MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: “The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing on the Community Health Needs Assessment and on the implementation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding.

The members of the HHS Committee include Chair Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Laurie-Anne Sayles.The joint Education and Culture (EC) and HHS Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive a briefing on early childhood education initiatives. The members of the EC Committee include Chair Will Jawando and Councilmembers Albornoz and Kristin Mink.


Burtonsville

Per MCPD: “The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is investigating fatal collision that occurred on Saturday, October 28, 2023, near the intersection of Old Columbia Pike and Dustin Road. Detectives have been unable to locate any of the decedent’s family and are asking for the public’s assistance to find possible family members.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., Montgomery County Fire Rescue and MCPD responded to the area for the report of a single vehicle collision.  The preliminary investigation by CRU detectives has revealed that a blue 2009 Hyundai Elantra, driven by 73-year-old Robert Hugh Haas, of Windsor Mill, was traveling northbound on Old Columbia Pike when, for unknown reasons, the Haas failed to negotiate the traffic circle at Dustin Road and struck a retaining wall.


Business

Colin Fraser, a pioneering cannabis entrepreneur from Silver Spring, has created the first cannabis delivery app in Maryland and the first Black-owned cannabis delivery app in the United States and Jamaica. Fraser, the founder of Upling, was declared the winner of the growth-stage round at DC Startup Week. The startup wants to make medical cannabis more accessible, especially for folks who have a hard time making it to a dispensary because of health issues. “We saw that it’s hard for those who are older or vets to get their medication,” Fraser said in a recent interview. “So when you talk about medical cannabis, it’s hard for them to go into the lines, stand up and get cannabis.” Funding amounts for both winners are typically announced immediately following the event, but the announcement for the growth stage was delayed due to a founder being unable to present during the main pitch event.

More on Colin Fraser and Upling: “With a passion for cannabis advocacy and a deep understanding of the plant’s medicinal properties, Fraser has played a vital role in shaping the legal cannabis landscape by testifying in Maryland for black and brown cannabis entrepreneurs to have equality in the legacy market, and holding the first cannabis round table with now governor Wes Moore. Recognizing the importance of giving back, Fraser actively supports initiatives aimed at social equity within the cannabis space. A cannabis entrepreneur who has overcome significant challenges as a returning citizen to make a lasting impact in the industry. With a steadfast determination and a passion for social justice.


Kensington

“I like to check to see how many top prizes are still out there for each game,” the Prince George’s County resident said. “It feels like I have a better shot at finding a big one.”

Before leaving home to meet friends, the 47-year-old frequent player noticed that Money Bag Multiplier, a $10 scratch-off game that debuted in April, still had one $100,000 top prize available. He also noted that three of the game’s $50,000 second-tier prizes had not yet been claimed.


Education

We recently shared with you a list of 16 Montgomery County Public Schools that were closed by the school system at one point in time, but have since reopened (some with new names). In this article, we’ll be providing you with a list of every MCPS school that has opened (or reopened) since 1985. The information comes directly from MCPS and the full list an be seen below:

1985


Germantown

Per MCDOT: “On Wednesday, November 8 starting at 6:30 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an online and in-person public information meeting about the concept designs for the Germantown Multimodal Improvements Study – Wisteria Drive in Germantown. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.

The Germantown Multimodal Improvements Study is a facility planning study of multimodal improvements, such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities safety and connectivity improvements, access improvements to nearby bus stops and the Germantown MARC train station, in Germantown. The limits of this project are from Great Seneca Highway to Germantown Road on Wisteria Drive and Middlebrook Road. This project will evaluate the safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists, facilities connectivity and access improvements, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus stops.


Beyond MoCo

Before he was LA Knight, one of the hottest superstars in professional wrestling today, Shaun Ricker was a kid growing up in Hagerstown, Maryland. He graduated from North Hagerstown High School (class of 2000), where he was in the band and ran track, but always dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler. On Saturday, he has his biggest match ever– taking on WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

Though he appears to be outspoken now, as his LA Knight persona has been compared to a modern-day version of Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Rock, Ricker remembers how different he was when he was growing up in Hagerstown. “I was a very shy kid, but I always wanted to be a performer. I was that kid that was so shy when I was at my grandma’s house, I would whisper in my mom or dad’s ear, ‘Could you ask her for a cookie?’ Those hand mixers, when I was a kid, I thought the metal mixer part looked like a microphone so I would take those, stand behind a door and I would sing and dance. I figured if I was behind a door, nobody would see me, nobody could hear me. It was like I was invisible.” he said in a since-archived interview with the Ottawa Citizen.


I-270

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a crash on northbound I-270 between exit 6B W. Montgomery Avenue and exit 8 Shady Grove Rd at approximately 10:30pm on Tuesday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer the crash involving at least one vehicle blocked some lanes. A dog riding in the car escaped from the vehicle, but was safely secured firefighters. There were no other injuries. Featured photo by @youcancallmenate on Instagram.


Crime

On October 31, 2023 at approximately 7:51 p.m. Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) responded to the unit block of Pebble Ridge Court for a robbery in progress.

According to Rockville Police, “the victims advised police a male rang the doorbell and forced entry into their home. After several minutes, the homeowner was able to force the suspect back outside, where a neighbor assisted in detaining the suspect until police arrived. The homeowners were unharmed. The 23-year-old suspect has been taken into custody and will be charged accordingly.”