Crime

Montgomery County Police responded to an armed carjacking on McMahon Rd, behind Glen Haven Elementary School and Glen Haven Neighborhood Park in Wheaton on Tuesday, November 7. According to police, “The call for an armed carjacking was received at approximately 7:42 p.m. 4th District officers responded and determined that a group of 4-5 suspects approached the adult female victim and demanded her vehicle. No suspects are in custody at this time. No injuries were reported.”

Public safety reporter Cordell Pugh reports that a Gray/Silver Nissan Sentra was stolen at gunpoint.  We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.


DMV

Yesterday we took a look at Doug Kammerer’s Winter Weather Outlook map and highlighted a few of the important items he went over on a subsequent Facebook live. Today, we’ll be analyzing the outlook as a whole, as many snow lovers are excited for what could bring a few feet of snow to the area.

Kammerer and Storm Team4 state that “we could see one or two big snowstorms that really make their mark on the winter of 2023-2024.” In our eyes, that means a storm that drops at least six inches across the region, but could also bring snow that’s measured in feet to the area. Since the El Niño patter is expected to bring above average temperatures and an active storm track, plenty of storms will come in the form as rain. The snow will be there when we are dealing with colder temperatures, which is what they expect January and February to bring.


MCPD

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jessica Greco is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Education

Whetstone Elementary School, located at 19201 Thomas Farm Road, had a tradition that celebrates students who have demonstrated the school’s Wildcat core values. Each quarter, the school literally rolls out the red carpet.

Students chosen by their teachers receive a certificate and dance down a red carpet while their classmates, teachers, principal, mascot Wendy the Wildcat, and caregivers clap and cheer them on. “Our caregivers love this event and appreciate the acknowledgement of their children,” said principal Loretta Woods in an update by MCPS. Woods started the tradition when she arrived at the school as a way to show the students they are special, supported and loved by all and invite parents and caregivers to join in that celebration.


Crime

Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Eric Johnson sentenced defendant, Eon Brummell, 27, of Germantown, to 20 years in prison suspend all but 5 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.

On Oct. 30th, 2023, Brummell pleaded guilty to a Distribution of Narcotics charge that was filed in May of 2023 stemming from an incident in May 2022. He also pleaded guilty to Possession of a Large Amount of Narcotics due to the fact that he had 634 pills containing fentanyl in his possession when he was arrested in June of 2023. Judge Johnson issued his sentence at the time of the plea hearing.


MCDOT

Per MCDOT: “On Tuesday, Nov. 28, starting at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the latest plans for the Heritage Triangle Trail Project in Sandy Spring. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.

The Heritage Triangle Trail is a project to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety along Dr. Bird (MD. 182) and Norwood Roads. The Dr. Bird Road section is planned to run along the east side of Dr. Bird Road (MD 182) from Sandy Spring Road (MD 108) to the current terminus of an existing shared use path located approximately 1,400 feet south of MD 108. The Norwood Road section is planned to run along the east side of Norwood Road from just north of the driveway to the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring to just south of Ednor Road, where it will tie into an existing shared use path approximately 1,700 ft. south of the Adventure Park. Public input is encouraged and may influence the design of this project.


North Bethesda

Chuck E. Cheese is now open at 5238 Nicholson Ln in North Bethesda/Rockville. Chuck E. Cheese was previously located at 5270 Randolph Rd in Loehmann’s Plaza before moving to its new, larger location in White Flint Plaza, taking over the space that was previously home to Retro Fitness. The location is one of the first in the area to feature Chuck E. Cheese’s new trampoline park.  There will be a grand opening celebration on Thursday, November 9 from 5-7pm that will feature free cake and the chance to win a free birthday party.

Chuck E. Cheese has an additional Montgomery County location at 1127 University Blvd E in Takoma Park. The children’s indoor entertainment arcade also had a location in Gaithersburg that closed in 2020 after being in business at Gaithersburg Square for over 30 years. Per the Biz Journals report, the new location will “feature a 17-foot digital wall and other technological advances over the older locations. There will still be some Chuck E. Cheese mainstays, including things like skee-ball, air hockey, and, of course, pizza.” The Rockville location has also matched pre-2019 numbers this year, hosting 289 birthday parties.


MoCo Government

From the Office of Councilmember Natali Fani-González: “During today’s Council session, Councilmember Natali Fani-González, who chairs the Economic Development (ECON) Committee, introduced ZTA 23-09, Farming – Incidental Outdoor Stays. This new zoning measure would update the County’s Zoning Ordinance to allow incidental overnight stays on farms with agritourism businesses, with certain limits. Council President Evan Glass, Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles are cosponsors of this ZTA.

“The agritourism sector in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is growing and thriving. Our many farm breweries, wineries, pick your own farms, equestrian centers, and agricultural education businesses all draw people and revenue from across the region,” said ECON Chair Fani-González.


Gaithersburg

Carmen’s Italian Ice is opening its newest location this Wednesday, November 8. Carmen’s is partnering with the owners of Kung Fu Tea at 130 Market St in Gaithersburg and is taking over the portion of the building that was previously occupied by Tutti Frutti. According to Carmen’s, it will initially offer three flavors of custard and six flavors of Italian ice. The new store will be offering half off 1/2 off of ices and gelatis in-store all day on Wednesday for “Jayden Day”.

Earlier this year Carmen’s partnered with the Clarksburg Market at 23329 Frederick Rd to open a similar concept in Clarksburg. About Carmen’s: It started with a simple idea. Introduce homemade gourmet Italian Ice to the Washington DC area. Jason Mandler – a native of Parsippany, New Jersey – opened Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe in Rockville, MD in 2001. Tracing its roots back to Philly and South Jersey where this dessert has been a mainstay for years, Carmen’s offers homemade, gourmet Italian Ice in over 60 flavors. It also now offers frozen custard, shakes, and a toppings bar.


Bethesda

Montgomery Parks is inviting dog owners to leash up their pups and jump into the holiday season at the Holiday Barket at Cabin John Regional Park (7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817) on Saturday, November 18 from 11am until 2pm. The Barket will feature live music, refreshments for sale, a canine photo booth with the Grinch, and plenty of pet-themed shopping.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and relax as they listen to rock music from the band Capital Effect at the amphitheater stage. They can also visit the dog park at Cabin John Regional Park where dogs can romp off-leash or take a stroll on the Cabin John Trail, which includes a loop around the event site. Providers of pet-related services such as adoption, training and grooming will be on site with information about their offerings. And Maryland-based businesses will be selling pet-themed gifts for pet lovers, as well as gifts and treats for pets.