Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces More Than $13 Million in Highway Safety Grants, Including Over $150,000 to the Montgomery County Police Department

By Patrick Herron

“Since the beginning of our administration, we have worked to ensure safety on our highways through innovative projects and partnerships,” said Governor Hogan. “These grants will continue to help reduce crashes and fatalities all across the state and ensure highway safety remains a top priority.”

In 2021, there were 562 traffic deaths on Maryland roadways, including 131 pedestrians and six bicyclists. While that number is a decrease compared to 2020 when the state had 573 fatalities, including 138 pedestrians and 15 bicyclists, police reports continue to show speed, impairment, and inadequate or improper seat belt use as the most common contributing factors in motor vehicle fatalities.

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Rockville

BMX Athlete Tony Hoffman to Speak About Drug Abuse and Recovery at Richard Montgomery High School

By Patrick Herron

Professional BMX racer Tony Hoffman will be speaking about addiction and recovery at Richard Montgomery High School (250 Richard Montgomery Drive) in Rockville from 6-8:30pm on Tuesday, September 27. September is National Recovery Month and this event is part of the City of Rockville’s “Rockville Goes Purple” campaign.

During his senior year at Clovis High School he was featured on the cover of BMXer Magazine, and was sponsored by Fox Racing, Spy Sunglasses and Airwalk Shoes. On the surface, Tony’s path seemed destined for stardom. However, in reality, Tony experienced crippling anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations. Tony’s substance use began during his senior year, leading to the deterioration of his mental health and opioid addiction soon followed. Due to his misuse of Oxycontin, & other drugs a life of addiction, crime, homelessness and incarceration became his reality.

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Education

MCPS: Negotiations to Restore Covid-19 Leave Benefit Underway, Announcement Expected Soon

By MCS Staff

MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight has sent a letter to MCPS employees informing them of negotiations underway to restore Covid-19 leave for this school year. The Covid-19 leave benefit was not extended after last school year. Per the message, an announcement is expected to be made soon. The full message can be seen below.

“Dear MCPS Colleagues,

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North Bethesda

Dominique Dawes to Open Second Gymnastics & Ninja Academy in MoCo

By MCS Staff

United States Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes opened her first gymnastics and ninja academy in Clarksburg in the summer of 2020. Dawes recently announced that she’ll be opening a second location in Rockville/North Bethesda. It will be located in the upper level of the Montrose Shopping Center, next to KPot. The buildout of the gym is set to begin in the next two weeks and open in early 2023. It will be located at

Dominique was a 10-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, the 1994 U.S. all-around senior National Champion, a three-time Olympian, a World Championship silver and bronze medalist, and a member of the gold-medal-winning team “Magnificent Seven” at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Dawes is also notable as being the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics, and the first black person of any nationality or gender to win an Olympic-gold-medal in gymnastics.

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Gaithersburg

Milan Laser Hair Removal Coming Soon to Muddy Branch Square

By MCS Staff

Milan Laser Hair Removal, the nation’s largest laser hair removal center, is coming soon to 826 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, the former Weight Watchers location in the Muddy Branch Square shopping center. Milan Laser Hair Removal has over 200 locations nationwide.

Per a recent press release: “We owe our success over the last decade to our commitment to standing out from the competition,” said Dr. Shikhar Saxena, co-founder and CEO of Milan Laser Hair Removal. “We have 214 (and counting) locations in 27 states because we guarantee our clients’ results for life at one affordable price.”

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Restaurants

Nick’s Diner to Close Mondays and Tuesdays Going Forward

By MCS Staff

Nick’s Diner, a Wheaton staple that’ll be celebrating its 40th anniversary in a couple weeks, recently announced via social media that it will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays going forward. Nick’s Diner, which is located at 11199 Veirs Mill Rd, cited the staff shortage for the decision. The diner’s full message can be seen below:

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: DP Dough is Coming Back to College Park

By MCS Staff
Image courtesy D.P. Dough

DP Dough is making its return to College Park, MD nearly three years after closing its doors in January 2020 at 8145 Baltimore Ave. The Columbus, Ohio-based chain will be returning to College Park, this time at Terrapin Row, according to signage that’s up at 4200 Hartwick Rd.-

In January 2020, a couple months the prior to the start of Covid restrictions, DP Dough posted “It’s not good bye. It’s see ya later. After serving calzones for 20 years in College Park, we will be closing our doors for the last time Thursday night. It’s been an amazing journey, but all good things must come to an end.”

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Maryland

Governor Hogan Proclaims September 11 As Day of Service and Remembrance

By Patrick Herron

ANNAPOLIS,MD–Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed a day of service and remembrance across the state of Maryland in memory of those lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The proclamation is part of an initiative that Governor Hogan, the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives observe to mark the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance and to launch Just Serve, an annual monthlong initiative to promote service and volunteerism statewide through October 10.

“Today, 21 years later, we remember each and every single life cut short by an act of evil on September 11th, including 69 of our fellow Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “In memory of those lost, and inspired by the enduring example of the first responders who ran into danger to save lives that day, we again rededicate ourselves to a season of service. May God bless the families of the fallen, may God bless our heroes, and may God bless the United States of America.”

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Germantown

Rio Grande Grill in Germantown Has Been Sold, Will Reopen Under New Ownership

By Patrick Herron

Rio Grande Grill at 13541 Clopper Rd in the Seneca Plaza shopping center in Germantown has been sold. Former owner Erika Myers tells us that the new owners will be keeping the same name and menu.  The restaurant is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in a few weeks.

Rio Grande opened in December 2020, in the location that was previously home to the Mistik Taverna, Germantown Kabob & Sweets, Bhima’s Kitchen & Bakery, and Arirang Korean restaurant. The restaurant offers an extensive menu that goes beyond Tex-Mex cuisine. Menu items consist of “bar food” such as crab pretzels, spinach dip, mozzarella sticks, etc., various salads, build-your-own burgers, fried chicken and pasta dishes, tacos al carbon, bowls, and a wide variety of entrees.

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Maryland

Comptroller Urges Marylanders to Apply for Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit by Thursday, September 15

By MCS Staff

From the Office of the Maryland Comptroller: Comptroller Peter Franchot urges eligible Marylanders to act fast and apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Programfor Tax Year 2022. Applications must be submitted by September 15. “Going to college may seem out of reach for many Marylanders given the huge expense, but tax credits like these help make it possible. I urge everyone to apply now before time runs out,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Any way to bring down the cost of higher education is a big benefit.”

The program, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), provides an income tax credit for Maryland residents making eligible undergraduate and/or graduate education payments on loans from an accredited college or university. To be eligible, you must claim Maryland residency for the 2022 tax year, file 2022 Maryland state income taxes, have incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt and have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt upon applying for the tax credit.

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