Takoma Park

Arrest Made for Strong Arm Robbery and Assault on a Police Officer

By Patrick Herron

Per the Takoma Park Police Department: Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrest of Ronald Miranda-Montoya, 30, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for strong-arm robbery, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, failure to obey and disorderly conduct.

On April 23, at approximately 2:46 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the victim’s residence for the report of a strong-arm robbery that occurred earlier in the 900 block of East West Highway. The victim exited an establishment when he was approached by Miranda-Montoya demanding property from him. The victim did not comply and Miranda-Montoya assaulted him and took the property. Officers later found Miranda-Montoya at a bus stop where he became hostile towards officers. Miranda-Montoya was placed under arrest after resisting and assaulting officers.

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg’s Housing Element Public Forums Scheduled for May 4

By MCS Staff

The City of Gaithersburg will host two virtual public forums on May 4, 2023, where staff will present the draft Housing Element of the City’s Master Plan. These forums will take place from noon to 1 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., and will include Spanish and English real-time closed captioning options. During these events, staff will discuss the contents and recommendations of the Housing Element and answer questions from participants. The day and evening forums include the same information. No registration is required; simply use the following links to join:

The Housing Element is required, at a minimum, to address the need for affordable housing. The City’s draft Housing Element also discusses other facets of housing and includes goals and recommendations meant to address future housing needs in the City. The Joint Public Hearing on the draft Housing Element is on June 5, 2023. Further information is available on the Housing Element project page.

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MCPS

MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight Will Address the Rise of Racism and Hate Incidents in MCPS

By MCS Staff

MCPS has sent out a letter informing the community of an event that will take place this week that will see superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight address the rise of racism and hate incidents in MCPS:

“Dear MCPS Community, The rise of incidents of hate, bias, racism, antisemitism, and LGBTQ+ prejudice has grown significantly over recent months. In an address on Thursday, April 27, Superintendent Dr. McKnight will speak to this issue and its impact on the county’s children and school system. The superintendent will characterize the problem, issue a collective call to action and announce actions the school district will take moving forward.”

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Germantown

Montgomery County Executive Elrich Holding ‘Community Conversations’ to Talk About Long-term Priorities and FY 2025 CIP Budget April 24, in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is holding “community conversations” at sites around the County in April and May to talk about long-term priorities and how he will address the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. There will be an event for the UpCounty area from 7-8:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Monday, April 24, at the Sidney Kramer UpCounty Regional Services Office

The Sidney Kramer UpCounty Regional Services Office is located at 12900 Middlebrook Rd, Suite 1000, in Germantown.

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Fairland

Update: Four Children and One Adult Injured After Collision Involving School Bus Monday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a collision involving a Montgomery County Public Schools bus on Monday, April 24, around 9:30am in the 13000 block of Old Columbia Pike in Fairland.

Four children (initially reported as five) and the driver were on the bus at the time of the collision. According to MCPD, “one child was extricated from the bus, but everyone was transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries” The ages of the children have not yet been released. According to a report, the bus was traveling to Fairland Elementary School.

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Rockville

Paris Baguette To Open Rockville Town Square Location This Week

By Patrick Herron

Paris Baguette, “the neighborhood bakery café where communities come together over expertly crafted baked and brewed goods,” has announced it will hold the grand opening of its Rockville Town Square location at 101 Gibbs Street on Friday, April 28. Paris Baguette offers cakes, gourmet sandwiches, salads, and an assortment of baked goods such as croissants and donuts.

The company detailed its expansion plans back in August: “Paris Baguette currently operates in 14 states with a focus on expanding to a nationwide footprint in top-tier markets through a combined strategic approach of corporate-owned and franchise locations; franchise agreements have been signed to expand across 25 states. “The increased interest we’ve seen in franchise agreements and rapid expansion through new store openings at Paris Baguette is a testament to the success we’ve seen by focusing on the elevated bakery café experience and creating an emotional connection with our guests,” said Darren Tipton, Chief Executive Officer, Paris Baguette America. “We set an aggressive goal to open 1,000 locations in the U.S. by 2030 and we’re on track to exceed this plan with strategic direction on growth, quality products, customer experience, and innovation.”

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Fairland

MCFRS Respond to Collision Involving School Bus Monday Morning; Five Children and One Adult Transported With Non-Life Threating Injuries

By Patrick Herron

2pm Update: Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a collision involving a Montgomery County Public Schools bus on Monday, April 24, around 9:30am in the 13000 block of Old Columbia Pike in Fairland.

Four children (initially reported as five) and the driver were on the bus at the time of the collision. According to MCPD, “one child was extricated from the bus, but everyone was transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries” The ages of the children have not yet been released. According to a report, the bus was traveling to Fairland Elementary School.

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Crime

Shoplifting Arrest Leads to Discovery of Fentanyl-Laced OxyContin Pills

By MCS Staff

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department announced the arrest of Ever Umanzor-Martinez, 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland, for Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Oxycontin pills laced with suspected Fentanyl, as well as shoplifting.

On April 22, at approximately 3:50 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of University Blvd., Takoma Park, Maryland (Walgreens), for the report of a shoplifting in progress.  Officers arrived and made contact with Umanzor-Martinez.  After a search incident to arrest, Umanzor-Martinez was found to be in possession of CDS Oxycontin pills laced with suspected Fentanyl. Umanzor-Martinez was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged accordingly. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Bethesda

HalfSmoke Closes Baltimore Location; Update on Rockville Town Square Restaurant

By MCS Staff

In addition to HalfSmoke closing its Westfield Montgomery Mall location, the restaurant also closed its Baltimore location earlier this month. According to a report from BizJournals, the Baltimore restaurant closed at 2400 Boston St. in Canton’s Can Company on April 4.

At the mall, HalfSmoke was located in a kiosk in the mall’s food court/terrace (previously occupied by Coldstone Creamery and Gelato Galaxy) and was the first restaurant/bar to serve alcohol in the food court (nearby restaurants off of the food court served alcohol, ex: Slade’s). The menu consisted of the best-selling sausages and sides from its DC location (651 Florida Ave, NW), as well as boozy milkshakes and a funnel cake bar. HalfSmoke’s sister restaurant Butter Me Up also closed its Montgomery Mall location earlier this month.

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Takoma Park

Takoma Park Library and Community Center Construction Update

By MCS Staff

Work accomplished to date: The Library and Computer Center Redevelopment Project is underway, with most of the work to date occurring inside and on the existing facilities. The work completed includes:

Additionally, the Library and Computer Center have been relocated off-site to provide continuity of services throughout the construction process. Please visit us at 7505 New Hampshire Avenue, Suites 201-208, for Library books, programs, computers, and more.

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Germantown

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 12-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Duffin was last seen on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., on Cottage Field Ct. He may be traveling to the Rio area in Gaithersburg. Duffin is approximately 4-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 80 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, black jeans and blue and white Jordan sneakers. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Marcell Rejaun Rozier Duffinis 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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