 74-year-old male victim was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The name of the deceased will be released following proper notification of the family. This is an active and ongoing investigation. The Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) continues to investigate this collision. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773- 6620.

Feature photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Seeking Volunteers for 2022 Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign

By Patrick Herron

“These local maps will help us identify where we can take action to protect vulnerable neighborhoods now and in the future from extreme heat risk,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are pleased to be participating in this nationally competitive program and continuing our work in Montgomery County toward equitable climate resilience.”

This campaign is part of a national effort to track “Urban Heat Islands.” Heat inequities will be tracked in 14 states and two international cities. Urban Heat Islands are areas that can be up to 20 degrees hotter than nearby neighborhoods due to buildings, pavement, and other parts of urban environments amplifying high temperatures compared to nearby vegetated areas. They can put people at heightened risk of illness and death during extreme heat events. Through this effort local climate scientists and residents will work together to identify the hottest areas in the County. Heat equity refers to the development of policies and practices that mitigate heat islands and help people adapt to the impacts of extreme heat in a way that reduces the inequitable distribution of risks across different populations within the same urban area.

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Bethesda

Detectives Investigate Residential Burglaries in Bethesda; Surveillance Photo of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

On the same date, officers from the 2nd District responded to the 8000 block of Glenbrook Road for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier. Detectives obtained surveillance footage, which showed the suspect kicking in the back storm door to gain entry to the residence at approximately 5 a.m. The video footage later showed the suspect leaving the residence at approximately 11 a.m. Nothing was taken from the residence.

The suspect is described as a white male with a mustache, long black hair and medium build. The suspect was wearing a black jacket, black pants and grey sneakers.

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Gaithersburg

Dogfish Head Alehouse Announce It’s Donated $1,000,000 to Charity Over the Past 17 Years

By Patrick Herron

Dogfish Head Alehouse, which opened its first location at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg in 2005, announced it has donated a combined $1,000,000 to charity over the past 17 years between its three locations.

Dogfish Head Alehouses, which are owned and operated independent from the Dogfish Head brewery in Milton, DE through a licensing agreement, announced recently that it will be closing its Falls Church, VA location at 6220 Leesburg Pike in the Seven Corners Shopping Center.  The restaurant says it was unable to come to terms with the property owner when it came time to renew its lease.  The last day of service will be on May 15. The Dogfish Alehouse locations at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg and 13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy in Fairfax, VA will remain open.

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MoCo Police

Lyft Driver Carjacked at Gun Point Wednesday Night

By Patrick Herron

A Lyft driver was carjacked at gunpoint Wednesday night in the 8000 block of 13th St in downtown Silver Spring. According to Montgomery County Police, officers were called to the scene at approximately 10:11pm.  The driver reportedly picked up three passengers, one of which pulled out a handgun and demanded the driver leave the vehicle. The three individuals then took off with the vehicle.

The incident is under investigation and Montgomery County Police are expected to release addition details soon. There are no suspects in custody at this time.

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