Silver Spring

Per MCPD: Two Capitol Heights men, Kajohn McCombs and Ahmahd McCombs, both 22-years-old, are in custody following the murder of Deandre Keith Ellis on Sunday, March 5, 2023. On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 10:17 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for a check the welfare call. Upon arrival, officers located Ellis deceased, in a car, with an apparent gunshot wound. Through the course of the investigation, Major Crimes detectives developed Kajohn and Ahmahd as suspects. Detectives applied for arrest warrants and both suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.  The suspects were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. At this time, bond information is not available. This is an ongoing investigation.

 


Germantown

This event has been canceled due to inclement weather. It will not be rescheduled.

Per Montgomery Parks: Put a spring in your step at South Germantown Recreational Park’s HeartSmart Trail (18028 Central Park Circle) for our pet-friendly walk ‘Petals and Paws’. See the flowers begin to bloom and accessorize your canine and walk through the 1.0-mile loop. End the trail with light refreshments for purchase from TOIMOI Bakery, and dog-approved snacks for purchase by Doggy Donuts.


MoCo

Per Montgomery County: WSSC Water’s Patuxent Watershed recreation areas are now open from sunrise to sundown for all permitted activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and picnicking. The recreational areas span more than 4,000 acres along its two reservoirs, Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett, in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties.  The reservoirs serve as drinking water sources for WSSC Water.

Visitors of the watershed who are 16 years or older must have a valid permit, which can be purchased online at wsscwater.com/watershed or in person at the Brighton Dam Visitor Center, which is located at 2 Brighton Dam Road in Brookville.  Complimentary permits are available for visitors 65 or older, active military and disabled veterans.


Derwood

Per Montgomery County: The 25th Annual Montgomery County Gas and Steam Engine Show will return to the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood on Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30. Admission and parking are free at the event hosted by The Friends of The Agricultural History Farm Park, Inc. and supported by Montgomery Parks.

The Agricultural History Farm Park is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The show will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 29 and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 30. Leashed pets are welcome.


Takoma Park

People’s Book, a woman-owned general purpose bookstore, has announced it will be opening at 7014-A Westmoreland Ave in Takoma Park in the late spring/early summer. According to People’s Book, “the store will have a diverse selection of over 12,000 books, with a special focus on children’s literature, local interests, new releases and independent magazines. The inventory will also include book-themed gifts. Locally roasted drip coffee, kombucha, and other beverages and treats will be available.”

“Takoma Park is our family’s forever home, and we’re excited about providing readers of all ages opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with their neighbors,” said Megan Bormet, store owner and former elementary school educator.  “Helping kids and adults find books they love is what I like to do best, and I’m thrilled that we can do this at People’s Book.”


Gaithersburg

Charley Prime Foods, the new restaurant from Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks (Little Coco’s, El Chucho, Bar Charley, Quarry House Tavern) that will be replacing Tara Thai on the Rio Lakefront boardwalk at 9811 Washington Blvd in Gaithersburg, has announced it plans to open in April.

According to a press release, the Charley Prime team envisions the restaurant as a mature version of their popular DC restaurant Bar Charley, with an expanded menu, but keeping its lively cocktail forward energy. The broader menu will remain steak focused, but will also feature house made pastas (a la Little Coco’s) as well as other items unique to just this location. The group has tapped Editlab@Streetsense to design the space. Explains Greenbaum, “We can’t wait to do our first suburban project and think the timing is perfect. We’ve always done restaurants that are near and dear to our hearts and that we feel are right or needed in the particular neighborhood. My partners both have young families and Rio has been a frequent destination for them for years, as it is for tons of people in north Montgomery county. This is especially true for our chef and partner in this project, Adam Harvey, who lives nearby. We’re really thrilled to bring something unique to the mix out there.” Featured photo shows a photo of food from Bar Charley.


Germantown

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 29-year-old from Germantown. Huy Hoang Le was last seen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in the 13400 block of Wisteria Drive in Germantown.

Le was last seen wearing a black and grey north face sweater and beige pants.  He also wears glasses. Huy Hoang Le is 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. Family and police are concerned for his welfare.


MoCo

Last March, Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The requirements are phased in with a default healthy beverage being the first (now  in effect) followed by a healthy meal option six months later.

Councilmember Craig Rice spearheaded the legislation, and Council President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Will Jawando, Nancy Navarro and Tom Hucker are cosponsors. The bill was enacted by a vote of 8-1, with Councilmember Friedson voting against the legislation. “Childhood obesity remains a longstanding problem in our nation and the rate continues to climb impacting our children’s health and quality of life. Especially in a time when our busy lifestyles have more families eating out, it is imperative that as a County we encourage  healthy options in our children’s meals,” said Councilmember Rice, who serves as chair of the Council’s Education Committee and as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee. “I applaud the many restaurants, large and small, in our community that are already providing healthier selections. This bill lays out a minimum threshold over an extended period to ensure that our children have a healthier beverage and meal option available to them, all in order to promote more healthful eating habits throughout their lives.”


Downtown Silver Spring

Outback Steakhouse will be opening its third Montgomery County location, according to a report by Source of the Spring. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will open in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s  at 8661 Colesville Rd at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. It will be the chain’s third Montgomery County location, joining existing restaurants in Aspen Hill and Germantown.

While Outback Steakhouse is an international chain, one of the founders has strong local ties. Chris T. Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, is a Blair High School alumnus. Sullivan attended the school, and Takoma Park Middle School before that, in the 60s before heading to the University of Kentucky to study business and economics.


Crime

Per the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Maryland: Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland, and Agustin Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to their participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to their activities as part of the MS-13 gang.

According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.  Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.


Derwood

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a driver crashing into a utility pole on Muncaster Mill Rd, between Avery Rd and the MD200 ICC overpass, on Tuesday evening.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the driver crashed into a utility pole, with wires coming down on the vehicle and across the road. Communication/Verizon wires were also affected by the crash, which blocked lanes on Muncaster Mill Rd. One patient was transported with priority 1 trauma (life threatening injuries) and another was transported with priority 2 trauma (serious, but non-life threatening injuries). There is no word on what caused the crash.