Third graders at Rolling Terrace Elementary School in Takoma Park got a chance to hear from NASA Flight Director Diana Trujillo of the Johnson Space Center in Texas. She spoke to students about her career with NASA and work on the Artemis mission.

According to MCPS, Trujillo most recently served as the Integrated Planning and Sequencing for Surface Missions Group Supervisor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. She supported mission operations for NASA’s ongoing exploration missions on the surface of Mars, and the planned Mars Sample Return mission. Trujillo was born and raised in Colombia, and earned a bachelor’s of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 6900blk of Cherry Ave., near Sligo Creek Parkway, in Takoma Park on Wednesday afternoon after a large tree fell on a house and caused roof and structural damage. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer,  the tree collapsed on the house and crashed through to where a dog was located in a crate, which protected/saved the dog from being injured.  No humans were home at time and the house has been posted unsafe to occupy.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Cherry Av., TP, large tree fell on house causing roof & structural damage (flat roof), posted unsafe to occupy, tree collapsed on house & crashed through to where dog was located in a crate which actually protected/saved the dog from being injured, no humans home at time”


The $5 game has a progressive jackpot that starts at $40,000 and increases with the sale of each ticket until someone buys a progressive jackpot-winning ticket. The World Championship Poker game went on sale in September 2021 and still has 10 progressive jackpot prizes remaining. Sunshine Ethio is also a winner. For selling a jackpot-winning FAST PLAY ticket worth $100,000 or more, the store located at 6907 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park earns a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery.

Instructions on claiming prizes in person or by mail are available HERE. Players must redeem prizes larger than $25,000 by mail or at Lottery headquarters in the Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330 in Baltimore. The Lottery’s Claims Center in Baltimore is open by appointment only (no walk-ins). Click HERE to schedule an appointment.”


Per MCPD: Two Capitol Heights men, Kajohn McCombs and Ahmahd McCombs, both 22-years-old, are in custody following the murder of Deandre Keith Ellis on Sunday, March 5, 2023. On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 10:17 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for a check the welfare call. Upon arrival, officers located Ellis deceased, in a car, with an apparent gunshot wound. Through the course of the investigation, Major Crimes detectives developed Kajohn and Ahmahd as suspects. Detectives applied for arrest warrants and both suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.  The suspects were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. At this time, bond information is not available. This is an ongoing investigation.

 


People’s Book, a woman-owned general purpose bookstore, has announced it will be opening at 7014-A Westmoreland Ave in Takoma Park in the late spring/early summer. According to People’s Book, “the store will have a diverse selection of over 12,000 books, with a special focus on children’s literature, local interests, new releases and independent magazines. The inventory will also include book-themed gifts. Locally roasted drip coffee, kombucha, and other beverages and treats will be available.”

“Takoma Park is our family’s forever home, and we’re excited about providing readers of all ages opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with their neighbors,” said Megan Bormet, store owner and former elementary school educator.  “Helping kids and adults find books they love is what I like to do best, and I’m thrilled that we can do this at People’s Book.”


Outback Steakhouse will be opening its third Montgomery County location, according to a report by Source of the Spring. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will open in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s  at 8661 Colesville Rd at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. It will be the chain’s third Montgomery County location, joining existing restaurants in Aspen Hill and Germantown.

While Outback Steakhouse is an international chain, one of the founders has strong local ties. Chris T. Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, is a Blair High School alumnus. Sullivan attended the school, and Takoma Park Middle School before that, in the 60s before heading to the University of Kentucky to study business and economics.


Per the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Maryland: Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland, and Agustin Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to their participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to their activities as part of the MS-13 gang.

According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.  Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.


Per Takoma Park Police: On March 13, at approximately 7:23 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6600 block of Gude Avenue for the report of a residential burglary in progress. An unknown male in his 20’s broke a window on the ground floor and crawled through.  Once inside, a fight ensued between the suspect and the victim, owner of the residence.  The fight ended on the front porch at which time the suspect fled on foot.  The suspect ran down Gude Avenue toward Poplar Avenue.  The victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as a Black male, 20’s, last seen wearing a puffy light blue jacket, black pants and carrying a backpack. Investigation continues under case #230012185.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps


Per the Takoma Park Newsletter: The origin of paper winds through history and across centuries from papyrus in ancient Egypt to pulp-based paper from the Han dynasty in China to the invention of photographic paper in the early 19th century. Artists have transformed this common material into new worlds of invention and creativity. Three artists will share their paper-based work in the TRANSFORMATIONS exhibition at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave) with an opening reception at 7:30 pm on March 23. The featured artists include Beth Caruso, Landry Dunand, and Randall Williams.

Beth Caruso’s work often depicts aspects of the self and the body in relation to nature. In her Inner Life series, she photographs subjects and scenes and then uses digital tools to transform them into mirrored, kaleidoscopic imagery. “This series stems from a vivid interplay of intellect and emotion, combined with the workings of my conscious and subconscious,” she said. “In this light, the work can be viewed as a dialogue between the inner life of the artist and her surroundings, reflecting a desire to reorder the elements of the external world.”


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to a driver crashing into the Corner Market and then the outdoor seating at the Daily Dish in the Rock Creek Shopping Center on Grubb Rd in Silver Spring.

According to a witness on the scene, we were told that the driver appeared to lose control and initially crashed into the market before driving into the outdoor tables outside of the Daily Dish restaurant. Per the witness, there were no injuries. Photos below courtesy of @comidatragosyco on Instagram.


Per Takoma Park Police: On March 12, at approximately 12:57 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7100 block of Holly Avenue for the report of a stolen auto.  As officers arrived, they observed a vehicle driving away at a high rate of speed with the stolen auto being driven behind it.  Officers attempted to make a stop of both vehicles without success.  Upon reaching Maple Avenue and Erie Avenue, the vehicles split up, with the vehicle in front turning onto Erie Avenue towards Flower Avenue.  Officers continued to surveil the stolen auto.  The driver of the stolen auto lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway onto a tree stump near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Kennebec Avenue.  The suspect was taken into custody, identified, and a search incident to arrest yielded items of evidentiary value on his person indicative of tools to jump start vehicles.  The victim was notified.  A lookout for the other vehicle was provided to surrounding jurisdictions.

The driver of the vehicle, a 15-year-old male from Hyattsville, Maryland, was charged with Auto Theft, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle and various other traffic offenses. The charged juvenile was released to the custody of a parent(s). Investigation continues. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100 and refer to case #230012056. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


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