Silver Spring

U.S. Naval Officer and Girlfriend Charged Federally for Cyberstalking, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Conspiracy for a Campaign to Harass Ex-Wife

By Patrick Herron

The defendants are scheduled to have initial appearances beginning at 3:00 p.m. today, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson.

The federal charges were 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; Special Agent in Charge Alison F. Zavada of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); Special Agent in Charge Craig Miles of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (USDOT OIG); Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD); and Chief Paul W. Neudigate of the Virginia Beach, Virginia Police Department (VBPD).

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Gaithersburg

Día de los Muertos Altar Exhibit on Display in Gaithersburg Beginning October 30

By Patrick Herron

The Multicultural Affairs Committee & DeColores Mexican Folk Dance Company will be presenting a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) alter exhibit at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park (506 South Frederick Ave) in Gaithersburg.  The display will run October 30 through November 5 and viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., and  Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is free and the City of Gaithersburg advises that early voting & Election Day voting taking place at the Activity Center October 27 through November 3 and to anticipate crowds.

The rituals are rife with symbolic meaning. The more you understand about this feast for the senses, the more you will appreciate it.

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Maryland

Marybeth Ayres and J. Bradford McCullough Appointed to the Montgomery County Circuit Court

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Google Maps

“I am proud to appoint such distinguished individuals to serve in our state’s judicial system,” said Governor Hogan. “Our state is gaining an immensely talented and principled group of judges who will honorably serve the citizens of their respective counties and Maryland in the years to come. I want to especially congratulate Cathi Coates as she becomes the first woman in state history to serve on the Worcester County District Court.”

For Garrett County Circuit Court:

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Gaithersburg

The MoCo Senior Field Hockey All-Star Game, Brought to you by Koa Sports, Will Take Place on 11/13/2022 

By MCS Staff

Koa Sports is spotlighting the top senior field hockey players from Montgomery County Public Schools. Players will be split into two teams and compete in a celebratory all-star game. Seniors are nominated by their high school coach based on the following criteria: team players, talent, and working hard both on and off the field.  

Koa Sports is sponsoring this event (2nd annual) and incurring all costs including field, officials, food, shirts, etc… to celebrate these seniors.  Koa’s goal is to increase field hockey awareness and participation in Montgomery County. While there are All Star Games in MoCo for other sports (such as lacrosse & basketball) field hockey has never been represented. All are welcome to attend the free event and watch these talented players compete one final time in their high school uniforms. Event Details:

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Gaithersburg

Former Nike Missile Site in Gaithersburg Not Deemed Historic; Buildings Likely To Be Demolished

By MCS Staff

The former Nike Missile site at 770 Muddy Branch Road was not deemed historic in an August 24th meeting by the Gaithersburg Historic District Commission (HDC), which allows for the buildings on the site to be demolished in preparation for new development. The property is located next to Muddy Branch Square, which is currently home to Giant Food, Starbucks, Subway, First Watch, and more.

We are told the former 13.71 acre Nike Missile site was purchased earlier this year in a GSA auction (sold for 12,050,006) by a company owned by Pleasant Developments, who is interested in clearing the site. Plans have not yet been submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, so it’s unknown what could potentially go in, but the area is zoned for mixed-use.

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Education

Six Named National PTA Schools of Excellence

By MCS Staff

Six MCPS schools have been named National PTA Schools of Excellence, which recognizes their work as national leaders in developing strong family-school partnerships. For the 2020–2022 years, the schools being recognized are: North Chevy Chase, Piney Branch and Rock Creek Forest elementary schools, and Parkland Middle School. East Silver Spring Elementary School and Wheaton High School are being honored for 2021–2023. 

The program provides the structure and tools to evaluate a school PTA, identify areas for improvement, develop a plan of action and celebrate successes.

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Germantown

Clopper Mill Elementary School in Germantown Awarded Mini-Grant to Help with Food Insecurity

By MCS Staff

Clopper Mill Elementary School in Germantown has won a mini-grant for reducing food insecurity in its community. Nine Montgomery County nonprofit organizations involved in food recovery and security work were awarded more than $65,000 to help with these efforts. Clopper Mill was awarded $2,000.

The school maintains a fresh pantry, and distributes nutritious food to families in the community, which works to eliminate food insecurity throughout the school year. Manna Food Center, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Montgomery County Food Council, in collaboration with the Greater Washington Community Foundation awarded the mini-grants.

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DC Sports

Washington Wizards Coaches and Mascot Visit Watkins Mill Elementary School

By MCS Staff

As part of a celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, coaches from the Washington Wizards and Wizards mascot G-Wiz visited Watkins Mill Elementary School in Montgomery Village on Wednesday, October 13th.

The Wizards hosted a basketball clinic for about 50 third graders in the school gym. The students were given Wizards T-shirts, and students and staff received two tickets to a game of their choice. The Wizards launched their season with a win on Wednesday in Indiana and will be playing in their home opener on Friday against the Chicago Bulls.

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Education

Nominations Are Now Open for Teacher, Supporting Services and Principal Awards

By MCS Staff

Awards season is here! Nominations are open for several competitions to honor exceptional teachers, supporting services staff and administrators. The following awards are open for nominations:

The Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award: The Montgomery County Teacher of the Year Award honors a full-time kindergarten through Grade 12 teacher who has a demonstrated record of high academic expectations for all students, engaging students of all backgrounds and abilities, contributing to a positive school culture, and connecting with the school community. Nominees must have a minimum of six years’ experience as an MCPS teacher. The Montgomery County Teacher of the Year goes on to represent MCPS as its nominee for the Maryland State Teacher of the Year award. Submit applications to Maria Lopez-Silvero in the Office of Human Resources and Development. Deadline: midnight on Friday, Dec. 16

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MCPS

MCPS Statement Concerning the Status of Negotiations with the Montgomery County Education Association

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to be committed to beginning and successfully completing negotiations to establish new collective bargaining agreements with its three employee associations. This work is underway with two associations – the Service Employees International-Local 500 (SEIU) and the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), with the basic ground rules in place and negotiations started.

MCPS would very much like to parallel this same work with Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), or “the teacher’s union,” to agree on the establishment of basic ground rules – rules that are foundational to any successful contract negotiation and ensure a respectful and fair approach for all parties involved.

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