Gaithersburg

The City of Gaithersburg is in the process of developing a 9.54-acre park with parking, community gardens, a bicycle skills course (pump track), open space, pavilions, a playground, fitness pods, and a welcome plaza. Originally scheduled to be completed February 2023, there have been some delays. While a new completion date is not yet available, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it completed this summer (video and photos of the progress available below, courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg).

A new parking lot will be constructed at the park’s west boundary. Vehicular access to the park will be through the drive that extends from Darnestown Road. Pedestrians will be able to access the site from Darnestown Road via a path that will be located parallel to the access drive into the park. Pedestrians will also be able to access the park from Marsh Lane. A Ride-On bus stop is located on Darnestown Road at the park entrance.


Beyond MoCo

Millard House II, formerly Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, will take the helm of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) on July 1. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced his appointment Wednesday during a news conference at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building.

House led Houston ISD for two years, ending his tenure in the nation’s eighth-largest district earlier this month. He previously served as director of schools for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) in Tennessee, chief operating officer of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina and deputy superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma. House founded and led a college preparatory middle school in one of Tulsa’s most economically underserved neighborhoods and served as executive consultant and executive director of New Leaders for New Schools.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police have arrested two people who were indicted Monday on charges associated with the deaths of six highway construction workers following a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on March 22, 2023 on Interstate 695 in Baltimore County.

Lisa Adrienne Lea, 54, of Randallstown, Maryland, has been indicted on six counts of manslaughter, six counts of negligent homicide, six counts of causing the death of a vulnerable individual while operating a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, conducting an unsafe lane change, speeding, failure to control speed to avoid a collision, following a vehicle too closely, negligent driving and aggressive driving. She surrendered this morning at the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack, where she is being processed.


Event

Join Us for StoryBox Comics Fair, a two-day festival celebrating local and independent comics authors!

Day 1 – Saturday, June 27th, 11-5pm @ DwightMess compound (805 Silver Spring Ave): Events are open to the public, admission is FREE. Featuring Special Guest Artists, gallery exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, a modeling session (suggested donation) and exhibitors, you can dig in to indie comics and also tour the compound, which features an extensive comics collection, a rare video collection, Risograph and screenprinting studios.


Gaithersburg

The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of the Attorney General today released its interim investigative report of the July 20, 2022, fatal officer-involved shooting in Montgomery County.

On July 20, 2022, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Domenic Mash along with nine other task force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Hamed Ghorouni Delcheh in Gaithersburg. The officers located Mr. Delcheh inside a townhome and positioned themselves outside. After several minutes, according to officers, Mr. Delcheh threw a large kitchen knife out of the home’s front window, then jumped out himself and picked up the knife. One officer deployed his Taser, but Mr. Delcheh was able to run up the street past Deputy Mash, who began following him. According to witnesses, Mr. Delcheh then turned toward Deputy Mash with the large kitchen knife raised. Deputy Mash fired at Mr. Delcheh, striking him. Officers provided medical aid until paramedics arrived, but Mr. Delcheh died on scene. A second man was also shot and taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No officers were injured.


Maryland

Kassie Cardona, a pupil personnel worker (PPW) at John F. Kennedy High School, has been named 2022-2023 Maryland State PPW of the Year.

Colleagues say she is a compassionate, dedicated and knowledgeable staff member, which has earned her a reputation as the go-to PPW with the answers. With a background as an ESOL counselor, Cardona is a strong advocate for equality for students and families, and she also works to build strong relationships and partnerships between schools and the community. She has worked with a number of organizations outside the school system, which have provided services to the Hispanic community. She has advocated at the state level for more inpatient resources to help teens with substance abuse issues.


Rockville

Per the City of Rockville: The city is seeking comments about a study of the intersection of Fleet Street and Wootton Parkway.

The intersection is one of five where city staff recently completed safety audits and is proposing improvements, to be made this summer and fall, to address crashes. Staff evaluated traffic patterns; pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle counts; crash history; and intersection geometry. Improving intersections and crossings are key action items in the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.


Arts

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Gospel music, the uniquely American art form that gave rise to jazz, blues, R&B, and rock & roll, will be celebrated to the highest as the City presents the 17thAnnual Jubilation Day Gospel Concert. The Concert Pavilion at City Hall will host performances of all styles of Gospel, Christian & uplifting music by local & regional artists. The event will also feature an acknowledgement of the upcoming Juneteenth Holiday.

Admission to Jubilation Day is free. Make a day of it by getting a meal at one of the area restaurants, bring a picnic, or purchase from on-site vendor Heavenly Wings. Gaithersburg’s Concert Pavilion is located at 31 South Summit Avenue in front of City Hall. The outdoor venue features lawn seating with limited chairs. Please feel free to bring your own low chair or blanket. The celebration will also feature crafts for purchase and giveaway drawings for fun prizes. Winners must be present.


Bethesda

Three staff members have been honored with 2022–2023 Counselor of the Year awards. The trio—one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels—were recognized at the June 6 Board of Education business meeting.

The three have one thing in common—they don’t work alone. They all say their success would not have been possible without the support of their colleagues. As one said simply, “When we work as a team, everyone thrives.” The 2022–2023 Counselors of the Year are:


MCPS

Last month Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced new guidance when responding to medical emergencies in schools for suspected opioid overdoses. The new regulation includes detailed guidance on naloxone (also known by its brand name, Narcan), its use, and access in MCPS schools. Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects due to an opioid overdose. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

This action is part of a series of efforts the school system is undertaking to combat the rise in youth overdose cases across the county. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.


Education

Per MCPS: All MCPS schools and offices are open on time. Before and After school childcare programs and Community Use occur as scheduled.

From 7pm, Wednesday, June 7th: Due to unhealthy air conditions as a result of wildfires in Canada, all outdoor recess will be canceled for Thursday, June 8. Athletics will operate under guidelines similar to heat index warnings, which include primarily indoor activities and increased monitoring of athletes. Field trips may need to be rescheduled or modified depending on the location and extent of outdoor activity. Adjustments could be made to outdoor graduations and will be communicated by individual schools. Any modifications to this guidance will be communicated as conditions continue to be monitored.