Up County Archives - Page 108 of 212

MCPS to Host Girls’ Summit Addressing Mental Health on Saturday, October 21

Published October 20, 2023 at 4:44PM

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will host a Girls’ Summit on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9am until 1pm at Clarksburg High School.” A CDC report released in February 2023 highlighted record high levels of sadness, suicide risk, and violence reported by teen girls. These concerning national trends are also seen in Montgomery County.” This event for students and their caregivers will offer education, resources and activities centered especially around young women’s health.

The Girls’ Summit will provide informative workshops geared towards middle and high school girls on a variety of current topics, a chance to network, participate in fun activities, learn valuable skills and enjoy a fashion show presented by White House Black Market celebrating diverse body types.

Neelsville MS Principal Barabara Escobar Named ‘Hispanic Educator of the Year’

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 4:03PM

Barbara Escobar, principal at Neelsville Middle School, received the Hispanic Educator of the Year award at the Hispanic Leadership Awards Gala. The award was presented by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County (HCCMC). Escobar was appointed as principal of Neelsville in June 2022.

Last month, during Hispanic Heritage Month, MCPS recognized Escobar with the following tweet, “Barbara Escobar is the Principal of Neelsville Middle School. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She believes education is important because it serves as the instrument that ignites curiosity, reinforces determination and unlocks limitless opportunities.” which shared the following quote from Escobar, “I take immense pride in my role of serving the wonderful Neelsville Middle School “comunidad” and setting an example of Latina leadership for my students“.

Update: Report of Germantown Kidnapping Determined to be Unfounded

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:29PM

Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigation Division has determined the report of a kidnapping involving a 13-year-old girl to be unfounded. On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the girl reported that she was kidnapped by two suspects, described as Hispanic and Black males, between 3 – 3:15 p.m. She alleged that the suspects approached her in a dark sedan in Germantown, and forced her into the car. The girl reported that at some point, she was able to get out of the vehicle, where she was located by a resident and transported to an area hospital by Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel for evaluation.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the report was unfounded and there is no threat to the community or to the safety of children.

Scenthound is Coming to Clarksburg Village Center

By MCS Staff

Published October 18, 2023 at 9:59AM

Scenthound has signed on to come to Clarksburg Village Center, taking the location next to Orangetheory. Scenthound is a national grooming salon with over 30 locations either open or coming soon across various states. Scenthound offers a basic hygiene package that includes a bath, ear cleaning, nail trimming and teeth brushing with add-on options that include a blow dry and brush out, or haircut for dogs with longer fur. An opening date is not available, but construction has either already started or is expected to start soon.

Last week we reported that The Clarks Lodge Bar & Grill is coming to 12011 Snowden Farm Pkwy, the former site of GrillMarx in the Clarksburg Village Center. The Clarks Lodge is owned by the same restaurant group behind The Creek Lodge, which opened at 5566 Norbeck Rd in October 2022, as well as Brews & Barrels in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands. The only space currently available in the shopping center is the 1,797SF location that was recently home to Wells Fargo.

Police Investigating Kidnapping Incident Involving 13-Year-Old Girl in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 1:58AM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 7:09AM

Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is actively investigating a reported kidnapping incident involving a 13-year-old girl.

Preliminarily, the girl reported that between 3 – 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, she was approached by two male suspects in a dark grey sedan near the intersection of Waring Station Road and Stoney Bottom Road in Germantown. The suspects allegedly got out of the vehicle and forced the girl into the car.

Ridge Road Closed Tuesday Afternoon After Vehicle Driven Into Utility Pole

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 3:10PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 27,100 block of Ridge Rd., between Woodfield Road & Gue Rd., in Damascus for the report of a collision involving a vehicle into a utility pole. Ridge Rd is currently closed at Woodfield Rd. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, “lanes are blocked by downed pole and wires, road will be closed to large vehicles, likely, i.e. School buses, delivery trucks, etc..”

Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Community Meeting For Upcoming Damascus High School Renovation Takes Place This Week

By MCS Staff

Published October 16, 2023 at 8:17PM

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is scheduled to begin the Schematic Design Phase for an approved capital project at Damascus High School. Prior to beginning the design process and community engagements, a kick-off meeting for community members and all stakeholders is scheduled on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 6:30 pm to share the project information. The in-person meeting will be held in the Cafeteria/All-Purpose room. Doors open at 6:00 pm, presentation begins at 6:30 pm. It is unclear if the meeting will discuss any boundary changes between Damascus and nearby schools like Clarksburg High School.

A major capital project was approved to address various building systems and programmatic needs for Damascus High School, located at 25921 Ridge Road. The Board of Education, in the requested FY 2021–2026 CIP, included expenditures in FY 2022 to continue the planning and design of this major capital project with a completion date of August 2025, but the County Council delayed the expenditures by one year. An FY 2023 appropriation was approved to begin the design of this Major Capital project. An FY 2024 appropriation is recommended for construction funds. This project is scheduled to be completed August 2026. Once completed in 2026, school capacity is expected to increase from 1,543 (where it’s at currently) to 2,250.

Police and Family Searching for Missing 15-Year-Old Possibly Driving a Silver 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander

By Patrick Herron

Published October 16, 2023 at 11:16AM | Updated October 16, 2023 at 11:34AM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ziaera Janae Russel, a missing 15-year-old from Germantown. Russell was last seen on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 20200 block of Shipley Terrace in Germantown. She is 5’4″, 205 lbs., with dyed reddish brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing black pants and a black zip-up hooded sweatshirt. Russell may be driving a silver 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander bearing VA registration TRY8582.

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

100+ Restaurants That Have Opened in Montgomery County in 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published October 15, 2023 at 11:55AM

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxyGQrCuaCK/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx4CS4gOZio/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0f71d286-286f-47f2-bd2a-02bb51f27c98

MCFRS Respond to Arcing Power Line in Germantown Early Sunday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published October 15, 2023 at 10:28AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire on the 10800 block of Brink Rd., near Leaman Ln. in Germantown at approximately 1:30am. Crews were dispatched for a house/vehicle fire, but instead encountered an arcing power line down with the fire not extending to the home.

We are told the power line went down after a vehicle was rear ended. That person alerted the homeowners and called 911. There were no injuries. The homeowner has provided us with the video below:

Holy Cross Health Receives Half Million Dollar Investment to Increase Equitable Access to Quality Prenatal/Perinatal

By MCS Staff

Published October 14, 2023 at 7:54PM

The Holy Cross Health Foundation was awarded $552,000 by the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation to help increase equitable access to quality prenatal and perinatal care. The investment will expand clinical services, ensuring a healthy start for all babies and families who receive care at Holy Cross Health every day. Holy Cross Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, people-centered health system that serves the two most populous counties in Maryland, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Holy Cross Hospital, in Silver Spring, is one of the largest hospitals in Maryland, and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is the first hospital in the nation on a community college campus, enhanced by an educational partnership. Full press release below:

Many of Holy Cross Health’s women and infant initiatives provide care for the underserved, uninsured, immigrant, and under-insured local families who otherwise would not have access to quality health care. The programs help to lessen the economic strain on families by offering a comprehensive approach to care. Families have access to specially trained staff, physicians, and team members focusing on critical care, so that when the unexpected happens, families know they are in the best place for care for their baby.