Crime

Residential Burglary Leads to Fight Between Suspect and Victim; Suspect Still At Large

By MCS Staff

Per Takoma Park Police: On March 13, at approximately 7:23 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6600 block of Gude Avenue for the report of a residential burglary in progress. An unknown male in his 20’s broke a window on the ground floor and crawled through.  Once inside, a fight ensued between the suspect and the victim, owner of the residence.  The fight ended on the front porch at which time the suspect fled on foot.  The suspect ran down Gude Avenue toward Poplar Avenue.  The victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as a Black male, 20’s, last seen wearing a puffy light blue jacket, black pants and carrying a backpack. Investigation continues under case #230012185.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Skate Park Opens April 1

By Patrick Herron

The Gaithersburg Skate Park located at 510 South Frederick Ave opens for the 2023 season on April 1. Addition details courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg: Gaithersburg’s 12,300 square foot skate park is designed for skateboards, inline skates and BMX bikes. The park includes ramps and structures suitable for a wide range of skill levels. Some obstacles include an A-frame ramp and rail, mini-half pipe, 7’6” escalator, stairs, pyramid wedge, fun boxes, wall ride, and several quarters and banks of varying heights. All ramps are constructed with a wood frame and Skatelite surface.

The Skate Park offers a variety of programming options including group lessons and private lessons, summer clinics, rentals for birthday parties and private functions, competitions, demos and other special events. Other amenities include vending machines, helmet, pad and skateboard rentals, and an outdoor stereo system.

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Rockville

Search Continues in the Disappearance of 56-Year-Old Man

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 56-year-old from Rockville.   Neil Bernstein was last seen on Friday, February 17, 2023, in the area of Great Falls Park (Maryland side), off of Macarthur Blvd. in Potomac, MD. He is missing from Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville.  Bernstein is approximately 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 190 lbs. He has short grey and brown hair and green eyes.  Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Detectives are asking anyone who visited the area of Great Falls Park (Maryland side), off of Macarthur Blvd. in Potomac on Friday, February 17th, 2023, and has photos or video footage of their time spent at Great Falls to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-455-TIPS (8477).

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Maryland

New 227 Area Code Coming to Maryland in June

By MCS Staff

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 240/301 area code region which serves all or portions of Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Bowie, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Hagerstown, Potomac, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Wheaton, and many other small communities. The new 227 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 240/301 area codes.

What is an Area Code Overlay? An overlay is the addition of another area code (227) to the same geographic region as an existing area code region (240/301). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 240, 301, and new 227 area codes.

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Beyond MoCo

Bird House Reopens at National Zoo for First Time in Six Years

By MCS Staff

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) invites visitors to soar into its renovated Bird House, having opened on Monday, March 13. The innovative exhibit explores the fascinating world of migratory songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds native to North, Central and South American ecosystems. Migratory birds play critical roles in pest control, pollination and seed dispersal for trees and plants as well as crops. Bilingual panels—in English and Spanish—tell the story of how migratory birds connect communities and contribute to healthy ecosystems across the Americas.The Bird House closed for renovation Jan. 2, 2017 and March 13th marked the completion of the six-year, $69 million project. Additional information below, courtesy of the press release:

As Zoo visitors “migrate” through the shores of the Delaware Bay, a lush prairie pothole and a tropical Bird Friendly coffee farm, free-flighted birds stride, paddle, tweet and fly all around them. These multi-sensory, immersive aviaries mimic natural ecosystems—places that are of critical importance to the annual life cycles of migratory birds and that boost human well-being. From this exhibit, visitors can learn seven simple actions to live bird friendly to protect native species in their own backyards. The Bird House opening celebration is made possible with the support of Boeing.

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Gaithersburg

NRC Authorizes Restart of NIST Research Reactor

By Patrick Herron

The NIST reactor is used for a broad range of research and operates at far lower power, temperature and pressure conditions than utility reactors that generate electricity. The NRC’s extensive review of this incident showed that the public was safe at all times during the event.

“We are extremely pleased to have reached this milestone and to begin our return to normal operations,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. “We are committed to ensuring the safe operation of this vital national resource so that it can once again support important advances in medicine, material science, technology and more.”

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Brookeville

Self-Defense Courses for Women Will Be Offered in March and April Through the Montgomery County Commission for Women

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Four in-person seminars on “Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense” will be offered this spring by the Montgomery County Commission for Women. Each S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) seminar is a two-hour “sampler” session for women of all ages and abilities taught by Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)-certified instructors. The seminars, which cost $12 per participant, are exclusively for women and require pre-registration to participate. Women ages 13-17 are welcome to participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult woman who is also registered for the class.

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Crime

MCPD: Traffic Stop in Germantown Leads to Seizure of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police issued a press release today announcing that a traffic stop in Germantown on March 8 led to the discovery of 20 suspected Fentanyl pills, approximately 21 grams of suspected Crystal Methamphetamine, Crack Cocaine and drug paraphernalia. This is the third press release regarding traffic stops that MCPD has released since Councilmember Will Jawando introduced Bill 12-23, the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) Act, on February 28, which will limit traffic stops that he says have resulted in racial disparities.

Per MCPD: “Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Community Action Team have arrested 38-year-old Harry Perkins of Germantown for Possessing Fentanyl and Crystal Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.  At approximately 11:35 p.m., officers observed a Chevrolet Equinox commit a moving violation in the area of Circle Gate Dr. and Wisteria Dr. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the Chevrolet in the area of Great Seneca Hwy. and Wisteria Dr.

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Poolesville

Town of Poolesville FY 2024 Budget Now Available

By MCS Staff

The Commissioners of Poolesville have presented the FY2024 Budget and Tax Rate. The FY 2024 proposed budget maintains the constant tax rate .1781¢ per $100.00 of assessment and water rates remain the same. 

Per The Commissioners of Poolesville: The Town’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget is balanced, funds all debt service obligations, and funds critical operation and maintenance items. As has been the case for the last several years, the Town continues to grapple with rising costs for construction projects, equipment replacement and overall increased costs for goods and services. A Public Hearing will be held on April 3, 2023, 7:00 PM @ Town Hall. FY2024 Proposed Budget & Tax Rate

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Maryland

Governor Moore Announces Maryland Adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II Rule; Requires Manufacturers to Increase the Share of Electric Vehicles Sold to 100% by 2035

By Patrick Herron

The Advanced Clean Cars II rule is a vehicle emissions standard first adopted by California using its unique authority under the federal Clean Air Act. Now that California has adopted the standards, other states can follow suit.

Maryland has the most ambitious climate goals of any state in the nation and is recognized as a national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing our state economy. The Advanced Clean Cars II rule, coupled with strong federal and state incentives, will be one of the state’s most important emissions reduction measures.

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Arts

TRANSFORMATIONS Art Opening Reception to Take Place on Thursday, March 23

By MCS Staff

Per the Takoma Park Newsletter: The origin of paper winds through history and across centuries from papyrus in ancient Egypt to pulp-based paper from the Han dynasty in China to the invention of photographic paper in the early 19th century. Artists have transformed this common material into new worlds of invention and creativity. Three artists will share their paper-based work in the TRANSFORMATIONS exhibition at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave) with an opening reception at 7:30 pm on March 23. The featured artists include Beth Caruso, Landry Dunand, and Randall Williams.

Beth Caruso’s work often depicts aspects of the self and the body in relation to nature. In her Inner Life series, she photographs subjects and scenes and then uses digital tools to transform them into mirrored, kaleidoscopic imagery. “This series stems from a vivid interplay of intellect and emotion, combined with the workings of my conscious and subconscious,” she said. “In this light, the work can be viewed as a dialogue between the inner life of the artist and her surroundings, reflecting a desire to reorder the elements of the external world.”

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