Takoma Park Archives - Page 34 of 61

Happening Today: Update on DDOT’s Plans For Fort Totten/Takoma’s Leg of Metropolitan Branch Trail Construction

Published July 18, 2023 at 9:43AM

In April 2022, MWCOG awarded the City of Takoma Park a grant to start the process to upgrade the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) to meet current standards for safe, comfortable, and connected bikeways. The $60,000 grant will fund technical assistance for preliminary designs work on the trail. Possible improvements could include resurfacing and widening the trail, adding lighting for evening riding, creating new pedestrian crossings to nearby parks and community institutions, and more.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual project meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM to discuss the status of the Metropolitan Branch Train Project (MBT). DDOT will present an overview of the project and discuss project features and milestones. This segment of the trail will connect with Takoma Park’s half-mile of the MBT, currently undergoing a redesign process of its own. (More information on the Takoma Park section is available on the city’s project page.)

Pastor Convicted of Raping Parishioner

By Patrick Herron

Published July 13, 2023 at 10:13AM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “After a bench trial in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith found defendant, Erick Odir Vidal-Fuentes, 39, of Hyattsville, guilty of Second-Degree Rape and Fourth-Degree Sex Offense. The trial concluded Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Vidal-Fuentes faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 4^th, 2023 at 9 a.m.

This stems from an incident on September 29^th, 2020, at the Iglesia Pentecostal El Fin Viene on the 7500 block of New Hampshire Ave. in Takoma Park, where Vidal-Fuentes was serving as pastor. The victim was a parishioner. Vidal-Fuentes currently has another case pending for assault on an additional parishioner who came forward and testified during this trial.

Arrest Made for Strong Arm Robbery, Assault That Occurred Monday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published July 12, 2023 at 1:46PM

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Emilio Lemus, 27, of no fixed address, for Strong Arm Robbery and Assault.

Per Takoma Park Police: On July 10 at approximately 5:11 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of University Blvd. (Walgreens) for a larceny in progress. Lemus entered the establishment and began stealing items. When approached by an employee, Lemus attempted to assault them. Lemus left the establishment with the stolen merchandise where he was met by police officers. After a brief struggle, Lemus was taken into custody. A search incident to arrest yielded items of evidentiary value, as well as possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Crack Cocaine.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 21-Year-Old Man

By MCS Staff

Published July 12, 2023 at 7:29AM

Samuel Amegniave (21 years old) has been missing since a July 6th, 2023, according to Takoma Park Police. He was last seen on the 8100 block of Lockney Avenue at approximately 3am. He was last seen wearing a black headband bandana, black hoodie, black pants, and black sneakers.

If you can help find this person, please contact Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100 or text tip411 and reference case # 230033045. Flyer below, courtesy of Takoma Park Police.

January 6th Participant Arrested Near Former President Obama’s Home Live-Streamed From Within Montgomery County School

By MCS Staff

Published July 6, 2023 at 6:24PM | Updated July 6, 2023 at 7:08PM

Per Takoma Park Police: As reported by the news media, Taylor Taranto was arrested on June 29, 2023, near former President Barack Obama’s home in Washington D.C. by federal authorities on numerous charges stemming from the January 6^th riot at the U. S. Capitol. Prosecutors are requesting that he be held without bail. The Washington Post reported that Taranto had live-streamed from within the Piney Branch Elementary School on June 18^th and the excerpt from the article is below:

Separately, prosecutors said that on June 18, Taranto live-streamed himself and several others entering a gymnasium and displaying a Jan. 6-related film at Piney Branch Elementary School in Takoma Park, just north of Washington. Prosecutors said Taranto said he chose the school because it was close to the home of Raskin, a four-term Democrat who has been a leading congressional critic of Donald Trump. – Washington Post Report by Emily Davies.

71-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Driver Early Monday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published July 5, 2023 at 3:09PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Monday, July 3, 2023, on New Hampshire Avenue. At approximately 12 a.m., Takoma Park officers and Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Glenside Drive for the report of a collision.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that a gray 2006 Nissan Pathfinder was traveling south on New Hampshire Avenue near Glenside Drive when for reasons still under investigation, the Nissan left the roadway and drove through a bus stop shelter before coming to rest in a wooded area. The driver of the Nissan remained on scene.

Takoma Park Sets Annual Rent Increase at 3.7%

By MCS Staff

Published July 5, 2023 at 8:53AM

Beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, the Rent Stabilization Allowance is 3.7%. Landlords are required to comply with Takoma Park’s Rent Stabilization law and cannot increase the rent on occupied units any higher than this allowance.

Multi-family rental units and rental condominium units are subject to Rent Stabilization. Rent increases are limited to the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index published by the Department of Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period of March 2022 through March 2023.

Takoma Park Police: Montgomery County Reconstruction Unit Investigates Fatal Crash That Occurred Early Monday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published July 3, 2023 at 8:14AM

The Montgomery County Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision that occurred at approximately midnight this morning on New Hampshire Avenue at Glenside Drive.

According to Takoma Park Police, “the investigation is active and fluid but it appears as though a vehicle was traveling south on New Hampshire Avenue at Glenside Drive when it left the roadway. The vehicle destroyed a Metrobus stop before coming to a rest in the brush. Responding officers discovered an injured woman on the roadside who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin has not yet been notified.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Driver Near Bus Stop Early Monday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published July 3, 2023 at 8:13AM | Updated July 3, 2023 at 8:37AM

Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred early this morning, Monday, July 3, 2023. According to MCPD, “At approximately 12 a.m., Takoma Park officers and Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Glenside Drive in Takoma Park for the report of a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that a Nissan was traveling south on New Hampshire Ave at Glenside Drive when, for reasons that are still under investigation, it left the roadway and collided with a bus stop before coming to rest in a wooded area.

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

By MCS Staff

Published July 1, 2023 at 10:33PM

Per the City of Takoma Park: 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.

Agreement Reached to Resolve Sexual Harassment Case at Montgomery College Involving Professor Requiring Female Students to Remove Shirts

By MCS Staff

Published June 29, 2023 at 4:40PM

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that Montgomery College, Takoma/Silver Spring Campus, has entered into a resolution agreement to resolve a sexual harassment complaint. OCR’s investigation established that a College professor, who was not named, engaged in sexual harassment of female students during a class he taught by requiring the students to remove their shirts and wear only their bras – and then commenting on their bodies – ostensibly to demonstrate a medical assessment despite the fact that the assessment did not require the clothing removal, or the bodily commentary.

Within approximately three months of the initial report of the professor’s harassment, the College’s investigation confirmed that the professor’s conduct created a hostile environment on the basis of sex. The College terminated the professor’s employment and the College provided written notice of the outcome of its investigation to the student in the class who initially reported experiencing sexual harassment, and also offered supportive services to affected students. However, the College did not notify all affected students regarding the conclusion of its investigation, raising a concern that the College may not have taken necessary steps to ensure that a hostile environment did not persist for affected students.