Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting early this morning in Clarksburg. According to police, “On Sunday, October 22, 2023, at approximately 1:59 a.m., MCP officers responded to the 12800 block of Clarks Crossing Drive in Clarksburg for the report of shots fired. 

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect(s) arrived at the location in an unknown vehicle, fired rounds, and left the scene. A home was struck by gunfire. The home was occupied but no one reported any injuries.  This is an active and ongoing investigation.  

We will provide an update if additional information becomes availabe.  Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Early Sunday Morning: Shots Fired in Clarksburg: ~1:50AM Sunday on Clarks Crossing Drive, South of Clarksburg Square Road (Clarksburg/Montgomery County, MD). Multiple shots fired, at least 2 nearby occupied homes struck. Parked cars reportedly struck as well. @TheMoCoShow

— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) October 22, 2023

Per the Maryland Department of Health: The Maryland Department of Health has been awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand Alzheimer’s and related dementias prevention and care programs in the state. The grant period is from September 30, 2023 to September 29, 2028. Maryland is one of 43 states, cities, and territories to receive funding through the federal Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, signed into law in 2018, to create a national public health infrastructure to combat Alzheimer’s and related dementias and preserve brain health.

“Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias represent an urgent and costly public health crisis,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott. “This grant will help Maryland provide support and resources within communities most impacted by this devastating disease and lessen the burden on caregivers and families.”

Alzheimer’s remains the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Maryland Department of Health will use the funds to continue collaborating with the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council to track and report activities in the Maryland State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias and build upon its Healthy Brain Aging awareness campaign to increase early detection and diagnosis and promote healthy brain aging.

For more information on cognitive health, including Alzheimer’s disease, visit health.maryland.gov/brainhealth.

WHAT: Representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation will meet with Montgomery County officials to discuss the agency’s Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program, which details a $21.2 billion, six-year capital budget investment in the state’s transportation network. The meeting is part of the department’s tour of 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other officials will outline the state’s investment plan and discuss Montgomery County’s transportation priorities.

WHO:  Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld
State Highway Administrator William Pines
Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer
Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold
Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Joey Sagal
Maryland Aviation Administration Chief Engineer Paul Shank

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2023

WHERE: Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, Third Floor Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville Watch the meeting HERE.

WHY: Each fall, the Maryland Department of Transportation presents its draft six-year capital program to Maryland counties and Baltimore City for review and comment. After gathering input from local jurisdictions, the Draft 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program will be finalized later this fall, and the final plan will be submitted to the Legislature in January for consideration during the 2024 General Assembly session. To view the Draft 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program, go to www.ctp.maryland.gov.

Two new records for new species have been established in the Atlantic Division of the Maryland state fishing records program. Angler Chris Stafford of Cherry Hill, N.J. caught  a pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis) weighing 2.0 pounds on September 20, and Ellicott City resident Stephen Humphrey caught a great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) weighing 13.0 pounds on October 6. Both fish were caught off the coast of Ocean City.

Pompano Dolphinfish Record: Stafford was working a school of dolphinfish at Poor Man’s Canyon and “bailing” them on light spinning tackle when he noticed that one of the dolphinfish that he caught looked slightly different from the others. Later on, back at the dock, one of the mates that works as a fish cutter at Bahia Marina also noticed that the general body shape and proportions of the fish were different from other dolphinfish. Stafford notified the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which identified the fish species.

The pompano dolphinfish is distinguished from a common dolphinfish based on a few key characteristics, including: a broad, squarish tooth patch, a body depth which is more than 25% of its standard length, an anal fin that is not concave and does not have sickle-fin shape, as well as a dorsal fin ray count which is lower than the dorsal ray counts found on common dolphinfish. This fish had 53 rays, compared with 58 to 66 in common dolphinfish. The weight of the pompano dolphinfish was confirmed on a certified scale at Bahia Marina, and it measured at 20 inches in fork length.

Great Barracuda Record: Humphrey was trolling for yellowfin tuna with a rigged skirted ballyhoo bait offshore at the Washington Canyon when a great barracuda struck the bait. He was fishing on the charter boat “Wrecker” with mate Cody Smith and Captain Bobby Layton. A few stray barracuda have been caught off Maryland in recent years, but this fish was impressive in size. Department fishery managers expect to see more of this species in the future along with other southern visitors, such as cobia, king mackerel, sheepshead, and pompano with climate change and warming ocean water temperatures.

The weight of the barracuda was confirmed and certified at the Ocean City Fishing Center, and it was measured at 40 inches fork length and 42 inches total length.     The department maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive – and awards plaques to anglers who achieve record catches.

Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and fill out a state record application and call 443-569-1398 or email [email protected]. The department recommends the fish be immersed in ice water to preserve its weight until it can be checked, confirmed, and certified.

Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Peak leaf change is right around the corner in the western half of the state, evident in the russet leaves of the oaks, bronze and yellow hickory canopies, and the dazzling ruby red maples. The weather conditions remain ideal during the weekdays when Marylander’s are experiencing crystal blue, sunlit skies during the day, winding down with star-filled skies and chilly temperatures at night. Weekend weather systems have been a regular feature, bringing us wind and rain across much of the region, resulting in premature leaf loss in some areas of our state. However, there is plenty of fall color to be found if you know where to look. And this week, Western Maryland steals the show. Click here for fall foliage in Montgomery County.

Western Maryland: Cold, wet and windy conditions persisted through much of the week in northern Garrett County, bringing more leaves down to the forest floor. But leaf peepers need not despair, according to Forest Manager Sean Nolan. “Plenty of colorful leaves remain in the treetops at Savage River State Forest,” Nolan said. “The maple leaves have all turned while the oak trees are at various stages of color change with many still holding green leaves.  The color change is definitely coming in waves, with individual trees showing vibrant colors and surrounding trees showing subtle changes.  I would say we have certainly reached the midpoint and are moving toward peak as the oak trees continue to change.”

Central Maryland: Melissa Carson, Park Ranger Lead reports from Patapsco Valley State Park this week where “the hickories are fading to a buttery yellow and the tulip trees are looking pretty bare from last weekend’s wind and rain.” However, a fall favorite among leaf peepers – maples – are finally beginning to make their presence known in the forest canopies. “The maples are certainly the star of the show right now.”

Northern Maryland: Fall foliage enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the tree buffer area of Bohemia River State Park for a unique opportunity to see the leaves change on over 2,000 native hardwood trees planted between agricultural fields and Great Bohemia Creek. Unlike older forested areas, newer plantings allow visitors to easily walk among the trees, surrounding themselves with a cloak of amber, scarlet and gold during the fall months.  “It’s pretty amazing to see in its entirety,” explains Shin Ae, seasonal Park Ranger at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area and Bohemia River State Park. “Once mature, the buffer will serve as a habitat and food source for local wildlife who call the park home.”

Southern Maryland: Project Forester Chase Kolstrom is seeing more color in the tree canopies in Cedarville State Forest, where over 50 species of trees thrive in an actively managed 3,707​​-acre forest: “Those beautiful fall colors are starting to peek through the treetops this week. Visitors to the area will notice changes among the dogwoods, sweetgum and red maples, with the oaks following close behind.” Cedarville State Forest lies on the line between Charles and Prince George’s counties and offers over 19 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians – and leaf peepers too!

Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Rockville’s Choice Hotels International recently went public with its bid to acquire rival brand Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, with a combined $9.8 billion offer that included $7.8 billion in combined cash and stock and another $2 billion in assumed debt. Wyndham rejected the offer, saying it presents unacceptable risk to its shareholders. This comes a little over a year after Choice acquired Radisson Hotels in August 2022.

Per a recent release, Wyndham’s Board of Directors, together with its financial and legal advisors, closely reviewed Choice’s latest proposal with a nominal value of $90 per share, comprised of 45 percent in stock and 55 percent in cash and determined that it is not in the best interest of shareholders to accept the proposal. In rejecting Choice’s proposal, the Wyndham Board of Directors determined that:

• the proposed transaction involves significant business and execution risks, including an extended regulatory timeline and uncertainty of outcome, potential franchisee churn, and excessive leverage levels at the pro forma combined company
• the consideration mix includes a significant component of Choice stock, which the Board believes is fully valued relative to Choice’s growth prospects, especially when compared to Wyndham
• the offer is opportunistic and undervalues Wyndham’s future growth potential

“Choice’s offer is underwhelming, highly conditional, and subject to significant business, regulatory and execution risk.  Choice has been unwilling or unable to address our concerns,” said Stephen P. Holmes, Chairman of the Wyndham Board of Directors.  “While our Board would support a value-maximizing transaction, given the substantial, unmitigated embedded risks and value destruction potential presented by the proposed transaction, our Board determined it is not in the best interests of Wyndham shareholders.  We have engaged with Choice and its advisors on multiple occasions to explore these risks.  However, it became clear the proposed transaction likely would take more than a year to even determine if, and on what terms, it could clear antitrust review, and Choice was unable to address these long-term risks to Wyndham’s business and shareholders. We are disappointed that Choice’s description of our engagement disingenuously suggests that we were in alignment on core terms and omits to describe the true reasons we have consistently questioned the merits of this combination – Choice’s inability and unwillingness to address our significant concerns about regulatory and execution risk and our deep concerns about the value of their stock.”

Wyndham’s full response can be seen here.

UPDATE: Lilly Tahn has been located safe and unharmed.
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Lilly Tahn, a missing 83-year-old. Tahn was last seen on Saturday, October 22, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., in the 6100 block of Tuckerman Lane. She is 5-feet tall, 150 lbs, with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen driving a 2019 silver Mazda 3 bearing Maryland license plates 8EY7493.

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

Concern for Missing Womanhttps://t.co/WFFrD7xfHi#mcpnews #MissingPerson pic.twitter.com/0tLrFqvrtH

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 22, 2023

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) joined the nation in celebrating National Principals Month this October. This annual observance recognizes the vital role that principals play in creating a positive and nurturing learning environment for students.

”Principals are the backbone of any successful school. They are the driving force behind academic excellence, fostering a culture of inclusivity and ensuring the overall well-being of students. Their leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to education are instrumental in shaping the future of our students and communities

The video below shares appreciation for the outstanding talents, dedication, and caring nature of our principals, who go above and beyond to create a nurturing and enriching educational experience for every student: