Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 2500blk of Glenallan Avenue, between Georgia Avenue and Layhill Road, at the Atelier Apartments around 6pm on Friday, May 9.

According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located on the exterior of the building and there was little/minor extension. Approximately 45 firefighters responded to the scene and there were no injuries reported. The building was evacuated as a precautionary measure.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ramiro Vladimir Palacios, a missing 13-year-old from Silver Spring.

Ramiro was last seen on Thursday, June 8, 2023, around 8 p.m., in the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane.  Ramiro is approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. Ramiro has black eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black athletic pants and black Nike sneakers. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed robbery of a Dollar City and More that occurred on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The initial investigation has revealed that at approximately 9:25 a.m., an unknown suspect entered the store in the 12300 block of Georgia Avenue and attempted to purchase several items with counterfeit money. When the employee told the suspect that she would not accept the counterfeit money, the suspect became angry and walked to the back of the store. The suspect then removed a package of steak knives from the shelf and returned to the front of the store. Pointing the knives at the employee, the suspect demanded money and the victim’s personal property. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash and property.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Charles Shepard, a missing 74-year-old from Adamstown.

Shepard was last seen on Thursday, June 8, at approximately 3 p.m., near Holy Cross hospital in Silver Spring.  Shepard is approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is bald and has gray facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, Black shirt, blue jeans and red and gray athletic shoes.  Police and family are concerned for his welfare.


The anonymous winner selected the nickname “Lucky Woman” to tell the story of her good fortune. “Lucky Woman” plays Lottery games weekly with her husband. “Playing the Lottery is fun,” she said. “I love playing scratch-offs.”

Her current go-to-games are the Hot family of scratch-offs and the $30 Cash is King instant ticket. “Lucky Woman” is no stranger to winning. “I always finds myself winning and I consider myself lucky.” She’s won small amounts before but never anything close to $50,000.


Three staff members have been honored with 2022–2023 Counselor of the Year awards. The trio—one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels—were recognized at the June 6 Board of Education business meeting.

The three have one thing in common—they don’t work alone. They all say their success would not have been possible without the support of their colleagues. As one said simply, “When we work as a team, everyone thrives.” The 2022–2023 Counselors of the Year are:


Per Takoma Park Police: On June 5, at approximately 11:09 pm, Takoma Park Police were flagged down by a resident who advised that they saw a male subject walking around with blood on him near the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue. Subsequently, the male subject approached an officer and indicated he had been robbed and assaulted. The victim stated he was approached by an unknown Hispanic female who was soliciting him to purchase drugs and/or sex. When the victim indicated he was not interested, the female suspect struck him in the head with a rock. At the same time, another suspect hit the victim in the back of his head with a rock. The victim fell to the ground where he was further assaulted by the female suspect and a Hispanic male suspect. The suspects stole property from the victim and fled on foot. The victim was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Officers canvassed the area for the suspects and made contact with two individuals whose involvement in the robbery continues to be investigated. Consequently, they both had outstanding warrants for failure to appear and were arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. Investigation continues under case #230027080. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


Per Montgomery County: The poster for the seventh annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival will be based on a design submitted by Fernando Santiago, a Silver Spring artist and resident. As the winner of poster contest, he will receive a cash prize of $500 donated by IHOP Wheaton. The poster contest was open to all residents of Montgomery County. After Mr. Santiago’s artwork was selected, Wheaton Arts Parade designer Josue Martinez of Corinto Gallery incorporated it into the design for the poster and T-shirt. It will be featured in all promotional materials leading up to the parade.

More than 50 festival tents are available in the 2023 festival for artists to rent to exhibit and sell their original artwork and for arts organizations and community organizations to promote their work. The day is inspired by the parade and the closure of roads so that people can pull giant floats and show off their art, play music and dance,


Mi Mariachi Bar & Grill will take over the space that was recently home to Nava Thai and previously home to Sir Walter Raleigh at 11301 Fern St in Wheaton. Nava Thai closed in February after approximately 16 years at the location.

It is unclear at this time if this version of Mi Mariachi is related to the Mi Mariachi that was previously in Wheaton at 2715 University Blvd W. This version of the restaurant incorporated in April 2023 and has an Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) hearing for its alcohol and liquor license on Thursday, June 15th at 1pm. We’ll have additional information as it becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments at its meeting on Tuesday, June 6th:

Ella Bradley, currently Coordinator, Human Capital Recruitment, Retention, and Talent Acquisition, Howard County Public School System, Md., as Director, Human Capital Management, Office of Human Resources and Development, Office of the Chief Operating Officer


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