An attempted carjacking took place on Wednesday, October 18, at 11:18 pm, on the 7100 block of Holly Avenue in Takoma Park, police say.

According to Takoma Park Police: “5-7 juvenile males approached the victim, who had just gotten out their vehicle. One male, described as a young-looking black male, wearing a red scarf over his face, pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the victim’s car keys and cell phone. The victim complied and then ran inside to safety and called the police.

The suspects were unable to start the Chevy Bolt and were last seen running down Holly Avenue towards Eastern Avenue.” Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100 and refer to case # 230061344. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps

At a bond hearing this afternoon at District Court in Rockville, Raphael Mayorga, 19, of Frederick, MD, was ordered to be held without bond for allegedly striking Montgomery County Police Officer Patrick Kepp with his vehicle on I-270 in Gaithersburg early Wednesday morning.  Officer Kepp remains in critical condition and is said to have lost the use of both of his legs. Mayorga is being charged with attempted first-degree murder.

The incident occurred around 3:48 a.m. on October, 18 after Kepp got out of his vehicle to deploy “stop sticks” near the Watkins Mill Rd exit on northbound I-270 after a citizen was almost run off the road by Mayorga.  Mayorga is believed to have been traveling over 100mph when he intentionally struck Kepp with his vehicle. A second officer successfully deployed stop sticks near Clarksburg Rd, eventually bringing the Mayorga’s vehicle to a stop. A second person who was in the vehicle with Mayorga has not been charged and is being treated as a witness.

At a press conference Wednesday, Police Chief Marcus Jones said prior to the incident Mayorga was well known to Montgomery County Police and had a reputation for attempting to provoke officers into high speed chases.  According to Maryland Case Search, Mayorga has over 200 previous traffic violations that are currently pending.  Kepp previously arrested Mayorga on May 26 for driving 136mph back in May. 

According to the United State’s District Attorney’s Office, Montgomery County Police Officer Justin Lee, 25, of Rockville, has been charged in a seven-count indictment that was unsealed today in the District of Columbia with offenses including assaulting a law enforcement officer and obstructing, impeding, or interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder.  Lee is accused of “entering and remaining in the U.S. Capitol grounds while the Vice President was and would be temporarily visiting without lawful authority to do so and engaging in disruptive conduct, physical violence, and disorderly conduct while on restricted grounds of the Capitol.”  Montgomery County Police released the following statement announcing his supension:

“The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) announces the suspension of Officer Justin Lee without pay as a result of his involvement and subsequent indictment in connection with the events of the January 6 insurrection. In July of 2023, MCPD was informed that Officer Justin Lee was the subject of an FBI investigation. Prior to his suspension, Lee had been on administrative leave for his involvement in the shooting death of an armed suspect on July 22. The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is currently overseeing the investigation into this incident to ensure a thorough and impartial examination of the facts.

Lee has not been performing the duties of a police officer since the July 22 shooting incident. His suspension without pay is a direct result of his arrest related to the January 6 insurrection. Upon investigation, it was determined that Lee participated in the January 6 insurrection prior to being hired as a Montgomery County Police Officer. His application for employment with the department was submitted in July of 2021, approximately six months after the events of January 6. His date of hire with the MCPD was January 31, 2022.

The Montgomery County Police Department conducts a thorough background investigation as part of its standard hiring process to ensure the suitability of candidates for employment. Lee’s involvement in the January 6 insurrection was not discovered during this process, as he was not identified by the Justice Department in connection with the event.

In light of Lee’s arrest, he has been suspended without pay, and the department is taking steps to terminate his employment. MCPD takes these matters seriously and is dedicated to taking decisive action when necessary. As a result, we are initiating a comprehensive review of our background investigation process to determine whether adjustments need to be made.

The Montgomery County Department of Police remains unwavering in our dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and integrity. The actions of one individual do not define the entire department. We will continue to ensure that our officers uphold the values that reflect the best interests of the residents of Montgomery County.”

This year, El Nino is in place heading into winter for the first time in four years, driving the outlook for warmer-than-average temperatures for the northern tier of the continental United States, according to NOAA’s U.S. Winter Outlook released by the Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service. Seasonal temperatures are predicted to be “Leaning Above” average with precipitation also “Leaning Above” average for the D.C. Metro area. NOAA’s seasonal outlooks provide the likelihood that temperatures and total precipitation amounts will be above-, near- or below-average (photos below). The outlook does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations as snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.

“These outlooks provide critical guidance on the upcoming season for many industries and sectors of our economy, from energy producers to commodities markets to agricultural interests to tourism,” said Sarah Kapnick, Ph.D., NOAA chief scientist. “With a strengthening El Nino and more potential climate extremes in an already record-breaking year, we’re lucky to have scientists like those at the Climate Prediction Center helping to build a Weather and Climate-Ready Nation by providing critical operational seasonal climate predictions.”

From December through February, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions for northern Alaska, portions of the West, the southern Plains, Southeast, Gulf Coast and lower mid-Atlantic and drier-than-average conditions across the northern tier of the U.S., especially in the northern Rockies and High Plains and near the Great Lakes. “An enhanced southern jet stream and associated moisture often present during strong El Nino events supports high odds for above-average precipitation for the Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast states this winter,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center.

NOAA forecasters, in collaboration with the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), continue to monitor extreme, ongoing drought conditions that have persisted through the southern and central U.S. and worsening drought in Hawaii.  “According to the Oct. 17 U.S. Drought Monitor, a third of the country, including Puerto Rico, is in drought,” said Brad Pugh, operational drought lead with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “During late October, heavy precipitation is likely to result in drought improvement for the central U.S. El Nino with its enhanced precipitation is expected to provide drought relief to the southern U.S. during the next few months.”

Temperature

• Warmer-than-average temperatures are favored across the northern tier of the U.S. and much of the Far West.
  • The greatest odds for warmer-than-average conditions are in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and northern New England.
• Near-normal seasonal mean temperatures are most likely for a region from the south-central Rockies to the southern Plains.
• Remaining areas fall into the category of equal chances for below-, near-, or above-average seasonal mean temperatures.

Precipitation

• Wetter-than-average conditions are most likely in northern Alaska, some areas of the West from parts of California to the south-central Rockies, the southern Plains, Gulf Coast, Southeast and lower mid-Atlantic.
• The greatest odds for drier-than-average conditions are forecast in portions of the northern Rockies and central Great Lakes region, especially for Michigan and northern Ohio and Indiana.
• Much of the central portion of the U.S. falls into the category of equal chances for below-, near-, or above-average seasonal total precipitation.

Drought

• Widespread extreme to exceptional drought continues to persist across much of the South, and portions of the central U.S.
• Drought conditions are expected to improve across the Southeast, the Gulf Coast (including the lower Mississippi Valley), and Texas due to the expected wetter-than-average forecast.
• Drought conditions are expected to persist for the northern Rockies, northern Great Plains, and portions of the desert Southwest this winter.
• Drought development could occur in the interior Pacific Northwest given the chance for drier-than-average conditions.
• Drought is likely to persist or develop across Hawaii.

About NOAA’s seasonal outlooks

NOAA’s seasonal outlooks provide the likelihood that temperatures and total precipitation amounts will be above-, near- or below-average, and how drought conditions are anticipated to change in the months ahead. The outlook does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations as snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updates the three-month outlook each month. The next update will be available November 16.

Seasonal outlooks help communities prepare for what is likely to come in the months ahead and minimize weather’s impacts on lives and livelihoods. Resources such as drought.gov and climate.gov provide comprehensive tools to better understand and plan for climate-driven hazards. Empowering people with actionable forecasts, seasonal predictions and winter weather safety tips is key to NOAA’s effort to build a more Weather– and Climate-Ready Nation.

Winter forecasting tools: Here’s what’s new at NOAA this year

• This winter, NOAA will implement a series of upgrades and improvements. In November, the experimental Probabilistic Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI-P) will become operational. The product will enhance communication with external partners, media and the general public by graphically depicting the likelihood of potential societal impacts due to expected winter hazards over a 7-day period. This is complemented by a version of the Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI) based on the official National Weather Service forecast of the most likely conditions over the next three days.
• NOAA’s Weather Prediction and Climate Prediction Centers will continue to use Winter Key Messages, which highlight the agency’s most essential information for upcoming winter weather, including extreme cold and heavy snow potential. These can be found under “Top Stories” on the Weather Prediction Center’s and Climate Prediction Center’s websites.
• This winter, NOAA will complete its implementation of Impact-Based Warning Tags for Snow Squall Warnings. Snow Squall Warnings are warnings issued for short duration intense bursts of snow and wind leading to whiteout visibility and possible flash freezes on roads. To distinguish high-impact snow squalls, the National Weather Service will issue impact-based Snow Squall Warnings using the “Significant” tag for events that pose a substantial threat to safe travel. Wireless Emergency Alerts, emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through wireless carriers, will be limited to only high-impact Snow Squall Warnings with the Snow Squall Impact Tag of “Significant.”

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Missing Persons/Cold Case Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Isabel Echeverria Silva, a missing 26-year-old. Silva was last seen on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in the 9300 block of Cherry Hill Road in College Park. She is 4-feet, 11-inches tall, 105 Ibs., with brown eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Isabel Echeverria Silva is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

The Outdoor Education Program celebrated its 60th anniversary on Oct. 14 at the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center in Rockville. The event included comments from Joe Howard, the founder of Outdoor Ed and from former students who chose environmentally focused careers.

Attendees also planted trees, learned about Maryland agriculture, and explored a variety of exhibits and activities to learn more about the natural world and environmental stewardship. A video of the event can be seen below.

Featured photo courtesy of MCPS: Left to right are the five supervisors Outdoor Ed has had in 60 years: Joe Howard, Laurie Jenkins, Bernie Samm, Dave Honchalk and Lee Derby.

With a little help from their friends at Chick-fil-A, students in Gaithersburg High School’s Advanced Business Management class delivered books and read to second graders at Gaithersburg Elementary School, according to MCPS.

The high school students are members of the Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy and chose to do an impactful project at their feeder school. Richard Munguia, a Gaithersburg High School and Montgomery College graduate, recently opened a Chick-fil-A in Gaithersburg. He donated 800 children’s books; the students bundled them into groups of five and wrote notes to the elementary students.

The older students then visited the school, handed out the 160 bundles and read some of the books to students in seven classrooms. Kimberly Jackson, who teaches the Advanced Business Management class, coordinated the event with Gaithersburg Elementary’s Cynthia Hunt, a reading specialist.

Courtesy of MCPS

Per Montgomery County: “Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink (District 5), County Executive Marc Elrich, and Maryland State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian will join the newly formed Enclave Tenants Association at their first press conference, calling on the owners of the Enclave Silver Spring Apartments to make overdue improvements.

The tenants association, a group of nearly 150 residents, is demanding the resolution of longstanding maintenance and safety issues and code violations at the White Oak property, which has been on Montgomery County’s list of troubled and at-risk properties for years because of extensive code violations. The property owners continue to be cited on a regular basis by Montgomery County and state regulators.

Additionally, in December 2022, police making an arrest in the murder of a convenience store clerk found the body of a pregnant woman that had been decaying in the suspect’s apartment for over a month at the Enclave.

Since taking office last December, Councilmember Mink has maintained a focus on the property, which has more than 1,000 units and houses a large immigrant population.

The press conference will be held on the steps outside of the Enclave Apartments at 11225 Oak Leaf Drive, Silver Spring, Md.” Featured image courtesy of Google Maps. 

A Montgomery County resident is $50,000 richer after purchasing a winning lottery ticket at Talbert’s Ice & Beverage Service (5234 River Rd) in Bethesda back in July. Talbert’s is a family run beer, wine, ice and dry ice supplier that was founded in 1955 and is open 365 days a year. Full story below courtesy of MD Lottery:
“Back in July, the Maryland Lottery launched a promotion called Lottery Week. Those who played any draw or FAST PLAY game from July 16-22 might receive a free Lottery ticket. A lucky Bethesda woman not only won a free Pick 5 ticket but also scored a $50,000 prize on the ticket.

The 64-year-old found her Lottery luck waiting at Talbert’s Ice & Beverage Service, which is located at 5234 River Road in Bethesda. She frequently goes there to play her favorite Lottery games. The lucky lady told Lottery officials that she rarely checks her tickets soon after buying them. But on July 20, she received the free Pick 5 ticket for that evening’s drawing. She decided to check the ticket later to see if she won anything. The Montgomery County resident thought she had matched a few numbers, but was unsure. A scan of the ticket’s prize check area quickly confirmed the big win.

Although excited, the happy lady kept quiet upon learning of her $50,000 windfall. She plans to use her winnings to pay bills, donate to a charity of her choice and possibly take a vacation. She usually works temporary part-time jobs, which often consists of elder care. When she’s not working or playing Lottery games, the winner enjoys reading a good book.

Talbert’s Ice & Beverage Service can also celebrate. The Montgomery County store receives a $500 bonus from the Lottery for its role in selling a $50,000 Pick 5 winning ticket.” Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.