MoCo Archives - Page 393 of 605

Three Alleged Drug Traffickers Indicted for Distributing Cocaine From Puerto Rico in Montgomery County

Published June 15, 2022 at 6:52PM

As detailed in a news release by the U.S. Attorney’s office, 39-year-old Rey Rivera Ruiz, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the alleged leader was indicted on May 26, with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of continuing criminal enterprise — causing the intentional death of Shantay Butler, 44 — and one count of causing the death through the use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

In addition, 26-year-old Jann Jousten Aponte Rivera, and 20-year-old Michael Gabriel Hernandez Rivera, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of continuing criminal enterprise — causing the intentional death of Shantay Butler– and one count of causing the death through the use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

Statements of Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Community Leaders Ron Halber and Meredith R. Weisel on Hate Messages Recently Found in the County

By Patrick Herron

Published June 15, 2022 at 1:26PM

Statement of County Executive Elrich:

“We are currently experiencing multiple incidents of hate in Montgomery County over the past two weeks. On May 31, KKK imagery appeared on internet app searches for Damascus High School. On June 2, in Kemp Mill, antisemitic flyers were posted at Ride-On Station. Last week, on June 7, swastikas were carved at a MARC train station in Garrett Park. And, over past the weekend, flyers with references to groups affiliated with the KKK were discovered in Chevy Chase.

Where to Watch Fireworks in Montgomery County This July

By Patrick Herron

Published June 15, 2022 at 11:41AM | Updated June 15, 2022 at 8:06PM

After the COVID-19 pandemic caused cancellations in 2020 and 2021, Independence Day fireworks and celebrations are back in a big way this year. Below is a list of all the MoCo fireworks displays that have been announced:

Sign language interpreter services and other auxiliary aids or services will be provided upon request with as much notice as possible, preferably at least three business days before the event. To request special accommodations, contact a therapeutic recreation specialist at 240-777-6870 or email [email protected].

Water Proofing Test Takes Place at 120,000 SF Recreation and Aquatic Center Set to Open Next Year in Downtown Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published June 15, 2022 at 9:32AM

According to a social media post by Montgomery County Recreation on Wednesday morning, a water proofing test took place for the main pool at the building site of the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center this week. Construction on the South County Regional Recreation and Aquatic Center that is located at 1315 Apple Ave began in 2019.

The new facility will be located in Downtown Silver Spring, in the ‘Central Business District’ of Silver Spring as part of a Public-Private Partnership undertaken with the Housing Opportunity Commission and the Lee Development Group. According to a recent report by Source of the Spring, “This is not just a pool, it’s a monster… It combines an aquatic facility and a large recreation center. We do not have this kind of space down county.”

Lizandro Claros, Quince Orchard Alumnus Who Was Deported From The United States in 2017, Played Against the USMNT On Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published June 15, 2022 at 6:37AM

On Tuesday night, the United States came from behind to tie El Salvador 1-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League at Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador. Lizandro Claros entered the game in the 87th minute, to play against the USMNT for the first time. Claros came to the United States with his brother Diego in 2009, after fleeing violence in their native El Salvador. He attended Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown and then Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, where he graduated in 2017. Lizandro’s athletic ability earned him a scholarship to Louisberg College in North Carolina, where he planned to attend in the fall of 2017.

According to a report on Elfaro.net, “In August 2017, Claros was deported alongside Diego, one of his three siblings. They entered the U.S. in 2009, at the ages of 10 and 12, respectively, to reunite with their parents. Their relatives provided fake passports, and immigration officers had their sights on their case ever since, mandating routine check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It was during one of these visits that Claros informed authorities he had earned a sports scholarship to go to college. That tipped the scale. ICE concluded that he had no intention of leaving the country, even though they had been issued final removal orders in 2012. “I never thought they were going to deport me for wanting to go to college,” Claros said.”

Happening Tonight: 11th Annual Montgomery Serves Awards Will Recognize Exceptional Service to the Community at Ceremonies in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published June 15, 2022 at 1:50AM

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Andrea Roane, the long-time anchor at WUSA-9, will serve as emcee. County Executive Mark Elrich and other County officials and dignitaries will present awards.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Seats can be reserved at https://2022montgomeryservesawards.eventbrite.com

County Council Introduces Security Camera Incentive Program to Combat Violent Crime

By Patrick Herron

Published June 14, 2022 at 2:51PM

“Violent crime has increased both locally and nationally, but we can utilize camera technology to help solve these crimes,” Councilmember Rice said. “Police recently used security camera footage to help solve a tragic murder in Germantown. By making security cameras available to members of the community who might not otherwise be able to afford them, we are empowering our residents to help make our communities safer.”

“I am pleased to support this program. It is another step forward as our community comes together to help solve crime in all ways possible,” said Councilmember Katz, who serves as the Public Safety Committee Chair.

Popeyes is Selling its Two Piece Chicken Deal for $.59 All Week

By Patrick Herron

Published June 14, 2022 at 10:55AM

Popeyes has made plenty of recent moves within Montgomery County, recently opening new locations in Briggs Chaney, Downtown Silver Spring, and Gaithersburg. The fried chicken chain announced in April that it is set to open more than 200 new locations in the United States and Canada this year with additional locations in several other places around the world. Over half of the new Popeyes locations that are scheduled to open in 2022 will feature double drive-thrus, but it’s still unclear whether or not the new Clarksburg location will have a drive-thru.

Montgomery County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Riemer Partner on Maryland’s First Comprehensive Building Decarbonization Legislation

By Patrick Herron

Published June 13, 2022 at 3:20PM

The legislation would ensure all-electric building standards become part of the County’s building code guaranteeing construction be primed for a zero-greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions future.

The joint announcement was made at Hillandale Gateway, an all-electric, mixed-use future development in Eastern Montgomery County. The Hillandale Gateway buildings are being designed to Passive House standards with high-performance elements that are extremely energy efficient while also creating comfortable and safe indoor environments.

Montgomery County Holiday Schedule for Juneteenth on Monday, June 20

By Patrick Herron

Published June 13, 2022 at 10:58AM

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MCEDC With Partner LEDC Selected as New Fund Manager to Provide Loans to Maryland, Small, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

By MCS Staff

Published June 12, 2022 at 9:48AM

Montgomery County now represented for first time in Maryland VLT Program; MCEDC given an initial allocation of $1.5 million in state funding

Per The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC): MCEDC was named last week as the ninth and newest fund manager in the Maryland Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Program, also known as the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Program. There are currently eight VLT fund managers around Maryland that receive state funds to provide loans for small, minority and women-owned companies.