Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Police Officer Receives Life-Saving Award

By MCS Staff

The Gaithersburg Police Department proudly recognizes Officer Carissa Fortin, a 5-year-veteran of the police department with the Life-Saving Award. During a chaotic scene, Officer Fortin demonstrated a calm and decisive officer as she responded to a call for service on July 30, 2023, in the 200 block of Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg, Md.

Responding to what was initially dispatched as a shooting call, turned out to be a domestic situation. Arriving on-scene, Officer Fortin discovered an adult female who had jumped from a moving vehicle. As a result, her arm was caught under the vehicle, causing a severe laceration to her forearm, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. Without hesitation, Officer Fortin applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding while simultaneously calming the female down. Officer Fortin recognized the need to apply a second tourniquet which was successful in stopping the bleeding.

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Crime

Update: Police Looking to Identify Suspect Wanted for 4th Degree Sex Offense

By Patrick Herron

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying the person pictured above. The photograph was obtained via security camera footage near the intersection of Manchester Road and Hamilton Avenue. This is in reference to a 4th Degree Sex Offense that occurred on the Sligo Creek Trail in the area of Three Oaks Drive on Sunday 10/15/2023 between 3:50PM and 4:00PM. The suspect was described as a 5’8 to 5’9 medium build teenage Hispanic or light skinned black male. The suspect was wearing a black ski mask covering most of his face, blue/teal windbreaker jacket, brown or tan cloth backpack with buckle fastener, and khaki pants.

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Gaithersburg

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Alisson Fernanda Alfaro Quinonez, a missing 15-year-old from Gaithersburg. Alfaro Quinonez was last seen on Monday, October 16, 2023, at approximatley 9 a.m., in the 100 block of Sharpstead Lane in Gaithersburg. She is 5’1″, 97 Ibs., with long brown hair, brown eyes, and has a dimple on her left cheek. She was last seen wearing pajamas and crocs.

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

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Damascus

Ridge Road Closed Tuesday Afternoon After Vehicle Driven Into Utility Pole

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 27,100 block of Ridge Rd., between Woodfield Road & Gue Rd., in Damascus for the report of a collision involving a vehicle into a utility pole. Ridge Rd is currently closed at Woodfield Rd. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, “lanes are blocked by downed pole and wires, road will be closed to large vehicles, likely, i.e. School buses, delivery trucks, etc..”

Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

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MCPS

The MoCoShow MCPS High School Football Top 10 – Week 7

By Damon Anderson

1. Quince Orchard Cougars (Last Week: 1) – Undefeated at 7-0: The Cougars showcased their dominance once again, storming past Richard Montgomery with a commanding 43-7 victory. Running Back Iverson Howard was the standout player of the evening, amassing an impressive 111 yards of total offense and punching in three touchdowns. The undefeated Quince Orchard squad is now gearing up for a colossal showdown against archrivals Northwest in the highly anticipated Black Hole, Germantown this Friday night.

2. Walter Johnson Wildcats (Last Week: 3) – Unblemished at 7-0: The Wildcats continued their unbeaten streak in style, leaving Wheaton in the dust with a resounding 46-6 triumph. Next, they’ll take their unblemished record to Olney, where they’ll clash with a formidable Sherwood team in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.

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MCFRS

Pedestrian Hospitalized With Minor Injuries After Being Struck by Driver Tuesday Morning Near Northwood High School

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving a pedestrian on Tuesday, October 17. According to police, “MCPD responded to the 900 block of University Blvd. for the report of a collision involving a pedestrian. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene. An adult male was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. This is an ongoing investigation.”

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

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Restaurant

Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk Has Closed

By Patrick Herron

Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk at 9324 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring has permanently closed, according to a report by Source of the Spring. The restaurant, which originally opened as Tropical Café, served York Castle Caribbean Ice, Jamaican patty’s, smoothies, and jerk chicken. The location is currently available to lease on LoopNet.

Last week, Milk & Honey, a southern inspired brunch and soul food restaurant which has locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, opened in the space next door at 9326 Georgia Avenue. The news of its opening was first reported by Source of the Spring.

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Education

Thomas Edison HS of Technology to Hold Open House Event (Open to All MCPS Families)

By MCS Staff

Thomas Edison High School of Technology (12501 Dalewood Dr. Silver Spring) is hosting its Open House for this school year on October 19th from 6-8PM. All MCPS families are welcome to come learn about Edison’s programs and meet their career and technology teachers and community partners.

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Maryland

“Cold, Snowy” 2023-2024 Winter Forecast by The Old Farmer’s Almanac

By MCS Staff

The 2024 Old Farmer’s Almanac is now available everywhere complete with its 2023-2024 winter weather forecast. Winter arrives this year on December 21, 2023 and sometimes brings shoveling, snow blowing, dealing with bad roads, and unbearable temperatures with it. Lately, we haven’t had much snow to talk about in our area, but this winter may be different according to the almanac with above-normal precipitation and snowfall expected for the entire region. Below, you’ll see forecasts for the Atlantic Corridor and the Appalachians, which covers all of our area.

Will There Be Snow? Yes! Winter precipitation and snowfall will be above normal (2 to 3 inches above monthly averages). The snowiest periods will occur at the end of December, late January, and mid-February. We don’t expect a white Christmas.
How Cold Will Winter Be? Winter temperatures will be above normal overall. Specifically, December is slightly above average temps; temperatures for January and February are below average. The coldest spell will run from late January into mid-February.

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Entertainment

Tickets Now Available For 3.5 Mile Drive-Thru Winter Lights Festival

By MCS Staff

The City of Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival is getting ready to welcome visitors for another spectacular season. The wondrous display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park will be open nightly November 24 through December 31. The festival is closed on December 25. The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees that light up the night. The park is located at 11950 Clopper Road, conveniently accessible from I-270. Tickets now available (link below).

To ensure a positive and safe experience for all attendees, staff and event-site neighbors the following policies are in place:

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Damascus

Community Meeting For Upcoming Damascus High School Renovation Takes Place This Week

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is scheduled to begin the Schematic Design Phase for an approved capital project at Damascus High School. Prior to beginning the design process and community engagements, a kick-off meeting for community members and all stakeholders is scheduled on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 6:30 pm to share the project information. The in-person meeting will be held in the Cafeteria/All-Purpose room. Doors open at 6:00 pm, presentation begins at 6:30 pm. It is unclear if the meeting will discuss any boundary changes between Damascus and nearby schools like Clarksburg High School.

A major capital project was approved to address various building systems and programmatic needs for Damascus High School, located at 25921 Ridge Road. The Board of Education, in the requested FY 2021–2026 CIP, included expenditures in FY 2022 to continue the planning and design of this major capital project with a completion date of August 2025, but the County Council delayed the expenditures by one year. An FY 2023 appropriation was approved to begin the design of this Major Capital project. An FY 2024 appropriation is recommended for construction funds. This project is scheduled to be completed August 2026. Once completed in 2026, school capacity is expected to increase from 1,543 (where it’s at currently) to 2,250.

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