Gaithersburg Archives - Page 261 of 426

MCFRS Respond to Attic Fire in Gaithersburg Monday Morning

Published March 20, 2023 at 10:21AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to an attic fire in the 18600 blk of Chickadee Ln., off Quail Valley Blvd in Gaithersburg on Monday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the alarm company notified the homeowner, however the alarm/call to fire department was initially cancelled/delayed. The fire was electrical in nature and caused by a bathroom exhaust ceiling fan. The house was unoccupied at the time and damage is estimated to be ~$35K.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Chickadee La, TH, small fire in attic, in area of a exhaust vent fan, fire is out, a little extension around fan, no injuries”

End of an Era: Macy’s Closes Permanently Today in Lakeforest Mall

By MCS Staff

Published March 19, 2023 at 4:44PM

Macy’s will close its doors permanently today, Sunday, March 19 at 6pm. The department store is one of a handful of stores that are open in Lakeforest Mall as the mall prepares to close permanently at the end of this month to allow for planned redevelopment of the area (a few photos accessible below). The Planning Commission gave a recommendation of approval on March 1, 2023. The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council will have a Policy Discussion April 17, 2023, where a final decision is expected to be made. No public testimony will be taken on April 17.

Additional information by the City of Gaithersburg: The Applicant, WRS, Inc., submitted Zoning Map Amendment application Z-9444-2022 that proposes to rezone the Lakeforest Mall from the current C-2 (general commercial) to the MXD Zone (mixed-use) zone. The application includes a sketch plan requesting up to approximately 1.2 million square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,600 dwelling units on 102 acres of land in accordance with § 24-160D.9(a) “Application for the MXD Zone and sketch plan approval” of the City Code.

(Located) Detectives Seek Assistance Locating Missing 14-Year-Old Last Seen Driving a 2011 Silver Chevy Malibu

By MCS Staff

Published March 19, 2023 at 8:20AM | Updated March 21, 2023 at 7:09PM

Update: Dakota Lilian Nicole Smith has been located safe and unharmed

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Dakota Lilian Nicole Smith, a missing 14-year-old. Smith was last seen on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at approximately 1:20 a.m., in the 20100 block of Loading Rock Place of Montgomery Village. Smith is believed to be in the Germantown area, driving a silver 2011 Chevy Malibu bearing MD tag 5BA4544.

Moe’s Closes in Wheaton Mall; One Montgomery County Location Remains (Montgomery Village)

By MCS Staff

Published March 18, 2023 at 1:02PM | Updated March 18, 2023 at 1:51PM

Updated to reflect that the Montgomery Village location is the only Moe’s left in the county, rather than state.

Moe’s Southwest Grill made its triumphant return to MoCo when the fast-casual Mexican restaurant opened in the Wheaton Mall food court in late 2019. That restaurant has now closed permanently, a representative from the Montgomery Village location confirmed for us on Saturday morning.

Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces 2023 High School Poetry Contest Finalists

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 2:00PM

The Gaithersburg Book Festival has selected the finalists for its 5th annual poetry contest for high school students. More than 150 entries poured in from around the region from students who wrote poems on themes of diversity or inclusion.

The finalists, listed in alphabetical order with the school they attend, city in which they reside and grade, are:

Two Teenage Suspects Arrested in Connection to Montgomery Village Shooting

By Patrick Herron

Published March 17, 2023 at 10:49AM

Per MCPD: 18-year-old Demari Brown, of Montgomery Village, along with a 16-year-old suspect, have been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting that occurred in the 18800 block of Walkers Choice Rd., on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

At approximately 12:26 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the location for multiple reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located two victims; a juvenile male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, who was transported to area hospital with serious injuries and Brown, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

Person Struck and Killed By MARC Train Thursday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published March 16, 2023 at 8:03AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to scene of a pedestrian who was struck by a MARC train on Thursday morning. The incident occurred on the CSX railroad tracks in the area of Watkins Mill Rd, north of Metropolitan Grove Station, and between Quince Orchard Road and Game Preserve Road.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the pedestrian was declared deceased on arrival and was not transported to the hospital. Rail traffic has been stopped in both directions and the police department is currently on the scene investigating. Approximately 70 train/rail passengers are onboard, all are uninjured. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Lum Thai Prepares to Open in Muddy Branch Square

By MCS Staff

Published March 15, 2023 at 2:50PM

In June 2021 we let you know that Lum Thai would be coming to Muddy Branch Square. The Thai restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by Roggenart and Canela Bakery at 806 Muddy Branch Road and is currently hiring for a few positions as it prepares to open very soon in Gaithersburg (exact date not yet available).

According to its website, the restaurant will be open daily from 11am until 9pm. The menu will offer a various appetizers (all priced below $10), soups, salads, entrees/curries/noodles (all priced at $13.95), chef specialities (going as high as $20), and desserts.

Charley Prime, Steak Focused Restaurant, Planning April Opening in Rio

By MCS Staff

Published March 15, 2023 at 7:42AM

Charley Prime Foods, the new restaurant from Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks (Little Coco’s, El Chucho, Bar Charley, Quarry House Tavern) that will be replacing Tara Thai on the Rio Lakefront boardwalk at 9811 Washington Blvd in Gaithersburg, has announced it plans to open in April.

According to a press release, the Charley Prime team envisions the restaurant as a mature version of their popular DC restaurant Bar Charley, with an expanded menu, but keeping its lively cocktail forward energy. The broader menu will remain steak focused, but will also feature house made pastas (a la Little Coco’s) as well as other items unique to just this location. The group has tapped Editlab@Streetsense to design the space. Explains Greenbaum, “We can’t wait to do our first suburban project and think the timing is perfect. We’ve always done restaurants that are near and dear to our hearts and that we feel are right or needed in the particular neighborhood. My partners both have young families and Rio has been a frequent destination for them for years, as it is for tons of people in north Montgomery county. This is especially true for our chef and partner in this project, Adam Harvey, who lives nearby. We’re really thrilled to bring something unique to the mix out there.” Featured photo shows a photo of food from Bar Charley.

Youth Voice Summit Focusing on Opioid Awareness to Take Place Wednesday, March 15 in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published March 14, 2023 at 6:46PM

The program will also include a panel discussion with subject experts, and student breakout groups will create public service announcements to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid use. The PSAs will be judged with prizes for the top three winners. Hot 99.5 will award first prize PSA winners with Ed Sheeran tickets for his upcoming concert at FedEx Field this summer. Second & third prize winners will receive free admission tickets to the Water Park & Miniature Golf Course. The top three entries will be shared on the City’s social media platforms.

The event will close with a resource fair featuring support program information and nonprofit groups, including Tree of Hope, Montgomery Goes Purple, The Landing, and the Gaithersburg Police Department. Students attending the event will receive lunch from Subway, a Youth Voice Summit t-shirt, and Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their participation.

Gaithersburg Skate Park Opens April 1

By Patrick Herron

Published March 14, 2023 at 3:05PM

The Gaithersburg Skate Park located at 510 South Frederick Ave opens for the 2023 season on April 1. Addition details courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg: Gaithersburg’s 12,300 square foot skate park is designed for skateboards, inline skates and BMX bikes. The park includes ramps and structures suitable for a wide range of skill levels. Some obstacles include an A-frame ramp and rail, mini-half pipe, 7’6” escalator, stairs, pyramid wedge, fun boxes, wall ride, and several quarters and banks of varying heights. All ramps are constructed with a wood frame and Skatelite surface.

The Skate Park offers a variety of programming options including group lessons and private lessons, summer clinics, rentals for birthday parties and private functions, competitions, demos and other special events. Other amenities include vending machines, helmet, pad and skateboard rentals, and an outdoor stereo system.