MDLottery

Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.

Here is the weekly roundup of big winners:


MDLottery

The Montgomery County resident made a stop at Latino Market & Jewelry in Silver Spring. When he realized he won, “I was very happy,” the player said. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use his winnings to pay off loans. His lucky retailer located at 2505 Ennalls Avenue will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for its role in selling a top-prize winning scratch-off worth $100,000. This instant ticket was launched in September 2020. There are still eight $100,000 top prizes remaining along with more than 82,000 other prizes ranging from $30 to $5,000.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today welcomed Japanese Ambassador to the United States Koji Tomita to the State House, where they renewed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the State of Maryland and the Government of Japan to further bolster economic and trade relations.

The agreement will bring more Japanese investment to Maryland, and expand collaboration in a range of critical industries—including energy, high-speed rail development and passenger rail services, life sciences and biotechnology, and digital innovation such as quantum and artificial intelligence technologies.


Restaurants

Last month we let you know that longtime MoCo restaurant Amalfi Ristorante Italiano at 12307 Wilkins Ave in Rockville was bought by the owners of Chef Tony’s Restaurant in Bethesda. The restaurant has a hearing for a liquor license on Thursday, December 15 at 10:30am and hopes to reopen later in the month. Full statement from Chef Tony’s from last month can be seen below:

“So it’s now official, my wife Sonia, and myself have purchased Amalfi Restaurant and Rockville. We are so excited to get started with this new project, and will explain everything in our email going out today… We will be blending the Chef Tonys brand with the wonderful accolades of Amalfi Restaurant, which is been around 45 years in the Rockville market. We are so excited to get started and will let you know when transitions will happen. To be clear, we are not leaving the promenade, but are adjusting the concept a bit… We can I think all the amazing clients that I’ve gotten us here over the years. And we’re so excited to blend Chef Tonys family with the amalfi family in more ways than one. We hope to reopen in December, in time for the holiday events, and serve you all with pride and honor. Thank you again for all your support… See you soon, and here’s to a grand adventure!”


MCPS

Per MCPS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and County partners to discuss dangerous trend in substance use and how the school community is responding. This will include a demonstration of administering Narcan, a medicine that counteracts the effects of an Opioid overdose.

MCPS continues to work diligently alongside local government authorities and community partners on a comprehensive and coordinated approach to this dangerous epidemic. This effort is part of a series of outreach efforts to raise awareness to parents and caregivers to educate themselves and foster conversations with children about the dangers of drug use, specifically fentanyl and how to avoid use, family expectations around use, and the availability of help and support.


Maryland

Per MD Gaming: With the launch of seven mobile platforms and a new retail location, Maryland’s combined mobile and retail sports wagering handle during November 2022 totaled $219,071,374, and sportsbooks generated $704,728 for the state. Each sports wagering licensee contributes 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.

Maryland’s first seven mobile sportsbooks held eight hours of controlled demonstration wagering on November 21, and launched at 9 a.m. on November 23. In nine days of operations during November, mobile sports wagering handle was $186,084,496. That amount included $63,835,319 in free promotional play, which is provided to customers by sportsbooks and is deducted from the taxable win. As a result, mobile wagering accounted for $4,262 in contributions to the state in its first nine days.


Maryland

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland:  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has announced the seizure of 55 separate websites for allegedly live streaming the World Cup games, an infringement of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) copyrights.  Individuals visiting the sites will now see a message that the site has been seized by the federal government and be redirected to another site for additional information. 

According to the affidavit filed in support of the seizures, FIFA is the international governing body of association football and holds the exclusive rights to sanction and stage the FIFA World Cup 2022, which is being hosted in multiple cities in Qatar.  Beginning in September 2022, HSI received information from a representative of FIFA identifying several sites being used to distribute and transmit copyright-infringing content, without FIFA’s authorization.  HSI Agents in Maryland reviewed World Cup games accessible from each of the subject domain names, in violation of FIFA’s copyright.


MoCoSnow

We’re now within 60 hours of potential winter weather coming our way early Thursday morning. As it looks now, we could be in for some freezing rain early Thursday morning until about 8am or so when we would see a flip to rain from southern areas to northern areas.

If temperatures remain cold enough, early Thursday morning could be fairly slick with delays very possible for our area and even closures in areas north and west that may take longer to switch over. We’ll continue to monitor this one as it gets within 48 hours tomorrow morning and we have a better idea of where that ice/rain line will be. While it’s even possible to start with a bit of snow before changing to ice and then rain, it’s still possible for this to end up being an all-rain event.


Damascus

Jones is described as approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a light gray sweatsuit (sweatpants and hooded sweatshirt). Jones is driving a dark gray 2019 Mazda CX-9 crossover style vehicle with MD registration 8EW5288. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kaiti Brooke Jones is asked to call the 5th District Investigative Section at (240) 773-6237 or the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.


Beyond MoCo

Grillmarx Steakhouse & Raw Bar has announced it will be opening a new location in College Park, MD. Grillmarx has additional locations at 18149 Town Center Dr in Olney and 10175 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia.  In August we reported that the Grillmarx in Clarksburg, located at 12011 Snowden Farm Pkwy, would be undergoing a rebrand as the restaurant is no longer affiliated with the other Grillmarx locations. Currently a timeline for the rebrand hasn’t been set. We’re told the Clarksburg restaurant will remain similar to what it is currently, but the team will implement more of the Houston’s feel with additional upgrades.

 


Glenmont

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a collision at Georgia Avenue and Hathaway Drive at approximately 7pm on Monday night in Wheaton-Glenmont.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision involves two vehicles. Non life-threatening injuries are being evaluated and some lanes are currently blocked. Per our public safety reporter, Cordell Pugh, “crash destroyed the signal control box, extended repairs will be needed. Watch for crews who will be there for most of the evening.”