Up County Archives - Page 123 of 212

$170,566 Winning Lottery Ticket Sold at MoCo Liberty

Published June 23, 2023 at 1:26PM

A $170,566 winning FAST PLAY lottery ticket was sold on June 22nd at the Liberty Gas Station (26241 Ridge Rd) in Damascus. Additional details below courtesy of MD Lottery: “A pair of FAST PLAY purchases turned June 22 into a memorable evening for lucky Lottery players in Riverdale Park and Damascus. Someone bought a $5 World Championship Poker ticket that won a progressive jackpot worth $107,801 at Kenilworth Liquors in Riverdale Park. Then Lottery luck struck again in the $10 Casino Royale Slots game, when a jackpot-winning ticket worth $170,566 was sold at Damascus Liberty in Damascus.

The two retailers share in the fun as well. For selling the tickets, Kenilworth Liquors, located at 5401 Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale Park, and Damascus Liberty, located at 26421 Ridge Road in Damascus, will each receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery. Lottery officials encourage the winners to sign the backs of the ticket immediately and put them in safe locations. Winners of FAST PLAY games have 182 days from the date of their purchase to claim their prizes.

MoCo Native Jordan Hawkins Drafted 14th Overall in the 2023 NBA Draft

By MCS Staff

Published June 23, 2023 at 10:55AM

Jordan Hawkins, who is coming off of leading the UConn Huskies to a National Championship, has reached another milestone. The young man from Gaithersburg was drafted 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2023 NBA Draft. Hawkins is a Montgomery County native who attended Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown and Gaithersburg High School for his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to DeMatha.

Hawkins was a top 50 recruit, who came to UConnfollowing two years at powerhouse program DeMathaCatholic (Hyattsville, Md.) under Coach Mike Jones. He played AAU for Team Durant under Coach Angel Hernandez, and as a senior at DeMatha, averaged 19.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.9 blocks, while shooting .636 overall and .464 from three-point range to lead DeMatha to an 11-0 record and was named 2020-21 Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year. Hawkins was a two-time Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention pick and averaged 20.2 points per game as a sophomore when he was at Gaithersburg High School (per UCONN).

CVS to Close One of its Germantown Locations in the Coming Months

By MCS Staff

Published June 23, 2023 at 9:45AM

A representative from CVS at 18080 Mateny Rd in the Cloppers Mill shopping center has confirmed that the store will be closing in the “coming months.” Signage indicating the store will be closing has not yet been posted, according to the representative. CVS also recently closed its locations at 9140 Rothbury Drive in the Goshen Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village and at 10113 New Hampshire Ave in the Hillandale Shopping Center. In 2021, CVS announced that it would be closing approximately 900 stores “over the next 3 years due to changes in population, consumer buying patterns, and future health needs.” CVS locations at Rockville Town Square (360 Hungerford Drive) and Twinbrook Center (2210 Veirs Mill Rd) both closed last year as well.

CVS has recently opened locations at 311 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg and at 22701 Gosnell Farm Dr in Clarksburg. CVS is also expected to open a location in the new Westside at Shady Grove Metro development, in the area across from the strip that contains Starbucks, Inspire Nails, Kids Ground, and more (Crabbs Branch Way and Gramercy Blvd). Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Germantown Serial Bank Robber Who Attempted to Disarm Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 32 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published June 22, 2023 at 3:14PM

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith has sentenced defendant, Steven Ray Beitzel Jr., 33, of Germantown to 85 years in prison suspend all but 32 years and five years of supervised probation upon release. The sentencing hearing was held yesterday, June 21^st, 2023.

On March 23^rd, 2023, after a two-day trial, a jury found Beitzel guilty of one count of Attempt to Disarm Law Enforcement and two counts of Second-Degree Assault. Following the conviction, the State and defendant entered into a plea agreement to resolve four remaining criminal cases involving charges including Motor Vehicle Theft, Assault, Armed Robbery, Robbery and Burglary. This stems from a string of incidents in 2021 and 2022.

MCFRS Respond to Fire in Trash Enclosure Early Thursday Morning in Germantown

By MCS Staff

Published June 22, 2023 at 9:52AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at the Farmingdale Condos on Chalet Dr, off of Great Seneca Highway, Farmingdale Condos, in Germantown […]

Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan to be Discussed by Montgomery Planning This Week

By MCS Staff

Published June 21, 2023 at 9:46AM

The Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan will be looked at this week by Montgomery Planning. It is an update to the 1994 Clarksburg Master Plan & Hyattstown Special Study Area, which was last revised with the 2014 10 Mile Creek Area Limited Amendment.

The Sector Plan focuses on the major employment area located in the Transit District Corridor as envisioned in the 1994 Plan. The Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan will evaluate the Plan area’s trends and conditions and develop strategies to align the vision, recommendations, and overall staging requirements for the plan area with the county’s adopted plans, policies, and priorities.

Ms. Ida Pearl, MoCo Born and Raised, Celebrated Her 105th Birthday

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 9:31PM

Ida Pearl (known to most as Pearl) was born and raised on Riffle Ford Road. She was born in 1918 and on Thursday, June 18, she celebrated her 105th birthday!

She has lived the last 70+ years on Quince Orchard Road, just couple miles away from her childhood home. She is a faithful and dedicated member of Fairhaven United Methodist Church and a loyal trustee of the Pleasant View Historical Association. Some know her as “The Avon Lady,” as she has been one for over 60 years.

Wells Fargo Announces Impending Closure of Clarksburg Village Location

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 6:28PM

Wells Fargo has announced it will be closing its Clarksburg Village Center location at 12101 Chestnut Branch Way Bldg B4). The bank emailed customers informing them of the closure, which will occur on September 20th later this year.

“Dear Customer,

Gas Leak Closes Roads in Germantown; Significant Delays Expected

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 5:59PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to contractors hitting a gas line at 19900 Century Blvd near Crystal Rock Dr. at TD Bank in Germantown at approximately 5:40pm on Tuesday evening. The bank building has been evacuated and the area is being secured as units await the arrival of Washington Gas. Century Blvd is currently closed at Crystal Rock Dr. due to the gas leak. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and significant delays are expected.

Per MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer: “19900 Century Blvd., near Crystal rock Dr.,, TD Bank, Germantown, contractors hit gas line, @mcfrs PE729, PE735, PE734, PE722, E753, T734, AT735, RS729, A722, A735, HM728, SU725, BC705, BC703, T725, EMS703, SA700 & others responding, Bank building being evacuated” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Where to Watch Fireworks in Montgomery County This July

By Patrick Herron

Published June 20, 2023 at 11:22AM

The City of Rockville will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm on Tuesday, July 4th from 7pm to 10pm. “This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display.”

Montgomery County Police Investigating Damascus Homicide; Identity of Victim Released

By Patrick Herron

Published June 19, 2023 at 7:37PM | Updated July 5, 2023 at 7:26AM

Per MCPD: A 32-year-old Damascus man was shot and killed on the evening of Sunday, June 18, 2023. At approximately 9:57 p.m., Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District officers were dispatched to the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Rd., for multiple calls for a shooting that just occurred.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim, James Joel Austin, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel, Austin was pronounced dead at the scene. There is no one in custody and no suspect information is available at this time. The victim has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.