The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Eduardo Mendez Rodriguez, a missing 15-year-old. Rodriguez was last seen on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m., near Grazing Way in Gaithersburg. He is 5’2″, 100 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, and has a tattoo of  “504” on his left hand. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, gray shorts, and white sneakers.

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

The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Erick Romero, a missing 12-year-old. Romera was last seen on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 8:30 a.m., in the 18400 block of Lost Knife Circle in Gaithersburg. He is 5’3″, 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.

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

Concern for Missing Twelve-Year-Old

The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public's assistance in locating Erick Romero, a missing 12-year-old.https://t.co/WE2gcTPr3g#mcpnews #mcpd #missing #missingperson pic.twitter.com/zuBSV8Rz8z

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) September 8, 2023

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District Investigative Section have arrested five teenagers believed to be involved in an assault outside of a Bethesda Metro station on Friday, September 1, 2023. A 16-year-old from Bethesda is facing charges as an adult, including armed robbery and second-degree assault. Additionally, two other teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been charged as juveniles with robbery and second-degree assault offenses. Two 15-year-olds face first-degree-assault charges.

The incident took place following a Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson football game, where the three accused teens allegedly assaulted and robbed other teenage victims. A male victim, along with a parent, reported the assault to police the night of the incident. A video of the assault surfaced on social media, drawing the attention of Montgomery County Police. As a result, detectives were able to identify the suspects with the assistance of Montgomery County Public School leaders. This case remains an active and ongoing investigation, and more arrests are expected to be made.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is asked to contact the Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District Investigative Section at (240) 773-6710.

Scores for Sep 07, 2023:

Football Varsity

Soccer Boys JV

Soccer Boys Varsity

Soccer Girls JV

Soccer Girls Varsity

Volleyball Girls JV

Volleyball Girls Varsity

Moby Dick House of Kabob is opening its newest restaurant in North Bethesda, in the White Flint area, at 11431-A Rockville Pike, next to 7-Eleven. This will be the Persian kabob restaurant chain’s 26th restaurant overall and 7th in Montgomery County, where it all started in 1989 with its Bethesda location. The restaurant has put up coming soon signage on the window area of the storefront that was previously home to Verizon, also located next to Matreshka Russian Gourmet (additional photos below).

Founder Mike Daryoush emigrated to the United States from Iran in 1975. He opened a small sandwich shop in 1987 in Bethesda, Maryland, serving a few Middle Eastern dishes. He changed to a Persian menu and added a clay oven in 1989. The name references one of the biggest kabob joints in Tehran, which was right near the American Embassy during the Shah’s time. It was called Moby Dick, apparently because the owner really liked the book. Daryoush passed away on May 9, 2019, only a week after the chain’s 30th anniversary.

“The Moby Dick House of Kabob story is not unlike many other great ‘realize the American dream’ stories: have an idea, work hard to make it happen, create value for others, and your idea matures into a successful venture. Through it all, Moby Dick continues to be unyielding in the belief of “never cutting corners.” This is the inspiration behind the kabobs, gyros, falafel, baklava, and our other food items with the character that you love and crave.” The news of Moby Dick’s latest opening was first reported by Robert Dyer.

Update: K9 Loki has been located safe and unharmed.
Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating missing MCPD K9 Loki. If you see him, do not approach him, chase him or call him to you. Call 9-1-1.

Last Seen: Friday, September 8, 2023, at approximately 3 a.m., in the area of New Hampshire Ave. and Jackson Rd.
Description: Belgian Malinois, black and tan hair, wearing a collar that says “Police”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of K9 Loki is asked to call 9-1-1.

Concern for Missing MCPD K9

The Montgomery County Department of Police is asking for the public's assistance in locating missing MCPD K9 Loki.

If you see him, do not approach him, chase him or call him to you. Call 9-1-1.https://t.co/KgYxtEsdxB#MCPNews #MCPD pic.twitter.com/Zss0pjRvJ0

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) September 8, 2023

At the Mayor & City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Bus Driver/Site Leader Brad Martin and the Lakeforest Mall Retrieval Team were recognized with Employee Recognition Awards for the second quarter of calendar year 2023. Made up of peers from each department, Gaithersburg’s Employee Recognition Committee (ERC) reviews nominations for individuals and teams on a quarterly basis. Each individual and team has been nominated by their peers based on criteria reflecting the City’s five values under the strategic plan – accountability, caring, excellence, integrity, and teamwork, or “ACE IT!.” These winners are then eligible for the annual Employee and Team of the Year Awards.

Brad Martin, Benjamin Gaither Center (BGC) Bus Driver/Site Leader with the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture, was named Employee of the Second Quarter for his consistent efforts to go above and beyond to ensure BGC members feel special and cared for. Among his many roles, he has served as bingo caller, chef, shopper, and photographer. Brad plans many of the details for the Center’s special events, including decorating and even wearing costumes, creating a sense of contagious enthusiasm for staff and all participants. His work shows a sense of pride in what he does and reflects that he is the ultimate team player.

The Lakeforest Mall Retrieval Team, comprised of Melanie Brown, Wayne Watkins, Mark Smith, Andrew Rosencrantz, Erik Ringquist, Charlie Meredith, David Outman, and Edwin Alvarez of the Department of Public Works, was named Team of the Second Quarter. The team was nominated after the City was offered a variety of items from the closed Lakeforest Mall, largely in an attempt to clear the mall prior to auction. Someone needed to go into the mall – which had no electricity, air conditioning, or ventilation – to find the items and move them out. The team was nominated for their dedication in identifying, locating, and retrieving a variety of items, coordinating the effort despite an overwhelming odor from water damage, and using battery-powered tools and light stands to disassemble shelving and bleachers before removing them for re-use throughout the City.

Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg

Per WMATA: More frequent service is coming to Metro beginning Monday, September 11, when the transit agency will roll out its eleventh service increase since last summer. While ridership continues to grow, it remains below pre-pandemic levels, therefore Metro will monitor ridership trends and continue to assess the need for any future service adjustments based on ridership demand.

With ridership trending higher during the morning and evening commuting hours, Metro will boost peak service on the Red, Blue, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines to meet demand and ridership growth as more customers return to the office and other activities. Trains on those lines will run more frequently from approximately 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., and from approximately 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Exact times of peak service will vary by station.

Orange Line trains will continue operating every 10 minutes all-day, seven days a week, and every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m. Metro is now running more train service than at any time in its 47-year history.

“Metro is working hard to provide frequent, reliable service to help move our region and grow our economy.” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “This service increase is another win for our customers and a testament to Metro staff who have worked hard to restore safe, frequent service. We have great service levels available, and we hope that our region and customers use the system, and we see ridership continue to grow.” Service frequencies beginning Monday, September 11:

The service increases will add more than six percent more train trips than today, and 60 percent more daily train trips than at this time last year. Additionally, this service change represents Metro delivering 89* percent of budgeted FY24 service levels.

Last month we reported that signage was up for No Regrets Pizza Co. at 5454 Nicholson Lane, on the lower level of the  Harwood Flats apartment building in North Bethesda. We’re told the restaurant will offer both artisan New York and Roman Al Teglia-style pizzas. According to No Regrets, they will serve both pizzas by the slice or whole for lunch and then switch to full wait service for dinner, serving full pies along with homemade pasta and desserts.

No Regrets also plans to have a “high-end craft cocktail” bar that will carry several Montgomery County brewed beers. The current estimated opening date is around March 1st.  We will post an update when additional information is available.

Per Montgomery County: A variety of hikes including “Hiking with Your Dog,” a native plant sale and “Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night” are among the many special events that will be featured throughout September by Montgomery Parks.
The September nature center special events will include:

• Fall Native Plant Sales. Sept. 1-18. Maydale Nature Classroom (online only): Online sale runs through Monday, Sept. 18. Plant pickup on Saturday, Sept. 23. In-person sale at Pope Farm Nursery, 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg will be held Saturday, Sept. 16–Sunday, Sept.17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission. No registration is required.
• Family Nature Hikes: Fall. Wednesdays, Sept. 13–Nov. 15. 1-2:30 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Explore Cabin John Regional Park with a park naturalist. The nature center’s resident animal ambassadors will make appearances. Ages 3–5. Registration required. $150.
• Virtual Family Trivia Night. Wednesday, Sept. 13. 6-7 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Gather around the table with family and friends with Quizmaster Jenn as she conducts a nature-themed trivia night for the whole family. All ages. Registration required. Free.
• Let’s Hike. Friday, Sept. 15. 6:30-8 p.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Adults-only evening hike in Wheaton Regional Park. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $8.
• Hiking with Your Dog: Bark in the Park. Thursday, Sept. 21, 4-7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m.- noon. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Learn how to prepare for a fun time with your dog at the virtual workshop on Thursday, Sept. 21, and then come to Locust Grove Nature Center on Sunday, Sept. 24, to put the skills into practice. Participants on Sept. 24 will receive a free doggie Swag bag. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $10 (per session).
• Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night. Friday, Sept. 22. 5-7 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Create a personalized nature-themed pint glass piece and afterward enjoy a splash of cider on the raptor deck with a naturalist-led raptor talk. Ages 21 and older. Registration required. $20.
• Autumnal Equinox: Sunrise Stretch at the Sycamore. Saturday, Sept. 23. 6-7 a.m.
• Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Start fall and your day taking in the healing and calming effects of nature. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $20.
• Beginning Birding for Everybody. Saturday, Sept. 23. 9-10 a.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Learn birding basics on a frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. The wildlife pond boardwalk is accessible for all budding birders. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $7.
• Nature Center Pop-Up. Sunday, Sept. 24. 1-4 p.m. Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville. Talk with a naturalist, explore natural objects, ask questions and try out some biology-themed activities. All ages. Registration recommended. Free.
• Trip to Mt. Cuba Center. Wednesday, Sept. 27. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Leaves from Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Visit the Mt. Cuba Center near Wilmington, Del., home to more than 1,000 species of native plants, many of which are threatened by extinction. Registration required. $60 ($58 for Friends of Black Hill).
• The Scoop on Poop. Thursday, Sept. 28. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Program is designed to teach young children and their caregivers about the wildlife and nature in their own backyards through activities, explorations, games, hikes and take-home crafts. Registration required. Ages 3–5. $6.
• Escapadas de Tortugas. Saturday, Sept. 30. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Help find a lost turtle. Follow the clues and find her. A fun scavenger hunt at the nature center. Please note: this program is in Spanish. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $5.

Visit the Fall 2023 Montgomery Parks Program GuideGo to the Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Stilt Street, Boyds.