Germantown

La Casita in Germantown to Close

By Patrick Herron

La Casita at 18058 Mateny Rd in Germantown has announced it will be closing on July 31. The restaurant tells us the decision was made “due to lease negotiations and our decision to open Laurel, we decided not to move forward.”

La Casita was founded in Montgomery County when the Silver Spring location opened in 2002 and currently has locations in Gaithersburg, Nationals Park & Union Market District. Last week, La Casita announced plans to open a new location in Laurel, MD. Per La Casita on social media, “We have a very special announcement to make (and please pardon our dust 👷🏽‍♂️)…a brand new La Casita Pupuseria is coming to Laurel, MD! Yes, we are super excited to finally be able to reveal after a long project that hopefully by Fall 2023 we will be able to serve the greater Laurel area right on Baltimore Ave.”

Go to La Casita in Germantown to Close Read more
MCPD

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 16-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old. Ramos Perez Age, 16, was last seen on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Metro Station. Perez is 5’4″, 125 lbs, with black hair and black eyes. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, black shirt and white Nike shoes with a blue check.

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

Go to Police and Family Concerned for Missing 16-Year-Old Read more
Bethesda

Guapo’s Bethesda Has Reopened After Temporarily Closing For Renovations

By MCS Staff

Popular local restaurant chain Guapo’s has just reopened its Bethesda location at 8130 Wisconsin Avenue after a brief closure for renovations. The restaurant announced that the Bethesda location is open again as of Tuesday, July 18th. Guapo’s has an additional Montgomery County location in Gaithersburg at Rio Lakefront.

Late owner Hector Rincón, originally from Colombia, opened the original Guapo’s in Tenleytown in DC in the early 90s. Per Guapo’s, the Rincon family arrived in Virginia in the late 1970’s. All four children graduated from Fairfax County schools and universities and continued to invest in their community. They believed that their businesses should provide opportunity and pride to demonstrate the dedication to their hometown and the metropolitan area. Now their children continue the same aspirations as their grandparents did when they arrived over 30 years ago.

Go to Guapo’s Bethesda Has Reopened After Temporarily Closing For Renovations Read more
Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Council Introduced to Proposed Ordinances That Would Include Marijuana in Same Restrictions Applied to Smoking

By MCS Staff

Proposed ordinances to amend Chapters 15A of the City Code to apply restrictions to the use of marijuana, including but not limited to the same restrictions that now apply to smoking, were introduced to the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council at last night’s regular session. Per the City of Gaithersburg, this has become necessary since Maryland State voters in the 2022 elections approved the use of cannabis, including marijuana, in small amounts for more than medical purposes.

The proposed ordinance would amend Section 15A-1, establishing restrictions in City parks, by adding cannabis and marijuana to the definitions.  The proposal would also amend Sections 15A-7 to add cannabis and marijuana to current restrictions on tobacco and controlled substances to sell or distribute and package or transport with the intent to sell or distribute cannabis and marijuana, while Section 15A-8 also specifies that smoking and vaping of cannabis, unlike tobacco, is also prohibited.

Go to Gaithersburg Council Introduced to Proposed Ordinances That Would Include Marijuana in Same Restrictions Applied to Smoking Read more
Health

Governor Wes Moore Announces Appointments to Office of Social Equity and Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland (7.17.23): Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of Audrey L. Johnson as Acting Executive Director of the Office of Social Equity and Courtney Davis as Deputy Director. Johnson’s nomination will be submitted to the Senate for confirmation during the 2024 Legislative Session. The Office of Social Equity, an independent agency established by the Cannabis Reform Act of 2023, is charged with providing resources and support for historically disadvantaged individuals and businesses seeking to enter the adult-use cannabis market. The vital responsibilities of the office include implementing technical assistance programs for qualifying social equity applicants and licensees, reviewing regulations and laws through an economic equity and social justice lens, and supporting key programs including the Community Repair and Reinvestment Fund and the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund.

“Acting Executive Director Johnson and Deputy Director Davis are exceptionally talented and committed leaders who have dedicated their professional careers to eliminating barriers to economic opportunity and promoting social justice,” said Gov. Moore. “We were very thoughtful and intentional in selecting the leadership of this agency, and I have full confidence in their ability to ensure that social equity and economic inclusion remain key pillars of Maryland’s adult-use cannabis industry.”

Go to Governor Wes Moore Announces Appointments to Office of Social Equity and Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council Read more
MoCo Government

Longest-Serving County Attorney Marc Hansen Has Died

By Patrick Herron

Former Montgomery County Attorney Marc Hansen passed away on July 15. Hansen worked for the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for 37, including 12 years as County Attorney. Hansen was born in 1946 in Kankakee, Illinois and attended MacMurray College, Washington University, and American University. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released the following statement on Monday:

“Montgomery County today lost a kind and passionate long-time resident who devoted much of his life to public service with our County Government. Marc Hansen worked in the County Attorney’s Office for 37 years, including the last twelve as the County Attorney. He retired in January 2022, as the longest-serving County Attorney. Over almost four decades, multiple County Executives, dozens of County Council members, and thousands of County colleagues relied on his advice and guidance.

Go to Longest-Serving County Attorney Marc Hansen Has Died Read more
Takoma Park

Happening Today: Update on DDOT’s Plans For Fort Totten/Takoma’s Leg of Metropolitan Branch Trail Construction

By MCS Staff

In April 2022, MWCOG awarded the City of Takoma Park a  grant to start the process to upgrade the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) to meet current standards for safe, comfortable, and connected bikeways. The $60,000 grant will fund technical assistance for preliminary designs work on the trail. Possible improvements could include resurfacing and widening the trail, adding lighting for evening riding, creating new pedestrian crossings to nearby parks and community institutions, and more.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual project meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM to discuss the status of the Metropolitan Branch Train Project (MBT). DDOT will present an overview of the project and discuss project features and milestones. This segment of the trail will connect with Takoma Park’s half-mile of the MBT, currently undergoing a redesign process of its own. (More information on the Takoma Park section is available on the city’s project page.)

Go to Happening Today: Update on DDOT’s Plans For Fort Totten/Takoma’s Leg of Metropolitan Branch Trail Construction Read more
Beyond MoCo

Six Defendants Charged as Part of Criminal Organization that Distributed Large Amounts of Fentanyl and was Responsible for Multiple Overdoses throughout Maryland Plead Guilty 

By Patrick Herron

On July 10, 2023, Maleik Christopher Moody, 28, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to several charges before Judge Mary M. Kramer of the Howard County Circuit Court, including participating in a criminal organization, knowingly distributing fentanyl, and the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Moody was sentenced to 30 years of incarceration, with all but 10 years suspended, and will serve the first five years of that sentence without the possibility of parole. Moody was the last remaining defendant to be sentenced among the six charged in this investigation. All other defendants had previously pleaded guilty.

The case originated from an investigation by the Howard County Police Department into a nonfatal opioid overdose that occurred in its jurisdiction. The continued investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit, the Howard County Police Department, and the Strike Force 7 Group, led by the Maryland State Police, linked the overdose to as many as six additional overdoses in Maryland and Virginia, including at least one fatal overdose. During the investigation, detectives seized more than one kilogram of fentanyl and six handguns, observed hundreds of hand-to-hand drug transactions in multiple jurisdictions, and intercepted communications confirming the distribution of large amounts of fentanyl throughout Maryland.

Go to Six Defendants Charged as Part of Criminal Organization that Distributed Large Amounts of Fentanyl and was Responsible for Multiple Overdoses throughout Maryland Plead Guilty  Read more
MCPS

Various MoCo Schools Make The Washington Post’s “Best High School Sports Program” Lists

By MCS Staff

The Washington Post recently released a list of the area’s top high school sports programs, assigning points to schools in various categories, including end of season ranking for teams, All-Met student athletes, player/coach of the year awards, state tournament results, and championships. Montgomery County Schools took six of ten spots in the Maryland Public School category, and six of 20 spots in the Private School categories which included schools in the entire DC Metropolitan region, but were split into two separate lists for boys and girls athletics.

Montgomery County public schools listed in the top 10 for Maryland include, Whitman (155 points), Churchill (153 points), Poolesville (135 points), Sherwood (129 points), Damascus (124 points), and Quince Orchard (122 points). Montgomery County private schools in the girls category include Stone Ridge (176 points), Good Counsel (144 points), and Bullis (78 points). Montgomery County private schools on the boys side include, Georgetown Prep (233 points), Landon (208 points), and Bullis (119 points). Full lists can be seen here.

Go to Various MoCo Schools Make The Washington Post’s “Best High School Sports Program” Lists Read more
DMV

Unhealthy Code Orange Air Forecast for Tuesday, July 18 for D.C. region

By MCS Staff

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Tuesday, July 18. Smoke coming from wildfires in Canada will contribute to the increased levels of fine particle pollution. The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with heart or lung disease.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG’s website or the Clean Air Partners website.

Go to Unhealthy Code Orange Air Forecast for Tuesday, July 18 for D.C. region Read more
Crime

50 Year Sentence for Defendant in Fatal Stabbing Outside Germantown Extended Stay

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney sentenced defendant, Kyle Noble, to 60 years in prison suspend all but 50 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.” Noble was convicted last month on charges of second-degree murder and armed robbery for the death and robbery of 31-year-old Efrain Arias.

This stems from an incident on September 15th 2019, when the defendant, Noble, confronted Efrain Arias as Arias exited a vehicle in the parking lot of the Extended Stay America hotel on Milestone Center Drive in Germantown. Noble chased the victim down a hill into a field near the parking lot, fatally stabbed him, then came back and robbed the dying victim of personal property. As stated by the prosecutors in court, the attack was fueled by drug-seeking behavior and a jealous rage, as the victim was a friend of the defendant’s ex-girlfriend.

Go to 50 Year Sentence for Defendant in Fatal Stabbing Outside Germantown Extended Stay Read more
View More Stories