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Update: Officer in Critical Condition After Being Intentionally Struck by Driver on I-270

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:16PM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 2:44PM

Montgomery County Police held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to give an update on an incident that occurred early this morning on I-270 north that involved an officer being struck by a driver. The injured officer has been identified as Patrick Kepp, 36, who currently serves on the Alcohol Initiatives Unit. According to Police Chief Marcus Jones, Kepp has lost the use of both of his legs and remains in critical conditions.

The suspect has been identified as Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, of Frederick, MD. Mayorga is said to be well known to Montgomery County Police due to several prior incidents, and has a reputation for attempting to provoke officers into high speed chases. Prior to the incident, officers were monitoring Mayorga, who was seen driving a green Dodge Challenger recklessly at the Clarksburg Outlets and on I-270. Jones said officers did not pursue Mayorga.

Education

Watkins Mill High School Enacts Shelter in Place Wednesday Due to Online Threat; Afterschool Activities and Sports Canceled

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:07PM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 8:18PM

Update: In a message sent to the Watkins Mill community principal Vilma Najera at 7:41pm Wednesday evening, the threat was deemed not credible by Montgomery County Police. The full message can be seen below:

“Good evening Watkins Mill families and staff,

DMV

Doors Opening… Faster! Metro is Preparing For Auto Doors

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 1:58PM

This week, customers may notice doors opening faster on some Red Line trains when they stop at stations. On Wednesday, Metro will begin certifying operators who have been trained to use Metro’s Auto Doors function. The feature enables doors to open automatically when the train stops at the platform. Not only is it safer and more reliable, but it also eliminates the delay of operators manually opening the doors.

Currently, operators are required to open and close train doors manually. They’re instructed to stick their head out the window, take a few seconds to verify they are opening the doors on the correct side of the train, and then press a button to open the doors. The process can take up to 15 seconds and happens more than 20,000 times a day across the system.

A post from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

Sign up for Good Counsel Summer Camps today!

Published May 18, 2026 at 10:45AM

Summer fun starts at Good Counsel! Our Summer Camps are packed with exciting activities, sports, creativity, adventure, and unforgettable memories for campers of all ages. From the field to the classroom and everywhere in between, there’s something for everyone at Good Counsel’s Summer Camps!

Spend your summer learning, laughing, and making new friends with the Good Counsel community. Spots are filling fast so be sure to register today!

Register at: www.olgchs.org/camps

Register Today:

MCPS

Week 8 MoCo High School Football Preview & Predictions (MCPS)

By Damon Anderson

Published October 18, 2023 at 12:57PM

This week’s matchups offer a blend of history and rivalries!

Quince Orchard (7-0) at Northwest (6-1): Battle of Rivals- Friday night lights will blaze as the undefeated Quince Orchard Cougars prepare to face the once-mighty Northwest Jaguars, now looking rather vulnerable. Last week’s stumble against Churchill showcased Northwest’s weaknesses, leaving them in a precarious position. However, in the world of high school football, history often repeats itself. A decade ago, an underdog Northwest team, fresh off a narrow defeat to Clarksburg, ambushed the then-undefeated Cougars to steal their championship dreams. Could history favor the Jaguars again?

Event

Ariéto Yukayú Guáyiga – An Evening of Strength, Spirit & Survival

May 28, 2026 6:00 pm -9:30 pm

The Historical Odd Fellows Lodge

1308 Olney Sandy Spring Road

Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860

Website Contact Social

Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,

Crime

Maryland Attorney General Announces Guilty Plea And Sentencing of Curtis Bay Energy LP – Owner of Largest Medical Waste Incinerator in United States

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 12:54PM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 1:22PM

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office (10.18.23): – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the guilty plea and sentencing of Curtis Bay Energy, LP (Curtis Bay Energy), the owner and operator of a special medical waste incinerator facility located in south Baltimore City, to a forty-count criminal information that resulted from a long-term investigation conducted by the Office’s Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit (ENRCU). The charges to which Curtis Bay Energy pled guilty relate to the insufficient treatment and improper handling of special medical waste and the operation and concealment of an unpermitted discharge outlet.

On August 18, 2023, in sentencing Curtis Bay Energy, the Honorable Judge Martin H. Schreiber II of the Circuit Court of Maryland, placed the company on 2-years of probation and ordered the company to pay a fine of $1,000,000 to the Maryland Clean Water Fund. As a special condition of that probation, Curtis Bay Energy will fund a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) that will direct $750,000 into communities surrounding the facility for environmental projects to protect and improve the environment and reduce risks to public health. The SEP will be administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit grant-making organization. This sentence is one of the largest penalties in the Office’s history for an environmental criminal case.

Entertainment

HalloWheaton Bar Hop and Family Events Taking Place Later This Month

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 12:21PM

Wheaton is the place to celebrate Halloween! There are fabulous Halloween events for adults, children and families in and around the Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District! Options for celebrating include adult trick-or-treating (a themed bar hop for adults), family events with Halloween crafts and activities for children as well as a beer garden for adults at HalloWheaton, and child friendly options like the nearby Eye Spy Train or Westfield Wheaton Boo Bash!

HalloWheaton (family oriented), Sunday, October 29, 12-4pm, Free Admission: Get a jump start on celebrating Halloween in the Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District for free s’mores roasting, pumpkin painting, costume contests, Halloween crafts, face-painting, photo ops, and more at HalloWheaton. This is the 3rd annual HalloWheaton event at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive. Adult activities include a beer garden, fire pits, yard games, and a zombie trailer.

Bethesda

Rowan, a Piercing Studio With Piercings Performed by Licensed Nurses, is Opening its First Maryland Location

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 11:55AM | Updated October 28, 2023 at 9:48AM

Rowan, a piercing studio with all of its piercings performed by licensed nurses, is opening a new location in Bethesda. This will be the studios first Maryland location and already has over 30 locations open/coming soon in various states. They offer different styled of ear piercings including, hoops, studs, charms, threaders, cuffs, and others. Rowan will be moving into the space previously occupied by Roll by Goodyear at 4919 Elm St. in the Shoppes at Bethesda Row, according to Danny Rubin of WashUrban. An opening date is not yet available.

“All our piercings are performed by licensed Nurses only—as they should be. After all, piercing is a medical procedure. All our earrings are hypoallergenic. Meaning: premium metals only. Our jewelry is made of 14K solid gold, gold vermeil, gold plating over sterling silver, and sterling silver. Meet the Founder, Louisa Serene Schneider: “An experienced Board Member with a history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Asset Management, Equities, and Capital Markets. Louisa observed first-hand that products and services that were labeled “girly” weren’t paid much attention and especially, in the ear piercing industry the choices were limited to either an impersonal experience at the mall and tattoo parlors or an intimidating one at a doctor’s office. As a mom, she wanted only the best for her kids. Which began her search for a fun, celebratory and safe ear piercing experience for everyone that can also be affordable. And when Louisa didn’t find one she founded one. Welcome to Rowan, where we offer safe and celebratory piercings for all.”

Beyond MoCo

Frederick County Public Schools Files Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies Over Youth Mental Health Concerns

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 10:36AM

Yesterday, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) filed a lawsuit against Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap Inc. contending that “excessive social media usage and addiction are exacerbating the mental health struggles of students. Students have faced a myriad of challenges, including heightened feelings of depression, anxiety, and body image issues, among others.” In June, Montgomery County announced it had joined over 500 school districts across the county in a lawsuit against social media companies.

Per FCPS (10.18.23): “As a result of this ongoing addiction crisis, FCPS is facing the challenge of providing adequate mental health resources and proactive social media education for their students. Through this lawsuit, FCPS aims to curtail the exploitation of young social media users and secure funds from those responsible to address the crisis.

Clarksburg

Scenthound is Coming to Clarksburg Village Center

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 9:59AM

Scenthound has signed on to come to Clarksburg Village Center, taking the location next to Orangetheory. Scenthound is a national grooming salon with over 30 locations either open or coming soon across various states. Scenthound offers a basic hygiene package that includes a bath, ear cleaning, nail trimming and teeth brushing with add-on options that include a blow dry and brush out, or haircut for dogs with longer fur. An opening date is not available, but construction has either already started or is expected to start soon.

Last week we reported that The Clarks Lodge Bar & Grill is coming to 12011 Snowden Farm Pkwy, the former site of GrillMarx in the Clarksburg Village Center. The Clarks Lodge is owned by the same restaurant group behind The Creek Lodge, which opened at 5566 Norbeck Rd in October 2022, as well as Brews & Barrels in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands. The only space currently available in the shopping center is the 1,797SF location that was recently home to Wells Fargo.

I-270

Summary of Events Regarding Police Officer Being Struck By Driver on NB I-270 Wednesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 7:01AM

Per Montgomery County Police: “The following is a brief summary of events regarding a collision involving a Montgomery County Police Officer. At approximately 3:48 a.m., Montgomery County Police officers were attempting to stop the driver of a vehicle believed to be driving under the influence on I-270 NB near Watkins Mill.

A male officer exited his patrol car to deploy stop sticks, used to deflate tires of suspect vehicles on the roadway. As the officer was in the process of deploying the stop sticks, the driver of the suspect vehicle collided with the officer. The suspect vehicle continued northbound on I-270, where a second officer successfully deployed stop sticks, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop.

I-270

NB I-270 Closed Wednesday Morning After Police Officer is Struck By Driver

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 6:35AM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 6:59AM

Update Per Montgomery County Police: “The following is a brief summary of events regarding a collision involving a Montgomery County Police Officer. At approximately 3:48 a.m., Montgomery County Police officers were attempting to stop the driver of a vehicle believed to be driving under the influence on I-270 NB near Watkins Mill.

A male officer exited his patrol car to deploy stop sticks, used to deflate tires of suspect vehicles on the roadway. As the officer was in the process of deploying the stop sticks, the driver of the suspect vehicle collided with the officer. The suspect vehicle continued northbound on I-270, where a second officer successfully deployed stop sticks, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop.