MCDOT

“This is a great way to help out your community,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Donate your unused or outgrown bicycles, and possibly change the quality of life for someone in need. Bicycles are great for recreation and can serve as a lifeline for residents and connect them to transit stops or destinations that would otherwise be just out of reach.”

Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Rockville Bike Hub volunteers will refurbish the bikes and MCDOT will place them with low-income children and adults in the County through the MCDOT Bike Match Program or through the Rockville Terrific Kids program. MCDOT’s Bike Match program started in June 2020.


MCDOT

The Ride On Reimagined study is a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of the bus network that may result in significant recommended changes to how bus transit (including Ride On and Metrobus) operates in Montgomery County based on current and future needs. The related survey is a vital part of the Ride On Reimagined study. It will provide MCDOT with a clearer understanding of bus riders’ needs, impressions and transit experiences. MCDOT wants to learn what is being done well, and what areas need improvement. Feedback from the survey will lead to future investment in the Ride On bus network.

TAKE THE ONLINE SURVEY HERE.


Maryland

Initiative Aimed at Helping Historically Underserved Farmers and Communities

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced the launch of a Small Acreage Cover Crop Program to support small farm producers and urban agriculture. The pilot program is operated by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and aimed at helping historically underserved farmers and communities build healthy soils, increase yields, sequester carbon, and improve local water quality. Financial assistance for this program is capped at $1,000 per grower, per year. “The incredible character, work ethic, and resilience of our farmers has been an inspiration to me and to all Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “Grant programs like these demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that all our farmers continue to be good stewards of the land and that agriculture remains our state’s number one industry.”


Maryland

More Than 1,300 High Quality, Energy-Efficient, Affordable Units To Be Created Or Preserved

Per the State of Maryland:—Governor Larry Hogan today announced nearly $32 million in project awards through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) 2022 application round for federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and state Rental Housing Funds. Funds have been awarded to 12 projects as part of the competitive round. Nine additional noncompetitive awards were made through the Multifamily Bond Program, bringing the total awards to 21. These awards will result in the creation or preservation of 1,340 high quality, energy-efficient, affordable rental units.


Silver Spring

The victim stated that he was walking on south bound Georgia Ave., between Sligo Ave. and Blair Rd., when he felt someone hit him from behind. The unknown suspect repeatedly hit the victim with a blunt object, took the victim’s phone and walked away from the scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Detectives have released photos of the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to contact the 3rd District Investigative Section at (240) 773- 6870. Callers may remain anonymous.


Calverton

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire at the Kohl’s department store at 12024 Cherry Hill Rd in Calverton on Tuesday afternoon. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire began as a brush fire that then extended to the façade of the building.  The “sizable” exterior fire has since been knocked down.  The building was evacuated and there were no injuries reported. We will post an update when more information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on twitter: “Update – Cherry Hill Rd, Orchard Center, Kohl’s Store, exterior façade fire, fire extinguished, checking for extension, no injuries. Kohl’s Store, 12,000 Cherry Hill Road, near Plum Orchard Dr, bldg fire, brush fire extending to building, @mcfrs PE715, T715 on scene & PE841, E724, PE716, T715, AT724, RS715, M715, BC701, BC704, E831 responding”


Rockville

Bambu, a cafe in Rockville that specializes in bubble tea, coffee, tea, desserts, Chè, and Indonesian cuisine, will close on October 31st, according to a representative we spoke with earlier today. The cafe, located at 12242 Rockville Pike, opened in 2019.

Equipment from the restaurant is currently available via auction at Capital Auction. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


MCDOT

Safe Routes To School is a nationally recognized program that aims to significantly improve safety for students who walk and bike to school. In Montgomery County, the SRTS program also combines a safer roads component to slow down drivers and build new pedestrian and bicycle safety treatments such as new crosswalks, and bump-outs at an intersection and add stop or yield signs

“As a former teacher, I understand the importance of and fully support the County’s commitment to ensuring the safety of our students,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “As part of our Vision Zero efforts, we will continue to invest in sidewalks, bike paths and public safety staffing surrounding our schools. ​Our most recent budget reflects the County’s commitment, with the highest amount ever allocated toward making walks to school safer. We want to encourage our students who live close enough to be able to safely walk or bike to school by providing them with the necessary infrastructure and resources to keep them safe.”


North Bethesda

Josiah Henson Pkwy and Town Rd are currently closed due to a damaged gas line near Pike & Rose.  According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, construction workers struck a high pressure gas line along Town Rd. HazMat crews are currently on the scene and MCFRS is currently on standby. The Block Food Hall has been evacuated as a precaution. No residential occupancies appear to be directly involved. We will post an update when more information becomes available.

Per mcfrsPIO on twitter: “construction excavation area, damaged gas line leaking, area has been evacuated, checking area for hazards, some lanes/roads blocked. Towne Road and Prose St., Pike & Rose, gas leak, hazmat, @mcfrs PEZ723, PE721, PE726, PE703B, PE720, AT723, AT703, RS703, M726, A721, HM707, SU725, BC702, BC704, SA700, EMS703 & others responding”


Crime

The Baltimore office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has tweeted that it’s “seeking info about the “Red Hat Guy”, wanted for committing a bank robbery on September 16, 2022, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The suspect displayed a black handgun and is described as a White male, 50 to 60 years old, and 6’0″ to 6’2″ (tweet below)”

At approximately 12:25 p.m., 3rd District Officers responded to the location for the report of an armed bank robbery that just occurred. The investigation by detectives has determined that the suspect entered the bank and approached an employee. The suspect displayed a black handgun and demanded money. The employee handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect who then left the bank.


Bethesda

New York based men’s fashion store Psycho Bunny, which specializes in “4,000 stitch bunny-embroidered polos”, is scheduled to open this Friday, September 30, at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd). The clothing line currently has collaborations with Daddy Yankee, Justise Winslow, and Jay Versace.  Psycho Bunny will be located on the bottom level of the mall.

From their website: “We could have done what everybody else was doing. But we didn’t. Instead we set out to make the perfect polo and the most luxurious tee you’d ever wear. And that’s exactly what we’ve done. Our Pima cotton is woven from longer, smoother fibres. This has a number of benefits, most important of which is that it gives the fabric an incredibly soft on-body feel. The longer fibres are more durable, too—less prone to warping and tearing, while retaining their colored dye considerably longer than traditional cotton.”