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Two Grant Programs to Assist Disabled, Seniors and Low-Income Residents with Transportation Needs Launched by Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Per MCDOT: Two grant programs designed to increase transportation services for disabled, senior and limited-income residents were launched today by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Approximately $800,000 in operating and capital budget funds will be available to eligible nonprofits to create assistance programs or enhance existing ones.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich proposed $1 million to establish a capital and operating grants process using funds from the Transportation Services Improvement Fund in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The County Council approved  $800,000 for a joint capital and operating grant program, with $640,000 for capital projects and $160,000 for operating expenses.

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Gaithersburg

MCFRS Respond to Kitchen Fire in Gaithersburg; Teachers Way and East Diamond Avenue Closed 

By Patrick Herron

According to MCPD, Teachers Way and East Diamond Avenue are closed between North Summit Avenue and Melvin Street as the result of fire rescue activity. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect delays. We will post an update when more information becomes available.  Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “100blk Teachers Way near N. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg, fire in kitchen, third floor, @mcfrs PE708, PE728, PE732, PE703, PE721, PAT708, AT703, RS703, M708, BC703, BC705, RS717, AT740, A703, M729 & others on scene”

Update – Teachers Way, Gaithersburg, fire on stove top, with minor extension to cabinets, fire is extinguished, no injuries https://t.co/HvuKzKLFYS

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Maryland

Attorney General’s Office Releases Report on the First Year of Independent Investigations of Police-Involved Fatalities Report; Includes Statistics from the Division’s 23 Cases, Legal Updates

By Patrick Herron

“The IID’s first annual report contains detailed information on the circumstances and nature of police-involved fatalities in Maryland, and what my office is doing to investigate them fairly and with transparency,” said Attorney General Frosh. More information on the IID investigations can be found here.

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Beyond MoCo

Smithsonian’s ZooLights Named One of “The 23 Best Christmas Light Displays” in the Country By U.S. News & World Report

By MCS Staff

The colorful glow of Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition, Zoo Lights, returned last weekend 2022 and it has been named one of “The 23 Best Christmas Light Displays” in the country by U.S. News & World Report. While there are many great Christmas/Winter light displays in our area, this was the only one to make it onto the U.S. News list of 23.

Per U.S. News: “ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is one of the city’s premier events – and it’s extremely popular among residents and visitors alike. The zoo is decorated to the nines with colorful LED lights and glowing animal lanterns. Visitors can catch live music performances and sample tasty snacks as they walk through the display and admire the lights. The pathways to view the lights are wheelchair-accessible but situated on a hill with a bit of an incline – something for disabled travelers and families with young kids and strollers to keep in mind. The event runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 30 (note: some weeks it’s only open from Friday to Sunday), from 5 to 9 p.m. Overall, many love checking out ZooLights each year; however, some warn that it can get crowded and note that the animals are not out. Admission to ZooLights is free, but you will need a special entry pass (which is different from a normal zoo pass). There is a parking fee of $30; if you wish to visit by Metro, the nearest stops are Cleveland Park or Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan on the Red Line. For more information, head to the National Zoo website.”

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DC Sports

Commanders Song “Who Are We? The Commanders” To Be Performed Live At The Next Two Washington Commanders Home Games

By MCS Staff

The Commanders Song: Who are we? The Commanders (videos below) by OH Goody featuring Big57 has taken Commanders social media by storm this year, with the song receiving over 160k plays on YouTube, and clips of it receiving millions of views across various social media platforms. Now, the creators of the song will get to perform it live in front of thousands of fans at Fed Ex Field at the next two home games, the duo announced.

Commanders superfan Lucas Georgiou said “At first we kind of did it as a joke, but now it’s the jam every time we win.” While the song itself has been widely criticized on a musical level, the overall theme of support for the home team and catchy hook has been used by many to celebrate Washington Commanders big plays, wins, and more.  Check out the popular clip and full song below:

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Restaurants

Ding Tea in Rockville Now Available For $450K (Reduced From $650K)

By MCS Staff

In September, we let you know that Ding Tea was available for purchase for $650,000. According to the listing, the price is now $450,000. Ding Tea opened in January 2020 at Ritchie Plaza next to Kiim Imm Thai restaurant (785 Rockville Pike). According to a listing, the bubble tea shop is now available for sale and can be purchased for $450,000. It is the only Ding Tea franchise in the state of Maryland.

Per the listing, the shop is being sold due to the owner moving out of state. They’re are currently 2 years left on the lease, with an option for an additional 5 years. Everything in the store would be included in the purchase of the store, which touts “no competition” since it’s the only Ding Tea store in the area. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Gaithersburg

Sketch Plan Submitted For Lakeforest Mall Redevelopment; Public Hearing Takes Place in January

By MCS Staff

WRS Inc. has submitted Zoning Map Amendment application Z-9444-2022 that proposes to rezone the Lakeforest Mall from the current C-2 (general commercial) to the MXD Zone (mixed-use) zone. The application includes a sketch plan requesting up to approximately 1.2 million square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,600 dwelling units on 102 acres of land. A Joint Public Hearing is scheduled for January 17, 2023.

WRS is proposing a full redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall to allow for a multi- stage, mixed-use community with up to:

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MoCo

Six To Be Inducted into MoCo Sports Hall of Fame in December

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame (MCSHF) is proud to announce the class of 2022. MCSHF will be holding the 2022 Induction Ceremony on December 4, 2022 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Silver Spring Civic Building. This year’s inductees are:

“These men and women have brought recognition and honor to our community in their respective fields,” says MCSHF Board Chair Trish Heffelfinger. “It is a stellar group and the induction ceremony will be one fabulous evening.” This year’s class joins the members of our first three classes in the Hall of Fame: Katie Ledecky, Dominique Dawes, Shawn Springs, Bob Milloy, Bruce Murray, Walter Johnson, Johnny Holliday, Curtis Pride, Amy Wood, Tom Brown, Jeri Ingram, Roy Lester, Greivis Vasquez, Richie Anderson, Deane Beman, Charlene Thomas-Swinson, and Mike Curtis. More on each of this year’s inductees below:

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Beyond MoCo

Defendant in Murder-For-Hire Conspiracy Sentenced to Life in Prison

By MCS Staff

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to court documents and the evidence presented at his trial, Navarro was an associate of co-defendant Miguel Angel Ayala Rivera, the leader of the Pinos Locos Salvatrucha clique La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13 gang (“MS-13”) and co-defendant Miguel Antonio Renderos, whom Navarro knew from El Salvador.  In November 2016, Renderos was looking for someone to murder Victim 1 in exchange for $10,000.  Navarro introduced Renderos to Ayala Rivera, who agreed to commit the murder.

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Maryland

Consumer Alert: Home Warranty Scam Letters Sent to Maryland Homeowners

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Attorney General: The Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office is warning  consumers about home warranty scam letters addressed to homeowners. These letters urge Maryland homeowners to renew a home warranty by claiming the current home warranty “may be expiring or may have already expired.” Even homeowners who have never purchased a home warranty are receiving this deceptive letter. The letters also imply an affiliation with the homeowner’s actual mortgage company and the “county deed records” office. The scammers responsible for these letters are in no way affiliated with the homeowner’s mortgage company or any official deeds office.

These letters generally ask for a response to the notice by a certain date, often include language such as “final notice,” and threaten that failing to call may result in financial risk for the homeowner. In examples of such a letter sent to the Attorney General’s office, also included are a document that resembles a check, with the words “renewal fee voucher,” as well as an actual photo of the homeowner’s home on the return envelope.

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Beyond MoCo

Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Frederick County Under Investigation

By Patrick Herron

The Independent Investigations Division will generally release the name of the decedent and discharging officers within 48 hours of the incident, though that period may be extended if there is a specific reason to believe that an officer’s safety is at risk. The deputies who discharged their firearms were not equipped with body-worn cameras. Other officers on the scene were wearing body-worn cameras, which recorded portions of the incident. The Independent Investigations Division will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

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