Update – R/O Kayson St, aviary shelter/coop, all animals (chickens/ducks) escaped unharmed, fire is extinguished (involved 2 sheds & coop), Damage ~$5K, a few chickens/roosters(?) & ducks will be displaced, cause of fire under investigation (likely electrical in nature) https://t.co/DUDxaeQDo8 pic.twitter.com/SldjM3KoWd
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 24, 2023
Montgomery County has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and AHC to build nearly 200 multi-family homes, located at Randolph Road and Bushey Drive, near Veirs Mill Road, in Silver Spring (Wheaton-Glenmont)– the project broke ground this week. According to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the county was able to leverage the land value, coupled with reduced property taxes, through the County’s PILOT program and a substantial loan from the County’s Housing Initiative Fund, which enabled this construction to move forward despite dramatic increases in both construction costs and interest rates.
“I am thrilled that this will include homeownership options for low-income residents. When we began discussing this project, I pushed for home ownership opportunities, and I am grateful to our partners for making sure that was included. It is an outstanding, innovative project. Because affordable housing is a priority, we must seek out partnerships and ideas like this to spark projects that deliver many deeply affordable units and benefit a broad range of wage earners.” said Elrich.
Montgomery County Police responded to an armed carjacking on Wednesday evening in Wheaton. According to MCPD, “At approximately 8 p.m., MCP officers responded to the area of Wheaton Plaza for the report of an armed carjacking that just occurred.
The male suspect, armed with a firearm, stole a vehicle from a victim. This is an active and ongoing investigation.” We will post an update when additional information becomes available.
Per the Wheaton Arts Parade: Thanks to a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council’s “Public Art Across Maryland” program, Wheaton Arts Parade (WAP) has started planning Wheaton’s next mural. The site for the mural is the west wall of Elbe’s Beer & Wine store on University Blvd near the intersection with Grandview Ave.
Elbe’s has been family owned since 1951 when it was established as a neighborhood grocery by Willie and Miriam Bobrow. The beer and wine store is now managed by their sons Andy and Jeff. WAP will convene a public meeting on Tuesday, January 17 at 4pm to present the project to the community and solicit ideas for possible themes for the mural.
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal at the White House on Friday for his role in protecting the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Officer Dunn, who lives in Wheaton, shared the following statement on social media:
“Thank you, Mr. President. It is the honor of a lifetime to receive this award from you. I accept it humbly, and with gratitude to you and the other distinguished guests who are present today. I would like to thank my parents, Harry and Joyce Dunn, my daughter, Daphne, my sisters Janice and Lisa as well as Crystal and Cristen who could not be here today and to my cousin, Jarryd, for being here. I firmly believe that a man is only as strong as the family and his support system who surrounds him. I have been blessed with two loving parents who taught me to protect the things that I love, whether they were my sisters growing up, members of Congress, or my daughter, Daphne. And for you Daphne, I stood my ground on January 6, 2021, and every day since so that you can grow up in a country worthy of the label “land of the free and home of the brave.” I would like to lastly but certainly not least, acknowledge the men and women of The US
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Cold Case Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 18-year-old from Wheaton. Luis Enrique Ortiz was last seen on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in the 12000 block of Berry St. Ortiz is approximately 6-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 220 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Luis Enrique Ortiz is asked to call the non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Major Crimes Division – Cold Case Unit at (240) 773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.
As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from April 2022: In March of 2021, it was reported that Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) planned to sell all of it’s US holdings in 2022. This would include Montgomery Mall and Wheaton Mall (Westfield Montgomery and Westfield Wheaton), both located in Montgomery County. Chief Executive Jean-Marie Tritant told investors last week that Unibail wants to shed most of its U.S. properties by the end of 2023, according to a Wall Street Journal report, which pushes things back about a year.
Shopping malls, which were already hurting due to the rise of online shopping, were hit especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Per the report, “Unibail’s exit from the U.S. after only four years shows that executives have concluded that even high-quality, marquee American malls aren’t worth holding on to as the Paris-based company works to slash its debt and to refocus on its flagship properties in Europe.” With White Flint gone and Lakeforest on its last legs, Montgomery, Wheaton and Ellsworth Place malls are the last three remaining in Montgomery County.
Per MCDOT: Starting Sunday, Jan. 9 and lasting approximately five weeks, WMATA will close five bus bays at the Wheaton Metro Station for Phase 3 of pavement rehabilitation. Bus Bays G, L, M, N, and P will be closed. Additionally, all buses will use the north exit. Temporary bus boarding locations can be found in the map below.
For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts at montgomerycountymd.gov/govdelivery, or texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.
The restaurant tells us, “There’s lots of misconception when it comes to “EggMania”. In American culture eggs based dishes are primarily used during breakfast whereas in popular Indian street food culture, eggs based dishes are made for entrees and served during lunch / dinner and full menu items, not just breakfast. EggMania is not breakfast place. Hope to serve the community and bring this delicious food options for our MoCo residents and surrounding very soon…!!”
Laperaux, the Journemanchef’s Bistro- Germantown
Malachi Morales was last seen on Monday, December 26, 2022, at approximately 3 p.m., in the 11500 block of Bucknell Dr. Morales is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Malachi Morales is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.
Ashley was last seen on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at approximately 6 p.m., in the 10600 block of Glenhaven Drive. Ashley is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 105 pounds. She has long black hair and brown eyes. Ashley was last seen wearing a black winter jacket, black sweater, gray pants and a green hat. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ashley Yaeni Lara Villanueva is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.