Gaithersburg

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that the first Narcan product has been approved for use without a prescription.  Narcan is used to treat opioid overdoses in emergency situations. The FDA granted the over-the-counter approval of Narcan to Gaithersburg based Emergent BioSolutions.  Per the FDA: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.

The timeline for availability and price of this OTC product is determined by the manufacturer. The FDA will work with all stakeholders to help facilitate the continued availability of naloxone nasal spray products during the time needed to implement the Narcan switch from prescription to OTC status, which may take months. Other formulations and dosages of naloxone will remain available by prescription only.


Aspen Hill

On Friday, March 10, 2023, two victims parked their vehicles at the location. While the victims were inside the fitness center, the suspects forced entry into their vehicles. The suspects stole one of the victim’s personal belongings, including credit cards, from one of the vehicles. Several fraudulent transactions were then made with the stolen credit cards.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call involving a fire at a body shop on Piney Branch Rd at Arliss St in Silver Spring at approximately 10:40pm on Tuesday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 60 firefighters were on the scene of the commercial building fire. The fire originated at a car parked outside and an outdoor trash can before spreading inside to the garage area of the body shop. The cause of the fire, which started at the front of the vehicle, is unknown at this time and still under investigation. Approximately $400k in damage was incurred. Photos courtesy of Pete Piringer.


Health

Per the Maryland Department of Health (3.28.23): The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced a Request for Applications to administer the Abortion Clinical Training Program. The program will help expand the number of healthcare professionals with abortion care training, increase the racial and ethnic diversity among healthcare professionals with abortion care education, and support the identification of clinical sites in need of training.

“On my first full day in office, we announced the release of $3.5 million in previously-withheld funding to support Maryland’s Abortion Clinical Training program,” said Governor Wes Moore. “The program will help ensure that Maryland remains a safe haven for abortion and is critical to providing safe and supportive reproductive health care access.”


MoCo Government

Mr. Hedrick was appointed by the Council to become a Planning Board member on Feb. 28, 2023. On March 24, the Council received notification from County Executive Marc Elrich on his decision to disapprove James Hedrick’s appointment to the Planning Board.


Business

Josh Thurmond, a 1994 graduate of Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg native, is the inventor of LavaBox Portable Campfire– a new style of portable fire pit that’s built in a military-style ammunition can and was “created to combat climate change and reduce wildfires.” LavaBox has made waves, or fires, since its inception in late 2020, and now Thurmond will take it into the Shark Tank on Friday, March 31st at 8pm.

In addition to being the inventor of LavaBox, Thurmond is also the “Chief Eruption Officer” and in charge of making sure every LavaBox gets out the door to you. Per the LavaBox website, “When he is not making LavaBoxes, he develops outdoor adventure programs for people with disabilities at the National Sports Center for the Disabled. He also volunteers for Team River Runner and sits on the Board for the Colorado Whitewater Association. Needless to say, if you are looking for him, he is probably surfing on his SUP or doing enders on a sweet eddyline.”


Gaithersburg

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The City announced today that City Clerk Doris Stokes was named the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association (MMCA) Clerk of the Year for 2023. With more than 28 years of service in municipal government, Stokes demonstrates the qualities, experience, and characteristics deserving of this recognition.

A long serving member of MMCA, Stokes held the role of vice president from 2018-2022 and was part of the Region II Conference Planning Committee in 2014, 2018, and 2023. She was instrumental in planning MMCA’s 2018 Region II Conference, which was held in Gaithersburg, Md. In addition to MMCA, Stokes has dedicated time to the Maryland Municipal League and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Association.


Education

Per MCPS: Forty-eight student leaders from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) participated in the annual Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) annual Convention held in Ocean City, Maryland this year. More than 500 student leaders from across the state of Maryland attended the conference to participate in leadership workshops, vote on the MASC officers for next year, hear program updates from across the state, and more. Convention Highlights:


Wheaton

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, Jose Lara-Chacon of Wheaton was sentenced on Friday to life in prison suspend all but 40 years and five years of supervised probation upon release. A jury convicted Lara-Chacon of first-degree murder in November for the death of 21-year-old Dimer Diaz Martinez.

This stems from an incident on January 22, 2021 in an apartment along the 12000 block of Viers Mill Rd. in Wheaton.  The defendant called 911 requesting emergency response to the scene, stating he and the victim had been drinking alcohol and that he injured the victim. During an interview with detectives, the defendant stated he hit the victim with a baseball bat twice in the head and “finished off” the victim by stabbing him in the neck.  The victim was nearly decapitated. The defendant stated after he stabbed the victim, he placed a knife in the victim’s hand and then called 911.


Bethesda

Per Montgomery County Public Schools: The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Robert Sinclair Jr., currently Principal, James Hubert Blake High School, as Consulting Principal, Department of Professional Growth Systems, Office of Human Resources and Development, Office of the Chief Operating Officer


Aspen Hill

Jersey Mike’s, which has eight locations in Montgomery County, will be donating 100% of their sales nationwide to charity on Wednesday, March 29th. The promotion is a part of Jersey Mike’s “Month of Giving” and sales are expected to be over $20 million for the day. According to Jersey Mike’s, “Day of Giving is Jersey Mike’s busiest day of the year. Each location prepares by staffing up and ordering extra food, ensuring there is plenty of meat, cheese, bread, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon to meet the high demand. The more you order, the more Jersey Mike’s gives. Whether in-store, through Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners, proceeds from every single sale this Wednesday — including subs, chips, drinks, and catering orders — will go to local charities.”