Maryland

Governor Moore Kicks Off ‘More Opportunity Tour,’ Announcing Largest Rooftop Solar Project on an Affordable Multifamily Property Ever in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Green Bank is financing the 2.18-megawatt solar project at the Seneca Village Apartments in Gaithersburg. The project will bring affordable renewable energy to affordable multifamily properties, using sizable rooftop solar panels to help aid the county in its goal to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses produced.

The Maryland Energy Administration works closely with the Montgomery County Green Bank to combine resources to bring the necessary capital to mobilize projects across the state that advance reductions in energy use, improve resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MEA has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars directed toward projects, incorporated with Green Bank Financing. Examples include a resiliency planning effort involving sites across Montgomery County, a partnership between the Green Bank and Groundswell, Inc. and an energy efficiency project at Takoma Outlook, a multi-family community in Takoma Park, Maryland.

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MoCo Government

‘Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County: A Panel Discussion’ Presentation Will Honor Eid al-Fitr Starting on Monday, April 24

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: With religious intolerance on the rise across the country, it is incumbent upon historians to document and record those experiences. And all too often, non-Christian religions like Islam are given short shrift in American history. In honor of Eid al-Fitr, Montgomery History will be making available its presentation Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County: A Panel Discussion starting Monday, April 24. The presentation was originally recorded at the 2018 Montgomery History Conference. The replay of the presentation will be available for a one-week period.

Jim Johnston led the panel discussion of individuals from Pakistan, the United States, Palestine and Algeria. They talked about what it is like to be Muslim in Montgomery County today. To view the presentation, go to https://montgomeryhistory.org/mhconnected/watch/.

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Potomac

New ‘Resiliency Hub’ Dedicated at Scotland Community Recreation Center

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery County  Department of General Services’ Office of Energy and Sustainability (OES) led a ribbon-cutting event Thursday, April 20, at the Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center in Potomac to celebrate the center as a new “resiliency hub.”  The resiliency hub is designed to provide a haven for the historically Black community by keeping the center powered during electrical grid outages.

The effort to create a resiliency hub began in February 2019 when OES applied for funding from the Maryland Energy Administration Resiliency Hub Grant Program and was awarded a grant in April of that year. OES selected Scotland to be its first resiliency hub and various design phases took place over the next two years. Construction began in June 2021 before concluding last year.

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Kensington

16th annual Kensington ‘Day of the Book Festival’ Will Be Family Friendly Street Festival on Sunday, April 23

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The 16th Annual Kensington “Day of the Book Festival,” which is a family friendly street festival spanning three blocks of Howard Avenue in the heart of historic Kensington, will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. The festival will feature authors, poets, literary and community organizations and will have live music on several stages.  Special guest speakers, poetry readings, cookbook demonstrations and children’s programs are all part of the event, which is billed as “Not your average book festival.”

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MoCo Government

Consumer Complaints Against Auto Repair Shops Can Be Assisted by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection

By Patrick Herron
Auto mechanic controlling car with checklist in workshop

Per Montgomery County: Spring and summer are times when more people get into their vehicles and head out on adventures. However, more miles driven mean increased chances for vehicle break downs, and in some cases, the need for major repairs. When transactions between vehicle owners and car repair businesses in Montgomery County reach serious conflicts, the County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) often can help. OCP registers car repair shops and enforces the County code regarding consumer rights. When a resident registers a complaint concerning an interaction with a business, OCP is guided by Montgomery County Code 31-A, which governs automobile repair businesses in the County. Maryland State Commercial Law, Title 14, Subtitle 10 also applies.

The highlights of laws regarding vehicle repairs performed by Montgomery County auto repair services include:

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Silver Spring

Police Searching for Missing 13-Year-Old Girls

By Patrick Herron

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating two missing 13-year-old girls; Erica Sofia Mejia, from Silver Spring and Allison Flores from Laurel.  Per MCPD:

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Allison Flores and Erica Mejia is 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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MoCo History

Germantown Cider Barrel Vandalized

By Patrick Herron

The iconic Cider Barrel structure on Frederick Rd/355 in Germantown was vandalized on Wednesday, April 19. The Cider Barrel opened in the mid-1920s and sold non-alcoholic cider from the Ballincar Orchard in Germantown during the height of Prohibition and remained in business until 2003. Plans to reopen Cider Barrel in 2020 were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. History of the Cider Barrel below, courtesy of a 2020 article by Karen Adjei:

“The Cider Barrel has deep roots with the local area’s history. It was originally built by Andrew Baker in 1922 (some sources say around 1925 or 1926). He was a local insurance entrepreneur who also developed the Ballincara Mansion, the Selby/Soderberg House and Livery Stable, and the original Germantown Bank.

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Education

Sami Saeed Elected as Next Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB)

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: The results are in! Sami Saeed, a junior at Richard Montgomery High School, has been elected the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) for the 2023-2024 school year. Mr. Saeed’s term begins on July 1, 2023.

All secondary students were eligible to vote in the SMOB election and 55,598 students cast ballots. Mr. Saeed received 70 percent of the vote, while his opponent, Mr. Yoseph Zerihun, a junior at Springbrook High School, received 30 percent. The SMOB election was held on April 19, 2023 through an electronic ballot that all students received in their MCPS email and were encouraged to vote through a class lesson.

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Crime

Three Juveniles Arrested for Carjacking Tuesday Evening

By MCS Staff

Per Takoma Park Police: On April 18 at approximately 4:45 pm, Montgomery County Police called out for a carjacking that had just occurred in Silver Spring; the vehicle was heading into the City of Takoma Park.  At 5:45 pm, Takoma Park officers observed the carjacked vehicle in the 8100 block of Carroll Avenue but lost visual at New Hampshire Avenue and Merrimac Drive.  A few minutes later, the carjacked vehicle was located in the 6300 block of New Hampshire Avenue.  As officers approached the vehicle, three suspects bailed out and tried to flee on foot.  All three suspects were apprehended.  The three suspects were juveniles who were released to the custody of a parent/guardian.  Charges are pending in Montgomery County and Takoma Park.

Investigation continues under case #230018572.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Damascus

Tuesday Evening House Fire Causes Approximately $125K in Damage

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 10500blk of Tralee Ter in Damascus on Tuesday, April 18. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated on the exterior of the three-story townhome and spread to the 2nd fl and attic. The cause of the fire is believed to be an outdoor electrical outlet. Damage is estimated to be ~$120K and there were no injuries reported. Four adults and four children have been displaced. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update (4/18 ~7p) 10500blk Tralee Ter, Damascus; 3-sty TH; exterior fire spread to 2nd fl/attic; Origin/Cause, near floor level elevated deck, vinyl siding, *only ignition source outdoor electrical outlet; Damage ~$120K; 4 adults/4 kids displaced; no injuries; passerby called 911”

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