Crime

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.


Bethesda

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.


Takoma Park

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.


Germantown

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.


Event

Online event (see link)

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Retail

At its peak, Bed Bath & Beyond operated the largest home furnishing retailer in the United States with over 970 stores across all 50 states, consistently at the forefront of major home and bath trends. Operating stores spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, Bed Bath & Beyond offers everything from bed linens to cookware to electric appliances, home organization, baby care, and more. Now, Bed Bath & Beyond has announced that it will close all 360 stores and 120 Buy Buy Baby locations on Wednesday and seek to sell parts of its business. In its filing with the bankruptcy court, the company said that it expected all stores to close by June 30, according to the New York Times.

According to the New York Times report, customers may use Bed Bath & Beyond coupons until Wednesday, when store closing sales begin. Customers will have until May 8 to use Bed Bath & Beyond gift cards. The company did not specify when its Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby apps would shut down, saying only that customers can continue using the apps “at this time.” The Gaithersburg location closed a couple years back and the Germantown location closed permanently on Sunday. The Rockville location is the only Bed Beth & Beyond store left in MoCo with Buy Buy Baby also having a location in Rockville.


White Oak

Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting in White Oak on Sunday, April 23. According to MCPD, “the call for a shooting was received at approximately 10:01 a.m. 3rd District officers responded to the 11300 block of Lockwood Dr. and located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No suspect is in custody at this time. At this time, there is no reason to believe there is a threat to the public.

Public safety reporter Cordell Pugh tweeted that that officers applied a tourniquet to the victim prior to EMS’ arrival. We will post an update when addition information is available.


Events

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has announced its 2023 dates for this upcoming summer. This will be the 74th annual fair and it’s third year back after having to cancel for the first time in its 70+ year history in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. This year opening day for the MoCo Fair will be on Friday, August 11th and it will go until Saturday, August 19th.

Founded in 1949, the Montgomery County Agricultural Center has been home to the Montgomery County Fair since its creation. Sitting on 62 acres, the Fair has more than 50 buildings that are filled with more than 5,000 animals every year. The Fair has animals, entertainment, food, commercial, home arts, arts and crafts exhibits, and many others for the whole family to enjoy.


Silver Spring

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a small house fire on Eldrid Ct in Silver Spring on Saturday, April 23. According to the Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, a low pressure gas line in a basement utility room ignited after the home was struck by lightning. There was minor damage to the home and no injuries reported.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “One adult, one child home at the time of a lightning strike, reportedly saw the flash & then checked out some sound from the basement, found a fire in utility room, wisely closed the door, got out, called 911 (text book), no injuries”


Brookeville

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Serviced (MCFRS) responded to a fire at a two-story farmhouse on the 4200 block of Sundown Road between Sunshine and Laytonsville on Saturday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 55 firefighters responded to the call. Upon arrival, fire and smoke was coming from the house, which is located in a non-hydrant area with a limited access driveway. Live wires were reported down in the area and all occupants and pets were reported out of the house.


Maryland

“Even if the vehicle is stolen while the owner is safely away from their car, the disruption to their quality of life is real,” said Attorney General Brown. “The time lost from work, the money spent to replace their vehicle or fix damages, even the stress of trying to find alternate transportation to get to work, school, appointments, it is all a load these owners should not have to bear, nor endure.”

 


Education

The TowerCares Foundation offers an annual college scholarship program for STEM and foreign language linguistics majors. The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university full-time.

This year, the foundation will award up to 30 $5,000 scholarships. Additional consideration will be given to children/dependents of active duty military and veterans from all branches of the armed forces, including reserve and guard units. Learn moreThe deadline to apply is Monday, May 15.