Gaithersburg Archives - Page 272 of 426

DuFief Elementary School Welcomes Montgomery County Police Chief

Published February 10, 2023 at 6:30AM

On Feb. 3, DuFief Elementary School in North Potomac welcomed Montgomery County Chief of Police Marcus Jones to speak to students on community leadership. The school is celebrating Black History Month by looking at ways to serve the community through leadership.

Along with the parent community and the DuFief Diversity Committee, the month will include guest speakers, including Robert Frost Middle School students and students from the Thomas S. Wootton High School Minority Scholars Program. Featured photo: Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones speaks to students at DuFief Elementary School.

School Bus Driver Found Criminally Responsible For Sexual Abuse of Special Needs Passengers

By Patrick Herron

Published February 9, 2023 at 7:29PM

Kabongo pleaded guilty to two counts of Second-Degree Rape and two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor for the abuse of four female victims who rode the bus he drove for Montgomery County Public Schools. One of the victims came forward after an incident in July of 2018 and a Montgomery County Police investigation resulted in the discovery of school bus surveillance footage of multiple incidents involving three additional victims. Two of the girls were minors at the time and the other two were both 18-years old.

The defendant had maintained that he was not criminally responsible due to an alleged mental disorder, but today the jury found he is indeed responsible for these crimes. Kabongo faces up to 40 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is set for March 30^th 2023.

Loyal Companion to Close All MoCo Locations

By Patrick Herron

Published February 9, 2023 at 9:45AM | Updated February 9, 2023 at 10:29AM

“To our Loyal Companion community,

With a heavy heart, we want to inform you that we’ve made the tough decision to close our Loyal Companion stores.  We have loved serving the community and supporting you on your pet wellness journey. 

Pepco Has Completed Repairs on Tower Damaged By November Plane Crash

By MCS Staff

Published February 9, 2023 at 8:43AM

According to a report by WTOP, Pepco stated “it completed repairs on the tower and overhead lines on Feb. 3, 68 days after the shocking plane crash and rescue of the two inside. Pepco added that the Gaithersburg transmission tower is back to working normally.” Repairs on the transmission tower and power lines that were damaged after a private plane crashed into them on November 27 began on Monday, January 16. The crash occurred near the intersection of Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive in Montgomery Village and resulted in an outage to approximately 85,000 customers across the county. The pilot and passenger of the plane suffered non-life threatening injuries. On December 6, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the incident.

Montgomery Parks’ recognized Park Manager Tom Baker at a Montgomery County Planning Board meeting for his heroic efforts in helping the people involved in the plane crash. Baker, who has worked for Montgomery Parks for over 18 years and manages 29 parks in the Rock Creek region of the county, was presented with a certificate of appreciation. He was dispatched to the scene the evening of the crash and was put in charge of communications with the pilot, to keep him calm and informed of the recovery efforts. “This went on for approximately seven hours until they were rescued,” said Baker, “I was relaying information about their status to the medical command officer so he could keep the paramedics informed. In all my 27 active years as a volunteer, I have never responded to such a call. This is in fact a once in a lifetime incident.” The pilot and passenger were both rescued and are recovering.

City of Gaithersburg Launches “Retool Gaithersburg” Initiative to Modernize Zoning Code

By MCS Staff

Published February 9, 2023 at 8:03AM

The City has launched Retool Gaithersburg, a comprehensive initiative to update the City’s Zoning Code. The update aims to modernize the zoning ordinance to better reflect the needs of the community today & ensure that zoning regulations accommodate & implement the City’s vision & goals of a vibrant & innovative Gaithersburg. A new website dedicated to the project can be found at www.RetoolGaithersburg.com. The first stage of the zoning update process consists of two virtual kick-off meetings on February 23, 2023, at Noon & 7 p.m. to introduce the project. All members of the public are invited to attend. The presentation will outline the scope of the project & timeline, and will give participants the ability to ask questions about the initiative. Sign up to participate here.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Why Retool Gaithersburg? The last comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Code was in 1965, a time when Gaithersburg was mostly agricultural. Since then, the types of businesses, housing, and industrial uses have changed. Updating the zoning rules will support policies to improve quality of life, prepare for new and innovative businesses and construction methods, and address the future demands of the City. Retool Gaithersburg also seeks to enhance usability for residents so the Zoning Code is easier to navigate & understand. Retool Gaithersburg is expected to take up to 18 months to complete in order to offer as much engagement & public input as possible. For project updates, timeline, background information, and public engagement opportunities visit www.RetoolGaithersburg.com.

Signage Installed at Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi

By Patrick Herron

Published February 8, 2023 at 8:14PM | Updated February 8, 2023 at 8:37PM

Permanent signage is up at Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi, which will be located at 19226 Montgomery Village Ave, next to Moe’s Southwest Grill in the Montgomery Village Center. Kobe Japan has additional locations at 1163 University Blvd E in Takoma Park and 13623 Georgia Ave. Suit A in Aspen Hill. According to their website, the menu features sushi, sashimi, spring rolls, bento boxes and hibachi. Construction is currently ongoing on the interior of the restaurant and no opening date has been announced.

Last week, BooBoo Pho opened at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave, also in the Montgomery Village Center. The restaurant is currently offering a grand opening special of 15% off orders through March 3. Menu items include spring rolls, Pho (noodle soup), sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, salads, and stir fry. BooBoo Pho is open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-7pm.

African International Market to Open in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published February 8, 2023 at 11:17AM

African International Market will be opening soon in the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center on Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg. The store is being opened by the family that owns the African market at 13011 Wisteria Dr. in Germantown, which opened back in 2021. The store will sell international items from Africa, Latin America, and the Carribbean, including the “best of fresh Ghana yams, ripe and green plantains, smoked goat meat, beef, fresh fish, halal meat, kenkey, shitto, fried fish, agege bread, and a lot more.” Grand opening information will be announced soon.

The Festival shopping center is currently home to Family Dollar, Lotte Market, Matthew’s Grill and Planet Fitness.

Development Plan That Includes 72 Stacked Townhouses Approved in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published February 8, 2023 at 8:28AM | Updated February 8, 2023 at 10:24AM

A development plan that proposes 72 stacked townhouse (2-over-2) units along with green amenity space at the intersection of Central Avenue with South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg was approved by the Gaithersburg City Council on Monday. Additional information below from our previous report:

One Central LLC has submitted a schematic development plan that proposes 72 stacked townhouse (2-over-2) units along with green amenity space in Gaithersburg. Per the plans submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, the Property is located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Central Avenue with South Frederick Avenue. Nearby and vicinal uses (on the north) include the Devol Funeral Home and surface parking lot; (on the west) South Frederick Avenue; (on the south) single family housing structures believed occupied by office/employment use;, and (on the east) Unity of Gaithersburg Church, Rockville Evangelical Church, and single family residential.

Lidl Continues MoCo Expansion With Bethesda Location

By MCS Staff

Published February 7, 2023 at 4:44PM

Lidl is coming to Bethesda. The grocery store will open at the 41,300 SF location that was formerly home to Safeway on Old Georgetown Road for over 25 years, according to a report by Robert Dyer. Safeway closed at 7625 Old Georgetown Road in in March 2018 after opening in 1991. An opening date for the upcoming Lidl is not yet available.

Lidl opened its first grocery store in Takoma Park in December 2020. That was followed by a store in Glenmont in 2021, and the grocery store then opened a location in Montgomery Village about a year ago. Locations in Germantown and Rockville are also planned.

CVS Kentlands Sets Opening Date

By MCS Staff

Published February 7, 2023 at 3:22PM

Almost four years after we first reported that CVS would be taking over the old Tommy Joe’s/O’Donnell’s location in the Kentlands (311 Kentlands Blvd), the store has set an opening date. The grand opening will take place on Sunday, February 19 at 8am, according to a sign on the door (pictured below).

In 2021 CVS announced that it would be closing approximately 900 stores over the next 3 years due to “changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs.” A CVS location on Veirs Mill Rd. closed last November, Rockville Town Square CVS closed in April, and the Twinbrook CVS closed in August. New CVS locations are still opening, however, with a new store in Clarksburg and one coming soon near the Shady Grove Metro station.

Signage Up at MoCo’s First TaKorean Korean Taco Grill

By Patrick Herron

Published February 7, 2023 at 12:00PM | Updated February 7, 2023 at 5:55PM

Coming Soon signage is up at TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls. This will be opening its first location outside of D.C and is advertising a spring opening.