WSSC Water lifted the recreational water contact health advisory for the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir, which was issued earlier this summer due to high levels of blue-green algae. The end of the health advisory follows two consecutive weeks of extensive monitoring and testing showing algal concentrations and potential toxins well below advisory thresholds. Recreational users can safely resume allowable activities at the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir only. The contact health advisory remains in effect for the Triadelphia Reservoir.
The Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett reservoirs, located along the Patuxent River in Montgomery, Prince George’s & Howard counties, serve as drinking water sources for WSSC Water and as a recreational area for hiking, fishing and boating. It is important to note that WSSC Water’s drinking water was not affected and continues to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Washington D.C. released a joint statement on Wednesday afternoon, recognizing Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for the acknowledgement of the attack on Israel and expressing anger and disappointment towards Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for its response. The full statement can be seen below:
“Over the last 72 hours, JCRC and ADL DC staff have worked tirelessly to communicate to local school systems the importance of acknowledging the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists and the profound trauma being experienced by Jewish students, parents, and employees. We thank the several school districts that have released some public statement. We wish to especially recognize Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school system in our region, for speaking with JCRC staff several times and for responding personally to parents as she can.
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival is coming to Montgomery County on November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland. Get ready to sip, sample, shop, and enjoy a full weekend of family-friendly fun!
Sip, Sample & Shop
Get ready to explore a festival floor filled with top chocolate makers, coffee roasters, bakeries, specialty food vendors, artisan brands and small businesses from across the region and beyond. Sample new flavors, meet the people behind the products and shop directly from the talented makers and businesses who created them.
Experience Chocolate History
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is a large-scale chocolate sculpture of George Washington on horseback, created by award-winning chocolate artist Paul Joachim.
The sculpture will be part of a special exhibit exploring chocolate’s place in early American history. Guests can see the sculpture up close, sample colonial-style drinking chocolate, and shop the exclusive Collector’s Heritage Box inspired by the historic drink. It’s a unique opportunity to experience chocolate through art, history, and taste all in one place.
Seminars, Demonstrations & More
Visit the Sip & Share Seminar Classroom for educational sessions and demonstrations throughout the weekend, all included with your festival admission. Explore topics ranging from ancestral cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the realities of starting a coffee business to craft chocolate and festival trivia. Learn directly from experts and makers as they share their knowledge, demonstrate their craft and offer a closer look at how their products are made.
Fun for All Ages
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival offers an experience the whole family can enjoy. Kids under 12 receive free admission with a ticketed adult and can get creative at our complimentary kids’ craft tables. Festival mascots Chunk & Bean will also be on-site for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities throughout the weekend. Families can even shop for Chunk & Bean plushies, children’s books and other kid-friendly items.
Whether you’re a serious chocolate lover, a coffee enthusiast, a foodie or simply looking for a fun fall outing, there’s something for everyone to see, taste, shop and enjoy.
Save on Tickets
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival Maryland Edition takes place November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland.
MoCo Show readers can use code MOCO10 at checkout to save 10% on online festival tickets. Grab your tickets and get ready to sip, sample and shop at one of the sweetest weekends of the fall!
A Metro contractor was stabbed in front of the Silver Spring Metro Station on Wednesday, October 11, around 5:20pm. Metro Transit Police reports 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.
We ❤️ Teachers 5K celebrates educators through movement. On race day, runners and walkers across the country will participate in host city races, school celebrations, and virtual events — all in support of teachers and educator wellness. We'll be in beautiful Wheaton Regional Park, Join Us!
Walk it. Run it. Move for the teacher who moved you.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith sentenced defendant, Zyier Brown, 19, of Washington D.C. to 30 years in prison suspend all but 13 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. On September 28th, 2023, Judge Smith sentenced a co-defendant, Victor Noel, 17, of Upper Marlboro to 30 years in prison suspend all but 11 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.
Each co-defendant pleaded guilty earlier this year to two armed carjackings and use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence. This stems from two incidents: the armed carjacking of an Uber driver along the 15000 block of Shady Grove Rd. in Rockville on October 25th, 2022, and the armed carjacking of a man driving a Toyota Corolla along the 7800 block of Guildberry Court in Gaithersburg on November 14th, 2022. Immediately after the November 14th carjacking, the defendants crashed the Corolla following a high-speed police pursuit on I-270.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) announced this week that the County is making a $900,000 commitment to help protect nonprofit organizations that have experienced or are at high risk of experiencing hate crimes. OEMHS will administer the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Nonprofit Security Grant that organizations can use to help reduce security expenses.
Nonprofit organizations can request up to $20,000 per facility and funds must be expended over a 12-month period. Eligible organizations include nonprofit community service providers, houses of worship or other faith-based organizations with facilities located in the County.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Investigative Section have arrested 19-year-old Nicholas Zavala-Aguilar of Germantown and charged him with the residential shooting that occurred on Monday, October 9, 2023, in the 7900 block of Spiceberry Circle in Gaithersburg. Detectives have released surveillance video of the shooting and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying additional suspects.
At approximately 9:55 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the location for the report of shots fired. The investigation has revealed that the suspects arrived at the location in an unknown model white SUV. While the vehicle was traveling in the parking lot, the front passenger fired multiple rounds from the vehicle. The suspects then drove away and left the scene. No injuries were reported. The gunfire struck one apartment and three vehicles in the parking lot. Shell casings were recovered from the scene.
Montgomery County Police is conducting a death investigation after an incident that occurred Wednesday morning in Gaithersburg. According to police, “On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at approximately 9:36 a.m., MCPD and Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 17100 block of Downing Street for a vehicle on fire. The initial investigation has determined that an adult male was located deceased inside the vehicle.
The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, where an autopsy will be conducted to officially determine the cause and manner of death. Preliminarily, no foul play is suspected, and there is no known threat to the public. This is an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Cordell Pugh (@CordellTraffic).
Last year, we let you know that Pines of Rome, a Bethesda staple for over 50 years, tabbed WashUrban to spearhead their first ever search for a second location. In June, we reported that Pines of Rome has found a home for its newest venture, Pines of Rome Express. It will be located at 121B Congressional Lane– the former home of Congressional Deli, a representative from the restaurant confirmed. The new restaurant is located beside/behind Mykonos Grill and near Bed Bath& Beyond. A representative from Pines of Rome in Bethesda let us know today that the restaurant will open in “maybe 10 days.”
The original restaurant, which will remain open, is located at 4918 Cordell Ave. in Bethesda. Pines of Rome moved to the location in 2017 and was previously located at 4709 Hampden Lane, opening in 1972. The restaurant is known for its extremely popular white pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, and other traditional Italian dishes. The express version will focus on carry-out and delivery.
The curtain is rising on fall theater productions throughout the school system, at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run into early 2023. From “Shrek” and “Mamma Mia” to “Radium Girls” and “Lavender,” an original work by a 2023 Albert Einstein High School graduate, there’s something for everyone. Full list below, courtesy of MCPS:
