MoCo

Montgomery County to Celebrate Arbor Day by Commemorating the New County Tree on Friday, April 29, in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

At the event, there will be tree planting, trees will be raffled off and volunteers will take part in a trash pickup. It is hoped the activities will bring attention to the new County tree and encourage the planting of trees so the tree canopy increases. Residents also can register for “plogging” supplies at the event. Plogging is an innovate way to help the environment by doing an exercise like jogging, walking or biking while picking up trash.

“The black tupelo is now added to the list of county symbols that includes the robin as the County bird, the dogwood as the County blossom and the County seal,” said County Department of Environmental Protection Acting Director Adriana Hochberg. “The black tupelo is resilient, beautiful and critical to the County’s ecosystem and tree canopy. It’s a perfect symbol for Montgomery County as our official tree”.

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Virtual Community Forum on New ‘Triage and Dispatch Protocol’ for Mental Health Crisis Response to Take Place May 4

By Patrick Herron

MCOT responses to behavioral health crises without police presence represent a significant change toward a civilian response. The civilian response is designed after the Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTS) model that has been successfully implemented in Eugene, Ore., for more than 30 years. In 2021, DHHS consulted with the White Bird Clinic (WBC) that runs the CAHOOTS model. Staff from WBC provided training to MCOT team members, homeless outreach workers, police, and other staff on de-escalation, scene safety, situational awareness, community engagement and trauma informed care. To request sign language interpreter services or other assistance to participate in this meeting, email Dorne Hill at [email protected] no less than five business days before the meeting date. For more information about the event, Dorne Hill at [email protected].

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Detectives Continue to Investigate Series of Fraud Schemes Throughout MoCo; Surveillance Footage of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

The investigation by detectives has determined that on December 13, at approximately 12:40 p.m., the suspected entered the SkyPoint Federal Credit Union in the 19700 block of Crystal Rock Dr. in Germantown. The suspect approached a bank teller, identified herself as the victim’s wife via a fraudulent identification card and withdrew an undisclosed amount of money from the victim’s account. The suspect then exited the bank and fled the scene. Again, on December 13, 2021, at approximately 1:25 p.m., the suspect arrived at the SkyPoint Federal Credit Union on Colesville Rd., presented the fraudulent identification card and withdrew an undisclosed amount of money from the same victim’s account.

Later the same day, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the suspect withdrew an undisclosed amount of money from the victim’s account, using the same fraudulent method from the Rockville branch. The suspect has been described as a female, around 50-years-old, medium build, blonde hair, wearing a brown scarf, black jacket, black jeans and black boots.

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The Columbia Foundation Awards $60,000 to Support DC Area Non-Profits, Including Two in Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

First-year recipients to support health, wellness, and education in the DC-metro area

Per the Columbia Foundation: The Columbia Foundation announced its first-ever Community Impact Fund (CIF) grant recipients. The Greater DC Diaper Bank; Mercy Health Clinic in Montgomery County, MD; and Washington Jesuit School in Northeast DC were each awarded $20,000 to support specific capacity-building projects.

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Brandy Brooks to Resume County Council Campaign Later This Week

By Patrick Herron

According to a report by the Washington Post, Montgomery County Council At-Large candidate Brandy Brooks said Monday that she has no intention of withdrawing from the upcoming election.  Brooks paused her campaign on April 13 after allegations came out that she sexually harassed a former campaign staff member.

I believe that accountability must be based in honest fact-finding with the goal of seeking the truth. For decisions about my character and leadership to be made with such prejudice prior to any process is the very opposite of justice, by any definition. I am very proud of what our team of supporters, volunteers, and advisors have been able to accomplish over the last 15 months. While I am taking a momentary break, the campaign is not ending. I remain committed to the vision we’ve been building for Montgomery County.

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Plenty of Montgomery County Ties on HBO’s We Own This City, Which Aired its First Episode Last Night

By MCS Staff

Last summer, David Simon tweeted that he was excited to be filming in Baltimore. “Alarm just went off. A** up and moving. Today is the first day of filming in Baltimore in more than 14 years. Good to be home.” Last night, We Own This City debuted on HBO.

David Simon, a MoCo native, graduated from B-CC high school and is perhaps best known for creating one of the most popular HBO series of all-time, The Wire.  His new limited series on HBO, We Own This City, based on the book We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops and Corruption by investigative journalist Justin Fenton, was shot in Baltimore during the second half of 2021.

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Montgomery County Council to Meet Tuesday, April 26 to Receive a Briefing on the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Montgomery County Police Department and Montgomery County Public Schools

By Patrick Herron

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Council will receive a briefing on the memorandum of understanding between the Montgomery County Police Department and MCPS regarding the Community Engagement Officer Program. MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight, BOE President Brenda Wolff, and Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones will be among those in attendance.

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MoCo Bomb Squad To Conduct Explosives Training in Poolesville Area on Tuesday

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services tweeted a notice about the Montgomery County Bomb Squad conducting explosives training in the area of Dickerson/Poolesville. It will take place at the outdoor shooting range on Elmer School Rd in Dickerson in conjunction w/Montgomery County Police. Residents in the Poolesville & Dickerson area may hear louder than usual “booms”.

Per Montgomery County Police: The Montgomery County Bomb Squad will be training with Police K9 at the Outdoor Shooting Range off of Elmer School Rd in Poolesville on Tuesday, April 26 from 8-3 p.m. Residents in the area may hear a series of small explosions throughout the day. There is no need for alarm.

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