Crime

Per the Frederick County Sheriff’s Department: On Oct. 28, 2022, members of the Frederick County Human Trafficking Response Team (HRT), successfully executed numerous search and seizure warrants at several Frederick County massage parlors.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement representatives detained Huiping Hester, age 52, from Bethesda, Maryland, without incident. Hester, transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center, faces charges of two counts of sex trafficking and 14 additional counts associated with trafficking and prostitution. The investigation stemmed from numerous citizen complaints of suspicious activity occurring at the following locations:


Bethesda

Seasonal retailer See’s Candies is now open at Montgomery Mall at 7101 Democracy Blvd in Bethesda.  See’s specializes in chocolates, truffles, fudge, brittle, toffee, and nuts. See’s joins Socks To Be You and Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too as stores that have recently opened in the mall for the upcoming holiday shopping season. For a full list of recent openings, see: What’s New and What’s Coming Soon to Montgomery Mall (November 2022 Edition)

According to their website, “See’s Candies has been making quality chocolate and candy Mary See’s way for over 95 years. From the beginning, Mary took pride in her recipes and insisted on only the finest, freshest ingredients. Today, we’re still just as committed to making candy the right way.  See’s has expanded from one chocolate shop to over 200 shops across America and a flourishing online store. And though we continue to grow, our commitment to tradition, taste, service and quality never wavers. Stop into one of our iconic black-and-white shops inspired by Mary’s kitchen, or visit us online. You’ll find over 100 varieties of delicious candy, chocolates, and seasonal gifts made with the same motto in mind: Quality Without Compromise®.


DC Sports

The Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation, through a partnership with the MCPS Educational Foundation, Inc., is generously providing 1,000 complimentary tickets to MCPS students and their families for the Washington Commanders game against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. at FedEx Field.

Tickets are first come, first served. Get tickets here. Important: Please not that MCPS and Foundation staff are ineligible to accept these complimentary tickets.


Beyond MoCo

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office received a call for “multiple stabbings at Green Valley Elementary School” in Monrovia on Thursday afternoon from a caller who was informed by a school teacher to call police. Law enforcement officials responded immediately and quickly determined that no stabbings occurred.

Further investigation found that the teacher took 27 students through the woods to a local cafe, Buzz Café, and asked an employee to call 911 to report the stabbings. The school was initially placed on lockdown. The school then went into a “hold status” and then a “secure status” with dismissal taking place normally.


Education

MCPS is asking the community to share its input for next year’s school calendar. This quick survey seeks to gauge the community’s opinions on the calendar scenarios developed for the 2023–2024 school year. Staff will use your feedback to develop a final recommendation to be presented at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6.


Maryland

Results of first round games can be seen below. Our preview and predictions from earlier this week can be seen here. Scores will be updated as we receive them (an F will signify the score is final). If a score isn’t listed, it’s because we haven’t yet received a report from the game.

Games scheduled for Friday, November 4th:


Education

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision. Given annually to recognize an outstanding administrator or supervisor of MCPS, eligible nominees include principals, assistant principals, school business administrators, directors, supervisors and other administrator and supervisory positions within the MCAAP/MCBOA unit.

Nominations can be submitted by MCPS staff, colleagues, friends, parents and community members. Self-nominations will also be accepted. The nomination deadline is 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. The award is presented by the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP). If you have questions, contact MCAAP at 301-762-8174. 2023 Edward Shirley Award Nomination Packet


Beyond MoCo

He visited Giant #310 in Bowie and bought 10 quick-pick tickets for the Oct. 29 drawing, along with Halloween treats. A caregiver for his father, the loyal Powerball player didn’t watch the drawing or even check his tickets until the next morning after learning that no one had hit the jackpot. Looking up the winning numbers, the Prince George’s County resident checked ticket after ticket for a win. “It was on the last of the 10 tickets,” said the former information technology worker. “I looked it up and this thing is saying $1 million!” He recalls thinking, “It’s wrong!” and asked his brother to take a look at the ticket.

After confirming the $1 million win, the Powerball fan said he felt a sense of relief. “I’m just thankful,” he said. The winner plans to use his prize to take care of his father and keep chasing the Powerball jackpot, which has now rolled to an estimated annuity of $1.5 billion for the Saturday, Nov. 5, drawing. The estimated cash value is $745.9 million. His lucky retailer can celebrate, too. For selling a $1 million winning Powerball ticket, the store located at 15520 Annapolis Road in Bowie receives a $2,500 bonus from the Lottery. This is the eighth second-tier Powerball prize of $2 million or $1 million won in 2022.


MCPS

Many of us are already working on sleep health and will need to anticipate this additional challenge. Work, school and lifestyle changes during the pandemic created challenges for regular health routines that continue to affect many people. For teens and parents of young children, unique factors influencing sleep and self care make it especially important to have healthy sleep habits.

How can I adjust my sleep schedule for the time change?


Celebrities

Lisa Ann Walter is an actress, comedian and television producer, perhaps best known for her roles as Chessy in the romantic comedy film The Parent Trap and her current role as Melissa Schemmenti on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary. She’s also a native of Montgomery County.

Walter was born in Silver Spring on August 3, 1963. She grew up in the area and was a 1979 graduate of Blair High School. She later graduated with a theater degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in 1983. Below you’ll see yearbook photos of Walter, sent in by her former teacher, Carole Chansky Goodman (who is also Blake High School’s first ever principal).


Gaithersburg

A consolidated joint public hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2022 at 7:30 pm in the City Call Council Chambers, 31 South Summit Avenue. Comments on this application may be mailed to 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877 or emailed to [email protected]. New exhibits were recently added to the project documents on the City of Gaithersburg website.

Additional information from our previous report: One Central LLC has submitted a schematic development plan that proposes 72 stacked townhouse (2-over-2) units along with green amenity space in Gaithersburg. Per the plans submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, the Property is located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Central Avenue with South Frederick Avenue. Nearby and vicinal uses (on the north) include the Devol Funeral Home and surface parking lot; (on the west) South Frederick Avenue; (on the south) single family housing structures believed occupied by office/employment use;, and (on the east) Unity of Gaithersburg Church, Rockville Evangelical Church, and single family residential.