I-270

“Chariots for Hire” Catches on Fire Tuesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire involving a “Chariots for Hire” charter/limo bus on the inner loop of I495, between River Rd. and the I270 spur on Tuesday morning around 11am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire has been extinguished and there were no passengers on board. No injuries have been reported. Some lanes are currently blocked and drivers should expect residual delays.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Traffic Advisory – IL I495 beltway north of River Road before Bradley Boulevard overpass, right side of road way is blocked, traffic gets by to the left, @mcfrs PE710, E752, PE726, T706, UT752, BC702, PIO on scene @MDSHA @MDSP @MCDOTNow”

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MCFRS

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein Retiring After 31 Years with MCFRS

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Today, Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein informed the County Executive’s Office of his decision to leave his position after more than 30 years as a firefighter in Montgomery County. Chief Goldstein’s last day with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will be Friday, June 30, 2023.

“Chief Goldstein has given this County so much since he first started with the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department in 1987,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have leaned on his expertise and skills as a leader and watched the department grow under his leadership. Over the past few years, Chief Goldstein has worked with me and other County leaders to make this a smooth transition and I thank him for his service to the men and women of MCFRS and the people of this County.”

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Gaithersburg

Update: Basement Fire in Gaithersburg Causes Approximately $100K in Damage

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire on Prairie Rose Ln., off Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg on Monday, April 3. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated in a basement workshop area of the three-story townhouse and was likely caused by lithium batteries. Smoke alarms alerted residents of the fire, who then attempted to fight the fire themselves before notifying MCFRS. All human occupants made it out of the home safely and two adults have been displaced.  Firefighters located two cats, one of which was successfully resuscitated, and one that did not survive. Approximately 60 firefighters responded to the scene. Damage is estimated to be ~$100K.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update (230p 4/3) Prairie Rose La, Gburg, Origin/Cause, basement workshop area, plastic storage bin, likely involved lithium batteries; Damage >$100K; smoke alarm alerted residents, delay notifying FF (tried to fight fire) FFs rescued 2 cats, 1 died; 2 adults displaced”

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Germantown

Update on New Grand Mart in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Permanent signage is up at New Grand Mart at 13069 Wisteria Drive in the Germantown Plaza shopping center. The Korean grocery chain, which has several locations across Maryland and Virginia, is is taking over the space previously occupied by Lotte Plaza, which closed in November. According to its website, “New Grand Mart carries a variety of fresh produce, fish, meats, and ethnic specialty items that is hard for other markets to match.”  No opening date has been announced. Germantown Plaza is also home to Mangino’s Pizza, Planet Fitness, and Zen Leaf.

About: “New Grand Mart, a subsidiary of Green Paradise Enterprises, opened its first store in Falls Church, Virginia in August 2013 by acquiring the former Grand Mart – Seven Corners. Following the acquisition of its second store, the former Grand Mart – Alexandria, VA, in November 2013. New Grand Mart opened its third store in Langley Park, MD in July 2014, fourth store in North Chesterfield, VA in May 2015, fifth store in Henrico, VA in Oct 2017, and sixth store in New Carrollton, MD in March 2018.”

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Health

Maryland Department of Health celebrates Public Health Week

By Patrick Herron

“Maryland’s public health workforce is expansive, diverse, and driven to serve,” said Governor Wes Moore. “I join all Marylanders in expressing both my abiding gratitude that we have such a rich public health legacy and my shared commitment to building an even stronger, healthier future for all of Maryland’s communities.”

Throughout April, MDH and its partners will host and participate in events to raise awareness of the underlying causes of poor health and disease risk among vulnerable populations. Events include weekly community walks for state employees, a digital ad campaign to promote and celebrate the contributions of public health workers, and a networking event for state employees exhibiting culturally-diverse MDH programs and services.

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Beyond MoCo

Governor Moore Announces New Partnership Between Maryland Department of Environment and University of Maryland Center for Global Sustainability to Model Maryland’s Climate Goals Pathway

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland (4.3.23): Governor Wes Moore today announced a new partnership between the Maryland Department of the Environment and The Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland to model Maryland’s pathway toward ambitious climate goals. The announcement came during a roundtable discussion at the State House with climate goal stakeholders including representatives from the Maryland Department of the Environment, University of Maryland, League of Conservation Voters, Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, and Blink Charging.

“We face an historic challenge – and we will tackle it with an all-of-government, an all-of-community, and an all-of-state approach,” said Governor Moore. “We cannot win this fight alone. It will take partnership, it will take collaboration, it will take teamwork; that includes this partnership with the University of Maryland and all of the stakeholders today.”

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Wheaton

Police Respond to Stolen Vehicle at Dealership

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police responded to the 10900 blk of Georgia Ave (Fitzgerald Wheaton) around 12:15am on Tuesday, April 4. According to MCPD, “shortly after midnight, 4D officers responded to a commercial alarm activation at the dealership and discovered a smashed out window in the showroom.   The investigation showed the suspect break out a window.  He entered the dealership and stole keys to a car in the lot.   The suspect left with the stolen vehicle.”

DEALERSHIP SMASH-N-DASH BURGLARY: Fitzgerald Wheaton on Georgia Ave near Prichard Rd (Montgomery County, MD). ~12:15AM Tuesday, Officers found a shattered dealership window and damaged security fence. Police and staff working to determine if any autos were stolen. H/T @AlanHenney

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MCPS

MCPS To Honor Retirees From 2020-2023 With Reception in June

By MCS Staff

MCPS will honor its newly retiring employees, as well as those who retired in the past three years, during a reception on Thursday, June 8. The event will be held from 5–7:30 p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. 

For several years, MCPS has been unable to hold the annual retirement reception due to the pandemic. For that reason, this year’s event will recognize retirees from 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. To receive an invitation to this year’s reception, those newly retiring must submit completed retirement forms to the Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC) no later than Monday, May 15. Retirement forms are available on the ERSC Retirement Planning webpage. Employees who submit retirement paperwork after May 15, 2023, will be honored at next year’s reception.

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg: Community Development Block Grant Funding Public Meeting Notice

By MCS Staff

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Notice to the general public is hereby given that the City will hold a public meeting to invite comments on the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding available to the City through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The City is preparing its Consolidated Plan and FY 23 Action Plan for the period July 2023 – June 2024. At this meeting, staff will introduce the CDBG program, describe how funds must benefit low-moderate income households, and describe proposed activities to benefit these residents & communities.

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Restaurants

Starbucks Begins Construction at Former Peet’s Coffee Location in Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Last October we let you know that Peet’s Coffee would be closing its Silver Spring location with a Starbucks taking over the storefront at 1316 East-West Highway in Silver Spring. After a few months, construction has begun at the upcoming Starbucks location. The interior appears to have been gutted with a lot left to go, so we would anticipate a wait of a few months before coffee is being served at the lcoation again.

The Berkeley, California-born Peet’s coffee chain that closed, originally planned to open 23 locations in the DC area in 2014/2015, with the first debuting at 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. MoCo locations included the Silver Spring location and two Bethesda locations– one in Montgomery Mall that closed in 2017 and one at 7629 Old Georgetown Rd that closed in 2020 after 6 years. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Beyond MoCo

Gaithersburg Man Killed in Nevada Motorcycle Crash

By MCS Staff

A Gaithersburg man is dead after a motorcycle crash near the Lake Mead National Recreation area just outside of Las Vegas at approximately 2:30pm last Monday on State Route 167, according to Nevada State Police.

According to investigators, 29-year-old Richard Bienve Batista Peralta, from Gaithersburg, MD, was speeding and lost control of the motorcycle when he approached a curve. The motorcycle went into the dirt shoulder on the side of the road, overturned, and Peralta was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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