Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is hosting a free Community Science Festival at Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park on Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Discover the flora and fauna that live in your neighborhood and hone observation skills through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities with Montgomery Parks scientists and naturalists. Take part in the City Nature Challenge and become a citizen scientist. Attendees will also be able to learn how to get involved with local groups and projects.

What: Montgomery Parks Community Science Festival


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a “single vehicle into the woods with fire” on Shady Grove Rd and Midcounty Highway at approximately 2:15am early Monday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, one adult trauma patient was transported to the hospital. It was initially reported that there was also a passenger in the vehicle, but after an extensive search and police work, the individual was located at home. Morton’s Towing recovered the vehicle from the woods, “We recovered this vehicle, driver is very lucky to have survived. Engine and transmission came out of car on impact we arrived at 2:40am and finished around 5am.” said Morton’s Towing employee Dave G.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire on Hiawatha Ln. in Derwood on Thursday morning, April 13. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the origin/cause was initially believed to be an e-scooter that was charging in the basement that ignited nearby combustibles, however, “MCFRS indicate ‘discarded smoking materials’ cannot be ruled out, thus undetermined, nonetheless the cause is accidental in nature.” Approximately 65 firefighters responded to the scene and damage is estimated to be ~$650K.

There were no injuries reported and a total of 12 people have been displaced, include two adults and five children from the townhouse the fire originated, and five adults from a townhouse next door. Crabbs Branch Way was closed between Indianola Dr. and Redland Rd. on Thursdat morning for an extended period as the result of the fire rescue activity. 


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire on Hiawatha Ln. in Derwood on Thursday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the bulk of the fire was in basement of the townhome and has been extinguished. All occupants are reported to have made it out of the home safely and firefighters are checking neighboring exposure. There were no injuries reported. According to Montgomery County Police, Crabbs Branch Way is closed between Indianola Dr. and Redland Rd. as the result of fire rescue activity. Drivers should expect delays and seek an alternate route.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Hiawatha Lane, 3-level TH, heavy fire conditions all occupants are reported out, @mcfrs  RS717, AT740, A703 & others assisting”


Detectives located Dove in Clarksburg and attempted a traffic stop. Dove led police on a pursuit into Frederick County and Frederick City. Maryland State Police, Frederick City Police, and Frederick County Sheriff’s deputies assisted Montgomery County in the attempt to apprehend Dove.


Actor Gbenga Akinnagbe has starred in many high-profile roles, bursting onto the scene as Chris Partlow for 30 episodes in HBO’s The Wire (2002-2008). The MoCo native and Magruder High School alumnus recently made his debut on the STARZ hit show Power Book II: Ghost, playing the role of billionaire Ron Samuel Jenkins (RSJ).

Akinnagbe grew up in Montgomery County and has stated that he was in and out of the Mark Twain School in Rockville, an alternative school that operated under than name until 2009 for students with consistent behavioral or attendance issues. When he got to Magruder on a permanent basis, Akinnagbe joined the wrestling team. “Fast forward a couple of years to when I was in Magruder full-time, and I started wrestling then. I was fortunate. I was really good at it, and I was recruited Division I the next year, my senior year to Bucknell to wrestle.” he said in a Washington Post interview in 2008.


Sides BBQ & Catering is looking for a new home after operating as a “ghost kitchen” out of Sam’s Pizza at 15855 Redland Rd in Derwood since last August.  Sam’s Pizza was recently sold and will operate as Charlie Pizza and Subs starting next week. The change will move forward without Sides BBQ & Catering as part of the equation, according to announcement Sides made on social media:

Hello SIDES Family.. unfortunately we have to share some bad news. Our location on Redland Rd was sold to a new business that has chosen to go in a different direction necessitating us to close operations effective immediately. Please know that we appreciate each and every one of you and your support means the world to us. But make no mistake, WE WILL BE BACK! Keep following us here for updates.. as we regroup, refocus, and soon RETURN. P.S. If you know of any business in the area looking to share space, please let us know. ❤ STILL #thesoulofmoco


Charlie’s Pizza and Subs will be taking over the current Sam’s Pizza & Subs location at 15855 Redland Rd (off of Frederick Rd) in Derwood. The sale became official as of Wednesday March 14, 2023, but the restaurant will continue to operate as Sam’s until March 29, 2023 when the name officially changes to Charlie’s Pizza and Subs.

The change will come with a new name and new hours. Charlie’s will be open daily and will serve beer and wine for dine-in and carry out. The restaurant is currently working on delivery of beer and wine as well. The new menu, which will be available next week, will offer many of the selections currently on the Sam’s menu as well as fresh wraps (chicken, shrimp, Caeser), Maryland crab cakes, and more.


Per Montgomery County: The 25th Annual Montgomery County Gas and Steam Engine Show will return to the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood on Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30. Admission and parking are free at the event hosted by The Friends of The Agricultural History Farm Park, Inc. and supported by Montgomery Parks.

The Agricultural History Farm Park is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The show will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 29 and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 30. Leashed pets are welcome.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a driver crashing into a utility pole on Muncaster Mill Rd, between Avery Rd and the MD200 ICC overpass, on Tuesday evening.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the driver crashed into a utility pole, with wires coming down on the vehicle and across the road. Communication/Verizon wires were also affected by the crash, which blocked lanes on Muncaster Mill Rd. One patient was transported with priority 1 trauma (life threatening injuries) and another was transported with priority 2 trauma (serious, but non-life threatening injuries). There is no word on what caused the crash.


Peg Keiller, girls’ soccer coach at Quince Orchard High School, and Karl Heinbach, former athletic director at Col. Zadok Magruder High School, have been honored with awards.

Keiller has been named the 2022 All Metropolitan Girls High School Coach of the Year by the Pigskin Club of Washington, Inc. Heimbach, former athletic director at Col. Zadok Magruder High School, will be inducted into the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Class of 2023 Hall of Fame at its convention in Orlando, Fl., later this month.


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