Longtime local radio host Michael Sorce, better known as Don Geronimo, was fired from radio station WBIG “Big100” over the weekend after making on-air remarks about WUSA9 sports reporter Sharla McBride on Thursday, July 27. The incident occurred while Geronimo and co-host Crash Young were broadcasting live from Commanders training camp. Geronimo referred to McBride as “Barbie”, and initially thought she was a cheerleader. Geronimo released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon:
Update – Phone service has been restored.
Per Rockville Police: The Rockville City Police Department is currently experiencing an issue with incoming calls to our non-emergency Communications Center as well as the Administrative Offices. At this time, if you are in need of police assistance, please contact the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 or 911 if you are experiencing an emergency. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are working to fix the issue as soon as possible.
Bethesda:
Burtonsville:
The city of Rockville’s contractor is planning final pavement markings on North Washington Street and East Middle Lane in early August.
As early as the week of Aug. 7, new traffic patterns are expected on North Washington Street and East Middle Lane as the city’s contractor reallocates the existing motor vehicle travel lanes to create bike lanes. The two existing motor vehicle travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction. New bike lanes and new on-street parking spaces will be added. The work is expected to last one to two weeks, depending on the weather.
The Original Pancake House at 12224 Rockville Pike in Rockville was one of the many businesses impacted by this past weekend’s severe storms. According to the restaurant, “It was a parapet wall that was blown over which consists of metal studs, plywood and styrofoam. There was no internal structural damage.” MCFRS cleared the structure as safe and the Original Pancake House was able to open on Sunday morning.
About the Original Pancake House: “The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Customers enjoy the benefit of their many years of experience in the culinary field, through the extensive menu of delicious authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes. The Original Pancake House is a second and third generation family business, which takes great pride in maintaining the high standards that make our food so outstanding. There are over 100 Original Pancake House restaurants from coast to coast, which have won local and national acclaim. Our recipes demand only the very finest of ingredients, such as 93 score butter, pure 36% whipping cream, fresh grade AA eggs, hard wheat unbleached flour, and our own recipe sourdough starter. Our batters and sauces are made fresh in each kitchen every day. Legendary chef James Beard was one of the Original Pancake House biggest fans! There are three Original Pancake House locations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, each with free parking. We consider ourselves “The First Name in Pancakes” and hope you will too! Each location below offers free wi-fi and a senior menu. You can also get terrific sandwiches, burgers, salads and wraps from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.”
The Bethesda Park Condominiums complex, in the area of Randolph Rd. and Parklawn Dr., was one of the hardest hit when the sever storms rolled through late Saturday afternoon. According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Chief spokesperson Pete Piringer, a “microburst” could have been responsible for dozens of trees were knocked down and many of them were blown into or on top of buildings. A microburst is is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm that can cause extensive damage at the surface.
A large crane was already on the scene earlier today helping with dozens of crews clear the trees that are now scattered across the complex and roofs of the buildings. Dozens of residents have been displaced and many remain without power into Saturday night. The county has set up shelters that many residents will be going to for the night. There are no known injuries
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call on the 12200 block of Charles Rd, off of Veirs Mill Rd (near the Korean Korner) at approximately 4:45pm on Saturday, for a tree that fell onto a house and trapped at least some of the occupants.
MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer provided an update stating that there were no injuries and that all 10 occupants are accounted for. The affected families, which include five adults and five children, have been displaced. The Red Cross is assisting. Severe damage was caused across the county due to Saturday’s storm.
Trader’s Joe’s has removed a broccoli cheddar soup and falafel from its shelves after learning that the products were possibly contaminated with foreign objects. The grocery store is telling its customers that they should return the items to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund. The company issued the following two announcements:
Last week Trader Joe’s recalled its Almond Windmill and Dark Chocolate Chunk & Almond Cookies due to the possibility that the products were also contaminated with rocks. Trader Joe’s has MoCo locations Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Margaret Schweitzer sentenced defendant, Jaime Havier Lee, 43, of an unconfirmed address, to 40 years in prison suspend all but 28 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.
Per Montgomery County: The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:
Residents have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville. Residents can register to speak in person or virtually at a public hearing, provide written testimony, prerecorded audio or video testimony using the online form at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html; or sent by mail to County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850; or residents may sign up to testify remotely by phone (call 240-777-7803 for information). To express an opinion call 240-777-7900.
Per Montgomery County Police: The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old, Sophia Isabella Roach (age 15).
Sophia was last seen on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at approximately 9:30 p.m. on the 5600 block of Whitney Mill Way in Rockville. She is 5’2″, brown hair, brown eyes. The clothing she was wearing is unknown. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sophia Isabella Roach is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).