Burtonsville Archives - Page 26 of 34

Paint Branch High School’s Ricardo Hernandez Named Maryland Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year

Published February 10, 2023 at 8:36AM

Ricardo Hernandez, assistant principal at Paint Branch High School has been awarded the State of Maryland Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year. He will go on to represent the state of Maryland in the national competition.

Earlier this week, Kingsview Middle School counselor Katie Mendelson was named Maryland State Middle School Counselor of the Year. She was surprised with the news on Feb, 6, the first day of National School Counselor Week, during an announcement at the school. Watch the surprise here.

$2 Million in Renovations Coming to Burtonsville Crossing; Including Two New Pad Sites with Drive-Thrus

By MCS Staff

Published January 31, 2023 at 10:41AM

Last month, Montgomery County’s Planning Board approved (with conditions) the site plan that contains an amendment to allow for redeveloping the Burtonsville Shopping Center by demolishing 7,600 square feet of existing retail uses and relocating that retail square footage into two new pad sites with drive-thrus including improvements to open space, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian circulation (site plan available below). According to a report by Maryland Newsletters, EDENS has officially received the permit to complete $2 million in renovation and facade work at the shopping center. In June it was announced that a lease has been signed by the Phoenix-based company Sprouts Farmers Market in what is seen as the first critical step to kick start the revitalization of a once thriving retail area. It will also be the grocery chain’s first store in Montgomery County. “We are excited to partner with Sprouts on bringing a unique grocery experience to Burtonsville,” said David Germakian, Managing Director, EDENS. Additional information below, courtesy of Montgomery Planning:

The Applicant proposes to redevelop 6.90 acres of the existing shopping center by demolishing a 7,600 square foot area in the center of the existing shopping center to create a community gathering space (seen in our feature photo). This 7,600 square feet of demolished commercial space in the center of the existing shopping center will be reallocated to two new free standing pad sites with new drive-thru accessory uses on the front of the Property for Retail/Service Establishment or Restaurant uses. Separately from this Site Plan Amendment, the Applicant intends to make façade improvements to the existing buildings to enhance the aesthetics of the shopping center. These interim improvements are not subject to review as part of this Site Plan because they are outside the boundary of the amendment area. Additionally, Site Plan 819851040 approved in 1985 did not include any approved architectural drawings or conditions relating to architectural or building design. As a result, moving forward with façade and exterior building improvements is not a violation of any previous approval.

Detectives Investigate Commercial Burglary; Surveillance Video Released

By Patrick Herron

Published January 27, 2023 at 11:37AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a Burtonsville commercial burglary. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at approximately 3:05 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the SiteOne Landscaping Supply store in the 4100 block of Sandy Spring Rd., for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier.

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 16-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Published January 20, 2023 at 12:07PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating, Isabella Pehoua, a 16-year-old from Burtonsville. Pehoua was last seen on Thursday, January 12, 2023, in the 2900 block of Cabin Creek Drive.

Pehoua is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 164 pounds. She has auburn hair, brown eyes and a piercing in her nose. It is unknown what clothing she was last seen wearing. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Police Respond to Shots Fired Wednesday Night; One Home Struck

By Patrick Herron

Published January 19, 2023 at 10:38AM

Police responded to reports of shots fired on Wednesday evening in Burtonsville. According to Montgomery County Police, “At approximately 7:40 p.m., MCP officers responded to a residence on McKnew Rd. and determined that a round struck the residence.” There were no injuries reported and there is no information available regarding the suspect(s).

Per Public Safety Reporter Cordell Pugh on Twitter: “SHOTS FIRED IN BURTONSVILLE: McKnew Road near Pine Top Lane. (Burtonsville/Montgomery County, MD). ~7:20PM, shots fired in the area. Montgomery County Police notified ~7:40PM. Responding Officers found shell casings and at least 1 nearby residence struck by gunfire.”

Zimmerman’s Hardware in Burtonsville Has Been Sold

By MCS Staff

Published January 10, 2023 at 8:55PM

Per the Aubuchon Company: Craig Zimmerman, James Dillon, Ronald Zimmerman, and Gary Zimmerman have agreed to sell Zimmerman’s Hardware in Burtonsville, MD to the Aubuchon Company, the oldest and largest family-owned hardware store chain in America. Following the closing early this year, the Aubuchon Company will operate 111 stores in 9 states.

“Since 1985, Zimmerman’s in Burtonsville has been a destination for customers in Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George counties,” said William E. Aubuchon, IV, President & CEO. “I admire their strong offering of hardware, decking, and power equipment, but what really stands out is their long-standing commitment to the absolute best customer service.”

Police Continue to Investigate Series of Bank Robberies

By Patrick Herron

Published January 4, 2023 at 5:21PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division continue to investigate a series of bank robberies that began on January 18, 2022. Detectives have released surveillance photos and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the male suspect believed to be responsible for four bank robberies in Montgomery County.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 3rd District officers responded to the Sandy Spring Bank, located in the 3500 block of Spencerville Road in Burtonsville, for a bank robbery that just occurred. The preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 3:18 p.m., the male suspect entered the bank and approached the teller window. Once at the window, the suspect slid a note to the teller, announcing the robbery and demanding money. The teller complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect left the bank in an unknown direction.

Paint Branch High School Junior Malik Aremu Selected for Prestigious CNAF Flight Academy Summer 2023 Class

By MCS Staff

Published January 4, 2023 at 8:40AM

Student Spotlight, per MCPS: Paint Branch High School 11th grader Cadet Malik Aremu is one of 26 students from across the country selected for the prestigious Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Flight Academy Summer 2023 Class.

According to the Flight Academy, “recognizing that the time to instill a love of aviation is best done early, the Flight Academy is an eight-week STEM program for high school students participating in both Navy and Marine Corps JROTC.” The program is intended to inspire and encourage high school students to consider aviation careers. The program is offered at zero cost to the student, and with no obligations. The program is a new STEM initiative that was selected for funding by the Naval STEM Coordination Office — located at the Office of Naval Research — which oversees investments in STEM education, outreach and workforce initiatives.

Rahne Jones, Host of MTV’s ‘Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!’ is a MoCo Native

By MCS Staff

Published December 26, 2022 at 9:18AM

Rahne Jones is an actress that made her television debut as Skye on Netflix’s The Politician in 2019. She is currently a co-host on the new MTV reality show, Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!, which aired its first episode in April 2022. Rahne is a MoCo native, from Silver Spring, and graduated from Paint Branch High School in 2005.

She was named after her father, Ronnie. After graduating from Paint Branch High School in 2005, Jones attended college at Radford University on a full basketball scholarship for her freshman year. She eventually transferred to University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) where she got her bachelor’s degree in English. After college, she worked as an inspector for the US Department of Homeland Security for 4 years before moving to NYC and pursuing theater. Jones currently lives in NYC with her wife, Bridget.

Three Elementary Schools Named the Healthiest in MCPS

By MCS Staff

Published December 21, 2022 at 5:34PM

A trifecta of elementary schools has been selected for award prizes for being recognized as the healthiest schools in MCPS—Burtonsville, Glen Haven and S. Christa McAuliffe elementary schools.

The MCPS Districtwide Wellness Committee recently announced the winners of this year’s “MCPS Healthy Schools Award,” an opportunity created with Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. This program celebrates schools that have implemented remarkable initiatives related to one or more of the following areas: advancing core policies related to equity, diversity and inclusion; increasing family and community engagement; bolstering physical education and activity; strengthening social-emotional health, and cultivating staff well-being.

Small Dog Knocks Over Sage to Start Small Fire on Monday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Published December 20, 2022 at 9:06AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire at the Waterford Towers apartment complex on the 14000 block of Castle Blvd in Burtonsville on Monday at approximately 3:30pm, according to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

The fire was on the second floor of the complex with smoke on several floors causing a partial evacuation of the building. The fire is believed to have been started when a small dog knocked over smoldering sage that was not completely extinguished off of a table, igniting nearby combustibles. The fire was contained to the one apartment and there were no injuries (including the dog), but there were $50k in damages and the family living in the apartment is currently displaced.