MDLottery

An engineer, the winner said he plans to put most of the money in the bank but will spend some of it on a vacation and a new car for his wife. The couple play both Mega Millions and Powerball because they love the big prizes. The estimated Mega Millions jackpot is set for $379 million for Friday’s drawing and the estimated Powerball jackpot is at $116 million for Saturday’s drawing.

“We are going to keep playing,” the winner said. “We hope to come back after we win the full jackpot next time.” He purchased the lucky $2 quick-pick ticket at Old World Favorites at 3854 International Drive in Silver Spring.


Derwood

The shelter is full, and adopters are urgently needed. All types of animals are available for adoption including guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles, cats and dogs. For those considering adding a new pet to your family, now is the time. Adopting is easy—and even easier during the Home for the Holidays with no adoption fees.


MCPS

A letter (available below) was sent home to the Silver Spring International Middle School community on Thursday, December 8th, detailing an incident involving a BB gun accidentally discharging and striking a student in the leg during the school day.

According to the letter, a 7th grade student showed a BB gun to a friend when it accidentally discharged and struck her friend in the upper thigh. There were no injuries, as the student was examined by the school nurse following the incident, and the BB gun was confiscated by school security. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Public School Systemwide Safety reported to the school to investigate the incident. Full letter below:


MCDOT

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Jan. 18, starting at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed construction of a sidewalk in the Roscoe Nix Elementary School community on Oakview Drive from Dilston Road to New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.

 


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating two fatal shootings which occurred a few hours apart Thursday evening in Dorchester County. At about 7:15 p.m. last night, the Cambridge Police Department responded to the area of Pleasant Street and Race Street in Cambridge, Maryland for a gunshot victim. Officers located the victim, identified as Taijay Brian Daniels, 24, of Cambridge, Maryland, who had been shot multiple times. Daniels was pronounced deceased at the scene.  

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by Cambridge Police to assume the investigation. According to a preliminary investigation, an unknown black male wearing a black jacket, dark jeans, black shoes and black book bag robbed Daniels at gunpoint. During the course of the robbery, the gunman shot Daniels before fleeing the area.


Damascus

Back in May we let you know about ‘That Smoothie Place’ coming to Damascus, taking over the location that was formerly home to Sprint in the Damascus shopping center at 9815 Main Street, suite 106. The store is soft opening starting today, Friday, December 9th, and it’s not just about healthy snacks at That Smoothie Place, where an inclusive workplace is prioritized.

Per That Smoothie Place: “Our store started as a small dream, a small food truck with big ideas and a focus on inclusivity. Only a year into opening our tiny smoothie truck, it gained popularity as word spread that our employees were indeed the center of our positive vibes. That began our journey to search for a storefront to expand and spread love and smoothies.


Bethesda

Back in August we let you know that La Catrina Bar & Lounge is coming to 4935 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, taking over the location that was formerly home to George’s Chophouse, 4935 Bar & Kitchen, The Loft at 4935, Tragara’s, and others. The has pushed back the opening date a couple times, but has now announced that it will be opening on Friday, December 9th. The dining room will be open at 5pm and the dance floor will open at 10pm, according to the latest social media post by La Catrina (available below).

La Catrina boasts “the true Mexican experience” and “tacos, tequila, and party”, as the space consists of two levels that can be used for dining, dancing, and more, which allows for a different experience from the other recently opened restaurants in Bethesda that offer Mexican cuisine (Chaia, Mexicue, Tacombi).


Rockville

Clear Skies Meadery will hold the grand opening celebration of its new meadery at 15201 Display Ct in Rockville on Friday, December 9 at 4pm and Saturday, December 10 at noon. The two-day event will feature live music, food trucks, raffles, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Clear Skies current location, which opened at 325 Main St. in Gaithersburg in 2020, is scheduled to remain open a little longer.

Mead is an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. Clear Skies offers a rotating list of flavors, including current seasonal ones like apple pie, cranberry, and pumpkin pie. The new Rockville location will include a bigger production line that will allow the company to expand the canning and bottling of its product. Additional details below County or Clear Skies Meadery on Facebook:


MCDOT

The Holiday Flash Light bus is back again this year with a new twist. This year, there will be Flash Light buses operating along the Route 29 corridor. Additional information on how to ride the flash below:

How to Ride the FlashFlash is the easy, convenient way to get around the Colesville Road/Columbia Pike Corridor. With frequent, reliable service, it’s a great option for any trip type, whether it is commuting during peak hours, picking up groceries midday, heading to local parks and trailheads, or going out to dinner in downtown Silver Spring.


Beyond MoCo

Investigation Reveals Troubling Scope of Harassment and Misconduct at the Team, and NFL and Commanders’ Leadership Attempts to Cover It Up

Washington, D.C. (December 8, 2022)— Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, released a staff report entitled, Conduct Detrimental:  How the NFL and Washington Commanders Covered Up Decades of Sexual Misconduct.  The report presents the Committee’s findings from its year-long investigation into the Washington Commanders’ (Commanders) decades-long toxic workplace culture, the National Football League’s (NFL) handling of the investigation into this matter, and the NFL’s role and record in setting and enforcing workplace standards across the League.


Beyond MoCo

At the beginning of the year we let you know of Raising Cane’s planned expansion into the D.C. metropolitan region, with the first restaurant planned for Sterling, VA at 45545 Dulles Eastern Plaza. Raising Cane’s has announced that the restaurant will officially open on Tuesday, December 13th. Raising Cane’s aims to open 14 stores in the next year, stretching from suburban Baltimore to the Richmond area, with more to on tap for 2023 including Bowie, Dumfries, Manassas and Springfield. No Montgomery County locations have been announced yet.

Founded by Todd Graves in 1996 in Baton Rouge, La., Raising Cane’s has more than 460 restaurants in 27 states, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with multiple new restaurants under construction. The international expansion began in 2015. The menu is simple and focuses on chicken finger combos , chicken finger sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, sweet/iced tea, and Cane’s sauce. The menu can be seen below: