Popular Fox 5 traffic anchor Erin Como has announced she will be stepping away from traffic anchoring in November in a social media post made last week. She will be remaining with fox 5, co-hosting LION Lunch Hour, appearing on Good Day DC & DMV Zone, and adding more feature content. The full statement and more about Como can be seen below:
“It’s been a great ride covering your morning commute around the DMV for the past 8 years. A huge thank you to everyone for the support & love. The time has come for me to ditch the early alarm clock and shift my career focus.
I’m so happy to stay with my amazing Fox 5 family! You can still catch me on fox 5 co-hosting LION Lunch Hour, appearing on Good Day DC & DMV Zone and look for my fun feature content -including more Cooking With Como -across our platforms! *I will continue to cover your AM commute through mid November ❤️”
Como grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and after graduating from Temple University with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and English, got her start in news at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia as a planning/assignment editor and traffic reporter.
She also hosted a seasonal travel show for Philly.Com, highlighting all the summer fun in South Jersey from food to outdoor adventure. Her most recent stop was Nashville, Tennessee, where she was the morning traffic anchor and reporter for Fox17 This Morning and also hosted the travel series, ‘Road Trippin’, exploring all the hottest vacation destinations around the Mid-State including the best restaurants, hotels, activities, and spas. She has been with Fox 5 for the last 8 years.
Last month we reported that Z-Burger and Maman Joon will be taking over the space that was previously home to Taco Bar and Jerry’s Subs & Pizza at 18100 Georgia Avenue in Olney. Both restaurants are now open, beating out the Bethesda Z-Burger location as the first in Montgomery County for the DMV-based regional restaurant. The space offers food from both the Z Burger and Maman Joon concepts.
Z-Burger is a local, DMV-based chain that describes itself as “a Washington DC landmark! Home to the area’s most delicious handcrafted burgers with endless toppings, fresh cut fries and 75 varieties of hand spun milk shakes and concretes made with premium Wisconsin custard.” Z-Burger has multiple locations in DC, a few in Northern Virginia, and three in Maryland– with more to come. Its first location opened in Tenleytown in 2008. Earlier this year, its first Montgomery County location was announced. Prior to starting Z-Burger in 2008, founder Peter Tabibian was the general manager at a Jerry’s Subs & Pizza in Maryland.
Maman Joon offers a variety of kabobs, sandwiches, soups, salads, platters, desserts and other Persian specialties. Maman Joon currently has locations in Tenleytown, McLean, and Tyson’s Corner. The group recently opened its Tyson’s Maman Joon location and co-owner Peter Tabibian stated “We know there’s a lot of Persian community and a lot of people from Qatar, Saudi and Middle Eastern countries in that area. We thought there was a void for a Persian [or] Middle Eastern concept, and we thought it would be a great fit to put Maman Joon out there.” in an interview with FFXnow.
Per Maman Joon, “We take pride in creating authentic Persian food that reflects our heritage. Our ingredients are always fresh, most of our spices come from Iran, and our menu is lovingly prepared using our treasured family recipes. As for the restaurant’s name, the word Maman means “mom” and the word Joon means “soul, spirit of life.” Used in a modern day to mean “dear”, as a gesture of close kinship and hospitality. So all together Maman Joon, means DEAR MOM! Food is the language through which mom best knows.”
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced this week that Maryland joined other states in suing social media platforms for their impact on the health and welfare of our homes and communities. Montgomery County filed a similar lawsuit against the giant tech companies in June. You can review that lawsuit by clicking here.
In his weekly message to the community, County Executive wrote the following: “I am pleased that the Attorney General and State of Maryland are joining us in this fight. These social media companies were clearly deliberate and negligent in targeting and harming their consumers—especially children. We are still in the early stages of understanding the full impact on the health and welfare of heavy users of their products. It is clear that they must be held accountable for their actions.
Here are some concerning statistics:
- 97 percent of teenagers ages 13-17 have at least one social media account.
- People ages 16-24 spend an average of three hours on social media daily.
- Almost 25 percent of teens view social media as having a negative effect.
Our lawsuit says, “By intentionally funneling youths into addictive habits through the continuous use and reliance on their products, these social media conglomerates have achieved breathtaking profits. But those profits come at a significant cost; the addictive behaviors that social media encourages—and, indeed, enables—has caused depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, eating disorders, suicide attempts, and completed suicide among minors. Defendants knowingly exploited their most vulnerable users—children in Montgomery County and throughout the world—to drive corporate profit.”
I want to thank Montgomery’s Office of the County Attorney for being proactive in pursuing this case. Like the cases holding the pharmaceutical companies responsible for the destruction caused by opioids, we want social media companies held accountable.”
The City of Rockville Board of Supervisors of Elections issued the following statement on Friday, Oct. 27:
Last week, a technical issue arose that prevented voters in the City of Rockville’s 2023 election from using the online tool to track the delivery of ballots to a voter’s home. This technical issue has not affected the integrity of the city’s election process. This issue affected only the ability of voters to track their ballots through the United States Postal Service. The issue had no effect on the actual delivery of ballots.
The online tracking tool, provided by a vendor, was removed and is no longer available, because of this technical issue. Voters who used that tool to track their ballots received emails with inaccurate information generated, not by the city, but by the vendor. Again, this issue affected only the tracking of ballots through the USPS. It did not affect the delivery of ballots to homes by the USPS. Ballots have been mailed to all registered city voters.
Voters may choose to vote in one of the following ways:
- Return their postage-paid ballot by mail; or
- Vote in person at two Election Day Vote Centerson Tuesday, Nov. 7; or
- Drop off their ballot at an election drop box.
Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.
As in the 2019 election, voters will be able to confirm that their ballot have been received by the City of Rockville by visiting www.rockvillemd.gov/2258/Ballot-Information and selecting “Ballots Received.”
Voters who need their ballots reissued or need a replacement ballots should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 240-314-8280 or [email protected].
Construction continues at Burtonsville Crossing as new businesses look to join Burger King in the shopping center. Sprouts, the first business announced as part of the renovated shopping center, is hoping to open by the end of this year. A previous opening date of November 10th was floated around by the company, but it doesn’t look likely that It will occur by then. Moby Dick House of Kabob is the most recent tenant to sign on according to the EDENS website. EDENS also included Ulta , known for its variety of beauty and skin care products, as an upcoming tenant.
They will will be joining the previously announced Domain Fitness & Performance, which is led by a group that includes former NBA player Jason Miskiri. Miskiri also owns several restaurants in Silver Spring, including the Angry Jerk, The Breakfast Club, and Society Restaurant & Lounge. It will be located adjacent to Sprouts. A representative from EDENS also confirmed to us that TJ Maxx will be opening a location in the shopping center in 2024. TJ Maxx will be located across from where the still-open-during-renovations Burger King stands. Creative Outlets Arts Center announced that they’ll be moving into the shopping center from their previous Montgomery Mall location that closed in Bethesda in the summer.
EDENS is also receiving a $3.5 million grant to renovate the Burtonsville Crossing shopping center. In August, the State Board of Public Works released $3.5 million in funding dedicated to the redevelopment of Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center. The District 14 Legislative Delegation, consisting of Senator Craig J. Zucker, Delegates Anne Kaiser, Bernice Mireku-North, and Pamela Queen, requested that the funding be secured after hearing the community’s visions for the future of the space. “The team appreciates the Board of Public Works’ decision to release the funds, allowing renovations to begin.”
Featured photo courtesy of Larry Jones
More Maryland students will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day through a $4.7 million federal grant program. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is distributing funds to 213 elementary schools statewide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), up from 196 participating schools during the 2022-23 academic year.
According to MSDE: The program provides a variety of produce at no charge and shows students that fresh fruits and vegetables can be a healthy and delicious snack. Additionally, the program enhances school-based nutrition education initiatives “Improving access to fresh fruits and vegetables helps to create healthier school communities,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “Healthy minds start with healthy bodies. With more schools participating in this program, we can introduce more students to the benefits of smart eating and help establish the foundation for a lifetime of overall wellness.”
School meal programs are administered by MSDE and must meet nutrition standards set by USDA. For more information on Child Nutrition Programs, visit www.eatsmartmaryland.org.
Former United States Vice President has announced that he will be ending his bid to become President in 2024. According to the Associated Press, Pence said “It’s become clear to me: This is not my time,” at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual gathering in Las Vegas. “So after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today.” He went on to call his bid an “uphill battle, but I have no regrets.”
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan commented on Pence’s decision via social media, calling him a “man of integrity, a traditional Republican, and a true conservative, who has devoted his life to public service.” Hogan went on to write “Since we served as governors together, I have been proud to call him a friend. As he enters this next chapter, I know he will continue to fight for what he believes in.” Pence has not yet endorsed another candidate for next year’s primary election.
.@Mike_Pence is a man of integrity, a traditional Republican, and a true conservative, who has devoted his life to public service. Since we served as governors together, I have been proud to call him a friend. As he enters this next chapter, I know he will continue to fight for… pic.twitter.com/NMl4hom7fR
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) October 28, 2023
Montgomery County Police are investigating a single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred Saturday afternoon. According to police, “At approximately 12:15 p.m., on Saturday, October 28, 2023, Montgomery County Fire Rescue and MCPD responded to the intersection of Old Columbia Pike and Dustin Road for the report of a single vehicle collision.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that a blue, 2008 Hyundai Elantra was traveling northbound on Old Columbia Pike, near Dustin Road when, for unknown reasons, the driver struck a retaining wall. The driverofthe Hyundai, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County DepartmentofPolice – Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision.”
We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
CRITICAL INJURY CRASH: ~12:10PM Saturday near the roundabout on Old Columbia Pike at Dustin Road. (Burtonsville/Montgomery County, MD). One occupant unconscious upon @BVFD15 @MCFRS arrival & @MCPnews Collision Reconstruction Unit has been notified.
— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) October 28, 2023
Per CAIR: “The Maryland office of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), today said it has recorded 89 complaints, including hate bias incidents, between Oct. 9 to Oct. 24 following the escalation of violence in the Middle East on Oct. 7.
The civil rights group is issuing a community advisory encouraging vigilance and basic safety precautions and asking community members to document and report complaints and incidents to police and to CAIR. The nature of complaints and incidents include: 1) smears, hateful comments and slurs on social media, 2) school-based bullying and harassment, 3) doxxing threats against students expressing support for Palestinian human rights, 4) chilling of free speech and alleged retaliation at schools, universities/colleges and places of employment for pro-Palestine advocacy, 5) complaints about biased, one-sided statements about Israel/Palestine, 6) alleged discrimination at restaurants/businesses, 7) hostile incidents at mosques and 8) visits or questioning by law enforcement officers.
“Palestinian, Muslim and Arab communities are grappling with a genocide unfolding overseas in Gaza while also contending with mounting challenges fueled by islamophobia and racism in our own towns,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “The reports CAIR has recorded only strengthen our resolve to empower one another, uphold justice and defend civil liberties. Even if someone chooses not to pursue any action, staying vigilant and confidentially reporting these complaints and incidents enables us to promote awareness, collect data and seek broader solutions.”
Report Complaints & Hate Bias Incidents:
More than a dozen documented complaints reported to CAIR originated from students and an employee at one Maryland university alone. CAIR says the number does not reflect all cases statewide. Those targeted by hate and discrimination often decline to report these incidents for reasons including fear of backlash or retaliation. In its 2021 report “Islamophobia through the Eyes of Muslims” UC Berkeley’s Other and Belonging Center found that 85 percent of Muslims who have been a victim of a hate crime do not report it.
In an unprecedented occurrence, CAIR’s 29th annual banquet in Maryland, originally scheduled for this Saturday, October 28, was merged with CAIR National’s 29th annual banquet, re-located to an undisclosed location and held last Saturday, October 21 after the National banquet’s venue received bomb threats and threats of Molotov cocktails, as well as death threats against hotel staff in a targeted campaign after CAIR dedicated the annual event to Palestine.
SEE: Terror Threats Move CAIR Banquet At Maryland Westin Hotel
https://dailyvoice.com/maryland/howard/terror-threats-move-cair-banquet-at-maryland-westin-hotel-m/
CAIR expressed safety concerns during a recent meeting with statewide Muslim leaders to call for an immediate ceasefire and flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The office has been briefing the state’s elected leaders and Maryland members of congress during meetings this week and plans to coordinate a self-empowerment training for Muslim and Arab communities in partnership with self-defense experts. In recent days, the office has held trainings and webinars on topics including bullying prevention, civic engagement and Palestine advocacy. The civil rights group expressed its appreciation to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights for their support and commitment to the well-being of Muslim and Arab communities in the state amidst the tense political climate.
