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Planning Board Unanimously Recommends Historic Designation for Edward U. Taylor School in Boyds; County Council Will Make the Final Decision

Published February 25, 2023 at 10:07AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board recommended the Montgomery County Council designate the Edward U. Taylor School in Boyds as historic by adding it to the county’s Master Plan for Historic Preservation at a public hearing on Thursday, February 23. The County Council makes final decisions on historic designations of properties in the county. “We commend the Planning Board’s recommendation that the County Council designate the Edward U. Taylor Elementary School as a historic site,” said Acting Planning Director Tanya Stern. “This school is a landmark in the history of the Black community in Boyds and served as a community anchor. The Taylor School represented the efforts of individuals like Edward U. Taylor and Black organizations, parents, and teachers to obtain quality educational facilities for Black children in Montgomery County in the mid-20^thcentury.” Historic designation criteria are established in Chapter 24A in the Montgomery County Code. The Planning Board evaluated the sites against the criteria and found that the Edward U. Taylor School met the following criteria:

About the Edward U. Taylor School site: The former Edward U. Taylor School (19501 White Ground Road, Boyds, MD) was built as an elementary school for Black students at a time when Montgomery County used legally sanctioned racial segregation to prohibit Black children from attending white schools. The Modern Movement-influenced building was completed in 1952, and features several additions built between 1954 and 1969. The facility was built to modern school design standards and represents the cumulative efforts of the county’s Black community to obtain better facilities and opportunities after decades of public underinvestment in educational facilities for Black children. The building currently serves as the Taylor Science Center for the processing and storage of science kits for Montgomery County Public Schools. The recommendation to study the school was brought forward in the MARC Rail Communities Plan, which was approved by the County Council in April 2019. View a short video on the Legacy of the Edward U. Taylor School. View the September 2022 Edward U. Taylor Elementary School Master Plan for Historic Preservation Designation Form.

Events

Details on This Year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Rio in Gaithersburg (March 11)

By MCS Staff

Published February 25, 2023 at 8:57AM

The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with The Peterson Companies & Rio, will host the 21^st St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Rio (Rio Boulevard & Grand Corner Avenue) on Saturday, March 11 at 10am. Free parking is available in three garages along Washingtonian Boulevard.

Dozens of units will march in the parade, including Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, fire trucks, equestrian units, service organizations, characters, & more. Sally & Tom Marchessault, longtime City volunteers & 2020 Distinguished Residents, will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal. The parade will be emceed by Carolyn Muller, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture.

A post from Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

Powered by one of the nation’s deepest technical talent pools, Montgomery County’s defense industry is growing

Published June 24, 2026 at 10:45AM

From left to right: Judy Costello, Director of Economic Development Special Projects for the Montgomery County Government; Congresswoman April McClain Delaney; Thales DSI CEO Mike Sheehan; and Maryland Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Mayank Kapur during a tour of Thales DSI’s manufacturing facility in Clarksburg, Maryland. Photo courtesy of Thales DSI.

As technology advances faster than ever, cybersecurity and defense companies are competing for more than talent—they are seeking exceptional innovators with the expertise to create the next generation of products, services, and breakthrough technologies.

That combination of diverse and specialized talent, and proximity to customers is what positions Montgomery County, Maryland, as a strategic destination and a growing hub for defense, satellite communications, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing companies.

Thales Defense & Security, Inc.’s (TDSI) expansion is the latest example.

For more than six decades, TDSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales U.S.A, has supported critical national security missions, delivering advanced communications, intelligence, surveillance, and defense technologies to military and government customers around the world.

Last week, the company celebrated a significant expansion of its manufacturing operations in Clarksburg, Maryland.

Over the past year, TDSI also doubled its manufacturing floor footprint through a $4 million investment, expanding production capacity to support the company’s continued growth.

Today, TDSI employs approximately 675 people in Montgomery County, including roughly 250 manufacturing employees.

As demand for its technologies continues to grow, the company continues to expand and has added more than 225 positions locally over the past three years.

A leading U.S. supplier of tactical radio and SATCOM communications, including EW/SIGINT kits, tactical power, Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (HMCS), mounted/dismounted EO/IR sensors, missile fusing, cyber protection technology and Anti-Submarine Warfare sonars, TDSI supports customers across the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Department of Homeland Security, other federal agencies, and global security partners. (more…)

MoCoSnow

Snow Possible Today; Grass and Cars May See Coating

By MCS Staff

Published February 25, 2023 at 7:56AM

Two days after 80° weather, it’s likely we will see some snow today. Temperatures are in the upper 20/lower 30s at 7am across the county and are expected to reach the mid to upper 30s later today. Snow/wintry precipitation is expected to move into the area later this morning and lasting into the afternoon hours. Not much is expected, but it could be enough to coat the grass and cars.

We don’t expect any major traffic issues due to this potential Saturday snowfall, but it’s always a good idea to use a little extra caution while driving if the snow rates pick up for a short amount of time. Temperatures are expected to push 60° again on Sunday, which has been a common theme for this February. Below you’ll see Fox 5’s “Futurecast” run of today’s very minor snow event. Our featured photo comes from this run.

Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 12-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 11:32PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 12-year-old from Silver Spring. Britany Isal Elizabeth Reynoso was last seen on Friday, February 24, 2023, at approximately 5 p.m., on Innsbruck Court in Silver Spring.

Britany is approximately 4-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 110 lbs. She has brown eyes and brown hair with blonde highlights. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and green/black pants. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Event

Food Truck Friday Summer Series

July 24, 2026 12:00 pm -2:00 pm

Lafayette Federal Credit Union

3535 University Blvd. West

Kensington, Maryland 20895

Website Contact Social

Connect with neighbors, learn about Lafayette Federal, and grab fun giveaways! All while enjoying food from local Tacos Pretzel & Pizza Creations.

First 75 registrants can receive free food.*

Germantown

Police and Family Concerned for Two Missing Juveniles

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 10:38PM | Updated February 25, 2023 at 3:53PM

Tony is believed to be with 15-year-old Fernanda Azevedo, who was last seen on Friday, February 24, 2023, at approximately 6 p.m., at her residence on Bronco Court in Germantown. Fernanda is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weights 130 lbs. She has brown eyes and blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a black Adidas jacket and black Adidas pants. Police and family are concerned for their welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Tony Offutt and Fernanda Azevedo is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301)279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland Police Release More Details In Road Rage Shooting As Investigators Continue To Seek Information Leading To Suspect

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 6:49PM

Per the Maryland State Police: As the one-year anniversary of a fatal road rage shooting approaches, investigators release more details and continue to seek the identity of the suspect pictured in video footage captured during the incident. On March 19, 2022, Delonte Hicks, 29, of Washington, D.C. was shot while driving a tow truck in Prince George’s County. He was transported from the scene to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Autopsy results indicate his cause and manner of death as homicide by multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is a 2018 or 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The color of the vehicle is either black or gray. The suspect appears in the driver’s seat in the photos below.

Bethesda

Rockville Man Accused of Killing Former Boss at Bethesda Home Pleads Guilty to All Counts

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 6:18PM

Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Judge Karla Smith, defendant, Billy Phillips, 38, of Rockville, pleaded guilty to counts of First-Degree Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, and Use of a Firearm in Commission of Felony for the death of his former manager, Geoffrey Biddle, 66, of Bethesda, on June 23, 2021.

Phillips faces the potential of life in prison plus an additional 65 years when he is sentenced on March 10^th at 10:30 a.m. The State will be seeking the maximum penalty. According to witnesses, Phillips had recently been in financial despair and was fired from his job in April 2021 for fraud. When he was arrested, the victim’s bank card and checkbook were in the defendant’s car. Featured photo shows home where murder occurred, courtesy of Google Maps. Photo below shows Billy Phillips

Rockville

Rockville Man Charged With Robbery of Cricket Wireless

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 5:48PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged Craig Donnell Johnson of Rockville, with the robbery of a Cricket Wireless that occurred on Saturday, February 18, 2023, in the 2100 block of Veirs Mil Road. The investigation by detectives has revealed that Johnson entered the store at approximately 4 p.m., and approached the victim, who was working in the store. Johnson inquired about a product and then left the store.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Johnson returned to the store, approached the victim and asked to see a specific phone. As the victim went to retrieve the phone, Johnson covered his face and followed her to the rear of the store. Johnson approached the victim, put her in a headlock and demanded money from the register. The victim’s daughter was also in the back of the store, coloring at that time. Johnson ordered the victim’s daughter into the bathroom, took the keys to the register and then ordered the victim into the bathroom with her daughter. Unable to open the register, Johnson ordered the victim out of the bathroom and demanded that she open it. Johnson then assaulted the victim and fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money. Through the course of investigation, Johnson was identified as a suspect.

Athletes

MoCo Native Kiyomi McMiller Becomes First High School Athlete to Sign NIL Deal with Jordan Brand

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 5:37PM | Updated February 25, 2023 at 11:13AM

Kiyomi McMiller, a 5’8” point guard from the class of 2024, has signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorship with the Jordan Brand. This marks the Jordan Brand’s first high school NIL deal.The Silver Spring, MD–born guard is one of the top-ranked players in her recruiting class. Known for her skilled ball handling and scoring ability. McMiller joins the Jordan Brand as its first high school NIL athlete as she paves the way for the next generation of athletes. She is the Jordan brand’s second NIL athlete joining fellow MoCo native Kiki Rice, who was named the brand’s first NIL athlete in 2022.

McMiller currently plays point guard at Life Center Academy (LCA). The 5’8 junior is only in her first season at the school, where her father is a coach, having previously played at Trinity Collegiate School in Darlington, South Carolina, last season, where she averaged 27.1 points per game as a sophomore. Prior to high school she attended Benjamin Banneker Middle School in Burtonsville. “I’m inspired by both of my parents. I get my creativity from my dad and my grandmother, which carries over to my dribbling,” says McMiller. “I’m always in the gym with my mom and dad working on my game. It’s a dream come true being with the brand that stands for the same passion that I have for the game. I look forward to encouraging basketball players to use their creativity and platform to define their purpose.”

Bethesda

Helicopter Makes Precautionary Landing in Back Field of North Bethesda Middle School; No Injuries

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 4:22PM

A television news crew in a spare helicopter landed in the back field of North Bethesda Middle School in Bethesda (not near the building or any people) after an issue in flight. A Prince George’s County Police Chopper stopped by to make sure everything was fine after the precautionary landing. Both choppers successfully took off minutes later, when it was safe to do so.

The involved aircraft was a 2010 Robinson R44 Helicopter, per our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.

Burtonsville

Maryland’s First Ever Cannabis Lounge to Open Next Week in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 4:13PM | Updated February 24, 2023 at 5:52PM

Ceylon House (4009 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville), a first-of-its-kind cannabis lounge in Maryland, will hold its grand opening next Saturday, March 4. Ceylon House describes itself as an inclusive space for cannabis enthusiasts that is inspired by the tea houses in Sri Lanka. According to its website, “Only Registered Maryland Medical Patients that are older than 21 are allowed to enter for open lounge consumption and public events. Please bring with you your Patient ID number, Government-issued photo ID, and medical cannabis in its original packaging with your patient label still attached.” Ceylon House does not sell cannabis, but there is a dispensary located directly across from the lounge.

The entry fee for two hours of lounge use is $25. Ceylon House does not serve food or beverages, but vending machines are accesible and customers are able to bring their own food into the lounge. Alcohol and tobacco consumption is prohibited.