Education

Statement From Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, Regarding the Board of Education’s Redacted Release of the Jackson Lewis Report on MCPS Investigation

By Patrick Herron

“I applaud the Board of Education for taking this important step forward in accountability and transparency for the families, students and staff within the school system. It has been two months since the allegations of employee misconduct by an MCPS principal were revealed through the press. At the EC Committee session held on Sept. 28, I called for the full release of a redacted report and my colleagues echoed that sentiment. It is only through transparency that we are able to have effective accountability and facilitate improvement in processes that protect our school community.

The release of the redacted report does not impact the ongoing investigations. The investigation through the Montgomery County Office of Inspector General (OIG) continues. Once the OIG releases its investigation findings, I will work with my colleagues to schedule a public meeting to discuss the findings and any recommended actions.”

Go to Statement From Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, Regarding the Board of Education’s Redacted Release of the Jackson Lewis Report on MCPS Investigation Read more
Education

Board of Education Releases Redacted Jackson-Lewis Investigation Report

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) released a statement regarding the release of the redacted Jackson-Lewis Investigation Report. In a Thursday afternoon tweet, the Board of Education stated that the redacted report can be found on the Board’s website. As of press time at 3:30pm, we have been unable to find it on the website, but it can be accessed at this link. The (BOE) statement can be seen below:

“We believe that restoring trust with our staff and community is of utmost importance and it is our hope that by releasing this report, which is redacted to protect the right of our employees, will be a step toward a renewed belief in the integrity of our public-school system.

Go to Board of Education Releases Redacted Jackson-Lewis Investigation Report Read more
Business

Gaithersburg Gas Station and Repair Shop Sold For $2.5 Million

By MCS Staff

Marcus & Millichap  a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, recently announced the sale of Gaithersburg Citgo| Daytona Auto Care, a 2,506-square foot retail property located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The property sold for $2,500,000 plus inventory, or $837.99 per square foot.

“The property attracted offers from several buyers,” Zhao said. “It’s not a typical Marcus & Millichap net leased deal.  This deal involved real estate and its 35 years of business operation.  Ultimately, an investor with a keen interest in auto care was found who enlisted the help of an experienced operator from California to assist with the business operation of the auto care facility. The buyer negotiated strategic termination of the property’s current fuel supply agreement as a contingency to close.” The property is located at 401-409 E Diamond Av. in Gaithersburg and includes Gaithersburg Citgo gas station and Daytona Auto Care LTD, which have been in business for more than 35 years.

Go to Gaithersburg Gas Station and Repair Shop Sold For $2.5 Million Read more
Crime

Serial Hardware Store Thief Sentenced to Four Years in Prison

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “This week, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Michael McAuliffe sentenced defendant, Terry Tompkins, 42, of Temple Hills, to 15 years in prison suspend all but four years to serve and five years of probation upon release. Tompkins pleaded guilty on December 19th, 2022, to one count of robbery and three counts of theft stemming from four incidents at hardware stores in June and July of 2022. The sentencing hearing was held on Wednesday, October 10th.

In one of the incidents, on July 30th, 2022, Tompkins exited the Ace Hardware store in the 800 block of Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring, with a cart full of copper wire and other electric cable products without paying for the items. He then attacked a store employee who attempted to film him on a cell phone. Tomkins stole the phone as he fled.

Go to Serial Hardware Store Thief Sentenced to Four Years in Prison Read more
Education

MCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy No Longer Employed by the School District; Two Office of School Support and Well Being Staff Members On Leave

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight sent a message to MCPS staff on Wednesday, October 11, announcing that deputy superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy was no longer employed by the district. The message, provided to us by MCPS Communications Director Chris Cram, also states that two members of the MCPS Office of School Support and Well-Being (OSSWB), Dr. Donna Redmond Jones and Dr. Eugenia (Jeanie) Dawson are currently on leave.

Dr. Patrick Murphy was appointed as the MCPS deputy superintendent in 2022, a position previously held by Dr. McKnight. He was recently superintendent of Berkeley County Schools in West Virginia until 2022 and previously superintendent of Arlington Public Schools and in various instructional leadership positions in Fairfax County Public Schools. The message sent to staff can be seen below (note: We have been told by several MCPS staff members that they have not received this message):

Go to MCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy No Longer Employed by the School District; Two Office of School Support and Well Being Staff Members On Leave Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County Announces $22.7 Million in New Computer Funding for Low-Income Residents

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has transmitted a request to the Montgomery County Council to approve a supplemental budget appropriation for $22,784,400 to purchase 60,000 Dell Chromebook laptops for residents who do not have a computer. The budget request is funded by a Federal Communications Commission Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) grant secured by the County Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS) and Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), with the support of Congressman David Trone. The new computer distribution program requires Council action to proceed, but could launch as early as next month.

“We are closing the digital divide in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Elrich. “Over the last year, our County has been spearheading efforts to get more computers into the hands of children and adults who need them. While the need continues to be out there, our computer distribution efforts are having an impact.  As a result, most low-income families in our County will have digital access for homework, for remote work or to find a job. It is a way of helping end the poverty cycle and it doesn’t require anything but a library card. Computer and internet access are key equity issues. I appreciate the Montgomery County Libraries and TEBS for securing this grant and am grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation for this funding.”

Go to Montgomery County Announces $22.7 Million in New Computer Funding for Low-Income Residents Read more
Events

Montgomery Parks Highlights Making Birdwatching Accessible to All During Birdability Week

By MCS Staff

People of all abilities are invited to participate in the popular hobby, October 15-22, 2023 

 Montgomery Parks is calling all experienced and novice birders to participate in its Birdability Week events October 15-21. This is the fourth annual Birdability Week, a national event designed to celebrate the beauty of birds and promote the accessibility of the hobby for everyone, including those with disabilities and or health concerns.

Go to Montgomery Parks Highlights Making Birdwatching Accessible to All During Birdability Week Read more
Bethesda

MoCo Restaurants Dominate 2023 Yelp MD Burb’s “Top 25 Places to Eat” List

By Patrick Herron

Yelp’s “Yelp MD Burbs” released its list of “Top 25 Places to Eat in MD Burbs”  and 18 of the 25 restaurants on the list are in Montgomery County, including four of the top five. Yelp is a popular company that publishes crowd-sourced reviews about businesses with a major focus on restaurants. According to Yelp, “The MD Burbs knows how to eat, and these locally-loved spots are proof of that! We’re excited to announce the MD Burbs’ Top 25 Places to Eat (2023), backed by Yelp data and approved by taste buds everywhere!”

https://www.facebook.com/tastemoco/posts/pfbid0GEXYRbUvfamiJfACVenm1maeQ87vw5UkPVRPWQxurXvabFqqQVYfnRwKNoaSn4pFl

Go to MoCo Restaurants Dominate 2023 Yelp MD Burb’s “Top 25 Places to Eat” List Read more
MCPD

Suspect in Custody After Stabbing Custodian at Silver Spring Metro

By Patrick Herron

According to a report by ABC 7, 38-year-old Daniyom Tesfaye was arrested by Montgomery County Police and charged with assault in connection with a stabbing that occurred Wednesday, October 11 in Silver Spring.  Around 5:20pm a Metro contractor was stabbed in front of the Silver Spring Metro Station.  Metro Transit Police reported that the victim was stabbed in the arm and sustained serious injuries.  According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, “Montgomery County 3rd District Officers radioed that the victim had experienced “significant” blood loss and the Officers were able to further control the bleeding when they applied one of their tourniquets.” A suspect is not in custody at this time.

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

Go to Suspect in Custody After Stabbing Custodian at Silver Spring Metro Read more
View More Stories