Metro Transit Police has announced the arrest of Adrian Barnes, 29, by MTPD July 29 at Fort Totten Station. Barnes was charged with ‘Attempted Second Degree Rape’ that occurred at the Shady Grove metro station last week. According to police, he will also be charged with ‘Assault’ and ‘Fugitive from Justice.’

Prior to his arrest, Metro Transit Police provided the following information: “Victim reported the suspect, identified as Adrian Barnes, approached her from behind as she was getting in her car. The suspect forced her to the ground, then attempted to rape her. The victim fought off the suspect and ran from the garage to get help.”

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First Watch, a tenant of the Muddy Branch Square Shopping Center, located at 802 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, was granted a major sign waiver by the City of Gaithersburg to accommodate a second principal sign. The major waiver is needed to allow the replacement of the secondary signage that First Watch has utilized since they opened their location. Current code only allows one sign per business.

The proposed second principal sign consists of internally illuminated channel letters mounted to a finished backer panel, installed on existing roof brackets. First Watch is in the process of investing more than $100 thousand in the renovation of their Muddy Branch location in an effort to drive business to their restaurant. The renovation includes new signage, replacement awnings, and an updated interior for diners to enjoy.

Background: The Sign Ordinance is drafted to allow deviations for businesses to have additional signage, if site conditions warrant a hardship. Unfortunately, according to First Watch, the physical constraints of the restaurant space restrict the visibility the principal signage can achieve. The waiver was requested to allow the First Watch to retain the existing allotment of two (2) signs. As indicated by the four (4) photos, shown by Exhibit A, of the approach to the restaurant space, bearing South on Muddy Branch Rd, showing the principal sign, above the front entrance is not readily visibly to traffic. The second principal sign will provide for a more visible, readable sign, to drive business to their restaurant. Importantly, the additional principal sign in no way adversely affects the shopping center or any aspect associated with the center. The Sign Ordinance allows up to five percent of the building façade area to be devoted to building signage. First Watch does not seek to exceed the allowed square footage of signage, only to retain the second principal sign on the side elevation through the waiver process. The same waiver process would need to be applied for in order for other tenants, within Muddy Branch Square, to retain the use of two (2) primary signs. Other tenants such as, The MedStar Health Urgent Care, located on the opposite end cap of the plaza from First Watch, shown in Exhibit B. As well as the two (2) stand-alone tenants, Starbucks and Truist Bank, shown in Exhibit C. Additional, the existing signage is compatible with the overall retail nature of the shopping center.

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Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced $6.3 million in funding to protect against hate crimes and to enhance local police recruitment and retention efforts through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.

“Every Marylander has a role to play in combating racism, bias and hate and in keeping our communities safe,” said Gov. Moore. “Through this funding, we will help support both our community partners and our law enforcement partners as we work together to build a stronger, safer Maryland.”

The Protecting Against Hate Crimes program provides $5 million to nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, with facilities and membership that can be targeted for a hate crime to provide security enhancements. Funding supports equipment, personnel, and physical security enhancements.

The Police Recruitment and Retention grant provides $1.3 million to support local law enforcement agencies to support their efforts to recruit and retain qualified sworn police officers. The funding may be used for hiring bonuses, retention incentives, tuition reimbursement and health incentives.

In June, the governor announced the Moore-Miller administration’s new vision to address public safety, which is an all-of-the-above approach focused on supporting law enforcement; building stronger, more vibrant communities; coordinating across all aspects of government; and investing in Maryland’s youth.

A complete list of grantees and awards for both the Protecting Against Hate Crimes program and Police Recruitment and Retention grant is available through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.

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Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold free child vaccination clinics during August to help parents prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Making sure kids are up to date on required immunizations should be at the top of the list as parents get their students ready to go back to school again,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is important to keep children healthy and I encourage parents to take advantage of the free vaccinations offered at our upcoming clinics.”

Maryland law requires students to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Students who do not have proof of the required vaccinations on the first day of school must show proof of a vaccination appointment scheduled within 20 calendar days. The back-to-school vaccine offerings include:

  • Tdap
  • Meningococcal (MCV4)
  • Meningococcal B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)

County-operated vaccination clinics are scheduled:

Tuesday, Aug. 15
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring
240-777-1050
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.

Tuesday, Aug. 22
8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring
240-777-1050
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.

Wednesday, Aug. 23
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Germantown Health Center
12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown
240-777-3380
By appointment.

Wednesday, Aug. 23
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Silver Spring Health Center
8630 Fenton St., 10th floor, Silver Spring
240-777-3160
By appointment.

Saturday, Aug. 26
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
MCPS Back-to-School Fair
Westfield Wheaton Mall
11160 Veirs Mill Rd., Wheaton
School vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for children ages 5 years and older. Walk-ins welcome but appointments are preferred. Call 240-777-1050 for an appointment.

The School Health Services Immunization Center, located at 4910 Macon Rd., Rockville, is also open for back-to-school immunizations:

Monday to Friday (until Aug. 11)
8:30 a.m. to Noon
240-740-4430
By appointment.

Monday, Aug. 14
8:30 a.m. – Noon
240-740-4430
By appointment.

Thursday, Aug. 17
8:30 a.m. – Noon
240-740-4430
By appointment.

DHHS offers childhood immunizations throughout the year for eligible children through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. To be eligible for the VFC program, children must be 18 years and younger and meet at least one of the following:

  • Does not have health insurance.
  • Has Medical Assistance.
  • Has health insurance that does not cover vaccines.
  • Is Alaskan native or American Indian.

Visit the Immunization Program website for more information on locations where year-round appointments are available.

Visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website to learn more about vaccination requirements for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn more about DHHS’ partnership with MCPS to provide school-based health services on the MCPS website.

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Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is pleased to announce appointments to the newly formed Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. The Commission is composed of 20 stakeholders from a cross-section of law enforcement, state and local institutions, and organizations representing communities targeted by hate crimes.

During Attorney General Brown’s first 100 days in office, he successfully pursued several key legislative priorities focused on his mission of justice and equity, including the transformation of his office’s existing Hate Crimes Task Force into a permanent body known as the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. In May, the General Assembly passed HB1066, creating the Commission that now offers Marylanders a permanent, long-term mechanism to address hate crimes at the state level. Governor Wes Moore signed the bill into law, and the Commission went into effect in June.

“I am honored and humbled by the energy, expertise, and passion of these appointees who are stepping up for all Marylanders, creating structure for our governing authorities to stem the tide of underreported crimes and bias incidents, and providing relief to people affected by these divisive acts,” explained Attorney General Brown. “Marylanders deserve a safe and inclusive State, and we’re here to listen, to report, and, most importantly, to act. This Commission will give a voice to those who may have been too afraid to speak up,” The Commission, which is chaired by Attorney General Brown, will evaluate state laws and policies on hate crimes and develop strategies to address them. The Commission will submit annual reports on its policy and legislative recommendations to the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland General Assembly, beginning on December 1, 2024. The Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention is comprised of the following members:

Chair, Office of the Attorney General – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown
The Anti-Defamation League – Ms. Meredith Weisel
The Asian-American and Pacific Islander Commission of Howard County – Dr. Lanlan Xu
The Baltimore Jewish Council – Ms. Sarah Mersky Miicke
The Coalition Opposed to Violence and Extremism – Ms. Ra’mona Brown-Carter
The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Ms. Zainab Chaudry
Disability Rights Maryland – Mx. Sam Williamson
FreeState Justice – Mr. Phillip Westry
The Immigration Outreach Service Center – Ms. Pat Jones
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington – Ms. Debbie Miller
The Maryland Association of Human Relations/Rights Agencies – Ms. Yolanda Sonnier
The Maryland Center for School Safety – Ms. Kate Bryan
The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association – Mr. Darryl McSwain
The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights – Mr. Cleveland L. Horton, II
The Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center – Mr. Dave Engel
The Maryland Sheriffs’ Association – Mr. Everett Sesker
The Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association – Mr. Steven Kroll
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Mr. Willie Flowers
The National Alliance of Mental Illness Maryland – Ms. Kate Farinholt
The Pride Center of Maryland – Dr. Cleo Manago
The Sikh Coalition – Mr. Joraver Singh
Towson University – Mr. Larry M. Bell, Jr.
The Women’s Law Center – Ms. Laure Ruth

Hiring is underway for a full-time Assistant Attorney General who will be dedicated to the Commission and the handling of our Office’s response to hate crime activity. The Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention is the culmination of a multi-year effort, beginning in 2016, by the Maryland Office of Attorney General to combat an increasing number of hate crimes and hate bias incidents across the state. Those efforts include the creation of our Hate Crimes Hotline, the former OAG Hate Crimes Task Force (which is now the Commission), and a 2021 Department of Justice (DOJ) Award. Using those DOJ grant funds, planning and development are currently underway for an online hate crime and hate bias incident reporting portal. Also ongoing, in partnership with Maryland State Police, is the formation of training for state and local law enforcement on how to respond to and report hate crimes and hate bias incidents most effectively. Additionally, Attorney General Brown is hosting Regional Hate Bias Reporting Forums. The first took place this past spring in western Maryland, and two additional forums are scheduled for fall 2023.

State law requires law enforcement to report hate crimes and bias incidents; however, many incidents often go unreported. Reporting is the key to understanding how pervasive acts of hate are occur within communities. To report a hate crime or hate bias incident, please contact our Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-866-481-8361. In the event of an emergency, always call 911.

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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival

Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you're an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.

Let the enticing aromas of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes tantalize your taste buds. Feast on traditional delicacies prepared by expert chefs, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Indulge in flavorful jerk chicken, succulent seafood, and delectable plantain dishes that will transport you straight to the islands.

Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.

As the sun sets, get ready to groove to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean music. Feel the pulsating beats of reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso, moving your body to the lively melodies. Live performances by talented musicians and performers will keep the energy high, ensuring a night of unforgettable entertainment.

Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.

LIVE PERFORMANCES By: CULTURE Feat. Kenyatta Hill, EXCO LEVI, IMAGE BAND, RAS LIDJ REGG'GO with Special Guest SUGAR BEAR FROM E.U. & MORE! & MORE!

MUSIC By: DJ ABLAZE, DJ SMALLY & NAJ SUPREME

2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES

KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE!!!

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 20 Attorneys General to file an amicus brief in a lawsuit challenging Idaho’s restrictive law that makes it a crime for adults to help minors travel out-of-state for abortion care. The challenge to Idaho’s so-called abortion “travel ban” was filed in U.S. District Court in Idaho earlier this month by an attorney working with sexual assault victims, the Northwest Abortion
Access Fund, and the Indigenous Idaho Alliance.

The coalition’s brief urges the court to block Idaho’s law immediately. More specifically, the coalition argues that Idaho’s law not only endangers minors from Idaho, but also punishes other states’ medical providers and residents for helping them access lawful abortion care outside of Idaho’s borders. “This cannot be reconciled with Supreme Court precedent, under which States cannot prevent their residents from accessing abortion care in other States where it is legal –much less from even accessing information about such lawful care,” the brief asserts. Further, the coalition argues that Idaho should not be allowed to criminalize legal conduct in other states. “Idaho’s abortion travel ban is inhumane, intrusive, and endangers the health and well-being of minors seeking care wherever it’s available,” said Attorney General Brown. “This law must be
blocked to safeguard reproductive freedom and protect access to legal abortion care.”

Idaho’s abortion laws, among the most restrictive in the country, have resulted in a significant uptick in Idaho patients traveling to other states for care. Idaho’s law also harms the ability of other states to provide timely care to these patients, given the delays often caused by out-of-state travel. This is not the first time that Maryland has weighed in on restrictive state abortion laws. In May, Attorney General Brown joined a multistate coalition to protect Americans’ access to abortions
during life-threatening medical emergencies, which had been challenged in a lawsuit by the state of Texas.

Joining Attorney General Brown in the brief are the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2023/080323.pdf

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Per MCPD: Three teens; 13, 16, and 17-years-old have been arrested and charged for an armed carjacking and armed robbery that occurred on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.  The preliminary investigation by detectives revealed that the adult victim was driving on Wayne Ave. when he noticed a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee following him. When the victim parked at his residence, the Jeep drove off. The Jeep then came back and blocked the victim’s car. As the victim was getting out, five to six unknown Black male suspects, wearing dark clothing and masks, got out of the Jeep, pointed a gun at the victim, demanded his property and the password to his cellphone, to which the victim complied. One of the suspects punched the victim in the face and followed him as he ran away. The suspects then left in the victim’s Black Infiniti FX35 and the Jeep.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified three individuals as suspects.   The 13-year-old was charged and referred to the Department of Juvenile Services.  The 16-year-old was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant and charged as an adult with armed carjacking and armed robbery. He is currently being held in Washington, D.C on unrelated charges.  The 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with armed carking and armed robbery and is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

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The update to the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan was approved by the Montgomery County Council on July 25, 2023, marking the first comprehensive update to the plan since 1996.

Rustic roads are historic and scenic roadways that reflect the agricultural character and rural origins of the County. Preservation of rustic roads must be achieved by retaining certain physical features of rustic roads and by certain right-of-way maintenance procedures. Rustic and Exceptional Rustic roads are preserved under the Rustic Roads Program, which provides a system for evaluating, protecting, and enhancing these scenic roadways.

This update has two main purposes:

  1. To consider roads that have been nominated for inclusion in the Rustic Roads Program.
  2. To provide the necessary details for several roads that are currently in the program but have incomplete descriptions.

Before the approval of the plan update, there were 99 roads in the Rustic Roads Program:

  • 80 rustic roads
  • 13 exceptional rustic roads
  • Six roads with segments in both categories.

The new plan added sixteen new roads to the Program, removed three roads from the Program, reclassified many roads from rustic to exceptional rustic, and clarified the status of a couple roads. With the new plan, there are now 114 total roads:

  • 77 rustic roads
  • 27 exceptional rustic roads
  • 10 roads with segments in both categories.

As part of the plan, existing road profiles were reviewed for changes, new maps were created, and an environment section was added for each road. This update revises the descriptions of the significant features, history, traveling experience, environmental setting, and road characteristics of the existing rustic roads and provides new profiles for the new rustic roads and those roads with incomplete descriptions. The plan also updates the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways and proposes revisions to the programs and policies instrumental in the implementation of the program.

“Rustic roads help to maintain the rural character of Montgomery County and serve as a resource for the agricultural community and as an amenity for residents,” said Acting Montgomery County Planning Director Tanya Stern. “We’re pleased to see that these unique resources will continue to be preserved with this plan update.”

The County Council also approved Bill 30-23. This bill updates the composition of the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee (RRAC) to expand the membership and create more diversity on the Committee.

The RRAC is comprised of citizen members who are appointed by the County Executive; they review and advise the County Executive, County Council, Planning Board, Department of Transportation, Department of Permitting Services, and other county agencies on matters concerning rustic roads. Members review and comment upon roadway classifications, policies, and regulations and promote public awareness of the Rustic Roads Program. The number of members was increased from seven to nine, and the bill made further updates to reflect three at-large members and one additional commodity farmer member.

The Montgomery County Planning Department began work on the plan in July 2019, and the plan was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in February 2023 prior to transmittal to the County Council for its review and approval. When Council approval completed, the plan will now be adopted by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission at a future meeting.

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Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has launched a new Ride On Trip Planner app that makes planning out transportation options in and around Montgomery County easy and convenient. The app is free and was created in partnership with Moovit, a mobility and journey app provider. Riders can download the app from the Google Play or Apple app store.

The new Ride On Trip Planner app allows for trip planning across multiple modes including Ride On buses, Metrorail and Metrobuses, scooters and Bikeshare. Additionally, the platform will give live reports on wait times and ridership levels for Ride On buses by utilizing a crowdsourcing information feature. This allows more Ride On buses to be added to busier routes based on immediate need. It also provides features to guide riders along their chosen route, including “first mile, last mile” directions to a selected bus stop, and push notifications when they have arrived.

web-based version is also available.

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Per Montgomery County: The 74th Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which calls itself “the nine best days of summer,” returns to the Montgomery County Agricultural Center in Gaithersburg with a full schedule of daily activities from Aug. 11-19. Among the special events are the Chesapeake DockDogs canine aquatics competition on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11 and12, and truck drag racing on Monday, Aug. 14.

The fairgrounds are located at 506 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg. Exhibitions of animals, outstanding farm products and photography are available throughout the fair. General admission is $15 for adults if bought on-site or $12 if bought online. Children 11-and-under are admitted free. There are several special admission days. Online tickets are available at https://mcagfair.com/general-information/tickets/. Tickets for rides, games and food are additional.  Parking is $15 on the fairgrounds property. However, free parking and shuttle bus service to the fairgrounds are available from nearby Lakeforest Mall, which is located at Lost Knife Road and Odenhal Avenue.

Among the special days at the fair are “Family Days” on Monday, Aug. 14, and Wednesday, Aug. 16. Sponsored by Sunbelt Rentals, those days allow for purchase of $25 all-day rides (the Air Raid is not part of the package). “Senior Day” on Tuesday, Aug. 15, which is sponsored by Adventist Health Care Shady Grove Medical Center, provides for free admission to seniors 62-and-over until 5 p.m. “Military Day” on Thursday, Aug. 17, which is sponsored by the U.S. Army – Renegade Monster Truck Tour, allows for free admission for active military in uniform or with a valid military ID through 5 p.m.

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair was born out of the desire of 4-H leaders to provide a show for the 4-H members in Montgomery County. This would allow 4-H members to exhibit their prize livestock, garden and home economics projects to the community. Their initial meeting occurred in 1945. Today, the Montgomery County Fair is one of the largest county fairs in Maryland.

The Montgomery County Agricultural Center Inc. (MCAC) was formed as a privately operated 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization in 1949 after purchasing 64 acres of land adjacent to the railroad tracks from Herman Rabbitt, a successful farmer and landowner in Gaithersburg. Hundreds of volunteers soon participated in an old-fashioned barn raising and 12 outbuildings were constructed in one day, creating the site for the Montgomery County Agricultural Center.

More than 2,000 volunteers continue to provide their time, making the agricultural center a vital part of the business community in Montgomery County. The nine-day Agricultural Fair that is held in mid-August requires support from more than 800 volunteers who assume the responsibility for organizing and producing the single largest annual event in Montgomery County.

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