Education

MCPS: Six Things to Know For Thursday, December 1

By MCS Staff

Here are six things to know in MCPS for Thursday, Dec. 1. Get information about a Walking School Bus initiative, an upcoming mental health forum, how to stay involved in the operating budget process, a retirement celebration for longtime Board of Education member Dr. Judith Docca, reminders about inclement weather information, and two football teams making it to this year’s state championship.

The Walking School Bus program allows for students to walk along a set route with one or more adults leading the way, picking children up at designated stops along a predetermined route and walking them to school.

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MCFRS

Driver Strikes and Critically Injures Bicyclist; SB Rockville Pike Closed at Talbott St

By MCS Staff

A bicyclist has been struck and critically injured by a driver on southbound Rockville Pile (MD-355) near Talbott Street, according to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene and are transporting the bicyclist to the hospital with critical injuries (priority 1 trauma). According to MCFRS Public information officer Pete Piringer, all southbound lanes are blocked as of 8:51pm. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Darnestown

MoCo Native Johnny Hodges Earns Two Big 12 Awards

By MCS Staff

The All-Big 12 Conference football teams and individual award winners have been announced and Montgomery County’s very own Johnny Hodges has earned two awards. Selections are made by the league’s 10 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.

Hodges, a 6’2, 240 pound junior linebacker from Darnestown, who graduated from Quince Orchard High School in 2019, is a starting linebacker for the TCU Horned Frogs– currently ranked 3rd in the country. He has been named to the 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team and won the award for “Defensive Newcomer of the Year.” Hodges was also recently named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the week after he had a team-best and season-high 11 tackles, more than double the next-closest Horned Frog, to lead a strong defensive effort in then No. 4 TCU’s 17-10 win over then No. 18 Texas. The junior LB had 1.5 tackles for loss as part of his 11 stops and combined on a tackle for no gain on a 4th-and-1 Bijan Robinson rush on Texas’ opening series to set the tone for the game.

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Gaithersburg

Torrid to Close Gaithersburg Location (Rio) in January

By MCS Staff

Torrid, “the destination for Trendy Plus-size fashion and accessories”, will close its Rio location permanently according to a representative from the retailer. The store, located at 35 Grand Corner Ave in Gaithersburg, will close towards the end of January, according to the representative from the store. It took over the space that was previously home to Ono-Asia Pacific, a restaurant that served various Asian and Hawaiian cuisine, about a decade ago. There is no word on what the replacement will be at this time.

Torrid is an American women’s retail chain formerly owned by Hot Topic. While it is still owned by Sycamore Partners, owners of Hot Topic, in 2015, the company branched off to become Torrid, LLC. The store offers plus-size clothing and accessories for women size 10-30. Torrid began operations in April 2001. The first location opened in the Brea Mall in Brea, California. As of 2020, Torrid has over 600 stores in operation across 36 states in the United States. Torrid opened its first store in 2001, and an international store in Canada (Toronto) in August 2015. In July 2021, the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol CURV.

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Wheaton

MCPD Respond to Attempted Armed Robbery; Three Suspects in Custody

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police responded to an incident Thursday afternoon in the area of Westfield Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) in Wheaton. According to MCPD, “at approximately 3:15 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Rd. for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers determined an attempted armed robbery had occurred. At this time, three suspects are in custody. No injuries were reported. A weapon was located on one of the suspects. This is an active and ongoing investigation.” We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

WHEATON PURSUIT + GUN RECOVERY: ~3:10PM Thursday, weapons complaint at Wheaton Mall near the JCPenney (Wheaton, MD). MCP Wheaton Officers already nearby immediately responded. After brief foot chase, 3 suspects detained & at least 2 guns recovered along Cobble Hill Terrace.

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Maryland

Maryland Awarded $20,000 Grant to Give Rideshare Credits During Holiday Season

By Patrick Herron

Per MDOT: For the second year, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office has received a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to provide rideshare credits to Marylanders to help them Be the Make A Plan Driver and choose an alternative to driving impaired. Through the partnership funded by GHSA, Lyft, and Responsibility.org, 4,000 Lyft ride credits, each worth $5, will be available during the holiday season. Maryland is one of four states awarded the grant.

“Once again, we’re making the choice easy to be the driver who makes a plan and arranges a sober ride home,” said Governor Hogan. “No one should lose a loved one this holiday season, or ever, due to someone’s selfish choice to drive impaired. I encourage all drivers to make a plan for a sober ride home and save a life.”

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Education

WIN Time Increases Math and Literacy MAP Scores Goshen Elementary School

By MCS Staff

All Goshen Elementary School students participate in What I Need (WIN) Time for 30 minutes per day, four times per week, for additional enrichment in reading and math. 80 percent of students increased math and literacy MAP scores between fall 2021 and spring 2022. The video below discusses WIN time and how it has been effective for students at Goshen:

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Crime

Guilty Verdict in 2021 Rape Case

By MCS Staff

In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Judge Christopher Fogleman, a jury has convicted defendant, James McClain, 39, of Rockville, on charges of second-degree rape, attempted second-degree rape and two counts of third-degree sex offense for his assault on a victim who was previously unknown to him. The incident occurred on July 17, 2021 in a secluded area adjacent to the Wheaton Metro Station. It should be noted, the victim in this case is diagnosed with autism, bipolar disorder, schizo-affective disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

After a three-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour and convicted the defendant late yesterday evening. McClain faces up to 60-years in prison and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 1, 2023. “The bravery of the victim in coming forward initially and then participating in the trial, testifying before the jury, cannot be overstated. We are grateful for her help and the prosecutorial work of Assistant State’s Attorneys Gabriel Carrera and Lauren Fetsch. A predator in our community will now be held to account,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

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Education

Montgomery Blair Student Malaika Wande Experiences Being a Montgomery County Councilmember for a Day

By MCS Staff

Malaika Wande, a 10th grader at Montgomery Blair High School, was named Councilmember for a Day on Nov. 15. Wande’s passion is advocating for affordable housing, especially for families looking to move from renting to owning a home. She proposes expanding affordable housing and ownership programs in Montgomery County due to the rise in prices in Montgomery County and across the state.

Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice has selected a student to be Councilmember for a Day since 2016. Councilmember Rice created the recognition to engage youth in the county to write about issues they care about and connect with their local government to enact change.

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Bethesda

Detectives Asking for Public’s Assistance Locating Missing Bethesda Woman

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 50-year-old woman from Bethesda.  Kimberly Alston was last seen on November 11, 2022, in Bethesda. She may be driving a blue 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer bearing Maryland license plate 6AX9598.

Alston is five-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.  Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kimberly Alston is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

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