Beyond MoCo Archives - Page 141 of 191

Beyond MoCo: Settlement Reached with Baltimore Pet Store After Alleged Violation of Puppy Mills Law

Published January 23, 2023 at 11:00AM

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Upholding his commitment to protecting the public from those who violate consumer laws, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement with Charm City Puppies, Inc. and its owner, Wayne Cossentino (Charm City Puppies). The Division alleged that Charm City Puppies violated the Consumer Protection Act when it sold puppies to consumers in violation of the “No More Puppy Mills Act.”

The Maryland legislature passed the No More Puppy Mills Act, and in January 2020 it became illegal for retail pet stores to sell puppies. Under the settlement, Charm City Puppies is barred from offering, selling, or transferring dogs from Maryland. Charm City Puppies and its owner also agreed to refund payments made by Maryland consumers who purchased dogs with certain conditions since January 1, 2020, or pay for treatment of certain conditions. The settlement bans Charm City Puppies from selling dogs in Maryland and requires the company to pay a civil penalty of $75,000 that increases to $250,000 if the company or its owners breach the agreement.

Rockville Man Killed in Head-On Crash Near Urbana

By MCS Staff

Published January 21, 2023 at 1:03PM

The Frederick News Post has reported that Christopher Bryan Brooks, 27, of Rockville, was killed in a head-on crash that occurred on Fingerboard Rd, between Park Mills Road and Roderick Road, shortly before 11pm on Friday night.

According to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, MD-80 Fingerboard Road was closed for several hours for crash reconstruction and investigation. Per the Frederick News Post article, “Maryland State Police said Christopher Bryan Brooks, 27, of Rockville, was driving east, but crossing over a double-yellow line, into the westbound lane, and passing vehicles. The man’s black Dodge Charger hit a white Toyota Camry head-on. The Camry, driven by 60-year-old Craig Allan McHenry of Adamstown, was heading west.” Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene.

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Arrest Two Suspects In Connection With The Death Of St. Mary’s County Man Reported Missing

By Patrick Herron

Published January 20, 2023 at 11:28AM

Per the Maryland State Police: state Police arrested two suspects in connection with the death of a St. Mary’s County man reported missing last year in December. The accused are identified as Michelina Goodwin, 45 and Larry Murphy, 40, both of Great Mills, Maryland. Goodwin and Murphy are being held without bond at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.

After consultation with the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, Goodwin was arrested this morning at approximately 3:00 a.m. without incident. She is charged with first- and second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/crime of violence and improper disposal of a human body.

Ten Montgomery County Restaurants Currently Participating in Winter Restaurant Week

By MCS Staff

Published January 18, 2023 at 9:37AM

Winter Restaurant Week runs from January 16 to January 22, with ten Montgomery County restaurants participating. Founding Farmers, J. Hollinger’s, Lia’s, all three Matchbox locations, Morton’s, Spanish Diner, The Daily Dish, and Dish & Dram will be the participating MoCo restaurants. Per the Metropolitan Restaurant Week website:

“With some of the nation’s best know chefs, restaurateurs and rising culinary stars helming eateries in our region, Metropolitan DC is known for its restaurants. One of the most highly anticipated food-related programs in the region, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week is a week-long celebration of area restaurants and the diversity of world-class cuisine. For local diners, Restaurant Week is an opportunity to experience new flavors, explore restaurants in different neighborhoods or visit old favorites. For visitors to the area, it’s an opportunity to experience many of the best of our regional restaurants without breaking the bank.”

Rocket Lab’s Electron Launch to Be Visible on East Coast (Weather Permitting)

By MCS Staff

Published January 17, 2023 at 7:02AM | Updated January 23, 2023 at 10:50AM

Update Jan. 22, 2022 — Due to poor weather conditions in the Wallops area, Rocket Lab’s first U.S. launch of the Electron rocket is now targeted for Tuesday, Jan. 24. Weather for Tuesday is 90% favorable for the 6-8 p.m. EST launch window.

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility will support the launch of Rocket Lab USA’s first Electron rocket from Virginia at 6 p.m. EST, Monday, Jan. 23. The 59-foot-tall Electron rocket will lift off from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island. The mission, named “Virginia is for Launch Lovers,” will deploy radio frequency monitoring satellites for HawkEye 360.

Beyond MoCo: Kite Announces Plans to Expand Cell Therapy Manufacturing Operations, Add 100 New Jobs in Frederick County

By MCS Staff

Published January 15, 2023 at 11:52AM

Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announced plans to expand its global cell therapy supply chain operations in Frederick County. This year, the California-based company will begin construction on an approximately 70,000 square-foot centralized raw materials warehouse that will serve Kite’s global manufacturing network and will be located adjacent to its existing facility in the Urbana Corporate Center. The expansion will bring an additional 100 jobs to the area, with the company expecting to employ more than 500 full-time staff between its two facilities by the end of 2026.

“As the global leader in cell therapy, it is important to continue to streamline our manufacturing processes to meet the needs of people living with difficult-to-treat blood cancers. Centralizing our raw materials storage and testing will enable us to bring control of materials in-house to increase the speed and efficiency of our global manufacturing operations so we can continue to grow to meet patient demand,” said Chris McDonald, SVP & global head of technical operations, Kite. “Additionally, by locating these global operations in Maryland, we can serve both our European and California manufacturing operations in the same day. With three major airports in the area, we have increased flexibility in receiving and shipping materials, which is critical for patients who are waiting for our therapies.”

Beyond MoCo: New 126,000 SF Indoor Water Park Now Taking Reservations; Additional Information Released

By MCS Staff

Published January 15, 2023 at 11:21AM

Great Wolf Lodge, North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, will be opening its newest resort in Perryville, MD (located in Cecil County, northeast of Baltimore City) in August 2023. Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be the company’s 20th resort in North America, and their largest. It will offer 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 57,000 square-foot entertainment center, and 12,000 square-feet of conference space. Perryville is about 70 miles and a little less than an hour and a half away from most parts of MoCo. The company has recently released additional information about the water park and is offering a 25% discount on reservations.

Per the press release: Careening down slides, jumping over waves, floating down a lazy river, and getting drenched by a thousand gallons of water cascading from a giant tipping bucket are a few of the water-filled adventures families will discover at the all-new Great Wolf Lodge Maryland. The indoor water park is the marquee attraction at Great Wolf Lodge, and the water park planned for the company’s Maryland resort will be the largest Great Wolf Lodge has ever built. The water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will offer more than 128,000 square feet of enclosed fun with slides, pools and water play for all ages, and a cozy 84-degree temperature year-round.

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Arrest Man On Sextortion, Child Pornography Charges In Prince George’s County

By MCS Staff

Published January 14, 2023 at 11:01AM

Per the Maryland State Police: Troopers arrested a Prince George’s County man on Thursday after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence of sextortion and possession and distribution of child pornography.

The suspect is identified as Isaiah S. Poole, 21, of Suitland, Maryland. Poole is charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of soliciting minors to engage in sexual conduct, two counts of causing minors to engage as a subject in a performance that exposes their intimate parts by threatening to inflict emotional distress and one count of distribution of pornography. Poole was transported to the Prince George’s County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

Beyond MoCo: Retired Firefighter Wins Third $50,000 Lottery Prize

By Patrick Herron

Published January 12, 2023 at 11:53AM

Per the Maryland Lottery: A Prince George’s County retiree who spent his career extinguishing fires is enjoying a flaming hot Lottery winning streak. After claiming two $50,000 Pick 5 prizes in November, the lucky player returned to Lottery headquarters this week to claim a third $50,000 Pick 5 prize. The Accokeek resident found his latest lucky ticket at 7-Eleven #38380 in White Plains. He stopped in for something to drink and then decided to place a $1 straight bet on the Nov. 19 Pick 5 evening drawing. The loyal daily player uses variations of an address for his numbers and selected the combination 15407 for this ticket.

Beyond MoCo: George Washington University Names Ellen Granberg the 19th President in School History; She Becomes the First Woman to Serve in That Role at GWU

By MCS Staff

Published January 11, 2023 at 3:46PM

Ellen Granberg, Ph.D., a visionary higher education leader with a record of bolstering teaching and research excellence across disciplines, supporting a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty and staff, and collaborating with all stakeholders to drive transformative change and increase institutional prominence, has been named the 19th president of the George Washington University, the Board of Trustees announced Wednesday.

Granberg, a sociology scholar who is currently provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and was previously an academic leader at Clemson University, will become the first woman to serve as GW’s president when she takes the helm of the largest university in the nation’s capital on July 1.

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Continues Investigation Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash In Anne Arundel County

By Patrick Herron

Published January 11, 2023 at 10:17AM

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are continuing to investigate a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred late last month in Anne Arundel County. Shortly before 1:55 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2022, troopers from the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack responded to the area of southbound I-97 at Maryland Route 648 for a report of a struck pedestrian. According to a preliminary investigation, the victim, identified as Delroy Roderick Ben, 54, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, is now believed to have been struck by two vehicles: a 2010-18 black Audi A8 or S8 and a silver 2007-2013 Nissan Altima or Maxima (stock photos of the suspect vehicles pictured below). Ben, who was on the road for unknown reasons, was declared deceased at the scene.

The drivers of the Audi and Nissan failed to remain at the scene. Investigators believe at least the Audi will have damage to the right front corner and is missing the passenger side mirror. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation. The road was closed until about 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 following the crash. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack at 410-761-5130.