Kensington Archives - Page 16 of 29

Woman Who Murdered 92-Year-Old Roommate Sentenced to 23 Years

Published June 29, 2023 at 5:56PM | Updated June 29, 2023 at 6:13PM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney sentenced defendant, Julia Birch, 28, of Kensington, to 40 years in prison suspend all but 23 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. She must also complete 240 hours of community service upon probation. Judge Maloney recommended the defendant be admitted to the Patuxent Eligible Persons Program while incarcerated.

This stems from an incident on July 28, 2021. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a residence on Spruell Drive in Kensington, Maryland for a death investigation. Upon their arrival, the complainant, 26-year-old Julia Birch, told officers that she had suffocated and killed her 92-year-old roommate, identified as Nancy Ann Frankel, who was found deceased in her bedroom. Birch had staged the body to look more presentable, laying the victim on a pillow, folding her arms over her chest, and putting perfume on her. This was after initially unsuccessfully trying to get the body back into her bed. Birch was taken into custody and transported to Montgomery County Police Headquarters to be interviewed. She admitted to killing Nancy Ann Frankel by trying to place a plastic bag over Frankel’s head to suffocate her, and when the victim poked a hole in the bag, Birch took her to the ground and strangled her to death. Physical evidence and autopsy confirmed the method of death. Birch admitted to then calling 911 to report the death.

County to Host Independence Day Fireworks Shows in Kensington and Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published June 28, 2023 at 6:02PM

Montgomery County will host two free Independence Day fireworks displays this year, one on Saturday, July 1, and the other on Tuesday, July 4. The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.”

Removal of Linden Oak, Largest White Oak Tree in MoCo, Postponed

By MCS Staff

Published June 13, 2023 at 5:11PM | Updated June 13, 2023 at 6:34PM

Ailing historic tree expected to come down later this summer. Montgomery Parks has postponed plans to remove the historic Linden White Oak tree until later this summer. The removal is on hold pending a Historic Area Work Permit.

The Linden Oak is estimated to be more than 300 years old. It is listed in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation for Montgomery County and is located at the intersection of Rockville Pike, Beach Drive and Grosvenor Lane.

$30,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at Safeway

By Patrick Herron

Published June 5, 2023 at 5:41PM

The married dad, who has a baby on the way, called his wife immediately to come check the instant ticket to confirm his win. He next shared the great news with his father. Both doubted the winner’s luck so they went to a Lottery retailer and got the top-prize win confirmed by the ticket scanner and the store cashier.

The lucky player, accompanied by his dad, claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore last week. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use the winnings for his growing family and will celebrate with a big family dinner. Also celebrating this huge win is the Lottery retailer that sold the winning instant ticket. Safeway #2753 located at 10541 Connecticut Avenue will receive a $300 bonus from the Lottery for selling the $30,000 top-prize winner. The Red Hot Cash instant ticket went on sale at the end of May with eight $30,000 top prizes. Seven top prizes remain. There are also 16 $1,000 prizes left along with over 806,000 prizes ranging from $3 to $500. The instant ticket joins a Hot family of games that went on sale May 22: a $1 Hot 7s, $2 Hot 7s Doubler, $5 Hot 7s Tripler and $10 Hot 7s Multiplier scratch-off. A $20 Hot 777 ticket went on sale in April. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Marathon Deli, College Park Staple For Over 30 Years, is Coming to MoCo

By MCS Staff

Published June 2, 2023 at 7:53PM | Updated June 4, 2023 at 4:32PM

Marathon Deli, a staple of College Park and life at the University of Maryland for decades, has signed on to open a new location at the upcoming Kensington Crossing shopping center on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Plyers Mill Rd. Known for its specials, like its $6 gyros on Mondays, $6 steak and cheese on Tuesdays, and $6 chicken parm subs on Wednesdays, Marathon offers a variety of Greek specialities, subs, pizza, and more.

Construction began earlier this year at Kensington Crossing at 10619 Connecticut Avenue (at Plyers Mill Road). Since plans were approved, Kensington Crossing has also signed M&T Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings GO, and Mezeh for the upcoming shopping center. More about Marathon Deli below:

Montgomery County to Host Fireworks Shows in Kensington and Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2023 at 6:30PM | Updated June 4, 2023 at 3:06PM

The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.” Mid-County Sparkles will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 with concerts by Ocho de Bastos and Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band. The only parking available on-site will be for individuals with disabilities. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m., from Westfield Wheaton, located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road. Event goers who park at Westfield Wheaton prior to 5:30 p.m. may be subject to towing by the property owner. Follow the directional signs for event parking and shuttles.

The Town of Poolesville and UMCVFD Will Hold Its Annual Independence Day Celebration on July 4th

By MCS Staff

Published May 24, 2023 at 4:20PM | Updated May 25, 2023 at 5:50AM

The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and Town of Poolesville will also hold its annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks on Tuesday, July 4th. “Join our community in celebrating our national patriotism at the Soccer Fields off of Hughes Road! There will be music, food, fireworks and fun! Gates open at 5 pm.”

So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Kensington/Wheaton, and Rockville:

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 74-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published May 22, 2023 at 7:25PM | Updated May 22, 2023 at 9:26PM

Barbara is approximately 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown hair. She was last seen wearing glasses, a light green short sleeve blouse and dark cargo style pants. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Barbara Bend is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the 2nd District Investigative Section at (240) -773-6710.

Newport Mill MS Class Wins $5,000 Eco-Challenge Grant

By MCS Staff

Published May 20, 2023 at 3:45PM

Courtney Osbourne, a teacher at Newport Mill Middle School, was presented a $5,000 grant from Washington Gas as part of an Eco-Challenge grant from WUSA-9 and the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The funding will go toward creating a sustainable food garden and pollinator meditation garden with a composting section. The school will work with Silver Spring Impact to make the garden a reality. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps. Watch the video below:

Einstein High School Community Pushes Back Against Plan to Replace School’s Tennis Courts With Classroom Portables

By MCS Staff

Published May 18, 2023 at 2:23PM

A plan to replace the Einstein High School tennis courts with classroom portables does not seem to be a popular one for the Einstein community, as a petition against the plan, created two days ago, has already gained 600 signatures. The official Einstein High School football team twitter account has also asked MCPS about this move, “Day 1: Hey @MCPS why are you taking away facilities from our school and community for more portables? Putting portables on tennis courts? Please provide and explanation and cite your evidence as to how this is equitable to our students” The petition states the following:

“Plans are being made to replace the Einstein Tennis Courts with classroom portables. This would take away 3 courts and leave the Tennis Program to practice on just the 4 courts that belong to Newport Mill Middle School. This would leave 2 courts per team which would create cramped and unproductive practices. We also need all 7 courts for our games, and leaving the team with 4 would make our games last significantly longer.

Stella Point Grille Opening Soon in Kensington

By MCS Staff

Published May 12, 2023 at 4:16PM | Updated May 12, 2023 at 5:09PM

Stella Point Grille is coming very soon to 3739 University Blvd in Kensington. Graham Gursky, joined in ownership with Stephen Lee, the principal owner of China Gourmet, have rebranded as Stella Point Grille and will offer what they call “elevated American bar fare.”

Gursky assured us that the food will be competitively priced, “We won’t be selling $20 chicken wings or $10 Miller Lites.” he said. Gursky also praised local Kensington restaurants Knowles Station and Talia’s Cuzina, telling us that there are great restaurants in Kensington but that he hopes to fill the void of something lacking in the area. Stella Point Grille will be a restaurant where you can enjoy a nice meal and is also a sports bar with 17 televisions ranging 55 to 85 inches. They’ll offer event nights like karaoke, trivia, etc. along with signature food specials created by Chef Leonel Merlos throughout most of the week.