Crime

Per Gaithersburg Police: On June 06, 2023 at 10:30 p.m., an officer assigned to the Gaithersburg Police Department – Community Action Team was conducting focused enforcement in the area of the 200 block of Professional Drive. At that time, the officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation, and initiated a traffic stop.

During the course of the traffic stop, a narcotics detecting K9 responded to conduct a drug scan of the vehicle. After receiving a positive indication from the K9 for the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a search of the vehicle was conducted resulting in the discovery of a loaded handgun under the driver seat and 18 vacuum sealed bags of marijuana in a mini backpack from the rear passenger seat. The driver, 44-years-old, male from Montgomery Village, MD was arrested and transported to the Central Processing Unit for processing and formal charging. The passenger, 37-years-old, female from Rockville, MD was also arrested on outstanding warrants from another county.


MCPS

Last year, Winston Churchill High School in Potomac celebrated Jeff Fritz’s 300th victory as head boys lacrosse coach at the school and became the first Montgomery County lacrosse team (boys or girls) to ever win a State Championship. Following another successful season in 2023, Coach Fritz has announced that he’ll be stepping down as coach.

Churchill boys lacrosse won the 2022 Maryland 4A State Championship, after defeating Anne Arundel County powerhouse Broadneck 15-7 in the championship. This stories season was memorable for many reasons, as coach Fritz was celebrated for winning his 300th game. Churchill welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember and alumnus Andrew Friedson to the school’s game against Sherwood High School. At halftime Councilmember Friedson presented his old lacrosse coach with a Proclamation from Montgomery County for Coach Fritz’s 300th career win. Churchill boys lacrosse finished 13-0 in 2022.


Poolesville

Per the Town of Poolesville: As summer approaches and dry conditions persist, many homeowners turn to watering lawns. Water department staff have reported significant lawn watering and increased usage, which can place a strain on Poolesville’s well system. Currently, we have two wells out of service testing for PFAS removal and are working on adding filtration units. Typical water usage is around 550,000 gallons per day, which our system can easily handle. Recently, water usage has increased to about 700,000 gallons per day.

Poolesville water system customers should “limit non-essential” water usage. The Town is anticipating increased water demand as a result of increased temperatures and forecasted dry conditions. We ask that residents minimize outdoor watering throughout the summer months and until the two out of service wells can be reinstated. Water Conservation Tips.


Maryland

Per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Graduations and school dismissals anglers are setting our younger anglers free to spend more time outdoors. Be sure to carve out time for some fishing adventures in Maryland’s varied waters.

Maryland will host the second of three license-free fishing days June 10. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland for recreational purposes without an angler’s license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the Department of Natural Resources. All other fishing laws and regulations will apply on those days. Maryland’s free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and the Fourth of July. Ask a neighbor or friend who doesn’t fish to join you and pick up this great pastime.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland (6.8.23): Today, Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order to promote Maryland’s economic future through the creation of the Maryland Economic Council. The council will be the command center for analysis and recommendations for the Moore-Miller Administration to effectively implement economic policies that achieve growth, diversify our workforce, and merge our state’s assets and growing industries.

“For too long, Maryland has underutilized its assets because it lacked a cohesive economic strategy. This council will change that,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “The Maryland Economic Council will help build the robust economic strategy our state needs and our state deserves. For the next decade to be Maryland’s decade, we must invest in the infrastructure, technology, and workforce to grow the industries that will dominate the next half century of the world economy.”


Gaithersburg

Red Door Escape Room is opening its 14th location at 125 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront Shopping Center today. The Grand opening event will take place on Friday, June 9th from 6pm-8pm. “We are excited to bring the Red Door Escape Room experience to all of our guests and cannot wait to get involved in the local community surrounding Gaithersburg,” said CEO Nick Madden.

“At Red Door Escape Room, we combine technology and puzzles to create a truly collaborative and mentally-stimulating experience for families, friends, and coworkers alike. We want our guests to successfully decipher the codes and complete the challenges; but more importantly, we want them to talk and laugh about their experience on the ride home.”


Education

Last month, MCPS held the first Job Interview Day in collaboration with Career Council/National Hispanic College Fairs, Inc. The event offered 60 graduating seniors from 14 high schools an opportunity to interview with a variety of companies that operate locally.

The following companies participated in the event: MCPS, the Washington Commanders, Montgomery County 911, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, Coldwell Banker Realty, Mentoring Path, Inc., the Maryland Department of Labor, WorkSource Montgomery (including the Latin American Youth Center) and Mr. George’s Driving School, which offers commercial driver’s license training classes. Students participated in a minimum of four interviews.


Gaithersburg

Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen at 229 Boardwalk Pl. in Gaithersburg opens today, Friday, June 9. Miss Toya’s is located in the 2,741SF space that was previously occupied by BGR and will serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and a southern fried chicken sandwich.

The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio will be a fast-casual restaurant, while the Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.). Hours of operation (dinner only for now): Sunday – Thursday  4pm- 10pm, Friday and Saturday 4pm- 11pm.


Olney

Last September we let you know that Smoothie King will be opening an Olney location at the Olney Village Center. It will be taking over the 980 SF space that was previously home to Party USA at 18151 Village Center Drive, between IHOP and Pho & Grill. Smoothie King opened earlier this week.

Since taking the helm, owner/CEO Wan Kim has led efforts to transform the brand’s menu from being packed with sugar and artificial flavors and colors to being health-conscious and packed with whole fruits and organic, non-GMO ingredients. The main focus is not only giving Smoothie King guests the ability to customize smoothies according to their preferences, Kim says, but pushing  their product to more closely align with a healthier, active lifestyle.


Arts

The National Theatre has presented the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards for excellence in high school musical theatre, a regional partner of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®), also known as The Jimmy Awards®. The awards program is named in honor of Brandon Victor Dixon, a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award nominee originally from Gaithersburg. Dixon recently portrayed Terry Silver on the STARZ hit series ‘Power.’

The award for Best Actor went to Ian Rubin, a senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, for his work in Matilda The Musical. Per the MD Theatre Guide website, Ian is honored to be nominated for best actor for his performance as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical. In the fall, Ian will be attending the University of Michigan where he will be pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of his favorite credits include Young Artists of America’s Cabaret (Emcee), A Chorus Line (Mike), Into the Woods (Wolf); WCHS’ senior showcase production of The Last Five Years (Jamie), and Ovations Theatre Spring Awakening (Moritz). Ian currently studies voice with Thomas Pedersen and dances at City Dance Conservatory.