Actor Rich Rotella grew up in Germantown, MD. He graduated from Northwest High School in 2002 and has gone on to star in Lionsgate’s feature comedy, “The Newest Pledge (2010).” One of his favorite gigs has been a national commercial for “TIDE Laundry” opposite iconic Betty White. And recently, he wrote, directed, and starred in the original feature film, “Marlo Lasker (2020).” Rotella’s latest role is as the star of a documentary he is filming about cosmetic limb lengthening, where he is the patient.

Though Rotella has trained in improvisation at “The Groundlings” and studied under Lee Strasberg’s disciple Eric Morris (acting coach to Johnny Depp and Jack Nicholson), he says that at 5’5 casting directors have always told him he is too short to play the lead. So on On April 19, he underwent a painful cosmetic procedure in which both of his femurs were broken, the first step in a process that will make him 3.25 inches taller, according to PEOPLE magazine. He hopes to be 5’8″ by the end of July.


By Susan Soderberg of the Germantown Historical Society

It was just before the election in 1920 and several men were gathered informally at the Waters General Store in Germantown discussing the pros and cons of the various candidates. When it came up that a local citizen, John Bolton, was refusing to vote, one of the men, Guy Vernon Thompson, volunteered to try to persuade him to do his civic duty.


Pick Your Own Strawberries begin tomorrow (Tuesday, May 25th) at Butler’s Orchard in Germantown (22222 Davis Mill Rd).  Picking is by reservation, but tickets are sold at the gate as long as space is available (it’s recommended to make a reservation).

On Thursday, May 27th, at 5:00pm, online reservations will go live for the following Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Memorial Day). Please note the season is just beginning, check back soon for prime picking info and larger quantities.


Bain is approximately 5-feet, 6-inches tall and approximately 180 pounds. She has blond hair and blue eyes. Bain may be driving a white 2017 KIA Soul with MD tags 4DA0003. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Lisa Joyce Bain is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Montgomery County Police – 5th District Investigative Section at 240-773-6237. Callers may remain anonymous.


His route took him along Clopper Road in Germantown last week and he noticed the Lottery sign in the window of Cicilia Beer & Wine. “I bought a Mega Millions ticket and this free Pick 5 ticket came with it,” he told Lottery officials. “I wasn’t expecting that!” That surprise ticket is part of a Try Pick 5 promotion celebrating the Lottery’s newest draw game. Free quick-pick straight bet Pick 5 tickets accompany random Maryland Lottery draw game purchases through June 5.

“I had a handful of tickets to check, so I went to a store near home to scan them,” he said. The Germantown resident held nothing back when he saw what he’d won. “I let out a shout. The other customers came over, the store staff came over, we all celebrated together.” The lucky truck driver shared with us that a recent family funeral has left relatives in financial distress. He plans to use his winnings to ease their troubles.


A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Jai’Lyn Jones. On Monday, January 24, 2022, the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center received a call for a male body found in a wooded area. Officers from the 5th District responded and located 17-year-old Jailyn Jones in the 18900 block of Grotto Lane in Germantown. An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Jones’ death a homicide.

The Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide Unit has been actively investigating Jones’ death and during the course of the investigation, physical evidence was recovered connecting Ta’Quawn Deon Henderson of Germantown, to the homicide. Detectives also learned that Henderson and Jones were acquaintances. Both attended Northwest High School.


Additional information has been released and can be seen here.

A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Jai’lyn Jones, according to Montgomery County Police. MCPD Chief Marcus Jones and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy will hold a press conference today at 4pm where they will share information regarding the investigation and arrest.


At approximately 4:20 p.m., 5th District officers responded to Holy Cross Germantown Hospital in the 19800 block of Observation Drive for the report of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers located 16-year-old, Cesar Segovia of Gaithersburg, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  Segovia was pronounced dead at the hospital. At approximately 4:40 p.m., 5th District officers responded to the 19700 block of Crystal Rock Drive for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers located 21-year-old, Jeffrey Baffour Akowuah of Germantown, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts by fire rescue, Akowuah was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation has determined that Akowuah and Segovia met in the area of 19600 Crystal Rock Drive at approximately 4:10 p.m. For reasons unknown at this time, during the encounter, an altercation ensued and Akowuah and Segovia shot each other.


At approximately 4:20 p.m., 5th District officers responded to Holy Cross Germantown Hospital in the 19800 block of Observation Drive for the report of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers located 16-year-old, Cesar Segovia of Gaithersburg deceased, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

At approximately 4:40 p.m., 5th District officers responded to the 19700 block of Crystal Rock Drive for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers located 21-year-old, Jeffrey Baffour Akowuah of Germantown, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts by fire rescue, Akowuah was pronounced deceased at the scene.


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