Dickerson Archives - Page 6 of 8

Frederick County Council Approves Sugarloaf Preservation Plan; Pushes Decision on Restrictions Back

Published October 26, 2022 at 6:13AM

The Frederick County Council voted for the approval of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan on Tuesday, passing the plan to preserve Sugarloaf Mountain and surrounding land, but pushed back a decision on development restrictions in the area to the council that will take office in December, following the November elections (according to a report by Jack Hogan of the Frederick News Post).

The Washington Post reports that the Frederick County Council rejected a last minute compromise, 4-3, that could lead to further conflict between county officials and the property owner. Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner expressed disapproval of the compromise at the meeting, while County Councilmember Kai Hagan, who proposed the compromis, referred to it as “an effort to advance the strongest plan we can get”.

Vote Postponed Until 10/25 on Frederick County Plan That Could Lead to a Potential Closure of Sugarloaf Mountain to the Public

By MCS Staff

Published October 19, 2022 at 8:46AM

The Frederick County Council unanimously voted to postpone its decision on a plan to preserve Sugarloaf Mountain and its surrounding area during its meeting on Tuesday, October 18th. The vote on the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan will now take place on October 25th.

Original report: Stronghold, a non-profit corporation organized in 1946 by the late Gordon Strong, owns and operates the Sugarloaf mountain property “for the public’s enjoyment and education in an appreciation of natural beauty.” The Frederick County Council is scheduled to vote in today’s meeting (October 18th) on whether to approve the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan that includes standards for development in the plan area and prohibits certain uses, including carnivals, shooting ranges and landfills, per the Frederick News Post.

MoCo Haunted Trail & Forest Guide

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2022 at 11:10AM

Field of Screams, now in its 22nd year in business, was recently voted as the #1 spot in USA Today’s 10 Best Haunted Attractions in the country. Located in Olney, this Hollywood-level production includes well-trained actors and an intense fright experience with decor and props not seen outside the movie industry.

“Enter a horrifically terrifying world beyond imagination at the Fields of Screams in Olney, Maryland. A good walk through the woods on The Haunted Trail and Trail of Terror leaves visitors scurrying away. Along their journey, guests are welcomed into thirteen haunted houses, where they might find anything from dead bodies to hillbillies and butchers. Enjoy Body Bean Bag Pumpkin Toss, Zombie Brain Smash, and other Carnival Town Games for a thrilling, competitive experience.”

Markoff’s Haunted Forest Celebrates it’s 30th Anniversary

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 3:31PM

Markoff’s Haunted Forest, located at 19120 Martinsburg Rd in Dickerson, is one of Maryland’s greatest Halloween events. For its 30th anniversary, you’ll experience the culmination of MHF’s 30 years in the business starting September 30th: “2022 is going to be epic. Heart-pounding scares; Terrifying , twists & turns; Eerie glades & creepy trail ghouls; and Fright-full scenes for you to tremble your way through like Mummy’s little kitten.”

Per Markoff’s Haunted Forest: MHF tickets should be purchased in advance online. Trail tickets are time stamped, and patrons will be admitted to the Trail according to the time stamp on their per-purchased ticket. Town tickets are sold based on full night capacity, and you should allow about an hour for this attraction. Please plan THE TOWN experience to fit with your TRAIL TIME. The last wagon to Onslaught Mills departs at 10:30pm. Admission to the CURSED VILLAGE is free and open ended. You can hang out here all night. Food, drinks, MHF swag & activities are all available for purchase with credit card.

Don’t Miss The Sunflowers at Mckee-Beshers This Month

By MCS Staff

Published July 28, 2022 at 9:55AM | Updated July 28, 2022 at 10:18AM

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife and Heritage Service plants sunflowers each spring on the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The primary purpose for planting sunflowers on wildlife management areas is to provide a food source for mourning doves, as well as other wildlife species, after the plants mature and dry. Mourning doves are hunted at these fields during hunting seasons that traditionally begin on September 1 and continue through early January. In recent years, the sunflower fields have become a popular destination for planned and impromptu photo shoots. According to photos sent in to us from across the county, the sunflowers are currently looking great, but it may not last long (featured photo courtesy of JoMatt Mendoza.

From the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: A number of fields are planted each year, although two fields are designated as Dove Management Fields. The Dove Management Area fields have restricted times and days when hunting can occur during the month of September. In addition to mourning doves, sunflowers and sunflower seeds are a favorite food source for a host of other songbirds, mammals and pollinators. Sunflowers require pollination by insects, usually bees, to produce a seed crop. In turn, honey bees and many species of native bees, benefit from the abundant nectar and pollen that sunflowers produce.

Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve (Aerial Video Included)

By MCS Staff

Published July 19, 2022 at 9:18AM

Courtesy of Montgomery Planning: Montgomery County is home to a surprising number of rural areas. The forward-thinking 1964 General Plan focused growth in defined corridors emanating from the population centers in and around the Capital Beltway. Between those corridors, the General Plan called for wedges of low-density residential uses, open space and protected farmland. The rural areas encompass the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve along with the larger rural communities of Damascus and Poolesville; small crossroad communities such as Beallsville, Sunshine and Dickerson; and areas with mixed open land and housing. Aerial video available below:

Overturned 18-Wheeler Traps Driver Underneath on Wednesday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Published June 30, 2022 at 7:32AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) we’re called to the scene of a collision that led to an overturned 18-wheeler that trapped the driver under the vehicle, and live power lines in the area of White Acres Farm on Darnestown Rd. near Dickerson Rd. (on the backside of Woodside Equestrian Center) in the Dickerson/Poolesville area at approximately 2:15pm on Wednesday Afternoon, according to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

Upon arrival, MCFRS crews found the overturned grain hauler well off of the hard surface road with the driver requiring extrication. Utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) assisted in getting to the site of the overturned vehicle, and crews were able to remove the driver for evaluation. The driver was then transported to a local trauma center for Pri2 trauma (serious, but non-life-threatening injuries).

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

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2022 at 2:43PM

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.

Update on Snake Infestation That Lead a Homeowner in Dickerson to Accidentally Burn Down Home

By Patrick Herron

Published December 6, 2021 at 10:20PM

Earlier this week we let you know about a homeowner on the 21000 block Big Woods Rd in Dickerson that accidentally burned their home down on November 23rd.

According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, the homeowner was attempting to use smoke as a way to manage a snake infestation. The hot coals being used were too close to combustible materials, causing the fire to start.

House Fire in Dickerson Tuesday Evening

By Patrick Herron

Published November 24, 2021 at 9:53AM

House Fire in Dickerson Tuesday Evening

A house fire on Big Woods Rd in Dickerson Tuesday evening caused more than $1 million in loss/damages, according to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Pete Piringer.

Statement by Chuck Kuhn, Owner of White’s Ferry

By MCS Staff

Published November 19, 2021 at 7:39PM

After purchasing historic White’s Ferry in February 2021, Chuck and Stacy Kuhn encountered obstacles to reopening this important Potomac River crossing, considering it needed to regain use rights in Virginia. In response to the suspended service, Loudoun and Montgomery Counties conducted a study to evaluate alternatives and address issues, challenges and opportunities for restoring this important regional transportation link. Following Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors and Montgomery County Department of Transportation meetings this week to review the study, Chuck Kuhn, owner of White’s Ferry, released this statement:

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the governments on both sides of the river for their hard work and commitment to reopening White’s Ferry. This is important for my wife Stacy and me. We live and work here and know the importance of this historic crossing. After its closure in December 2020, there was no plan to reopen the ferry. The prior owner, Herb Brown, had attempted repeatedly and unsuccessfully to work with the Rockland Farm organization to find a way to land the ferry and serve his customers in a way that made business sense. His reasonable offers weren’t accepted, and he was forced to close the business.