Gaithersburg Archives - Page 276 of 426

Gaithersburg Police Finds Loaded Revolver Without Serial Number During Traffic Stop

Published January 27, 2023 at 3:01PM

On January 18, 2023, a Gaithersburg Police Department patrol officer observed a white Mercedes traveling on S Summit Avenue with an expired registration plate. A traffic stop was initiated and upon speaking with the driver, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The officer inquired with the driver if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and the driver advised there was a handgun inside. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Ruger revolver in the front driver door pocket. Upon inspection of the revolver, officers observed the serial number had been removed. The driver, a 27-year-old, male from Silver Spring, MD was arrested and charged with the following:

Information per Gaithersburg Police

MoCo’s Largest Rooftop Solar Project on Multifamily Property is Underway in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published January 27, 2023 at 11:16AM

Seneca Village Apartments is a 58-building, 684-unit affordable multifamily property located at 750 Clopper Rd. in Gaithersburg. It was originally constructed in 1973 and sits on 40 acres of land. With funding from the Green Bank, in partnership with Virginia Community Capital and NYCEEC, Seneca Village Apartments will install new energy-efficient roofs with reflective coating and a 2.18 MW rooftop solar array by Patuxent and Solar Energy Services. The $11.4 million project is the largest rooftop solar project on a multifamily property in the Montgomery County. The property will save 2,583,535 kWh in energy savings and over $300,000 in annual savings.

“A fundamental part of our mission is to support the County’s climate goals of equitable access to clean energy. This project situated in an Equity Emphasis Area and on an affordable housing property is such an example,” says Tom Deyo, CEO of Montgomery County Green Bank. “Further, this collaboration with Virginia Community Capital and NYCEEC is the perfect depiction of how the Montgomery County Green Bank leverages capital and innovative partnerships to facilitate clean energy projects in the County.”

Next Steps For Lakeforest Mall Redevelopment

By MCS Staff

Published January 27, 2023 at 9:12AM

The joint public hearing on the Lakeforest Mall Rezoning & Sketch Plan was conducted on January 17, 2023. The Planning Commission will hold their record open until 5 p.m. Friday February 17, 2023 with anticipated recommendation March 1, 2023. The Mayor & City Council hold their record open until 5 p.m. Friday March 10, 2023 with anticipated Policy Discussion April 3, 2023.

Below is a video of our very own Alex Tsironis discussing the latest meeting on Fox 5, followed by some highlights from WRS, Inc’s presentation on January 17th:

Benjamin Gaither Center Art Show Now Running Through March 26

By MCS Staff

Published January 27, 2023 at 8:47AM

The Montgomery Art Association (MAA) member exhibition has returned to the Benjamin Gaither Center (80 Bureau Dr A) in Gaithersburg through March 26, 2023. Meet the artists at a free reception on Tuesday, February 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The exhibit and reception are open to the public. Masks & social distancing are encouraged.

The Montgomery Art Association is a nonprofit organization supporting the visual arts and artists in Montgomery County and the D.C. metro area. It offers a number of opportunities for its 350 members to display & sell their work. The Association offers field trips, plein air painting outings, business workshops, art-themed social events & monthly meetings with noteworthy guest speakers.

Planet Fitness in Gaithersburg Returns to 24/7 Operating Hours

By Patrick Herron

Published January 26, 2023 at 9:55PM

The 14,316-square-foot facility now features a new PF Black Card® Spa area with HydroMassage beds, massage chairs and tanning beds. Coming soon will be its latest amenity, the Recovery Lounge. To help members relieve pain, recover and improve circulation, the lounge offers a multi-sensory experience combining hot, cold and compression therapy to kickstart the recovery process. Additional improvements include new locker rooms, new cardio equipment, new entrance way tile and new rubber flooring on the upper level.

“We are committed to reinvesting in the Gaithersburg community and are thrilled to unveil our brand-new Judgement Free facilities to our existing and soon-to-be members,” said Victor Brick, co-owner of Ohana Growth Partners (OGP), a franchise division of Planet Fitness. “Already, we’ve experienced an outstanding response from the community and encourage everyone to come check out the club, meet our friendly staff, get a tour and see what the Judgement Free Zone® is all about.”

Man Arrested and Charged Following Assault in Flower Hill Giant; Suspect Attacked and Made Anti-Semitic Statements Towards Victim

By Patrick Herron

Published January 26, 2023 at 7:49PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Investigative Section have arrested and charged 30-year-old Eugene Thompson (a.k.a. Michael Stewart), of Washington, D.C., with the strong-armed robbery that occurred on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at approximately 3:50 p.m., at the Giant grocery store in the 18200 block of Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg.

The adult male victim stated that he was shopping inside the store when he observed Thompson along with a group of male suspects acting disorderly. When the victim approached the suspects and asked them to stop, the suspects surrounded the victim, with Thompson making anti-Semitic statements towards him. Thompson then is alleged to have begun physically assaulting the victim, causing him to lose consciousness. Thompson and the other suspects then left store. The victim’s keys were taken following the assault.

MCFRS Respond to House Fire Thursday Morning; One Family Displaced

By Patrick Herron

Published January 26, 2023 at 10:56AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a kitchen fire at a single-family duplex on State Ct., off of Girard St, in Gaithersburg on Thursday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated from an unattended pot of cooking oil that overheated on the stove. Damage is is estimated to be $100K, including $75k in structure and $25K in contents. Two adults and three children have been displaced. One adult was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries due to smoke inhalation. We will post an update when additional information is available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – State Ct, Gburg; 1 family displaced; Damage $100K, incl $75k structure & $25K contents; Origin/Cause, kitchen, unattended cooking (pot of oil on stove overheated); 2 adults, 3 kids displaced (Staying with family); @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 1 adult, smoke inhalation, NLT”

Suspect Arrested at Lakeforest Mall for Bank Robbery

By Patrick Herron

Published January 26, 2023 at 10:31AM | Updated January 26, 2023 at 5:47PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 37-Year-Old Jason Rollins, unknown address, with the bank robbery that occurred on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the Bank of America in the 400 block of N. Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Rollins, charging him with first-degree assault and armed robbery related charges. On Thursday, January 19, 2023, Rollins was apprehended at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg and then transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is being held without bond.

Crash Backs Traffic Up On NB I-270

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:51PM

At least one lane is blocked coming off of the ramp at Montgomery Village Ave (exit 11) with traffic backed up onto northbound I-270, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

Piringer warns that driving conditions are less than desirable after MCFRS has responded to numerous crashes today, including the one pictured on the Montgomery Village Ave off ramp. One adult is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Make-A-Wish Surprises Rachel Carson Fifth Grader

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:43PM

The Make-A-Wish Foundation surprised Rachel Carson Elementary School fifth grader Aubrey Campbell with a trip to Hawaii, where she will swim with dolphins and ride horses.

Aubrey, who has an autoimmune disease, was surprised with the trip in front of her classmates, family and Make-A-Wish representatives on Jan. 25. Her doctor, Dr. Sangeeta Sule, and Dr. Kurt Newman, president and CEO of Children’s National Hospital, and Principal Mindy Reeves were also there for the presentation.

$116K in Funds Distributed to Families Affected by November 26 Explosion and Fire at Potomac Oaks Condominiums in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:06PM

More than $116,000 in funds have been distributed to families affected by the catastrophic November 26 explosion and fire at the Potomac Oaks Condominium in Gaithersburg through a collaborative effort involving governmental agencies and nonprofits, including Making Homes Possible (MHP). The dedicated relief fund, which totals more than $138,000 thanks to generous donors, is being managed by MHP. One hundred percent of donations are going to affected families to cover costs and damage resulting from the explosion/fire.

Ten people were transported to the hospital, two with critical injuries and eight (4 adults/4 children) with mild/moderate injuries following the explosion and fire. Dozens of residents from 24 different units across four buildings were also displaced. It was announced that the body of the deceased recovered from the wreckage on Thursday had been positively identified as 36-year-old Juan Pablo Marshall Quizon. The manner of death was ruled a suicide and the cause of death was smoke inhalation and burns. MHP anticipates closing the Potomac Oaks relief fund by the end of February. Those interested in contributing to the fund should complete their donations by February 28. You can donate here.