MoCo Archives - Page 319 of 605

Self-Defense Courses for Women Will Be Offered in March and April Through the Montgomery County Commission for Women

Published March 14, 2023 at 11:50AM

Per Montgomery County: Four in-person seminars on “Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense” will be offered this spring by the Montgomery County Commission for Women. Each S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) seminar is a two-hour “sampler” session for women of all ages and abilities taught by Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)-certified instructors. The seminars, which cost $12 per participant, are exclusively for women and require pre-registration to participate. Women ages 13-17 are welcome to participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult woman who is also registered for the class.

MCPD: Traffic Stop in Germantown Leads to Seizure of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

By Patrick Herron

Published March 14, 2023 at 11:40AM

Montgomery County Police issued a press release today announcing that a traffic stop in Germantown on March 8 led to the discovery of 20 suspected Fentanyl pills, approximately 21 grams of suspected Crystal Methamphetamine, Crack Cocaine and drug paraphernalia. This is the third press release regarding traffic stops that MCPD has released since Councilmember Will Jawando introduced Bill 12-23, the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) Act, on February 28, which will limit traffic stops that he says have resulted in racial disparities.

Per MCPD: “Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Community Action Team have arrested 38-year-old Harry Perkins of Germantown for Possessing Fentanyl and Crystal Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. At approximately 11:35 p.m., officers observed a Chevrolet Equinox commit a moving violation in the area of Circle Gate Dr. and Wisteria Dr. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the Chevrolet in the area of Great Seneca Hwy. and Wisteria Dr.

Montgomery County Council and Committees Meet on March 14 for Briefings on Fire Inspections and Fire and Housing Code Enforcement

By Patrick Herron

Published March 13, 2023 at 3:13PM

Per Montgomery County: The Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP), Public Safety (PS) and Economic Development (ECON) Committees will meet on Tuesday, March 14 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing from the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) to discuss fire inspections and fire code compliance. The PHP Committee will meet at 11 a.m. to receive a briefing on housing code enforcement and troubled properties from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA). The members of the PHP Committee include Chair Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Natali Fani-González and Will Jawando. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Kristin Mink. The members of the ECON Committee include Chair Fani-González, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

There are 80 buildings in Montgomery County that currently are not yet retrofitted with sprinklers. DPS serves as the regulatory body for fire codes that are adopted from the national and state level. According to County Code, a building permit cannot be issued for the construction or reconstruction of a residential building without a fire sprinkler system. The County Code also provides a property tax credit for any residential building where a fire sprinkler system was not legally required, if installed on or after July 1, 2000.

25 Restaurants That Have Opened in MoCo in 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published March 13, 2023 at 10:44AM

Below is a list of restaurants that have opened in Montgomery County so far in 2023! Asian Cuisine and Seafood – Gaithersburg Asian Cuisine and Seafood is now open at […]

Sardi’s Announces Scholarship in Memory of Co-Founder Philip G. Sardelis

By MCS Staff

Published March 13, 2023 at 7:34AM

Sardi’s, the local restaurant chain founded by two Montgomery County natives (Walter Johnson and Wheaton graduates), has announced the Sardi’s Scholarship in memory of co-owner Philip G. Sardelis. Additional information below:

“As a company we have always been proud to give back. Due to the passing of our beloved co-owner Philip G. Sardelis we have decided to create the Sardi’s Scholarship in Memorial of Philip G Sardelis. We hope this continues to impact our community as this was always an important priority for Phil. He was always involved in donating time, money and food to all of the local schools, hospitals, churches, firehouses and police stations. We hope to honor his legacy and continue the good work with this fund. If you would like to contribute please go to the below link. Give Back – PayPal.

RespectFest to Take Place This April Discussing Dating Violence & Prevention, Healthy Relationships, and Consent

By MCS Staff

Published March 12, 2023 at 9:51AM

Choose Respect Montgomery’s annual event, RespectFest, will host a week of virtual activities, culminating in an in-person event from 1–4 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. Students aged 12–18 and their parents are invited to learn about dating violence and prevention, healthy relationships and consent. The virtual week runs from April 10–14. There will be workshops and activities for middle and high school students, parents and youth-service providers. Students can earn up to five Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participating.

The in-person festival will include activities to learn about dating violence, consent, how to help a friend and warning signs of an abusive relationship. There will also be performances, yoga and self-defense demonstrations and a resource fair with community organizations. Students can earn up to three SSL hours by participating in the education activities. The Wheaton Community Recreation Center is located at 11701 Georgia Avenue. RespectFest

The Ancient Ruins of Chi-Chi’s in Lakeforest Mall

By MCS Staff

Published March 11, 2023 at 11:55PM | Updated March 12, 2023 at 1:05AM

With Lakeforest closing in just a couple weeks, we felt it was time to bring back an old favorite here at The MoCoShow. Our founder, Mr. MoCo (Alex T.) has previously stated that some of his fondest MoCo memories took place at Chi-Chi’s (photos of the Lakeforest location below). Growing up in Gaithersburg, he and his family would frequently go to the Lakeforest location for dinner– it was the restaurant that introduced him to fried ice cream.

Chi-Chi’s also had a Rockville location in Wintergreen Plaza that later became Broadway/Ted’s 355 Diner and is currently Habit Burger and Jersey Mike’s. Tough the restaurant chain left town approximately two decades ago, Lakeforest never replaced it (located across from the old Lakeforest Silver Diner). The vacant location was closed off, but a few years backthe window covers were temporarily removed and MoCo resident Jeff Melia was able to take a few photos through the window. Inside were the ruins of days past.

Body Found on Blake High School Grounds Early Saturday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published March 11, 2023 at 6:05PM

James Hubert Blake High School principal Robert Sinclair Jr. sent out a message informing the Blake community of a body found on school grounds early Saturday morning. According to the message, a jogger who was using the school track found an unresponsive individual on school grounds and attempted to revive the individual unsuccessfully. Emergency personnel were also unable to revive the individual. Additional information can be found in the full letter to the community, seen below:

“Dear Blake High School Families, Students and Staff

Detectives Seek Assistance in Locating Missing 16 Year Old

By MCS Staff

Published March 11, 2023 at 2:13PM | Updated March 13, 2023 at 8:41AM

Herrera is approximately 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. She has brown eyes and dark brown hair. She was last seen wearing a grey zip-up hoodie with the number ‘23’ on the back. Police and family are concerned for her welfare. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Brianna Herrera is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

MCPD Responds to Shooting Near Wheaton Mall

By MCS Staff

Published March 11, 2023 at 1:27PM

Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting in the 11160 block of Veirs Mill Rd. at approximately 11am on Saturday morning.

According to police, “A victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A suspect is in custody. The scene is secure and there is no current threat to the community.” Public safety reporter Cordell Pugh reports that one suspect is in custody after the victim was shot in the face and transported to the hospital.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Appoints First Office of Food Systems Resilience Director Heather Bruskin

By Patrick Herron

Published March 10, 2023 at 3:35PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County has named its first director, Heather Bruskin, for the newly created Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR), established to streamline and coordinate the County’s efforts to address local food system challenges. Ms. Bruskin is an expert in food security, economy, education and environmental policy creation and implementation. OFSR was created based on the recommendation of the Montgomery County COVID-19 Food Security Task Force and established by the County Council in July 2022 under Bill 20-22 to serve as a liaison between County government agencies and community food systems partners such as nonprofits, farmers and businesses.

The County is home to approximately 1.05 million people, of whom 87,190 (8.3% of total population) are estimated to be food insecure according to Feeding America’s Meal Gap Map. According to the American Community Survey, there are significant disparities in risk for hunger in our community, particularly related to race (8-14 percent food insecurity rates for Black and brown residents compared to just 5 percent of white residents) and age (14 percent or 34,000 residents 18 & younger.) Additionally, the high cost of living in Montgomery County results in thousands of additional households with incomes that are too high to receive benefits assistance but too low to make ends meet.