On Thursday, U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Daniel Valentin-Morales, 35, of Frederick, Maryland, to 13 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for one count of coercion and enticement. Judge Bredar also ordered that Valentin-Morales, who was a substitute teacher in Frederick County, must register as a sex offender in places where he resides and is employed, upon his release from prison, pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
On March 14, 2025, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD), in collaboration with Neighborhood Services Officers and Montgomery County Animal Control, responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Scott Avenue after receiving citizen complaints regarding malnourished animals.
On January 2, 2025, Celtic Cup opened its first brick-and-mortar location, a “Coffee Roastery and Tasting Room” at the Argent Spring Building in downtown Silver Spring. The new address is 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 101B, located next to the building lobby entrance. After recently receiving recognition in the trade publication Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine, Source of the Spring reports that Celtic Cup is planning a Grand Opening celebration soon.
Nationally recognized as the third-largest biopharma hub in the country, and home to thriving industry clusters including technology, defense, and satellite and advanced communications, Montgomery County continues to attract global brands, generate high-quality and high-paying jobs, and drive economic growth.
Recent investments from global industry leaders highlight this continued momentum.
This past March, Samsung Biologics had its official ribbon cutting in Rockville. The Korean contract development and manufacturing leader expanded into the U.S. market through its acquisition of the former Human Genome Sciences facility in Rockville. The acquisition will retain more than 500 jobs and marks Samsung Biologics’ first U.S.-based manufacturing site, further cementing Montgomery County’s position as a premier destination for life sciences companies of all sizes. “During our international trade mission last year, we met with the Samsung Biologics team in Seoul to discuss the economic momentum in Maryland. Today’s ribbon cutting is the realization of that meeting and our state’s momentum,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “South Korea’s largest biotech company is opening its first U.S. manufacturing facility here in Maryland. In the state of Maryland, we are delivering for our people and not playing for second.”
Last October, biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, headquartered in Gaithersburg since 2013, announced that it will build another state-of-the art facility, also in Gaithersburg. This new facility, which follows the opening of the company’s $300 million cell therapy manufacturing facility opened in Rockville last spring, will create 100 new jobs and continue to expand the company’s R&D footprint in the County. (more…)
UPDATE: Rihanna Gomez has been located safe and unharmed. Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division are asking for the public’s assistance in locating […]
Join Kaiser Permanente for Healthy at the Harbor, a free community health and wellness event taking place Saturday, June 6, from 11 am to 4 pm at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Bring your family and friends for free full day of fun, fitness, and preventive care along the waterfront.
Throughout the day, Kaiser Permanente nurses and physicians will offer no-cost health screenings, alongside a health and wellness expo focused on preventive care education. A lively Kids’ Zone will keep children active and entertained with spin-art bikes, face painting, balloon art, games, and more.
The Montgomery County Police Department’s Drone as First Responder program assisted in locating a missing 5-year-old and helped apprehend six suspects during three separate incidents on March 13, 2025. The drone, known as RAVEN, provided officers with real-time aerial support, leading to quick arrests in two theft cases and the safe recovery of the missing child.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation and the Montgomery County Department of Police are reminding residents to plan ahead and avoid drinking and driving on St. Patrick’s Day, as nearly half of all traffic deaths on the holiday involve impaired drivers. Safe ride options include the free SoberRide program through Lyft, Ride On buses for $1, and other transportation services available through the County’s Vision Zero Safe Ride home webpage.
The Maryland Office of the Comptroller reported that the state collected nearly $73 million in tax revenue from adult-use cannabis sales in 2024, with $17.6 million generated in the final quarter. A portion of the revenue was allocated to community reinvestment, county governments, public health initiatives, business assistance, and the state’s General Fund, as outlined in the Cannabis Reform Act of 2023. (more…)
Governor Wes Moore signed three memoranda of understanding with labor unions representing Maryland first responders, including firefighters and law enforcement officers. The agreements outline benefits and commitments to workers, with union leaders expressing appreciation for the administration’s support during challenging financial times.
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a residential burglary in Chevy Chase. (more…)
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to reports of smoke on the second floor of Albert Einstein High School, located at 11135 Newport Mill Rd. in Kensington.
At Hallie Wells Middle School in Clarksburg, a compassionate initiative known as the Care Closet is making a significant impact on students’ lives. Conceived in 2021 by parent Mrs. Sonal Purohit, who was then the PTSA president, the Care Closet was designed to provide essential everyday items to students who may not have access to them. Dr. Carla McNeal, the principal of Hallie Wells, highlights the importance of this resource in fostering a supportive school environment.