WRS Inc. has 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. A Joint Public Hearing is scheduled for January 17, 2023.

WRS is proposing a full redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall to allow for a multi- stage, mixed-use community with up to:


(*) =  Seed

4A: (2) Quince Orchard vs (1) Flowers–  The Cougars beat Broadneck 42-9 in the semifinals. RB Iverson Howard rushed for 210 yards & 2 touchdowns in the victory. WR Tavahri Groves also contributed with 129 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns.  Flowers, from PG County, defeated Wise 20-13 in their semifinal game. This will be QO’s 9th appearance in the state finals, having won 4. Flowers will be playing in their 1st state final in school history. These two squads have only played each other once prior, in 2011 they met in the state semifinal resulting in a 23-12 Quince Orchard win. Quince Orchard vs Flowers High School Football Game of the Week (2011) The Head Coaches of QO & Flowers, John Kelley & Dameon Powell respectively, both played their high school ball in MoCo. Kelley at Seneca Valley and Powell at Sherwood. In addition, they played against each other twice in 1996, Seneca winning the regular season meeting and Sherwood getting revenge in the playoffs. Thursday night Quince Orchard vs Flowers for the 4A State Championship at Navy Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Prediction: Quince Orchard by 17


Montgomery County Police have released the 9-1-1 call made by the pilot who crashed a small plane into a power line tower near Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive in Montgomery Village on Sunday evening.  Maryland State Police identified the pilot as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C, and the passenger as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. The two were rescued around 12:30am on Monday after spending seven hours in the tower, suspended more than 100ft.  In a press briefing on Monday, Fire Chief Scott Goldstein reported that both individuals had been transported to the hospital and their conditions had improved. One patient was still in the hospital as of Monday afternoon.  The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the cause of the crash.

In the 9-1-1 call, Merkle tells the dispatcher, “I’ve flown into a tower to the northwest of Gaithersburg Airport. It’s one of the electrical towers and, believe it or not, the aircraft is pinned in the tower and I don’t know how long we’re going to be able to stay here.” He also said that he believed the two had suffered head injuries from being banged around in the cockpit. You can listen to portions of the 9-1-1 call below courtesy of WUSA9:


The Kentlands Photography Cafe opened for retail business starting on December 14th, 2021. Less than a year later, the cafe has announced a temporary closure of its physical space due to sudden and unfortunate circumstances.

The venue has served as a photography gallery, cafe, photography bookstore, wine bar, as well as a space for classes and lectures. The full message, posted by the cafe, can be seen below:


Weis Markets, which has two Montgomery Count locations and many others nearby, has recalled “Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream” according to a notice posted by Weis on November 23, 2022. Reason for recall: Product may be contain undeclared soy and coconut allergens. The recall was initiated when it was discovered that the product containing soy and coconut was distributed in packaging that did not list the presence of soy and coconut.

Anyone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or coconut allergens could potentially run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. The ice cream container says “Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream” and the lid says “Weis Quality Caramel Caribou Ice Cream.” No illnesses have been reported to date.


A person was found dead in a hotel room at Hampton Inn and Suites on North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg at approximately 12:20pm on Monday afternoon. Montgomery County Police is conducting a standard death investigation and as of now, no foul play is suspected, per our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.

GAITHERSBURG HOTEL DEATH INVESTIGATION: ~12:20PM Monday at the Gaithersburg (North Frederick Avenue) Hampton Inn and Suites. Person found dead inside hotel room. Police conducting standard death documentation/investigation; as of now NO foul play suspected. Rest In Peace.


City of Gaithersburg: Celebrate diverse & vibrant holiday traditions at Gaithersburg’s Jingle Jubilee. Enjoy an evening of music, dance & song. Enjoy an evening of music, dance, and song. This year marks the 96th anniversary of the tree lighting ceremony. The festivities take place at the Concert Pavilion in Olde Towne. Admission is free. The outdoor venue features lawn seating with limited chairs. Please feel free to bring your own chair to enjoy the entertainment. Masks are encouraged for this outdoor event.

Children & adults alike will delight in meeting Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Paw Patrol, and other characters. Be sure to bring your camera to capture memorable holiday photos. Meet animal characters who benefit from clean streams, pose for pictures with the City’s newly painted snowplows and a beautifully decorated police car, write a letter to Santa, sing along to holiday songs with the Gaithersburg High School Band, and enjoy exhibits of diverse decorations & traditions.


Per the Maryland State Police: The pilot and passenger of a single engine plane that crashed yesterday into a power line tower in Montgomery County have been rescued and transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.

The pilot is identified as Patrick Merkle, 66, of Washington, D.C. He was operating a Mooney Mike 20P single engine plane. One passenger on board is identified as Janet Williams, 66, of Marrero, Louisiana. Following the rescue operation, both occupants were transported to Suburban Hospital for medical treatment.


The pilot and passenger of a small plane that crashed into a power line tower near Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village around 5:30pm on Sunday were successfully rescued without incident by EMS personnel using two specialty crane/boom trucks just after midnight on Monday.  According to Maryland State Police, the pilot was identified as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C. and the passenger was identified as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. Both were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The plane was also removed from the power lines early Monday morning.

ICYMI @MontgomeryCoMD Rescue operations @mcfrs @dcfireems Technical Rescue Team(s) rescue/removed 2 adult occupants trapped on plane that crashed into power lines in Gaithersburg, MD area. Tower & Crane company (contractors) working w/ PEPCO & @mcfrs to get plane down. https://t.co/bgesIAf7uQ pic.twitter.com/sY3O0Eq2tG


There are widespread power outages in Montgomery County after a small plane crashed into a power tower/transmission lines in the area of Rothbury Dr & Goshen Road in Montgomery Village. The incident occurred around 5:30pm on Sunday night.  According to the latest information from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue, there appears to be two individuals inside the plane, which is currently suspended about 100ft.  As of right now there are no injuries reported.  Fire and rescue crews are working to rescue the occupants of the plane, but at this time the power lines surrounding the plane are still energized.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cle5YvHgLYE/


6:20pm Update: “Small plane into powerlines & tower plow, suspended about 100 feet in the air, two persons on board uninjured at this time, @mcfrs on scene, Widespread power outages, some roads closed in area” per MCFRS

A small plane crash in the area of Rothbury Dr & Goshen Road in Gaithersburg has caused widespread power outages in the area.  According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, the plane crashed into powerlines and is “dangling hundred feet in air, pilot and passenger trapped in plane”. The incident occurred around 5:30pm and the pilot of the involved aircraft is in contact with Montgomery County’s Emergency Communications Center (911), according to Public Safety Reporter Cordell Pugh. We will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.


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