Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have the following schedule and program changes for the Christmas Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Dec. 26.
Per Montgomery County: With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region, Montgomery County officials today offered precautionary recommendations to prevent further community spread of the virus. The County’s COVID-19 case rate has risen steadily over the last month and is now more than double the recent low on Nov. 28.
The increase in transmission has occurred both in the County and in other jurisdictions around the region. Combined with influenza cases and other significant respiratory disease, emergency department visits and hospitalization rates have increased as well.
Per the Town of Poolesville: “In Poolesville’s water system, elevated levels of PFOA or PFOS were detected in the water samples collected from Well 2 and Well 3. A Tier 2 Public Health Advisory Notice was mailed to every resident. While there are no national or state Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS in drinking water, the EPA released interim health advisories for PFOA and PFOS. For this reason, we have taken Wells 2 and 3 offline.” Full press release available below:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are a group of over 5,000 human made compounds. Used since the 1940s, PFAS compounds can be in a wide range of consumer and industrial products and processes. PFAS released to the air, soils, ground- or surface water can enter into nearby drinking water sources. To assess the presence of PFAS in state drinking water sources, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has initiated an assessment from 137 selected Community Water Systems. These Community Water Systems were selected by the proximity, number, and type of potential sources of PFAS MDE mapped over 2,000 potential sources of PFAS in Maryland. The 2,000 potential sources include military installations, fire training areas, airports, landfills, manufacturing facilities, and wastewater treatment plants.
Summer fun starts at Good Counsel! Our Summer Camps are packed with exciting activities, sports, creativity, adventure, and unforgettable memories for campers of all ages. From the field to the classroom and everywhere in between, there’s something for everyone at Good Counsel’s Summer Camps!
Spend your summer learning, laughing, and making new friends with the Good Counsel community. Spots are filling fast so be sure to register today!
Register at: www.olgchs.org/camps
Marcum LLP announced earlier this month that Rockville’s E. Cohen and Company, CPAs of Rockville, Maryland (1 Research Ct #400) merged into Marcum, effective December 1. In conjunction, E. Cohen’s information technology subsidiary, BinaryNetworks, merged into Marcum Technology, LLC. The transactions expand Marcum’s tax, assurance, and advisory services across the Mid-Atlantic region, where the Firm currently has offices in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Rockville.
Per the press release: E. Cohen and Binary add more than 90 partners and associates to Marcum, bringing the Firm’s team to approximately 4,000 nationwide. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. E. Cohen was a full-service tax and accounting firm serving individuals and middle-market businesses. The firm’s practice was focused on construction, government contracting, hospitality, nonprofit, professional services, real estate, and wholesale distribution. E. Cohen was consistently ranked among the top accounting and advisory firms in the Capital Region and the top 300 firms nationally. In 2019, it was named the No.1 firm for women by Accounting Today. “E. Cohen was a recognized leader with deep roots in the Maryland business community and brings substantial experience to Marcum. They will not only bolster our existing presence in Rockville but will also play a key role in our expansion throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Jeffrey M. Weiner, Marcum’s chairman & chief executive officer.
Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland
The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,
Lugo Peralta, 19, of Silver Spring was arrested in Lexington Park, MD on Wednesday morning for stealing used oil from nearby restaurants. Additional information courtesy of the St. Mary’s County Police Department:
“Deputy First Class Phillip Henry was conducting a premise check at the Lexington Village shopping center in Lexington Park early Wednesday morning when he came upon a suspicious vehicle and individual behind the Golden Chicken restaurant.
Montgomery Planning staff has recommended the approval (with conditions) of a site plan that contains an amendment to allow for redeveloping the Burtonsville Shopping Center by demolishing 7,600 square feet of existing retail uses and relocating that retail square footage into two new pad sites with drive- thrus including improvements to open space, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian circulation. In June it was announced that a lease has been signed by the Phoenix-based company Sprouts Farmers Market in what is seen as the first critical step to kick start the revitalization of a once thriving retail area. It will also be the grocery chain’s first store in Montgomery County. “We are excited to partner with Sprouts on bringing a unique grocery experience to Burtonsville,” said David Germakian, Managing Director, EDENS. Additional information below, courtesy of Montgomery Planning:
The Applicant proposes to redevelop 6.90 acres of the existing shopping center by demolishing a 7,600 square foot area in the center of the existing shopping center to create a community gathering space (seen in our feature photo). This 7,600 square feet of demolished commercial space in the center of the existing shopping center will be reallocated to two new free standing pad sites with new drive-thru accessory uses on the front of the Property for Retail/Service Establishment or Restaurant uses. Separately from this Site Plan Amendment, the Applicant intends to make façade improvements to the existing buildings to enhance the aesthetics of the shopping center. These interim improvements are not subject to review as part of this Site Plan because they are outside the boundary of the amendment area. Additionally, Site Plan 819851040 approved in 1985 did not include any approved architectural drawings or conditions relating to architectural or building design. As a result, moving forward with façade and exterior building improvements is not a violation of any previous approval.
China Gourmet, located at 3739 University Blvd for the last 35 years, has announced earlier this month that the restaurant will be closing permanently at the end of December. The restaurant cites the retirement of “key personnel” as the main reason, stating that it “just would not be China Gourmet” without them. What’s next for the space? The owners also announced that they’ll be remodeling and reopening as an “American sports-themed restaurant” in the future. Full message by China Gourmet below:
“To Our Loyal Patrons and Friends,
The storm is expected to begin as a wintry mix for points north and west of the I-95 corridor. Garrett and Allegany counties are expecting icing conditions, so motorists are encouraged to keep updated with forecasts and delay travel in the event of icing. The application of salt brine is used to prevent precipitation from initially bonding to the pavement. Motorists are encouraged to remain home and off the roads so crews can effectively and efficiently treat the roads.
“We’re asking for motorists’ patience while our crews are out doing their jobs, clearing paths for drivers,” MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “While we encourage everyone to stay home if travel becomes hazardous, those who must go out should remember that the safest spot for people that have to drive is safely behind our equipment.”
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the honorable Judge Karla Smith sentenced defendant, Joshua Wright, 18, of Bethesda, to life in prison suspend all but 40 years for the death of 33-year-old, father of six, Lawrence Wilson Jr., on December 19th, 2021. Judge Smith ordered that Wright be admitted into the Patuxent Youthful Offenders Program while incarcerated. He will be placed on five years of supervise probation upon release. Wright had pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree murder in July 2022. Co-defendant, Antonio Lawrence, who is facing charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, is scheduled for trial beginning February 6, 2023.”
Original December 2021 report: Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division, Homicide Section arrested and charged two juveniles and an 18-year-old with first degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery, following the death of a 33-year-old male in Bethesda. 16-year-old Antonio Lawrence, 17-year-old Joshua Wright, and 18-year-old Blaise Uchemadu, all from Bethesda, are accused of killing 33-year-old Lawrence Richard Wilson, Jr. on Sunday, December 19, 2021.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police -Major Crimes Division are investigating an attempted commercial armed robbery that occurred inside Karen’s Seafood in the 13800 block of Outlet Drive. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.
At approximately 7:28 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of an attempted armed robbery that just occurred. The investigation by detectives has determined that an unknown suspect entered Karen’s Seafood, armed with a firearm. The suspect approached multiple patrons inside the restaurant, pointed his firearm at them and demanded money. When the patrons failed to comply with the suspect’s demands, he approached an employee at the cash register. For reasons still under investigation, the suspect fled the scene without obtaining any currency from the establishment.
Over the weekend we reported that “coming soon” signage was up at the upcoming Germantown location at 12922 Middlebrook Road in Germantown, in the former location of DSW that closed earlier this year in the Germantown Commons shopping center next to Bed Bath & Beyond. Gold’s Gym closed its Layhill Center location in Silver Spring earlier this month, according to a representative from one of its Rockville locations. We were told the decision was made to not renew the lease at 14348 Layhill Rd. Gold’s Gym has other Montgomery County locations in Gaithersburg, Olney, and two in Rockville (Rockville Town Square and Wintergreen Plaza).