Rockville

Per Montgomery County: The 11th Annual VisArts Rockville Arts Festival will be held Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, in Rockville Town Square. The free outdoor festival will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day and will feature original works from 130 artists and artisans. The festival will include Raku demonstrations by VisArts’ instructors, artwork by VisArts’ VisAbility Art Lab artists and artisanal fare.

The event will offer the opportunity to meet new artists and artists who are returning to the festival. They will display their creations of original pieces in a variety of media, including ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and wood.


Bethesda

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a collision that occurred in the area of Old Georgetown Rd, between Edson Ln and Tuckerman Ln, in North Bethesda at approximately 7am Thursday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision caused one of the vehicles, a pick-up truck, to overturn in the median on Old Georgetown Rd. One adult is being transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and some lanes are currently blocked.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to an automatic alarm that was activated by a fire at Alexander House, located at 8560 2nd Ave in Silver Spring at approximately 11:30pm on Wednesday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire was controlled and extinguished by the sprinkler system that was automatically set off by the fire. The lone occupant of the apartment was located in a motorized wheelchair and was taken to the burn center with life-threatening injuries after suffering significant burns. The fire originated under the seat of the wheelchair and was caused by an unknown malfunction or failure of the motorized wheelchair. The adult patient is in their 70s and listed in critical condition. HazMat checked batteries on the wheelchair and advised they were not Lithium Ion. The other adult transported to the hospital was due to a medical emergency not related to the fire. There was approximately $50K in damage to contents and sprinkle activation.


Gaithersburg

To help raise awareness the City of Gaithersburg is conducting free deck maintenance inspections all month long: Each May, the International Code Council spearheads a national observation of Building Safety Month. To help raise awareness about the importance of safe & resilient construction, the City’s Permits & Inspections Division is conducting free deck maintenance inspections on single-family homes all month long. The free service is open to City of Gaithersburg residents. To request an inspection, e-mail [email protected].

For more than 42 years, Building Safety Month has reinforced the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, and helps individuals, families, and businesses understand what it takes to create safe & sustainable structures. The 2023 theme is “It Starts with You.” Learn more about this year’s campaign here.


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.


Education

Per MCPS: The Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators (MCABSE) honored 27 graduating seniors during its annual Distinguished African-American Scholars and Community Leaders Awards Ceremony on April 26. The event was held at Rockville High School.

Distinguished Scholars and Community Leaders are committed to leadership in their high schools and communities; are passionate and committed to their education and demonstrate a deliberate pursuit of academic excellence; and are talented, positive and motivated. The keynote speaker was Brian Stockton, MCPS chief of staff. The 2023 honorees are:


Germantown

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving two vehicles shortly before 7pm on Wednesday evening in the area of Wisteria Drive and Father Hurley Blvd in Germantown.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision caused significant damage to two vehicles with one person initially trapped inside one of the cars when it went over an embankment and into a parking lot. At least two trauma  patients were evaluated and transported to the hospital with priority 1 (life threatening) and priority 2 (serious) injuries. Some lanes remained blocked as of 8pm. Photos courtesy of Pete Piringer.


Crime

Engage Armament, a gun shop located at 701 E Gude Drive #101 in Rockville, captured a break-in attempt on camera, according to a post the shop shared on social media (seen below). The attempted robbery took place over the weekend.

According to Fox 5, the video shows two burglars enter the shop then quickly exit when they fail to bypass an interior doorway. The suspects wore black hoodies and masks that covered most of their faces. Video also captured a dark / silver sedan as it was driving away from the business. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).


Rockville

The Rockville City Police Department’s Neighborhood Services/Animal Control Division has been made aware of the several sightings of a large black bear in West Rockville, specifically the areas of Woodley Gardens and Great Falls Road today. We have been in contact with the Department of Natural Resources to alert them of these sightings. If you see a bear, please call RCPD non-emergency at 240-314-8900 as soon as possible.

If a bear happens to surprise you, stay calm. Do not surprise the bear if it is unaware of your presence. Here are a few helpful tips courtesy of the National Park Service to keep you, your family, and your pets safe! Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.


Crime

Gaithersburg

Chicken Basket at 30 N. Summit Ave. in Olde Towne Gaithersburg plans to open in “2-3 weeks”, depending on approval of all final inspections. We first reported in January 2020 that Chicken Basket would be reopening after a fire closed the restaurant back in April 2019. Chicken Basket’s menu consist of fried chicken, wings, subs, gyros, salads, wraps, burgers, and seafood. The restaurant will be open Mon – Thurs 11am to 8pm, Fri – Sat 11am to 9pm and closed on Sunday. Full menu can be seen below, as well as photos from Chicken Basket’s original 1978 menu.