Crime

Christmas Trees Stolen From Volunteer Fire Department Lot

By MCS Staff

Per Takoma Park Police: On Tuesday, December 6, at approximately 2:55 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 200 block of Ethan Allen Avenue for a report of stolen Christmas Trees. Six Christmas Trees, with a value of approximately $400, were stolen from the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department’s tree lot where they are having their annual fundraiser to raise money for fire department volunteer services.  The theft occurred some time between December 5 or 6 between the hours of 8:00 pm and 4:30 am. The investigation continues under case #220053903.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100.

TPVFD accepts donations online. “The Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department is supported in part by Montgomery County, but also relies on the generosity of our community to support our work.”

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Olney

New Pupusa Truck Now Open

By Patrick Herron

The Pupusa Box food truck is now open at the Shell Gas Station located at 18040 Georgia Ave in Olney. In addition to pupusas, the truck also serves a variety of tacos, tortas, wings, nachos, and baleadas (photo of the menu board below). According to their website, “Our trailer is more than just a place to grab lunch. It is a place to try out new dishes typical to our native Central American countries.”

In other MoCo food truck news, the Muoi Tieu food truck, which serves Vietnamese cuisine, is set to debut on Dec. 9 at the Takoma Park Gift(ing) Market and will also participate in the Market at the Bank event on December 18. The official soft opening and grand opening is coming in January 2023. So far, the menu consists of Cuon (Rice Paper Rolls) and Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwiches) and will be serving the Takoma Park area. Additional details here.

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Montgomery Planning

Montgomery Council Seeks Applicants for Montgomery County Planning Board

By Patrick Herron

The Council intends to appoint successors, before February 28, 2023, for three members. The Council is expected to appoint the remaining two positions, including the chair, by June 14, 2023 and will advertise to fill those positions at a later date.

The following temporary Board members will vacate their positions at the end of February 2023: Ms. Amy Presley, Mr. David Hill, and Ms. Cherri Branson. The positions are available to fill the unexpired terms of the prior Planning Board members as follows:

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Derwood

Virtual Meeting to Discuss Future of 15501 Monona Drive in Derwood to Take Place Thursday Night

By MCS Staff

A virtual meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday night to discuss the property located at 15501 Monona Drive in Derwood that is currently home of the America Society of Plant Biologists. The plan is for the contract purchaser to develop the property with a two-story building for medical/scientific manufacturing and production use. Full letter by Lerch, Early, & Brewer to local residents can be seen below:

“Dear Neighbor, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. Lerch, Early & Brewer represents Glenline Investments, the contract purchaser of the property located at 15501 Monona Drive (the “Property”) that is currently the home of the America Society of Plant Biologists (“ASPB”).

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Events

Montgomery Parks Virtual Speaker Series Spotlights Brooklyn Bridge Parks’ Teen TIDES Program

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks invites the public to the December 2022 session of its Parks Speaker Series on the topic of the TIDES and teen-focused programs. The free session will take place online on December 14, 2022, from 3 – 4 p.m.

During this presentation, Haley McClanahan and Elizabeth Harnett from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy will speak about the success of the TIDES (Teens Interested and Dedicated in Environmental Stewardship) program.  They will share how the program got started, the goals of the program, and how participants have helped shape the program into what it is today.  They will also speak about the ways they have been able to retain alumni and continue to grow the program through a tiered system.

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Briggs Chaney

Man Armed With Shotgun Robs Restaurant in Briggs Chaney MarketPlace Wednesday Night

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Police responded to the area of Briggs Chaney Road and Columbia Pike at approximately 7:32 pm on Wednesday night for the report of an attempted commercial armed robbery that occurred at Karen’s Seafood in the Briggs Chaney MarketPlace shopping center.

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Suspect Arrested for Assault and Firearm Related Charges

By Patrick Herron

Per the Gaithersburg Police Department: On December 7, 2022, detectives from the Gaithersburg Police – Investigative Section charged Quaicy Hardy, age 23 of Whetstone Drive in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with first and second degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm possession with felony conviction, discharging of a weapon within City limits, and several other firearms related charges.

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at approximately 5:07 p.m., officers from both the Gaithersburg Police Department and the Montgomery County Police – 6th District responded to the area of Whetstone Drive for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Officers located a 24-year-old male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers provided first-aid on the victim until Fire and Rescue personnel arrived, at which point the victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A handgun was recovered on scene. Hardy was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is held without bond.

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Restaurants

New Vietnamese Food Truck, Muoi Tieu, to Debut on Friday, December 9

By MCS Staff

The Muoi Tieu food truck, serving Vietnamese cuisine, is set to debut on Dec. 9 at the Takoma Park Gift(ing) Market and will also participate in the Market at the Bank event on December 18. The official soft opening and grand opening is coming in January 2023. So far, the menu consists of Cuon (Rice Paper Rolls) and Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwiches) and will be serving the Takoma Park area.

Per the Muoi Tieu website: “Muoi Tieu, which means “salt” and “pepper” in Vietnamese, is a Vietnamese food truck in Takoma Park, MD. Like our name, our philosophy is simple – we want to bring classic, savory Vietnamese dishes (with some fun twists) to our vibrant community. Muoi Tieu is Vietnamese-owned, woman-owned, and family run. The Muoi Tieu logo is a tribute to the owner’s late grandmother, an amazing cook, mother, and grandmother, who expressed her generosity and love through her cooking. The words “muoi” and “tieu” in our logo were extracted from the personal accounting books she kept when she first came to the U.S. Though she never wrote down a recipe, her dishes always turned out consistent and delicious and never failed to delight us. It is that level of care, meticulousness, and delight that we hope to carry on through Muoi Tieu.”

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Restaurants

Takoma Cocoa Crawl to Take Place on Saturday, December 17th

By MCS Staff

Per Main Street Takoma: Enjoy cocoa at area restaurants and cafes during the Takoma Cocoa Crawl on Saturday, December 17th between 1pm and 4pm. Make one stop or many. Adult versions available too. This year we will continue to forgo the original cocoa crawl reusable Takoma mugs for health reasons and the businesses will provide single use mugs or to-go cups for your safety and enjoyment! Prices and sizes vary by business, participating businesses below:

COCOA Cielo Rojo, 7056 Carroll Avenue: Mexican Hot Chocolate, Mexican Hot Chocolate with Mezcal

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Investigating Two Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crashes In Harford County

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating two fatal multi-vehicle crashes that occurred this morning in Harford County. At about 6:45 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police JFK Memorial Highway Barrack responded to Interstate-95 North at MD Route 543 in Belcamp, Maryland for a report of a five-vehicle crash. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse was traveling north on I-95 in the left lane, when it crossed over the solid yellow line of the left shoulder and struck two tractor-trailers. The Chevrolet then rotated back into the road where another tractor-trailer struck the vehicle. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Caprice N. Davis, 27, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was declared deceased at the scene. There were no other injuries reported as a result of the initial crash.

The second crash occurred at about 8:35 a.m. on I-95 North at Maryland Route 24 in Edgewood, Maryland. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2021 Subaru Forrester was traveling north on I-95 when the driver, a female, crashed into the rear of a dump truck.  The truck was stopped for traffic associated with the initial crash. The victim, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was declared deceased at the scene. I-95 North was closed for about five hours as a result of the crashes.   The cause of the crashes remains under investigation. 

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Education

MCPS Expands Communications Leadership Team

By MCS Staff

Additional Staff Members Will Support Districtwide Communication Priorities

Per MCPS: In order to provide more robust system-wide media relations, proactive storytelling, news, crisis communications and marketing services, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has added several new positions to the Communications Department in the Office of the Chief of Staff.

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