Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to the Montgomery Village Shopping Center on Tuesday, March 21 for the report of a collision after a vehicle was driven off the road and into the front of The Joint Chiropractic (19218 Montgomery Village Ave). We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured photo courtesy of Moe’s Southwest Grille in Montgomery Village.
A Quince Orchard High School student was found unconscious in a nearby McDonald’s bathroom on Tuesday, March 21. According to Montgomery County Police, “at approximately 11:56 a.m., a Quince Orchard High school student was located unconscious in a bathroom in the 12100 block of Darnestown Road. Narcan was administered. The victim left the McDonald’s where he was stopped by an MCPD officer. He has been transported to an area hospital in stable condition.” Quince Orchard High School Principal Elizabeth L. Thomas sent the following message to Quince Orchard staff, students, and families (courtesy of FOX 5):
Feature image courtesy of Google Maps.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving an overturned vehicle on Tuesday, March 21 around 1:45pm. The collision occurred on northbound I-270 at the Muddy Branch overpass in Gaithersburg. Several lanes are closed and drivers are to expect delays. We will post an update when additional information is available.
Featured image courtesy of @manu.gamboaa on Instagram.
The City celebrates and honors Arab American Heritage Month in April with programs and a proclamation highlighting the culture, heritage, and achievements of our Arab American neighbors. An official proclamation designating April 2023 as “Arab American Heritage Month” in the City of Gaithersburg will be presented at the Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the meeting at City Hall, watch it live on YouTube or watch it via Zoom by registering here.
Mayor Jud Ashman will present the proclamation to Dr. Shaza M. Ahmed, M.D., a paraeducator with Montgomery County Public Schools who works with children with special needs. Having an autistic child of her own motivated Dr. Ahmed to be more involved and become an advocate for her own child and all students, and their parents, who learn differently. She manages weekly educational sessions for parents on bullying, safety, understanding the system, available resources, and how to be an advocate for themselves and their children.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have arrested 30-year-old Jamaal Germany, of Gaithersburg, for an attempted kidnapping that occurred this morning, Monday, March 20, 2023. SVID detectives are asking for anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of Germany to call 240-773-5400.
At approximately 7:54 a.m., the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) of Redland Middle School responded to the school for the report of an attempted kidnapping. The victim stated that they were standing at the bus stop in the 17600 block of Towne Crest Dr., at approximately 7:20 a.m., when the suspect allegedly grabbed the child and pulled them toward an apartment building. Several students who were standing at the bus stop attempted to intervene and the victim was able to break free. When the school bus arrived, all the students boarded the bus and the incident was reported to school staff.
Quickway has opened its 7th Montgomery County location right next to Trader Joe’s in the Travilah Square Shopping Center (photos below). The restaurant signed on nearly a year ago, and only recently began and completed construction. Their signature hibachi chicken dish is available for $7.95 and additional meals range in price from $9.95 to $12.75. Bento boxes, beef, shrimp, tofu, salmon, sushi, poke bowls and more are also available.
The regional chain opened its 6th location in Olney last year and and its 5th MoCo location in Stone Mill Square (Korean Korner shopping center) before that. Quickway which can now be found in 10 different counties across the DMV since opening its first location in 2012, will be joining Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken– another new fast casual restaurant that recently opened in the shopping center.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old from Gaithersburg. Betsy Santiago was last seen on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at approximately 12:15 a.m., in the 400 block of Muddy Branch Rd.
Santiago is approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. She has brown eyes and shoulder length hair that is dyed purple and was last seen wearing all black clothing. She also has her lip and nose pierced. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
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”
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.
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.
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.