Poolesville

Governor Hogan Visits Several MoCo Businesses

By Patrick Herron

On Friday, August 5, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan did a tour of Montgomery County, visiting several local businesses.  He started the day off  at the Glen Echo Fire Department, which is scheduled to undergo major renovations after receiving a state grant.  He then toured Maxim Biomedical on E. Gude Dr. in Rockville, one of the few companies that produce American-made COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, followed by a tour of Twin Valley Distillers, also on E Gude. Twin Valley was the first distillery to open in MoCo in over 100 years and owner Edgardo Zuniga tells us Twin valley was,  “honored having the Governor visit when he presented us a proclamation for small business in Maryland.”

Hogan then spent the afternoon in Poolesville visiting the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, and having lunch at the recently reopened Bassett’s Restaurant.

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

By MCS Staff

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.

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Update on Wednesday Afternoon House Fire in Poolesville that Caused $400,000 in Damages

By Patrick Herron

One family (5 adults, 1 child) are displaced after a fire at a 2-story home on the 16000 block of Edward’s Ferry Rd in Poolesville that occurred early Wednesday afternoon.  Around 70 MCFRS firefighters responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation but is believed to have started in the kitchen where there were multiple competent ignition sources, including an air fryer, stove top, and electrical wiring.

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Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve (Aerial Video Included)

By MCS Staff

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:

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Overturned 18-Wheeler Traps Driver Underneath on Wednesday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

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).

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Where to Watch Fireworks in Montgomery County This July

By Patrick Herron

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].

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Poolesville High School Breaks Ground For Modernization/Expansion and More Good News Out of MCPS

By MCS Staff

Poolesville High School held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its modernization and expansion currently underway. Poolesville is adding 160,000 square feet and renovating 60,000 square feet of the existing school. When completed in December 2024, the school, which currently has 1,274 students, will be able to house 1,500 students.

On June 2, Gaithersburg Middle School hosted the second annual joint Model UN Conference with Silver Spring International Middle School. Ninety students participated in the one-day event. The four committee sessions, run by seventh and eighth graders, debated climate change and press freedom. This was the first in-person middle school Model UN conference at an MCPS school. The program is in its seventh year and taught by Julie Sanders.

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Arson Arrest Made Following Playground Fire in Poolesville

By MCS Staff

According to a tweet by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) PIO Pete Piringer at 11:44pm, one juvenile was arrested and charged with arson (later released to and in custody of parents) for starting a fire at a playground located on Fisher Avenue in Poolesville  at approximately 5:20pm on Sunday.

A paper bag and sandwich container were set on fire underneath the playground equipment, igniting the rubber mulch and damaging much of the playground equipment. There was approximately $75k in damages. The video of the fire can be seen below, courtesy of by Pastries-by-Sarahon Facebook:

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Fire at Playground in Poolesville (Now Extinguished)

By MCS Staff

Updated at 11:45 pm with additional information

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire at a playground on Fisher Ave. in Poolesville at approximately 5:20pm. The fire is now extinguished and no injuries have been reported, according to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer.

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