Update: The family of the victims are raising funds for the funeral of Jesus Hernandez, who did not survive the fire, and fees associated with the hospitalization of Hilda Quezada, who is still in critical condition. The fundraiser can be found here.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a house fire on the 13400 block of Oriental Street in Aspen Hill/Rockville at approximately 11:15 on Monday night.
Per the City of Rockville: The Mayor and Council in January initiated a public review process for changing city code and the zoning ordinance related to accessory apartments and accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Accessory apartments are small dwelling units either located within or attached to a single-family detached residence, subject to certain criteria. The code as it stands allows such dwellings through a potentially lengthy approval process for a special exception from the Board of Appeals. Proposed code changes would allow approval by staff, subject to compliance with certain criteria, reducing processing time.
ADUs, defined as small dwellings within a detached accessory structure on a single-family lot, are not currently permitted in the city. The proposed code changes would allow approval of ADUs by staff, subject to certain criteria, as a conditional use. If approved, such units would be subject to the same inspection requirements as other rental units in the city.
Rockville City Police responded to double stabbing at the Ramada Hotel by Wyndham on Sunday evening. According to RCPD, “At approximately 6:30 p.m. RCPD responded to 3 Research Ct for a person stabbed, upon arrival a second victim was located. 2 adult males transported to hospital w/serious injures. No suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing – no further info is available.” We will post an update when additional information becomes available.
1/29/23 – At approximately 6:30 p.m. RCPD responded to 3 Research Ct for a person stabbed, upon arrival a second victim was located. 2 adult males transported to hospital w/serious injures. No suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing – no further info is available. pic.twitter.com/1Uot6BtoA0
Myles Frost graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville in 2017. In December of 2021, he took over the role of Michael Jackson on Broadway’s MJ and this past summer won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Now, the GRAMMY Awards have announced that Myles will be included as one of the nominees who will also be presenting the first GRAMMY Awards of the day at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony– the pre-show a few hours prior to the GRAMMY Awards.
Frost is nominated for Best Musical Theater Album (MJ The Musical). Other current nominees who will also be presenting include Babyface, DOMi & JD BECK, Arturo O’Farrill, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and five-time GRAMMY winner and former Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Jimmy Jam. Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Tammy Hurt will provide opening remarks. Additional talent and co-host to be announced in the coming days.
Rockville’s community warmth and holiday spirit were on display during the 2022 Holiday Drive, with 223 donors donating $40,829 in cash to families and people in need throughout November and December. This was the first year the Holiday Drive returned to food and toy donations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In-kind, or non-monetary, donations totaled $42,500. More than 700 hours were poured into supporting the drive by 300-plus volunteers. Hundreds of families were helped during the two-month campaign. In November, 616 families and seniors, a total of 2,119 people, were helped with the Holiday Drive’s distribution of food. Families and seniors in need were provided with $15 grocery store gift card, a box of nonperishable food, a bag of produce, a baguette and a pie, via an in-person drive-thru pickup at Elwood Smith Community Center or home delivery.
In December, 1,102 children from 441 families were served through the Holiday Drive Toy Shop. Each child aged up to 11 received toys and books, as well as a board game for the family. Each teenager aged 12-17 received a $25 Target gift card and books. To find out more about Rockville’s annual Holiday Drive and make tax-deductible donations year-round, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/holidaydrive.
Rockville Town Square’s FIRST Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Rabbit. It takes place on January 29th from 1pm-3pm. This free family-friendly event will include local performances & vendors, “fun for ALL”, and Red Envelope giveaways. Performances include and free activities include:
Hammer & Stain ($) sign up in advance. Open Workshop 1pm. Family-Friendly Workshop 2pm.
Full statement: “It is another sad day for the country and the law enforcement community. We have no doubt taken many steps backwards this evening. The actions of the Memphis police officers against Mr. Tyre Nichols is appalling and inexcusable.
Law enforcement agencies across the nation have worked tirelessly to better themselves and their reputations in their respective communities and cities, particularly since the death of George Floyd in 2020. These incidents are troubling and disgraceful, not only to the public and those who put their trust in this profession, but to every police officer who has taken the oath to protect and serve to heart. We cannot just say we will do better; we all must do better.
The City of Rockville celebrates Lunar New Year by offering a free event, at Wootton High School on Saturday, January 28th from 10am-1pm, that celebrates Rockville’s Asian cultures with performances, to-go activities and snacks. Organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, the Lunar New Year celebration is a source of pride for the city’s Asian community and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture. Event program below:
Individuals with Disabilities: We encourage individuals with disabilities to register and participate in Rockville recreation programs. To adequately plan for a successful and rewarding experience, contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 240-314-8620. We ask that you inform us prior to the activity start date as ample time is needed to secure auxiliary services and aides.
Rockville’s Mayor and Council will consider in February several recommendations from the city’s Charter Review Commission that could change the city’s voting age, the size of Mayor and Council and other elements of city elections.
On Monday, Feb. 6, the Mayor and Council are scheduled to hold a public hearing on recommendations that, if adopted, would amend the city charter to lower the voting age from 18 to 16, permit noncitizens to vote, set term limits, create representative districts, create an administrative process to fill a vacancy on the council, change election years to coincide with presidential or gubernatorial elections, and implement ranked-choice voting. Learn how to testify during the Feb. 6 hearing at www.rockvillemd.gov/hearings and find more information when the agenda is posted at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will re-open its Montrose store under its upgraded retail concept, “Oak Barrel & Vine,” at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27. The celebration and ribbon cutting will occur in front of the store, located at 1205-B Rockville Pike in the Montrose Crossing shopping center in Rockville. County Executive Marc Elrich, other elected officials and alcohol industry representatives plan to attend the opening.
For the grand opening, and in the days that follow, some rare and allocated items will be available for purchase. Each specific highly allocated item will be limited to one bottle per customer. No more than two highly allocated bottles can be purchased per customer, per day. The items will be available for purchase when the doors open at 10 a.m.
On January 13, 2023, Rockville City Police responded to Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) for the report of an assault which occurred inside the school and an allegation that a handgun had been displayed off school grounds forcing the school to enter a brief period of lockdown.
According to Rockville City Police, “through a joint investigation with RMHS Staff and MCPS Security, RCPD Investigators learned several students from Gaithersburg High School entered RMHS with the assistance of RMHS students. The Gaithersburg students were led to one of the school’s restrooms during school hours where they became victims of a robbery by several RMHS students.