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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Laytonsville

Swastika and “Hitler” Graffiti Discovered Outside of Laytonsville Elementary School

By MCS Staff

Laytonsville Elementary School principal Maria Watson sent a letter to the Laytonsville community on Monday informing them of vandalism discovered on a bench outside of the school. According to the letter, the vandalism included a “drawing of a swastika with the name Hitler” drawn on a bench outside of the school. The full letter, with additional information, can be seen below:

“Dear Laytonsville Elementary School Community,

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Education

Cohort Inspire Teaches Leadership for High-Impact Schools in MCPS

By MCS Staff

Throughout the school year, MCPS has offered Cohort Inspire, an MCPS professional development opportunity for current and aspiring leaders trying to better understand the roles and responsibilities of a high-impact school principal and develop their leadership knowledge, attitudes and skills to work in a high-impact school.

Recently, 29 participants completed the program, which focused on five key areas for effective principal leadership: leading with equity, instructional focus, school climate, building collaborative professional learning communities, and strategic personnel and resource management. “I valued the cohort discussion as it was vulnerable, rich, purpose-driven and passionate,” one participant shared. Another commented that the experience provided “access to conversations that promote and support much-needed changes, as well as a reminder of what needs to be done in a high-impact school.”

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Germantown

Watkins Mill Alumna Josepha Mbouma Awarded Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE)

By MCS Staff

Baylor University’s  George W. Truett Theological Seminary is has announced that first-year Truett student Josepha Mbouma is among two students to have been awarded Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). Mbouma, a native of Cameroon, grew up in Montgomery County, attending Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown and Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery Village where she excelled in the classroom and on the basketball court.

The FASPE is awarded to students pursuing professional degrees in business, journalism, law, medicine, theology, and technology as well as to early-career professionals. Through the program, fellows spend two weeks in Germany and Poland visiting Auschwitz and other key historical sites and participating in seminars led by experts in their respective fields of study. Award recipients are able to examine the roles their counterparts played in Germany and elsewhere from 1933-1945. They then draw on historical, cultural, philosophical, literary, and discipline-specific sources to explore the ethical issues facing their respective fields today.

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Maryland

Governor Moore Proclaims Autism Acceptance Month in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

During the event, Governor Moore also presented a governor’s citation to Marcus Moore, an individual living with autism, in recognition of his contribution to the autism community and for his self-advocacy. To help Marcus achieve economic self-sufficiency, he and his family created Moore Crunch Pretzels, which are now available online and in several local stores.

Governor Moore also presented a citation to Ken White, General Manager of Historic Inns of Annapolis, in recognition of his support and promotion of opportunity, access, and choice for individuals with autism. Ken has helped spotlight Moore Crunch Pretzels, in addition to opening his commercial kitchen for use as Marcus expanded his business.

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Crime

Defendant Faces Potential of Life in Prison for Rape of 9-Year-Old Girl

By MCS Staff

Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Jusge Michael McAuliffe, a jury has convicted defendant, Joshua Grice, 30, of Washington D.C., on charges of first-degree rape and first-degree burglary-home invasion for breaking into a Takoma Park home and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl who was asleep in her bedroom.

Grice faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and the potential of a life sentence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. The verdict came back late yesterday afternoon after a six-day trial prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney’s Frank Lazzaro and Daniela Chavez.

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Gaithersburg

Montgomery County’s Celebration of ‘Public Works Week’ Will Include Paint the Plow Contest and Truck Day Event on Sat., May 20

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “Public Works Week” on Saturday, May 20, with Truck Day at the MCDOT Depot and Salt Barn in Gaithersburg. Truck Day is a free, family-friendly event that invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles that make the county run.

Truck Day will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 20 at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn, which is located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Receives Nearly $5 Million in HUD Grant Funding & 30 Vouchers to Support Effort to End Homelessness by 2025

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County recently received $4,870,352 from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of its Continuum of Care (CoC) grants program. It is the only jurisdiction in Maryland to receive a Special Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) award to address unsheltered and rural homelessness, which is a first-of-its-kind funding initiative.  In addition to the $4.8 million in programmatic funds the county received 30 Stability Vouchers that will be allocated through direct referral through the County’s Coordinated Entry System for households experiencing homelessness. These vouchers will be used to ensure people can stay in homes and avoid homelessness. They will be administered by the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County and Rockville Housing Enterprises.

The County’s Interagency Coalition on Homelessness recently reiterated its commitment to end homelessness for all populations by 2025 through its Zero for All campaign. The recently awarded $4.87 million will add to the $10 million already awarded annually from HUD’s CoC NOFO process and the anticipated $84 million allocated in the County Executive’s recommended FY24 operating budget for homeless prevention and services to end homelessness.

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