The Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jay Turner, a missing Damascus man. Turner was last seen on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at approximately 12:32 p.m., in the 24600 block of Showbarn Circle in Damascus. He is 5-feet, 6-inches tall, slim build, bald.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jay Turner is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Update: Margarita Bar & Grill is now open at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown and is offering 15% off for the entire week. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, pupusas, fajitas, steaks, salad, and seafood. Margarita options include Cadillac, Skinny, Flavored, Diablo, and Crazy (see margarita menu below). The restaurant is taking over the space that was previously occupied by the Fraternal Order of Eagle #3509 and Captain Mori’s Seafood House. Seafood in the Buff, a mobile steamed crab business, operates out of the parking lot next to this location in the summer months.

Margaritas joins Mi Rancho (19725 Germantown Rd), Señor Tequila’s (20021 Century Blvd), La Gula (21030 Frederick Rd), Abi Azteca (11514 Middlebrook Rd), La Mexicana (13016 Middlebrook Rd), and Rio Grande (13541 Clopper Rd) as places to grab a margarita in Germantown.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Major Crimes Division area investigating a commercial armed robbery that occurred on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at a 7-Eleven in the 12300 block of Middlebrook Road in Germantown.  At approximately 12:45 a.m., 5th District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial armed robbery.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that two suspects entered the 7-Eleven. One of the suspects displayed a black handgun, pointed it at an employee, forced the employee behind the cash register and demanded cash. The employee complied with the suspect’s initial demand. When the employee was unable to comply with the suspect’s demand to open the store safe, the suspect demanded personal property from the employee.


Update: Spirit Halloween locations in Germantown and Rockville have fallen through. Additional information available here.

According to EDENS, Spirit Halloween is coming to 12940 Middlebrook Rd. in the Germantown Commons shopping center. It will be located in the space that was previously home to Bed Bath & Beyond, next to the recently opened Gold’s Gym. The chain is also scheduled to open Montgomery County locations at 2210 Veirs Mill Rd. (former CVS location) in the Twinbrook Center in Rockville and at 30 Grand Corner Ave (former Pier 1 location) in Gaithersburg’s Rio. Last year, Spirit had an additional Montgomery County location in Burtonsville. While no opening dates have been provided, all three stores are expected to open this month.


Update: Margarita Bar & Grill is now open at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, pupusas, fajitas, steaks, salad, and seafood. Margarita options include Cadillac, Skinny, Flavored, Diablo, and Crazy (see margarita menu below). The restaurant is taking over the space that was previously occupied by the Fraternal Order of Eagle #3509 and Captain Mori’s Seafood House. Seafood in the Buff, a mobile steamed crab business, operates out of the parking lot next to this location in the summer months.

Margaritas joins Mi Rancho (19725 Germantown Rd), Señor Tequila’s (20021 Century Blvd), La Gula (21030 Frederick Rd), Abi Azteca (11514 Middlebrook Rd), La Mexicana (13016 Middlebrook Rd), and Rio Grande (13541 Clopper Rd) as places to grab a margarita in Germantown.


Seven Clarksburg High School students, along with their teacher, Shannon McKenzie, the MCPS 2023 Teacher of the Year, participated in the 2023 Educators Rising national conference in Orlando.

Educators Rising, a state and national student organization, prepares students who are interested in careers in education. The Clarksburg students joined more than 2,000 students and teachers from around the country to compete in events to showcase critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills.


There will be a car show fundraiser to support the Clarksburg High School Marching Band on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM  at Clarksburg High School at 22500 Wims Rd. Spectator admission is free and there is a $10 car admission donation. “Come out and join us for cars, games, silent auction and more! Show off your car for a small admission donation which will support the The Spirit of Clarksburg equipment and Travel Fund. Refreshments will also be available. An event for all ages—Spectators are FREE!”


The two teams regularly expect to contend for a state championship in their classifications and this year is no different, with Damascus looking to repeat after capturing a record-tying 12th state title last year. Northwest, though a few years removed from their last title game appearance, added some big-time championship experience to their coaching staff. Their head coach will be familiar to many Damascus fans, as Bucky Clipper was the Hornets’ defensive coordinator during their dynasty run from 2014-18, and in 2019 served as DC for Northwest who made the 4A final that year. Anyone who saw Damascus play during that glory period knows the Hornets defense was straight up nasty during that time, and Clipper will look to maintain that same identity as he guides Northwest as the top dog. He’s not the only championship coach they brought in either, as Justin Sickeri returns as OC of the Jaguars after head coaching stints at Poolesville and Seneca Valley. Sickeri was the mastermind behind the offensive unit that captured back-to-back titles in 2013 & 2014, and will look to field a just-as-great unit a decade later.

Both teams achieved big blowout victories to start the year. Northwest went to Montgomery Village and thumped Watkins Mill, 47-0, which they reached in just the first half of play. Damascus welcomed Einstein to the “Hornet’s Nest” and boatraced the Titans 44-12. Solid performances across the board for these teams, but Watkins Mill and Einstein will not come close to the challenge level that Northwest and Damascus will find in each other.


Per Montgomery County: The 77th Damascus Community Fair, which is a present-day reminder of what the northern Montgomery County community was like many years ago, will take place Friday-Sunday, Sept. 8-10, at the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department activity center. The free fair will feature displays of top agricultural crops as the growing season hits its prime, exhibitions of home-made products, live music, exhibitions, kids’ activities and livestock and cake auctions. New this year will be the touch-a truck opportunity to get close to vehicles of many types.

The Damascus Volunteer Fire Department activity center is located at 10211 Lewis Dr. in Damascus. The fair is open through 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. It is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, and from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10. The livestock and cake auction will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday.


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