MoCo Archives - Page 335 of 629

Woman Located Safe and Unharmed After Last Being Seen on August 1st, 2022

Published April 20, 2023 at 1:14PM

Wudaise Melese has been located safe and unharmed after previously being last seen on August 1, 2022. Montgomery County provided the update on Thursday morning without any additional information. Last week, it was reported that detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Cold Case Section were continuing to ask for the public’s assistance in locating Wudaise Melese, who was last seen on Monday, August 1, 2022, in the 3400 block of Landing Way.

UPDATE: Wudaise Melese has been located safe and unharmed. Thank you for sharing.

Governor Moore Kicks Off ‘More Opportunity Tour,’ Announcing Largest Rooftop Solar Project on an Affordable Multifamily Property Ever in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Published April 19, 2023 at 9:48PM

The Montgomery County Green Bank is financing the 2.18-megawatt solar project at the Seneca Village Apartments in Gaithersburg. The project will bring affordable renewable energy to affordable multifamily properties, using sizable rooftop solar panels to help aid the county in its goal to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses produced.

The Maryland Energy Administration works closely with the Montgomery County Green Bank to combine resources to bring the necessary capital to mobilize projects across the state that advance reductions in energy use, improve resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MEA has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars directed toward projects, incorporated with Green Bank Financing. Examples include a resiliency planning effort involving sites across Montgomery County, a partnership between the Green Bank and Groundswell, Inc. and an energy efficiency project at Takoma Outlook, a multi-family community in Takoma Park, Maryland.

‘Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County: A Panel Discussion’ Presentation Will Honor Eid al-Fitr Starting on Monday, April 24

By Patrick Herron

Published April 19, 2023 at 9:41PM

Per Montgomery County: With religious intolerance on the rise across the country, it is incumbent upon historians to document and record those experiences. And all too often, non-Christian religions like Islam are given short shrift in American history. In honor of Eid al-Fitr, Montgomery History will be making available its presentation Muslim Experiences in Montgomery County: A Panel Discussion starting Monday, April 24. The presentation was originally recorded at the 2018 Montgomery History Conference. The replay of the presentation will be available for a one-week period.

Jim Johnston led the panel discussion of individuals from Pakistan, the United States, Palestine and Algeria. They talked about what it is like to be Muslim in Montgomery County today. To view the presentation, go to https://montgomeryhistory.org/mhconnected/watch/.

Consumer Complaints Against Auto Repair Shops Can Be Assisted by Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection

By Patrick Herron

Published April 19, 2023 at 9:37PM

Auto mechanic controlling car with checklist in workshop

Per Montgomery County: Spring and summer are times when more people get into their vehicles and head out on adventures. However, more miles driven mean increased chances for vehicle break downs, and in some cases, the need for major repairs. When transactions between vehicle owners and car repair businesses in Montgomery County reach serious conflicts, the County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) often can help. OCP registers car repair shops and enforces the County code regarding consumer rights. When a resident registers a complaint concerning an interaction with a business, OCP is guided by Montgomery County Code 31-A, which governs automobile repair businesses in the County. Maryland State Commercial Law, Title 14, Subtitle 10 also applies.

The highlights of laws regarding vehicle repairs performed by Montgomery County auto repair services include:

Germantown Cider Barrel Vandalized

By Patrick Herron

Published April 19, 2023 at 8:09PM

The iconic Cider Barrel structure on Frederick Rd/355 in Germantown was vandalized on Wednesday, April 19. The Cider Barrel opened in the mid-1920s and sold non-alcoholic cider from the Ballincar Orchard in Germantown during the height of Prohibition and remained in business until 2003. Plans to reopen Cider Barrel in 2020 were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. History of the Cider Barrel below, courtesy of a 2020 article by Karen Adjei:

“The Cider Barrel has deep roots with the local area’s history. It was originally built by Andrew Baker in 1922 (some sources say around 1925 or 1926). He was a local insurance entrepreneur who also developed the Ballincara Mansion, the Selby/Soderberg House and Livery Stable, and the original Germantown Bank.

Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services Launches New Podcast Series to Assist Residents and Businesses with the Permitting Process

By Patrick Herron

Published April 19, 2023 at 11:47AM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has introduced a new podcast series to help residents and businesses become more familiar with the permitting process. The first episode is now available. The DPS podcast will connect listeners to permitting department staff including permit technicians, building inspectors, plan reviewers, the fire marshal, field supervisors and code compliance staff. All who will be featured on the podcasts are experts in their various fields. Collectively, they are known as “first preventers.” These code officials who will provide the latest information from the department, as well as resources and tips.

“DPS continues to streamline its processes to make the permitting process more efficient for customers and sharing information about these improvements is important,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are always looking for ways to enhance our communication methods and this new podcast is an innovative way to reach customers on the platforms that they use to keep them informed about DPS programs and services.”

MCPD Releases Message on Autism Wandering Safety After 10-Year-Old Charles County Girl With Autism Lost Her Life Wandering Into a Body of Water

By Patrick Herron

Published April 17, 2023 at 4:12PM

Please know that your Montgomery County Officers are trained on effective response to all types of calls for those who have autism/IDD to include calls for wandering. We understand the urgency in response and the challenges of caring for an individual that may wander. We only want to find your loved one safe. MCPD responds to an average of 3-8 calls a week, for individuals we locate before families call 911.

Please do not wait to call 911 if your loved, who has autism/ IDD, is missing. We know that there will be bumps in the road in caring for a child/adult that has autism and a propensity to wander.

Montgomery County Releases List of Spring 2023 Planning Board Applicants

By MCS Staff

Published April 17, 2023 at 3:06PM

Police and Family Concerned For Welfare of Missing 16-Year-Old

By MCS Staff

Published April 17, 2023 at 12:37PM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jayla Hungerford, a missing 16-year-old from Gaithersburg. Hungerford was last seen on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at approximately 9 a.m., on South Frederick Ave.

Hungerford is approximately 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, a grey shirt and black shorts. Hungerford has three tattoos: Tinkerbell, on her left chest, a heart, on the right side of her lower back and a cross, on her left ankle.

Six Montgomery County Residents Make Forbes’ 2023 “World’s Billionaire List”

By MCS Staff

Published April 15, 2023 at 9:41AM

Forbes has released its annual “World’s Billionaires List” and six currently listed as Montgomery County residents have made the list. Overall, the United States still boasts the most billionaires, with 735 list members worth a collective $4.5 trillion. China (including Hong Kong and Macau) remains second, with 562 billionaires worth $2 trillion, followed by India, with 169 billionaires worth $675 billion. To calculate net worth, Forbes used stock prices and exchange rates from March 10 to determine the ranking, but updates wealth in real time. Below are the six Montgomery County billionaires who made the list:

World Rank #402: Annette Lerner and family (Chevy Chase)

County Executive Elrich Applauds Montgomery County Delegation on 2023 General Assembly Successes

By Patrick Herron

Published April 14, 2023 at 9:57PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich applauds the Montgomery County State Delegation, the Maryland General Assembly and the administration of Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller for their work during the 2023 General Assembly Legislative Session to pass important laws on issues such as firearm safety, abortion rights and climate control as well as securing hundreds of millions of dollars for Montgomery County. The General Assembly Legislative session ended on Monday, April 10, and it was the first for the Moore/Miller Administration, as well as for several new Delegates and Senators.

“It was clearly a different and more productive General Assembly session under the Moore/Miller Administration. They, along with the General Assembly, clearly understood the needs and priorities of all Marylanders,” said County Executive Elrich. “I want to thank and appreciate the efforts of the Montgomery County House and Senate Delegations under the leadership of Del. Palakovich-Carr and Sen. Kramer, respectively. Our delegation brought in more than one billion dollars in direct aid to Montgomery County, an eight percent increase from last year. It was also able to secure capital funding for key projects like Bus Rapid Transit, the UM Institute for Health Computing, the Bowie Mill Bike Trail, Burtonsville Park and Ride, the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center and our high school wellness centers. I also appreciate the passage of key legislation that will invest in our students, raise the state minimum wage, combat climate change, protect abortion rights, reduce gun violence and legalize cannabis sales throughout the state. We are very grateful for all the hard work that led to these legislative accomplishments.”