The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, July 18 at 9:15 a.m. and will begin with a proclamation, presented by Councilmembers Sidney Katz, Gabe Albornoz and Dawn Luedtke to commemorate Peace Day in honor of Mattie J.T. Stepanek’s life and legacy. At 1:15 p.m., Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and Council President Evan Glass will lead a proclamation presentation recognizing Ken Reichard for his years of service to U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Bill 24- 23, Airpark Community Advisory Committee – Established


Nebi Tsarni of Maryland, a rising senior at Watkins Mill High School was named Outstanding Wrestler after defeating returning Junior Nationals champion Sydney Perry of Illinois.

Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling described the match as “a wild, back-and-forth battle at 144 pounds, 12-10.” He wrote, “With the score tied at 10-10, Tsarni scored a takedown in the closing seconds to capture an intense match. Tsarni was a 2022 16U Nationals champion.”


Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating missing 25-year-old missing adult from Damascus– Johnnai Slater.

She was last seen on Friday, July 14th at approximately 2pm leaving her residence on Honeysuckle Ct. in Damascus. She is 5’5, black hair, a scar above her left eye on her forehead, and has a Roman numeral tattoo on her arm. She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts.


Xavier Gilliam, who has committed to attending and playing at Penn State University, has announced that he will be transferring to Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg. Gilliam previously attended Wilde Lake High School in Howard County, where he was a 4-star prospect EDGE.

Gilliam will join a Quince Orchard squad that will be looking to win its third straight State Championship (they defeated Prince George’s County schools Flowers 32-7 last year and Wise 31-13 in 2021). Gillian’s tweet can announcing his move for the upcoming school year can be seen below.


Montgomery County Police (MCP) say that on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at approximately 11:18 p.m., MCP officers responded to the 5400 block of Marinelli Road for the report of an assault. 

Per Montgomery County Police, “The preliminary investigation has revealed that there was an argument between the male victim and the adult male suspect. The suspect then displayed a machete and threatened the victim who then managed to enter his vehicle and leave the scene. The victim then contacted the police. Officers located the suspect close to the area where the crime occurred and took him into custody.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


A Montgomery County ban on firearms in public spaces passed by the County Council and signed into law last year was upheld by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland last week. The law strictly prohibits the carrying of firearms within 100 yards of places of public assembly, including parks, churches, schools and public buildings.

Last week, the court denied the request for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction, which attempted to put an immediate halt to the law. County executive Marc Elrich wrote, “This victory is an important first step in defending our law.”


Montgomery County Recreation is hosting a “Pooch Pool Party” on August 26th and 27th from 11am until 3pm at the Upper County Outdoor Pool, located at 8211 Emory Grove Rd. in Gaithersburg. Additional information can be found for this paid event below, per Montgomery County Rec:

“We’ve closed the pool to humans and opened it to dogs! Dogs will be allowed to swim and frolic at the pool before it is closed and cleaned for the winter. Each dog MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult. Any dog displaying any signs of aggression will be asked to leave immediately. ALL DOGS MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROOF OF A CURRENT RABIES VACCINATION before they will be allowed into the event, and dogs owned by county residents must have a current Montgomery County dog license, available from the County Police Department. Please register in the name of the responsible adult who will accompany the dog. Due to health concerns, humans may wade only up to the knees at your own risk. For more info, call 240-777-6840.” Anyone interested can register here.


Marc Elrich has released a statement on the news of the Purple Line opening at least seven months later than the previous estimate and costing $148 million more. His full statement can be seen below:

From the beginning of this process, I have been clear about the perils of engaging in a poorly conceived and constructed public private partnership. Taxpayers and transit riders will continue to pay for the mismanagement of the Hogan Administration. We deserved better.


Applications can now be submitted by eligible nonprofits. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13. Questions about the application process can be directed to Ali Hoy, outgoing grants program manager at the Office of Grants Management, by calling 240-773-3384 or emailing [email protected].


Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes detectives are looking for a 16-year-old wanted in connection with the shooting death of a Damascus man killed on Father’s Day. Isaiah Jamael Brown-Hawkins is accused of shooting and killing 32-year-old James Joel Austin on Sunday, June 18 in the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Road in Damascus.

At approximately 9:58 p.m., 5th District officers responded to the address for calls of a shooting. Officers located the victim in the parking lot of the apartment complex with an apparent gunshot wound. Austin was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown-Hawkins drove away in a Honda that was located in Washington, DC, however Brown-Hawkins has not been found.


The Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section is looking for a 65-year-old missing from Aspen Hill.

65-year-old David Ways was last seen on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., leaving his residence on Hewitt Ave. He is 5’4″, 145 lbs, gray hair, and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, khaki pants and black/white Nike shoes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of David Ways is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


View More Stories