Beyond MoCo

“I have always believed in the importance of looking outside of Maryland’s borders to build productive and mutually beneficial international partnerships,” said Governor Hogan. “I can think of no stronger ally than the Republic of Korea, and no better place to continue building those new partnerships than right here in Jeju Province.”

The memorandum of understanding seeks to promote information sharing, best practices, and policy initiatives between Maryland and Jeju. Long-term goals of the agreement include intergovernmental visits and delegations involving policymakers, academic institutions, and businesses, and joint participation in seminars, workshops, and meetings to raise awareness of potential new economic development opportunities.


Germantown

Pumpkin Festival returns to Butler’s Orchard (22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown) this year from September 24th-October 30th.  Admission includes access to Pick Your Own Pumpkins, hay rides, tractor pulls, a straw maze, games, and more. The event runs each Wednesday – Friday: 1-6pm (Last entry 4:30 PM) and Saturday – Sunday, and Columbus Day: 9am-6pm (Last entry 4:30 PM).


Hillandale

He played a number of tickets and said he had won about $200 before deciding to replay one of his tickets — a 50-cent Superfecta Box ticket for one race. He picked the 1, 10, 11 and 12 horses to finish in the top four in any order. When the order of finish in that race was 11, 12, 1 and 10, he knew he was a big winner.

“I said ‘Oh!’ and then I stopped myself,” he said with a smile. “I didn’t want to say too much right there. I checked the ticket in the store and then I left and I checked it again. And again. I probably checked it about 20 more times.”


Event

General admission is $25 per person, which includes chili tastings. Free Admission for kids under 18, Police Officers and their Family is provided by MCPF). All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s mission to strengthen community-police relationships, support officers wellness, and enhance public safety initiatives across Montgomery County.

In addition to delicious chili, attendees can enjoy local craft beer from Lone Oak Brewery, family activities, and opportunities to meet and interact with Montgomery County police officers in a fun, relaxed setting.


Bethesda

Owen Knight, originally from Bethesda (now residing in New Orleans), will be a cast member on the upcoming 43rd season of Survivor, which premieres next Wednesday, September 21 at 8pm on CBS. Owen was born in Korea and adopted when he was four months old. He grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Walt Whitman High School in 2010,  where he was on both the football and rowing teams. During this time Owen also swam for the Montgomery County Swim League and worked at Bethesda Row’s Georgetown Cupcake.  After high school Owen went on to study business administration at Tulane University, where he now works as the Director of Admission Engagement.

Owen tells us, “I am very privileged to have grown up in Montgomery County! My parents moved away when I was in college, but I still get to visit multiple times a year for work. I still go out of my way to eat at Ledo’s and Bethesda Bagels, and ironically, one of my family’s favorites growing up was Louisiana Express.”


Germantown

At approximately 7:30 p.m., 5th District officers responded to the location for the report of an armed robbery.

The investigation by detectives has determined that an unknown male suspect entered the store and walked behind the cashier counter, reaching around the employee to open the cash register. The suspect then pointed a gun at the employee’s neck and demanded that he open the cash registers. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect removed the cash from both registers. A customer attempted to leave the store and the suspect redirected the gun to him, telling him not to move. The suspect then demanded Newport cigarettes, prior to leaving the store.


North Bethesda

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened its latest Montgomery County location with the addition of its newest store at White Flint Station– the shopping center, not to be confused with the Metro station that has recently changed its name to North Bethesda Metro Station. The store opened within the last month.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is located at 11620 Rockville Pike, next to Pho Eatery and two stores down from Ize’s Deli and Bagelry. Tropical Smoothie’s most recent MoCo location prior to this one opened in Germantown on December 26 and the company has additional locations in Aspen Hill , Bethesda, 2 in Gaithersburg, Travilah, and White Oak. Another new location is coming to the Woodmoor shopping center in Silver Spring.


Maryland

In February, MDTA started a civil penalty waiver grace period for tolls paid in full and has ceased referring toll bills to the Central Collection Unit (CCU) and MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) temporarily. The grace period will end at 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2022, and the MDTA will resume referrals of unpaid toll bills and civil penalties to CCU and MDOT MVA on December 1.

If you have unpaid Video Tolls and/or Civil Penalties, the MDTA will waive the Civil Penalties if your toll balance is paid in full between Feb. 24 and 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2022. After the grace period ends, customers will remain responsible for all unpaid tolls and civil penalties and referrals will resume.


Maryland

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general calling on the Federal Trade Commission to adopt and strengthen guidance on automobile sales.

The comment letter, led by Maryland, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, expresses approval of the FTC’s proposed updates to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule related to the sale, financing, and leasing of motor vehicles by motor vehicle dealers. The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on July 13, would provide a critical tool to address misrepresentations in sales, leasing and financing transactions, and increase pricing transparency in advertising.


MoCo

Just a day after County Executive Marc Elrich urged the Montgomery County Council to disapprove Thrive 2050, the Montgomery County Planning Department expressed its appreciation for the Montgomery County Council’s consultant-led racial equity and social justice review of the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee Draft of Thrive Montgomery 2050, the update to Montgomery County’s General Plan.

Per Montgomery Planning: The report includes an assessment of how historically disadvantaged and vulnerable social groups are represented in the current version of the plan and a draft chapter on racial equity and social justice to be considered by the County Council to be included in the final plan.