Courtesy of Montgomery Planning: Montgomery County is home to a surprising number of rural areas. The forward-thinking 1964 General Plan focused growth in defined corridors emanating from the population centers in and around the Capital Beltway. Between those corridors, the General Plan called for wedges of low-density residential uses, open space and protected farmland. The rural areas encompass the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve along with the larger rural communities of Damascus and Poolesville; small crossroad communities such as Beallsville, Sunshine and Dickerson; and areas with mixed open land and housing. Aerial video available below:


“I was stunned, but I kept quiet,” the lucky winner said, recalling that she looked at the Racetrax monitor and back at her ticket in amazement. The Montgomery County resident plans to use her prize strictly to boost her savings account.

Her Lottery retailer shares in her good fortune. Germantown Liberty will receive a $625.76 bonus for its role in selling a winning Racetrax ticket worth $62,576. The bonus is equal to 1% of the prize.


Earlier that day, at approximately 3:15 p.m., a store employee was sitting outside the store when three teenagers approached the front of the store. The employee recognized the three teens and told all three they were too young to enter the store, and to leave. Words were exchanged between the teens and the employee, and the teens left.

A short time later, two of the juveniles retuned, with suspect number one wearing a black ski mask covering his face and head. He walked quickly to the front door and entered the store. As the employee stood up to stop him from going inside, suspect number two attempted to hit the victim.


There will be a food distribution event today, July 12, at Germantown Elementary School (19110 Liberty Mill Rd) from 2-3PM. Please remain in your vehicle while food is being delivered.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week. Learn more at blackrockcenter.org 


Jazmyne Nychole Mickens was last seen at approximately 6:20 p.m., on Thursday, July 7, 2022, leaving from the 12200 block of Elm Forest Court.

Mickens is 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown eyes, freckles and curly brown hair. She was last seen wearing a tie-dyed, blue t-shirt with “Boys in the Hood” written on it, black shorts and no shoes.


On July 4, 2022, at approximately 9:20 a.m., 5th District patrol officers responded to the 11300 block of Hawks Ridge Terrace in Germantown, for the report of a male shooting a rifle at people. The suspect, Frederick Njihia, shot multiple times at a WSSC worker, striking his vehicle several times, as well as a male standing next to his truck.

A description of Njihia’s vehicle, a blue Honda Civic, was provided to officers. A short time later, a Montgomery County Officer, along with a police officer candidate riding in the vehicle, were traveling on Germantown Rd. towards Frederick Rd., when they observed the suspect vehicle.


FOX5 reports that a suspect wanted in connection with a Germantown shooting fired shots at a Montgomery County Police officer this morning before initiating a pursuit that ended in Virginia after the suspect crashed their vehicle.

The following is a brief summary of events regarding the incident, courtesy of MCPD:


Joshua Andrew Thomas was last seen on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at approximately 3 p.m.

Thomas is 5-feet, 10-inches tall, 130 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket, black shirt, black pants and red and black sneakers. Thomas has a tattoo of a skull and cross on his right, inner forearm.


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