On Tuesday, we reported that this year’s Taste of Wheaton event scheduled for June 4 at Marian Fryer Plaza (2424 Reedie Plaza) in Downtown Wheaton had been cancelled. Taste of Wheaton is an annual event that takes place in early June that features food, music and dance, rides, and children’s activities.  According to the Sidney Cooper of the Wheaton Urban District, the event “encountered contracting hurdles we could not overcome in time for the event to be the success the community expects and deserves” and “we look forward to bringing it back bigger and better in 2024.”

When asked on Twitter if restaurant recruitment played a factor in the cancellation,  County Councilmember for District 6 Natali Fani-González replied, “The County Exec team notified me a couple of days ago about the unfortunate cancellation. Restaurant recruitment has to do with the decision. More will be discussed at the June WUDAC meeting.” Last year’s participating restaurants included Frank’s Burger Place, Green Plate Catering, Hollywood East Café, IHOP, Los Cobanos, Methi Indian Restaurant, Nando’s Peri Peri, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nut House Pizza and Terra Mare Restaurant.


Per MCPD: Gaithersburg teen has been arrested and charged with murder, in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old inside of the Wheaton Metro station on Thursday, May 18, 2023. 16-year-old Emmanuel Leonard Simmonds is accused of shooting and killing Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., of Greenbelt, on the Metro train platform following an altercation. Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes detectives learned that Simmonds and other juvenile males were on the escalator, along with Leslie, Jr., and a group of friends, when a physical altercation between the two groups occurred.

The altercation escalated and Simmonds allegedly shot Leslie, Jr. before boarding a train and leaving the scene. Detectives were able to identify Simmonds as the shooter, and a warrant for his arrest was requested. Simmonds is charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is also charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a loaded handgun. Simmonds has been charged as an adult in this murder.


The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and Town of Poolesville will also hold its annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks on Tuesday, July 4th. “Join our community in celebrating our national patriotism at the Soccer Fields off of Hughes Road! There will be music, food, fireworks and fun! Gates open at 5 pm.”

So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Kensington/Wheaton, and Rockville:


‘Germantown Glory’ will take place on Tuesday, July 4th. It will feature live music beginning at 7 pm and fireworks beginning at 9:15 pm. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Time is approximate and may change due to weather. Additional information will be available closer to the event date. This event will be held at South Germantown Recreational Park (18041 Central Park Circle Boyds, Maryland 20841).

So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Gaithersburg, Kensington/Wheaton, Poolesville, and Rockville:


Mid-County Sparkles, one of Montgomery County’s Independence Day celebrations, will take place on Saturday, July 1st. Live music begins at 6 pm and fireworks begin at 9:15 pm. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Time is approximate and may change due to weather and additional information will be available closer to the event date. This event will be held at Newport Mill Local Park (11201 Newport Mill Road Wheaton, MD 20895).

So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Poolesville, and Rockville:


After the unexpected passing of Wheaton High School LFI student Sarah Gilbert, the school wanted to honor her and her memory by having general ed students, SCB, and LFI students all working together for inclusion in their Unified Field Day event that will take place on Tuesday, May 23. Sarah is fondly remembered as always wanting to be included in every activity and every conversation.

In 2019, Wheaton High School staff wanted to have an event to showcase School Community Based (SBC) and Learning For Independence (LFI) students’ talents in a way that would bring the community together.  Planning took place, however the pandemic came and shut everything down. Now, a few years later, nearby schools Springbrook, Kennedy, and Einstein have enthusiastically accepted Wheaton’s invitation to join in the excitement! For the past 6 weeks, students from leadership classes have been working with and coaching students in the SCB and LFI programs with their events.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Sunday, May 21, 2023, on Veirs Mill Rd. At approximately 5:04 a.m., 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of Veirs Mill Rd. and Newport Mill Rd., for the report of a pedestrian struck.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that an adult male was struck by the driver of a dark blue 2007 Toyota Rav4, as it was traveling eastbound on Veirs Mill Rd. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The decedent has been identified as 46-year-old Hernan Zuasnabar Cunyas, of Silver Spring.


Montgomery County Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred this morning in Wheaton-Glenmont. According to MCPD, “At approximately 5:04 a.m., 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of Veirs Mill Rd. and Newport Mill Rd., for the report of a traffic collision involving a pedestrian.

For reasons still under investigation, an adult male victim was struck by blue Toyota RAV4, on Veirs Mill Rd.  The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.  The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene.


Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division is investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old inside of the Wheaton Metro station on Thursday, May 18, 2023. At approximately 5:53 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the Wheaton Metro Station on Georgia Ave., for a report of a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers located Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., of Greenbelt, suffering from a gunshot wound.Leslie, Jr. was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Leslie, Jr. was with a group of people inside of the Wheaton station. Leslie, Jr. and his associates got into an altercation with a group of other males on the escalator. The dispute between the two groups escalated and Leslie, Jr. was shot on the train platform. The suspects ran from the scene. Montgomery County and Metro Transit Police searched surrounding areas for the suspects, however no one is in custody at this time.


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