Fernando J. Herrera-Rivera, age 23, of Gaithersburg, has been charged with six counts of 2nd degree arson in connection with a spree of fires that occurred early morning on Sunday, September 17 in Gaithersburg. Herrea-Rivera was arrested in the area of N. Frederick Ave that same morning after police used video surveillance footage and witness accounts to identify him. Herrera-Rivera was also wanted on a bench warrant for an unrelated charge and is currently being held without bond.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, at 2:30am on September 17, approximately 75 firefighters responded to multiple fires at the Holbrook Center (across from Gaithersburg High School) at 400blk S. Frederick Ave. near Education Blvd. Around 3:15am, MCFRS units then responded to 3 Russell Ave (La Frontera/Taco Bar) and found several vehicles and businesses on fire. There was an additional outside fire also located near the Gaithersburg Police Department building at 14 Fulks Corner Ave that morning. Damage is estimated to be $1,250,000 ($500,000 structure/$750,000 contents.)
We spoke to the owner of Taco Bar who told us he is mainly thankful that nobody got hurt. “I am still in shock but slowly grasping the magnitude of the damage caused to my business and to my employees. We are currently working with the insurance companies while waiting on the investigations to conclude and start the recovery process. We hope to be back in business in a few months.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
Charleys Cheesesteaks opens today at 13617 Connecticut Ave. in the Aspen Hill shopping center. This is the third Charleys location to open this year in Montgomery County. Last month, Charleys opened inside of the Germantown Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd, in the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. In June, Charleys opened a location at 19877 Century Blvd in Germantown, in the space that was previously home to Roll by Goodyear and Yogi Castle in the Shops at Town Center & Century Station shopping center. Charleys has additional locations in Bethesda, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton.
Charley’s now has over 600 stores nationwide. Newer locations have adopted a new menu concept, offering chicken wings and ice cream in addition to its Philly cheesesteaks. “Tossed-to-order, the wings are made with 10 chef-inspired flavors ranging from Angry Ghost and Nashville Hot to milder options like Zesty Lemon-Lime Rub and Sweet Teriyaki.”
The restaurant opened its first location across the campus of Ohio State University in 1986. While studying real estate at the school, Charley Shin worked in his mother’s Japanese/Korean restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. A wrong turn on a family trip to New York City resulted in Charley’s discovery of the Philly cheesesteak. Charley convinced his mother to sell her restaurant, and invest her life savings of $48,000 into Charley’s, a 450-square-foot restaurant across the street from Ohio State’s campus.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Dill Dinkers will hold the grand opening of its second Montgomery County location in Rockville, just six miles away from its recently opened North Bethesda location, on Monday, September 25th. The Rockville facility is located at 40-C Southlawn Court, next to ZavaZone and near the Sportsplex and Ice Arena.
As part of its grand opening, Dill Dinkers will offer free open play from 9am-9pm from September 25th through September 29th. Dill Dinkers offers a wide array of options for getting out on the courts to play, including court reservations for members and non-members, clinics, leagues, and lessons for new and experienced players looking to improve their game. Dill Dinkers will also offer advertising opportunities within the facility for businesses and organizations looking to reach a large, active audience focused on healthy living.
About Dill Dinkers: “In the Summer of 2021, Denise and Will Richards instantly fell in love with Pickleball after their very first lesson. By Winter, they were so hooked on the game that they became determined to keep playing, despite the weather and low court availability. Most of the time when the two did get a court, they spent half of their time cleaning it so it would be safe to play. Denise searched the county to try and find indoor courts, only to find that there were very few options. This is when the couple first started to realize that there was a need for an indoor facility. After visiting out of state indoor pickleball venues, they decided to make one in their own community.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvA9DQZgk9o/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose Rauda-Ayala. Rauda-Ayala, 42, was last seen on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in the 500 block of Thayer Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 180 Ibs., with black hair, brown eyes, and medium complexion.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Rauda-Ayala is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission for Women is sponsoring two free programs that can help residents get themselves better organized. A series of “Financial Health and Wellness Seminars” will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Seminars on “Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?” will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The virtual financial seminars will cover many aspects of becoming more financially organized.
The Commission for Women is joining with Montgomery County Public Libraries to offer the seminars, which will be led by Jamie Lapin, a private wealth advisor and president of RMG Advisors, LLC, and Thiago Glieger, a private wealth advisor and Federal retirement specialist.
The seminars will take place via Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. To register for any seminar, go to Fall 2023 Financial Health and Wellness Seminars Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite. The link to the Zoom meeting will be provided after registering.
The schedule for the financial seminars:
- Tuesday, Oct. 10: Financial Planning 101. Learn the basics of financial planning and terms and tools to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to succeed financially.
- Tuesday, Oct. 17: Retirement Planning. Running out of money before running out of time is most people’s biggest concern. The seminar will address how to maximize your understanding of resources and autonomy.
- Tuesday, Oct. 24: Social Security and Medicare. Learn how to utilize and maximize the government programs you have invested in for your working lifetime.
- Tuesday, Nov. 7: Divorce and Money. Divorce is a strain on finances and on nerves. This seminar will address the financial realities that could come with divorce.
The online series on “Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?” will cover the “ins and outs” of separation and divorce in Maryland.
The seminars will be held on from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through June, with the first seminar on Oct. 4. To register for any seminar, go to Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need To Know? Tickets, Wed, Oct 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite. Zoom information provided after registering.
Local family law attorneys will lead the seminars on going through a separation and divorce in Maryland. The seminar topics will include Methods of Dispute Resolution, When and Where to File, Types of Divorce and Grounds, Financial Statements, Alimony, Property and Equitable Distribution, Role of the Attorney and Domestic Violence/Orders of Protection.
The schedule of seminars in the Separation and Divorce series:
- Wednesday, Oct. 4
- Wednesday, Nov. 1
- Wednesday, Dec. 6
- Wednesday, Jan. 3
- Wednesday, Feb. 7
- Wednesday, March 6
- Wednesday, April 3
- Wednesday, May 1
- Wednesday, June 5
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Government has nearly 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs, currently open for employment. Interested job seekers 18‐and‐over are encouraged to attend the Montgomery County Career Fair and Hiring Expo from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring.
This is the County’s second major job and hiring event this year designed to attract job seekers across various careers. During the County’s first career fair and hiring expo in May, one in seven attendees received a contingent job offer.
“When you choose to work for Montgomery County Government, you are not just getting a job; you are opening doors to incredible career opportunities,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “With a robust package of benefits, we are committed to providing our employees a work environment that values their talents and fosters their professional growth. The average Montgomery County employee has worked for the County for over a decade, over twice as long as the average U.S. worker. Our goal is to create a culture where our employees will want to spend their entire career working for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR
County departments will be onsite to discuss available opportunities and conduct same‐day interviews for select positions, make on‐the‐spot offers or extend offers within 30 days after the event. Departments that will be represented will include:
- Alcohol Beverage Services
- Board of Elections
- Community Engagement Cluster
- Correction and Rehabilitation
- Fire and Rescue Service
- Health and Human Services
- Human Resources
- Labor Relations
- MC311
- Permitting Services
- Police
- Public Libraries
- Recreation
- Sheriff’s Office
- Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions
- Transportation
Positions available include:
- Administrative and professional
- Health care and social services
- Information technology
- Public safety
- Retail, trades and labor
To see the full list of available job opportunities and exhibiting departments, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR.
Per Montgomery County: Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Donation Drive will be held on Friday, Oct. 20. The event will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact. From 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 20, bikes will be collected (rain or shine) outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at East Jefferson and Monroe Street in Rockville.
Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Donations will be refurbished and MCDOT will match the bikes with residents in need through the Bike Match program. Community members are welcome to organize a bike collection at their school, place of worship or within their neighborhood and bring the bikes to Rockville on Oct. 20. For drives that collect 10 or more bikes, MCDOT will arrange to pick them up at a prearranged location.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Recreation and Friends of the Potomac Community Center will be joined by elected officials and community members at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, to dedicate a new Outdoor Fitness Park at the Potomac Community Recreation Center. The Potomac Community Recreation Center is located at 11315 Falls Road in Potomac. This outdoor area will provide access to fitness opportunities throughout the year. Community members of all ages will be able to exercise together to enhance mental and physical wellbeing. This site is handicap accessible.
The Friends of the Potomac Community Center, in partnership with the State of Maryland Community Grant and Montgomery County Recreation, selected the space above the community center playing fields for the fitness park. The $295,000 project included funds from a State of Maryland grant and fundraising efforts by The Friends of the Potomac Community Center. The new fitness park works to meet the goals of The Friends of the Potomac Community Center fitness, health and wellness initiative.
The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold its business meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Closed session will begin at 12:00 p.m. Public agenda items will begin at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be cablecast live on Comcast Channel 34 (HD 1071), Verizon Channel 36, RCN Channel 89 and the MCPS website.
The agenda, with related materials attached, can be found on the Board of Education’s BoardDocs site:
1. Closed Session Approval – 12:00 p.m.
1.1 Acknowledgement of a Quorum
1.2 Resolution for Today’s Closed Session REVISED This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
2. Opening of Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
2.1 Approval of the REVISED Agenda
3. Recognitions – 3:31 p.m.
3.1 National Disability Employment Awareness Month – October 2023 This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
3.2 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month- October 2023 This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
3.3 Walk to School Day This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4. Public Comments – 3:40 p.m.
4.1 Ashi Stanislaus
4.2 Madeline Eig This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.3 Natalie Jack This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.4 Maddy Mathew This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.5 Rhea Chelar This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.6 Zakiya Sankara-Jaba
4.7 Zainab Chaudry
4.8 Meseret Chaka
4.9 Laura Berthiaume This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.10 Madiha Ahsan
4.11 Adrian Hinderlie This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.12 Fassica Damtew
4.13 Berhane Ghebreigziabiher
4.14 Robert Stubblefield
4.15 Mezmur A Beyene
4.16 Albert Gao This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.17 Jennifer Martin This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.18 Arhaat Saxena This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.19 Evelyn Chung This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.20 Ali K.C. Bell This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5. Item of Discussion – 4:40 p.m.
5.1 Student Data/Pathway Milestone: End-of-Year (EOY) 2022-2023 Reading Grade 3 (oral discussion)
6. Item of Discussion – 5:10 p.m.
6.1 Pre-K Expansion – Blueprint Pillar 1 This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7. Consent Items – 6:10 p.m.
7.1 Consultant Appointments—Building Automation Systems Design This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7.2 Consultant Appointments—Structural Engineering Services This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7.3 Acceptance of John F. Kennedy High School Addition Project This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7.4 Request for approval—Fiscal Year 2024 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7.5 Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Appropriation for Stronger Connections Grant This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7.6 Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Appropriation for Reducing Overidentification in Special Education Grant This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
8. Board of Education Items – 6:20 p.m.
8.1 Future Closed Session Resolution This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
8.2 Report of Previous Closed Sessions This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
8.3 New Business
9. Informational Summary – 6:25 p.m.
9.1 Informational Summary for the September 7, 2023, Meeting
10. Adjournment – 6:30 p.m.
MoCo High School Sports Scores for Sep 20, 2023 (powered by www.MoCoAI.com)
Field Hockey JV
| Rockville High School (Home) | 2 |
| Magruder High School (Away) | 0 |
Field Hockey Varsity
| Blake High School (Home) | 0 |
| Einstein High School (Away) | 3 |
| Rockville High School (Home) | 3 |
| Magruder High School (Away) | 0 |
| Northwood High School (Home) | 1 |
| Seneca Valley High School (Away) | 0 |
Football JV
| Governor Thomas Johnson High School (Home) | 6 |
| Whitman High School (Away) | 0 |
Soccer Boys JV
| Wheaton High School (Home) | 0 |
| Blair High School (Away) | 1 |
| Poolesville High School (Home) | 1 |
| Northwest High School (Away) | 3 |
| Walter Johnson High School (Home) | 2 |
| Gaithersburg High School (Away) | 0 |
| Churchill High School (Home) | 4 |
| Clarksburg High School (Away) | 2 |
Soccer Boys Varsity
| Wheaton High School (Home) | 1 |
| Blair High School (Away) | 3 |
| Churchill High School (Home) | 5 |
| Clarksburg High School (Away) | 0 |
| Walter Johnson High School (Home) | 4 |
| Gaithersburg High School (Away) | 2 |
| Poolesville High School (Home) | 0 |
| Northwest High School (Away) | 5 |
| Paint Branch High School (Home) | 0 |
| Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Away) | 0 |
Soccer Girls JV
| Blair High School (Home) | 8 |
| Wheaton High School (Away) | 0 |
| Clarksburg High School (Home) | 0 |
| Churchill High School (Away) | 4 |
| Gaithersburg High School (Home) | 0 |
| Walter Johnson High School (Away) | 10 |
| Northwest High School (Home) | 4 |
| Poolesville High School (Away) | 1 |
Soccer Girls Varsity
| Gaithersburg High School (Home) | 1 |
| Walter Johnson High School (Away) | 8 |
| Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Home) | 10 |
| Paint Branch High School (Away) | 0 |
| Northwest High School (Home) | 3 |
| Poolesville High School (Away) | 0 |
| Blair High School (Home) | 3 |
| Wheaton High School (Away) | 1 |
| Clarksburg High School (Home) | 1 |
| Churchill High School (Away) | 2 |
Volleyball Girls JV
| Poolesville High School (Home) | 0 |
| Damascus High School (Away) | 2 |
| Blair High School (Home) | 2 |
| Kennedy High School (Away) | 1 |
| Churchill High School (Home) | 2 |
| Whitman High School (Away) | 1 |
| Northwest High School (Home) | 1 |
| Clarksburg High School (Away) | 2 |
Volleyball Girls Varsity
| Northwood High School (Home) | 1 |
| Einstein High School (Away) | 3 |
| Richard Montgomery High School (Home) | 3 |
| Wheaton High School (Away) | 0 |
| Northwest High School (Home) | 0 |
| Clarksburg High School (Away) | 3 |
| Churchill High School (Home) | 3 |
| Whitman High School (Away) | 0 |
| Poolesville High School (Home) | 0 |
| Damascus High School (Away) | 3 |
| Blair High School (Home) | 3 |
| Kennedy High School (Away) | 1 |
| Walter Johnson High School (Home) | 2 |
| Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Away) | 3 |
Let us know in the comments for any missing scores.
