Business

KLNB, the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest privately held CRE brokerage firm, has announced the acquisition of Edge Commercial Real Estate, the 16-year-old Rockville, Md.-based brokerage with offices in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. The deal allows KLNB to establish a greater presence in Montgomery County, something KLNB has been eager to do.

Per the press release: The deal will increase KLNB’s size by roughly 20%, adding 32 total employees, 18 of which are brokers who specialize in multiple facets of office, industrial, tenant representation, and multi-family investment sales and leasing. Six of the brokers will be immediately installed as principal partners at KLNB. The official financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed, but the transaction includes substantially all of Edge’s assets.


MoCo Government

Chief Marcus Jones confirmed earlier this month in testimony before the Public Safety Committee of the County Council that the Department is currently down 129 sworn officers.


Crime

The Police Department and Ward 5 City Councilmember Cara Honzak will hold a community meeting to discuss public safety issues in Ward 5. Police Department staff will be providing an update on recent incidents in Ward 5 and provide an overall overview of crime stats/trends and security measures put in place to address these trends. The meeting will be in-person, and a Zoom Webinar will also be available to join and ask questions:

Zoom Registration: Ward 5 Community Zoom Meeting Registration Contact: If you have questions in advance of the meeting, please email them to Cathy Plevywith the title “Ward 5 Public Safety Meeting.”


Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City Manager Tanisha Briley announced the selection of Courtney Davis as the new Manager of the Office of Communication & Public Engagement Division within the City Manager’s Office. Courtney will begin her role with the City on March 6, 2023, and will be introduced at the Mayor & City Council meeting that evening.

Courtney comes to Gaithersburg with more than 15 years of experience working in a variety of communication and marketing roles. She has led teams of content creators focusing on writing, social media, communications, and marketing. In her most recent role, she served as the Assistant Director of Public Relations at Prince George’s Community College. Under Courtney’s leadership, the College strategically increased its media relations, engaged local and national reporters, and secured Op-Eds, feature stories and profile pieces. Courtney began her career as a marketing manager and publicist for national Broadway tours.


Bethesda

Montgomery County Police are investigating a carjacking that occurred Tuesday night in Bethesda. According to police, “At approximately 8:18 p.m., MCP officers responded to the 4000 block of Chevy Chase Dr. for the report of a carjacking that just occurred. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspects assaulted an adult male victim, stole his vehicle, and left the scene. The victim sustained minor injuries.” According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, the victim was an elderly man that had his 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen. We will post an update when additional information is available. 

BETHESDA STRONG–ARM CARJACKING: ~8:10PM Tuesday on Chevy Chase Drive, off of Bradley Blvd and Hillandale Road (Kenwood Forest II near Norwood Local Park). Elderly man assaulted and his 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen. MCP Major Crimes Detectives investigating… pic.twitter.com/Zu8sLFiidS


Gaithersburg

The Students of Minds In Motion Child Care, Scotland Community, and the Judith Resnik Elementary School extend an invitation to celebrate Black History Month with a night filled with knowledge, food, poetry, and performances. This free program will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 7 – 9 pm at the Resnik Elementary School, Gaithersburg, MD, and includes dinner from local restaurants. The program will recognize icons of Black History including Viola Davis, Rosa Parks, Michelle Obama, Guy Bluford, Missy Elliot, Cynthia Erivo, and Katherine Dunham. Students will present on their achievements throughout the event.

Performances will be led by various youth groups including students of Minds in Motion Child Care, Scotland Community, Bells Mill Elementary School, Cabin John Middle School, Damascus Elementary School, Goshen Elementary School, Judith Resnik Elementary School, Winston Churchill High School, and Watkins Mill Elementary School. The highlight of the evening will be the Step Performance featuring Kristopher Paul, Noah Gleaton, Diezel Duckett, Sidoine Djimbou, Braedan Lynk, Bebo Aly, and Ahmed Hassan.


Gaithersburg

Jeyco is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 110 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.  Police and family are concerned for his welfare.  Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jeyco Estrada is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

 


MCFRS

A fire that took place on Saturday, February 18th at the Arrive high-rise apartment complex on Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring resulted in one fatality and injuries to multiple residents, as well as the displacement of hundreds of residents. At the request of Montgomery County, Montgomery Housing Project (MHP) is managing a dedicated relief fund to assist those affected by the fire. One-hundred percent of donations will go directly to those affected.

Per MHP: “While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties with the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County, and are playing a role by managing financial donations to help impacted residents. Thank you for lending a hand to our neighbors!” Donations can be made here.


Entertainment

Sean Gaiser is a class ‘98 Georgetown Prep alumnus and a current music teacher at the Jesuit college-preparatory school in North Bethesda (the only only Jesuit boarding school in the United States). He and Billy Glading (Gonzaga ‘99) have recently released a new five-song EP titled “Wildflower.” The title of the album was inspired by Sean’s sister, Caroline, who passed away in February 2020.

Per a Georgetown Prep news release, his sister, Caroline, was a free spirit who loved flowers. Gaiser chose a fox on the cover because they frequent his house and stare at him and he feels in his heart the foxes represent his sister. The third song on the album is a tribute to Caroline. This is Sean’s third album and he says, “I am always writing music and enjoy starting new projects. I plan to never stop making music.” Sean and Billy said this is their most personal and challenging piece of work yet, and took 5 years to create.You can listen to the album on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube.


Rockville

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Technical Rescue Team responded to the Montgomery County Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center at 16101 Frederick Rd in Rockville on Tuesday afternoon after a vehicle was dumping trash on the tipping floor, its weight shifted, and the occupied cab went up in the air. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, rescue crews stabilized the truck and have removed the driver. There were no injuries reported.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – 16101 Frederick Rd, Transfer Station, vehicle mishap involving occupied (driver) dump truck, stuck/suspended in air, vehicle being stabilized (in order to ecract/remove driver) via ladder, plant operations have been shut down, @mcfrs TRT (Technical Rescue Team) on scene”


Bethesda

Paul Stanley, the co-founder, singer, and guitarist of legendary rock band KISS, will be appearing at the Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) this Friday, February 24 from 7-9pm. Stanley’s art is currently on display at the gallery and individuals who purchase one of his paintings will have the opportunity to meet him at event. Stanley will also be appearing the Wentworth Gallery at Tysons Galleria on Saturday, February 25. Additional information below courtesy of Wentworth Gallery:

“To ring in the New Year – Wentworth Gallery is honored to present a collection of works from legendary Musician and Fine Artist, Paul Stanley. Since the artist’s last national art tour, over four years ago, Stanley has created new original paintings, hand painted signature Paul Stanley Ibanez guitars, mixed media originals, and limited-edition artworks including new works on metal. Several of the pieces on display come from the Black Series that was originally commissioned in 2020 for museum exhibition. As with most events in 2020 that exhibit was canceled due to the pandemic. With the Black Series, Stanley pushes the boundaries of his art by starting with a black canvas and creating vibrancy and emotion with his trademark bright colors. Fans can experience the new works and meet Paul Stanley at the following Wentworth Gallery locations beginning February 3 in Hollywood, FL on February 4 in Boca Raton, FL and then on February 24 in Bethesda, MD and finally February 25 McLean, VA (full details below).