Takoma Park Archives - Page 31 of 61

Off-Duty Officer Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Second-Degree Murder

Published September 14, 2023 at 3:09PM

According to the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Michael Mason, defendant, David Hall Dixon, 42, of Takoma Park, MD, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of 38-year-old James Johnson and 32-year-old Dominique Williams, and one count of first-degree assault for shooting at a third victim. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 16^th, 2023. Dixon faces up to 30 years in prison per a plea agreement. The judge may or may not add additional suspended time.

This stems from an incident on the morning of April 7^th, 2021, when the defendant fired gun shots at a vehicle in the parking lot of his apartment building located along the 7000 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, striking two of the occupants. Dixon told police that he believed the people inside of the vehicle had been attempting to break into a parked van. The defendant was an off-duty Police Officer with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. State’s Attorney John McCarthy and Assistant State’s Attorney George Simms are prosecuting this case.” Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Governor Wes Moore Announces More Than $11.5 Million in Highway Safety Grants; Over $172,000 Awarded to Montgomery County Police Agencies

By Patrick Herron

Published September 12, 2023 at 8:20PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced more than $11.5 million in federal highway safety grants to organizations across Maryland as part of a statewide focus to prevent motor vehicle crashes and eliminate roadway fatalities. The federal funds will be distributed on Oct. 1 by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office to 85 agencies, organizations, and programs.

“These investments are critical to building and maintaining a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system in Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “Our administration is committed to partnering with local governments, officials and advocacy groups to reduce roadway injuries and fatalities and to ensure that highway safety remains a top priority across the state.”

Police Arrest Man for 1st Degree Burglary; Suspect Initially Confronted By Neighbor During Burglary

By MCS Staff

Published September 9, 2023 at 6:21PM

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Antonie Ketrell Calloway, 36, of Takoma Park, Maryland, for 1st-degree burglary.

According to Takoma Park Police, “On September 8, 2023, at approximately 8:05 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7800 block of Chicago Avenue for a report of a suspicious individual entering one of the residences in the area. A concerned neighbor confronted the individual, later identified as Calloway, regarding his presence inside the residence. Calloway’s explanations to the neighbor were inconsistent and raised suspicions.

Fleeing Driver Loses Control of Vehicle, Strikes Several Vehicles Then Flees on Foot

By MCS Staff

Published September 8, 2023 at 2:44PM

On Thursday, September 7, at approximately 7:50 pm, Takoma Park Police officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had just run a red light at New Hampshire Avenue and Holton Lane.

According to police, “The suspect driver fled from officers speeding down Kingwood Drive and lost control of the vehicle after striking the traffic circle at the intersection of Kingwood Drive and Wildwood Drive. The suspect driver struck several vehicles before coming to a stop. The suspect driver bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot.”

Takoma Park Folk Festival Takes Place This Sunday, September 10th

By MCS Staff

Published September 7, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated September 7, 2023 at 2:27PM

The Takoma Park Folk Festival takes place this Sunday, September 10th from 10:30am until 6:30pm at Takoma Park Middle School (schedule available below, pinch and expand). The mission of the Takoma Park Folk Festival, Inc. is to present a free annual folk festival in Takoma Park each September that celebrates the arts and the Takoma Park-Silver Spring community. The event, which is held rain or shine, presents six stages of music, a juried crafts show, international food, community nonprofit tables, and children’s games and activities. The Festival offers free shuttle buses (with wheelchair accessibility) to the Takoma Metro station.

All roads will remain open with limited access to the Takoma Park Middle School. Motorists are urged to use caution and drive slowly – there will be heavy pedestrian traffic expected on Piney Branch Road. No parking from Piney Branch to Grant to Holly Avenue Parking is limited to residential side streets. Spaces will be reserved for handicapped parking, vendors, festival staff members, musicians & artists.

MoCo Nurse Nicknamed “Mr. Happy” Wins $50,000

By Patrick Herron

Published September 7, 2023 at 11:52AM

Free Steering Wheel Locks Offered by Police, Open to All Montgomery County Residents While Supplies Last

By MCS Staff

Published September 6, 2023 at 2:05PM | Updated September 6, 2023 at 9:45PM

Update: The FREE wheel locks have all been given away. We are happy we were able to assist our community with this FREE service. If we get any more, we will make an announcement. Thank you.

The FREE wheel locks are open to ALL Montgomery County Residents – criteria: Takoma Park Police have FREE anti-theft steering wheel locks to help prevent vehicle thefts. Montgomery County residents can receive one free steering wheel lock per vehicle, while supplies last.

Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Public Hearing to Take Place September 14

By MCS Staff

Published September 4, 2023 at 9:58AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 6 pm for community input on the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment at the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission’s Wheaton Headquarters on the 2nd floor Auditorium. There will be a virtual option through the Planning Board’s website. The Public Hearing will also be livestreamed at the City of Takoma Park’s Community Center for the public to watch and provide testimony. Sign-up to testify at the Public Hearing.

In addition to testifying in person or via Microsoft Teams, residents may also email testimony to [email protected], fax testimony to the Planning Board Chair at 301-495-1320, or mail written testimony to: Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board, 2425 Reedie Drive, 14^th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Takoma Park Street Festival Takes Place Sunday, October 1

By MCS Staff

Published August 31, 2023 at 4:49PM

Music: The free event celebrates local music with 18 performances on 3 stages, with a mix of soul, funk, roots rock, blues, swamp funk, folk, working girl blues and new grass, and more.

TIME

Pie Contest to Crown The Best Pie Will Take Place Sunday, September 17th

By MCS Staff

Published August 30, 2023 at 3:49PM

Home bakers and professional bakers are invited to enter their best 1 or 2 crust pies made using seasonal ingredients available at the market – both sweet and savory. Celebrity judges taste the pies and winners are named in the following categories: Best Apple Pie, Best Peach Pie, Best Other Pie – Sweet, Best Other Pie – Savory, Best Kid’s Pie, Most Unusual Pie, Yummy Mess Award, and Professional Baker. Following judging, the market slices up the pies and sells them to the public to raise money for the market’s Federal Benefit Match Program. Tickets for pie slices will be sold inside the farmers market which is adjacent to the event. There are no fees to enter.

Police: Victim Shoots At Masked Suspects Who Approached With Guns Drawn

By MCS Staff

Published August 30, 2023 at 1:30PM

On August 29 at approximately 11:12 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6300 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Sunoco) for an assault that had just occurred. According to Takoma Park Police:

“Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim drove his vehicle into the Sunoco gas station parking lot to the air pump area. The victim noticed a vehicle drive up behind his and saw two masked suspects exit the vehicle with guns drawn. The victim produced a legally owned firearm and a shooting occurred. The suspects fled the area.