Gaithersburg

Police and Family Concerened for Missing 17-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Eliu Vesquez Funes, a missing 17-year-old from Gaithersburg. Funes was last seen on Friday, April 21, 2023, at approximately 12 p.m., in the 400 block of Muddy Branch Road. Funes is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown eyes, brown hair and wears glasses. It is unknown what clothing she was last seen wearing. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Eliu Vesquez Funes is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Maryland

Governor Wes Moore Announces Expansion of EBT Card Fraud Reimbursements

By Patrick Herron

Under the new law, Maryland will extend the reimbursement eligibility period by 21 months. The General Assembly approved $1.8 million in state general funds for the upcoming state fiscal year for reimbursing adults and families whose claims were previously denied and are now eligible. Approximately 1,095 additional households will become eligible to recover more than $826,000 in previously reported stolen cash and food assistance benefit payments. Previously, the department could only reimburse EBT benefits stolen by fraud dating back to Oct. 1, 2022.

“It’s an egregious act to steal from someone who most needs help—we believe the way Maryland is responding will not just set the tone for this state, but for the country,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “Not only does this new state law expand stolen benefit reimbursement eligibility, it helps our department with the tools we need to strengthen EBT card security and decrease EBT fraud.”

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Gaithersburg

Update on MoCo’s First Sheetz

By Patrick Herron

Construction is ongoing at the site of Montgomery County’s first Sheetz at 751 Progress Way, which will be located at Progress Labs off of N. Frederick Rd (355) in Gaithersburg. Progress Labs, which began construction in summer 2021, is a 44-acre property that directly fronts I-270 at the Montgomery Village Avenue exit and is located next door to the 300,000 square foot FedEx Ground facility, just south of the new Watkins Mill Interchange. Progress Labs will also be home to a new Chick-Fil-a, which is nearing completion and expected to open this summer. No opening date for Sheetz has been announced.

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MCFRS

Vehicle Driven Into Papa John’s in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

An SUV was driven into Papa John’s at College Plaza in Rockville (near Montgomery College Rockville) on Tuesday, April 25 around 10pm. There were no serious injuries and a building inspector was notified. Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer reminds residents that “Papa John’s delivers and there is no need to drive-in for carry out.” We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “(~10p 4/25) 15100blk Frederick Av, near College Parkway, Rockville, collision, vehicle into bldg, @mcfrs RS703 & others responded, building inspector notified @MCFRSNews”

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DC Sports

First Maryland/Virginia Football Game In A Decade Will Be Played On A Friday

By MCS Staff

The Maryland Terrapins will play the Virginia Cavaliers in a non-conference matchup for the first time since 2013. The Terms edged the Cavaliers 27-26 in that meeting and lead the series between the two neighboring state schools, 44-32-2. Their game for the upcoming season, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 16th, has now been moved to Friday, September 15th, both schools announced.

The University of Maryland will is coming off of its most successful season since joining the Big Ten in 2014. The football team went 8-5, winning at least 8 games for the first time since Ralph Friedgen helped guide the Terps to a 9-4 record in 2010. Virginia is coming off of a 3-7 record, the school’s first losing record in five years. Virginia’s biggest win last season came on the road against Georgia Tech, winning 16-9, while Maryland capped off its season with a 16-12 Mayo Bowl victory against North Carolina State. The Terps have won back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2002-2003. Season tickets for Maryland Football can be purchased for as low as $99 here.

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Dickerson

MCFRS Respond to Fire Caused by Improperly Discarded Smoking Materials Early Wednesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire in the 22000 block of Dickerson Rd, near Dickerson Church Rd and Big Woods Rd in Dickerson on Wednesday, April 26 around 2am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials on the front porch. A smoke alarm alerted residents and they evacuated safely.

Damage is estimated to be $15K and there were no injuries reported.

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Kensington

The Second Oldest Active Train Station in the Country is in MoCo

By MCS Staff

Kensington Station, located at 10417 Howard Avenue, is the second-oldest active train station in the United States (the B&O Ellicott City Station is the oldest). Kensington station was built in 1891 and was originally called Knowles Station, named for George Knowles whose farm was subdivided to create much of the Town of Kensington today. The station was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) and the Kensington station is currently served by MARC Train’s Brunswick Line. There are fifteen weekday scheduled stops at Kensington station, as well as one flag stop scheduling on Fridays.

The station has a former B&O station master’s house and the building is open during the Kensington Farmers Market, which is held in the station parking lot. Inside there is an old stove, waiting area, and restrooms. Tickets can be purchased from a self-service machine. Per the Town of Kensington website, “For just 35 cents Washingtonians could ditch their horse and buggies and take an 11-mile trip out to Kensington from DC’s Union Station.”

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Takoma Park

Takoma Park to Hold “SweeperStakes” Naming Contest

By MCS Staff
Conceptual symbol of multiracial human hands making a circle on white background with a copy space in the middle

The City of Takoma Park is hosting an EV Sweeper Open House this Thursday, April 27, at 10:00 am at the Community Center at 7500 Maple Avenue to launch the naming contest “SweeperStakes.” Per the event: Come mingle with Mayor Searcy, Councilmembers, and the former Mayor Kate Stewart and former Councilmembers. The EV Sweeper was purchased through Atlantic Machinery, and Sales Rep. Trevor Gardner will be on hand to answer questions.

The City has recently purchased a RAVO 5 Series electric sweeper and wants to give residents a chance to name the sweeper. The winner of the contest will have the opportunity:

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Burtonsville

Burtonsville Crossing Groundbreaking Celebration to Take Place on Friday, April 28

By MCS Staff

EDENS will hold a community plaza groundbreaking on Friday, April 28 at noon. “Please join EDENS and special guests in celebration of our groundbreaking for the new community plaza area at Burtonsville Crossing, plus announcements and updates on our progress.” – EDENS. A new tenant has also signed on at the shopping center– Domain Fitness Center (additional information in the post below).

Construction began on the redevelopment of the Burtonsville Shopping Center a couple months back. Approximately 7,600 square feet of existing retail is in the process of being demolished with that retail square footage being turned into two new pad sites with drive- thrus. There will also be improvements to open space, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian circulation. Video of recent construction is available below, by Larry Jones of the Burtonsville, MD Facebook group.

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Gaithersburg

Opening Information for TaKorean in Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, has announced it will hold its soft opening on Thursday, May 4. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:30am and TaKorean will be offering free food for guests from 11am to 2pm. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls with options including chicken/Dak Halbi, steak/Bulgogi, pork/Bo Ssam, and tofu/Hoisin. This will be TaKoreans first location outside of D.C.

According to RestaurantDive, TaKorean is currently looking to open one restaurant at a time with future franchisees, and wants to ensure success at its initial franchise locations to create a strong base for a burgeoning franchise program. The company is open to multi-unit deals, but isn’t seeking them out. TaKorean is currently casting a wide net for potential markets, and once it sees brand recognition and franchisee interest in a particular market, it expects to build up that area, Lenard said. TaKorean is flexible on potential restaurant sizes, depending on a market’s real estate conditions.

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MCFRS

MCFRS Respond to “Hit and Run” Tuesday Evening in Olney

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a hit and run involving a vehicle and utility poles at the intersection of Bird Road and Batchelor’s Forest Road in Olney around 7:30pm on Tuesday, April 25. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the road will be closed for a significant amount of time due the damaged utility poles and “live” wires down. We will post an update when additional information is available.

Hit and run – 17942 Dr. Bird road. Road will be closed for a significant amount of time. @mcfrs @mcfrsPIO pic.twitter.com/8n7BalTHB1

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