Per Montgomery College: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced five winners of the Make a Market Tech Challenge. The five student teams received a total of $15,000 for their innovative market assessments for new technologies developed by EPA researchers. Four of the five winners are Montgomery College students. The 2023 winners of the Make a Market Tech Challenge: Esther Soon, first place ($6,000);  Rasheevan Nair, second place ($3,000); and third place was shared by two MC students: Miguel Granados and Sena Hordoffa ($1,500 each).

When EPA researchers invent new technologies, EPA’s Federal Technology Transfer Act program assists with patenting these new technologies and finding companies that are interested in licensing EPA’s products to put federally funded technology to use in real-word applications. EPA launched the Make a Market Tech Challenge to solicit innovative strategies for market assessments of patented and unlicensed EPA-developed technologies.

Through this challenge, students expanded their scientific and marketing skills by working with EPA-developed technologies in a hands-on business environment to scope out the best partnering strategy. EPA will use results from the students’ research to find partnerships for each of its water technologies, which will lead to practical application of these technologies for environmental and public health protection.

Montgomery College Professor Hoa Nguyen, the business and economics department chair at the Rockville Campus, helped advise the students throughout the competition process as they took her Principles of Economics class last fall.

“Students got to apply economics concepts directly into business questions about market scope, commercial applications and competition evaluation, and we tied those questions with chapters we covered throughout the semester,” the professor said. “In this way, students tackled a big market analysis one step at a time, so they did not feel overwhelmed. To keep up with the pace of the competition, students have to write up their own research about potential markets for the EPA’s new technologies every week. I advised them regularly on the core theories but allowed them the freedom to be creative with their business solutions and ideas.”

According to the EPA’s Office of Research and Development, the challenge encouraged the next generation of entrepreneurs to develop new ideas for putting EPA research into the hands of its partners and community members and to ultimately help protect human health and the environment.

Added Prof. Nguyen, “This [honor] is solid proof that with the right guidance and support, our students have the commitment and skills to do high level business analysis… I hope they get more opportunities to grow and the recognition that they deserve.”

Below is the full list of winners:

First Place ($6,000)

• Esther Soon, Montgomery College-Rockville: Selected Technology to Market: Water Contamination Detection Kit

Second Place ($3,000 each)

• Rasheevan Nair, Montgomery College-Rockville: Selected Technology to Market: Water Contamination Detection Kit
• Nathan Sojourner, Nash Benton, Kolin Dhamelia, Serena Bauer, Daniel Powers, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, Selected Technology to Market: Carbon Traps to Deactivate Halogen Containing Pollutants

Third Place ($1,500 each)

• Miguel Granados, Montgomery College-Rockville: Selected Technology to Market: Water Contamination Detection Kit

Sena Hordoffa, Montgomery College-Rockville: Selected Technology to Market: Portable Cyanobacteria Detection Kit for Recreation and Drinking Water Supplies

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying suspects who committed a commercial burglary.

On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 10:50 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the Pizza Castle restaurant in the 11270 block of New Hampshire Ave. for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier.

The investigation by detectives has determined that in the overnight hours, three suspects broke into the restaurant and stole the cash register and a coin jar, containing an undisclosed amount of money. Detectives have obtained surveillance video of the suspects.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspects involved to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Tropical Storm Ophelia made its way through Maryland over the weekend, dropping plenty of rain, downing trees, and flooding coastal areas. Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency before the storm and the state of Maryland advised motorists to avoid driving/being out during the storm, but not everyone was satisfied with the decision to make the declaration as a few criticized the Governor’s decision.

One tweet stated, “That storm was nothing more than a little wind and rain around here with some minor coastal flooding. There was 0 need to declare a state of emergency.”, which prompted to Maryland Department of Emergency Management to reply with the following:

“Incorrect. Ophelia had the capacity and ability to destroy life and property. The SoE declaration allowed the Governor to activate the MD National Guard, preposition assets, access other resources, & allows MD to request assistance & resources from other states if we needed them.” The interaction can be seen below:

Incorrect. Ophelia had the capacity and ability to destroy life and property. The SoE declaration allowed the Governor to activate the MD National Guard, preposition assets, access other resources, & allows MD to request assistance & resources from other states if we needed them. https://t.co/BeIqfuu57e

— Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) (@MDMEMA) September 25, 2023

Featured photo courtesy of the National Weather Service

According to the Maryland Lottery, winning lottery tickets sold last week in Montgomery County worth $20,000 and $50,000 remain unclaimed as of Monday, September 25. The $50,000 winning Bonus Match 5 ticket was sold at the Citgo located at 8333 Fenton St in Silver Spring and the $20,000 winning Mega Millions ticket was sold at Ollie’s Beer, Wine and Deli located at 2011 Veirs Mill Rd in Rockville. Lottery winners have 182 days from the date of a drawing to claim their prizes.

The Powerball drawing scheduled to take place tonight has an estimated jackpot of $785 million, with an estimated cash option of $367 million. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. The odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9.

Beginning today, every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests to be delivered directly to your home through the United States Postal Service website.  “As of September 25, 2023, residential households in the U.S. can order one set of #4 free at-home tests from USPS.com again. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

Starting today, every household can order another free round of COVID tests – shipped straight to your door.

Head to https://t.co/GqK9GmYJE2 to order yours. pic.twitter.com/LUg77yZLhU

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 25, 2023

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a car fire in a parking garage at the intersection of Auburn Ave and Norfolk Ave in Bethesda. According to MCFRS Assistant Chief David Pazos, “MCFRS units located a vehicle fire on the 3rd floor of the parking garage. Fire has been extinguished with no occupants injured. Smoke is being removed, and FD presence should be downsized shortly.” There were no reported injuries.

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

MCFRS is dispatched to a car fire in a parking garage at the intersection of Auburn Ave/Norfolk Ave(Bethesda). No reported injuries at this time. @DavidPazos15 @mcfrsPIO

— Pazos@mcfrsPIO (@DavidPazos15) September 25, 2023

Boston Market closed its Gaithersburg location back in April and the Aspen Hill location is now the chain’s only remaining MoCo location. A new tenant has signed on to take over the space vacated in Gaithersburg Square as JP Morgan Chase will be moving in shortly.

In 2022, JPMorgan Chase cut the ribbon to its newly renovated regional headquarters, the Bowen Building at 875 15th St. NW at the corner of McPherson Square in Washington D.C. This acquisition “reinforced the firm’s commitment to Washington D.C. and the Greater Washington region” as it is one of the only banks expanding its physical footprint in our area.

“This region – stretching from Richmond to Baltimore – is one of the largest economies in the country,” said Peter Scher, JPMorgan Chase Vice Chairman and Chair of the Mid-Atlantic. “With the opening of our Mid-Atlantic headquarters, and our continued philanthropic and business commitments, JPMorgan Chase is supporting the future of Greater Washington. Our hope is to provide more economic opportunity for all people no matter the neighborhoods where they live and work.”

Chase is doubling its original branch network commitment made in 2018 to 140 branches by 2025 throughout Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia, with 30% of branches in low- to moderate-income communities such as Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C., Cherry Hill, West Baltimore, and Prince George’s County in Maryland, and the Ghent neighborhood in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

“Our branches play a vital role in connecting our neighbors and local businesses to critical resources that meet their financial needs and help them build a stronger financial future,” said Racquel Oden, Head of Chase Network Expansion. “We are proud to bring the power of our branches to more households, businesses and communities across the region.”

The new commitment to support local and regional growth includes:

• 40 branches in the District of Columbia and the surrounding Maryland and northern Virginia communities

Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps

A bill that would increase wages for tipped employees was introduced at the Montgomery County Council meeting on Tuesday, September 19. Bill 35-23 would adjust the calculation of the minimum wage for tipped workers and phase out the tip credit amount under the Montgomery County’s minimum wage law. Currently, businesses are required to pay servers $4.00 per hour; if a server does not make the current minimum hourly wage ($15-16.70) per hour, employers are required to make up the difference.

If the bill passes, there will be incremental increases over the next five years:
• $4.00 per hour, until July 1, 2024;
• $6.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2024 until July 1, 2025;
• $8.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2025 until July 1, 2026;
• $10.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2026 until July 1, 2027; and
• $12.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2027 until July 1, 2028

On October 10, the Council will hold public hearings on the proposed bill Details below.

Per Montgomery County: The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:

Oct. 10, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.

• Bill 35-23, County Minimum Wage – Tipped Employees, would adjust the calculation of minimum wage for tipped workers, phase out the tip credit amount under the County minimum wage law, and generally amend the County minimum wage law.
• Bill 34-23, County Minimum Wage – Wage Commission – Established, would establish an advisory wage commission to make recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council regarding minimum wages and working conditions by industry in the County, specify the membership and duties of the wage commission, and generally amend the law regarding the establishment of a wage commission and regarding minimum wages and labor relations in the County.
• Supplemental Appropriation to the FY24 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Environmental Protection, $813,710 (Source of Funds: State Grant, The Chesapeake Bay Trust – Urban Tree Grant Award).

How to Sign Up for Public Hearings

The Stay Council Connected video series is a step-by-step guide to navigating the Montgomery County Council that offers instructions for residents.

The City of Gaithersburg is collecting classroom supplies including Sharpies, Post-Its, decor & more to distribute to local teachers. Donations can be dropped off at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park now through October 19. Additional information available in the flyer below:

The Powerball drawing scheduled to take place tonight, Monday, September 25, has an estimated jackpot of $785 million, with an estimated cash option of $367 million. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. The odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. Additional details below courtesy of Powerball:

“The Powerball jackpot now stands at an estimated $785 million for the next drawing on Monday night. The jackpot has a cash value of $367 million. The jackpot currently ranks as the game’s fourth-largest prize – only behind three grand prizes that reached the billion-dollar mark:

1. $2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA
2. $1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN
3. $1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA

The Powerball jackpot rolled Saturday night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 1, 12, 20, 33, 66 and red Powerball 21. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.

The Saturday drawing produced more than 1.5 million winning tickets across the country, including three tickets (California, Florida, New York) that matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. One ticket in Michigan matched all five white balls and doubled the $1 million prize to $2 million by including the prize multiplier feature, Power Play®, for an additional $1 per play. Other big wins from Saturday night include 30 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and nine tickets that won $100,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

The Powerball jackpot was previously won on July 19, when a ticket in California matched all five white balls and the red Powerball® to win a $1.08 billion jackpot. Since then, there have been 28 consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner.

If a player wins the jackpot on Monday night, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize worth an estimated $785 million or a lump sum payment estimated at $367 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.

Powerball tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

1. $2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA
2. $1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN
3. $1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA
4. $785 Million (est.) – Sept. 25, 2023
5. $768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI
6. $758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA
7. $754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 – WA
8. $731.1 Million – Jan. 20, 2021 – MD
9. $699.8 Million – Oct. 4, 2021 – CA
10. $687.8 Million – Oct. 27, 2018 – IA, NY”