Up County Archives - Page 99 of 206

Seneca Valley High School Sophomore, Sanaa Chege, Writes Children’s Book

Published November 9, 2023 at 11:47AM

Sanaa Chege, a sophomore at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, has written a children’s book about her experiences on the diving team at school. She began diving just last fall and now dives year-round. After seeing a lack of diversity on her team, she decided to write a book to share her journey to encourage and inspire others. Her children’s book, “A Diver Like Me” will be published in February 2024.

Additional information, per her website: “Sanaa B. Chege is not your typical high school student. Hailing from Maryland, Sanaa is a young trailblazer who has been making waves, both in and out of the pool. Her journey into the world of competitive diving began in the fall of 2022, and it’s been nothing short of extraordinary.

Approximately 50 Clarksburg High School Students Plan Walkout Thursday Morning in Support of Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

By MCS Staff

Published November 8, 2023 at 7:41PM | Updated November 8, 2023 at 9:04PM

Updated to include full community letter sent out by Clarksburg High School principal, Edward Owusu.

Over 50 students are expected to participate in a walkout at Clarksburg High School tomorrow in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, according to the President of the school’s Student Government Association (SGA), Sabrin Niamathullah. According to Niamathullah, the walkout is being hosted by her and the school’s Muslim Student Association and will occur during second period on Thursday, November 9th.

Nick News and Co-Host Khalil Greene (MoCo Native) Nominated For Children’s and Family Emmy Award

By MCS Staff

Published November 8, 2023 at 5:49PM

Nick News, with co-host/correspondent Kahlil Greene (a MoCo native known by many as the “Gen-Z Historian”), has been nominated for a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Best Non-Fiction Program. He has been with the revamped version of the show since February of this year.

Greene, a Germantown native, was born at Holy Cross Hospital, attended Daly Elementary School and Fox Chapel Elementary School before moving on to Neelsville Middle School (all in Germantown) and then Poolesville High School before attending Yale University and becoming the school’s first Black student body President.

Germantown Update: Openings, Closings, and Coming Soon

By Patrick Herron

Published November 8, 2023 at 4:13PM

Margarita Bar & Grill has taken 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.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxeVyKSu8GI/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=356d58f0-4306-40d8-9eb8-68b7a18f28e6

Germantown Man Sentenced to Five Years in Fentanyl Distribution Case

By MCS Staff

Published November 7, 2023 at 5:25PM

Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Eric Johnson sentenced defendant, Eon Brummell, 27, of Germantown, to 20 years in prison suspend all but 5 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.

On Oct. 30^th, 2023, Brummell pleaded guilty to a Distribution of Narcotics charge that was filed in May of 2023 stemming from an incident in May 2022. He also pleaded guilty to Possession of a Large Amount of Narcotics due to the fact that he had 634 pills containing fentanyl in his possession when he was arrested in June of 2023. Judge Johnson issued his sentence at the time of the plea hearing.

Man Found Guilty in 2021 Germantown Murder Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison; Instagram Plays Role in Investigation

By Patrick Herron

Published November 7, 2023 at 10:50AM

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney has sentenced defendant, Mario Samm, to 60 years in prison suspend all but 55 years to serve and five years of probation upon release. The sentencing hearing concluded yesterday evening. In April, a jury convicted Samm on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a crime of violence for the death of 25-year-old Jahandar Darvish.”

This stems from an incident inside Darvish’s apartment on the 19300 block of Circle Gate Drive in Germantown on December 23, 2021. During an altercation, Samm fired seven rounds from two firearms, striking the victim three times. One of the other bullets went through the floor into an apartment unit below. There were no additional injuries. During the investigation it was found that social media posts of the defendant in the weeks preceding the incident, showed him with one of the guns believed to be used in the fatal shooting. Additional information below from the charging documents:

MCFRS Respond to Cell Phone Fire Tuesday Morning in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published November 7, 2023 at 9:45AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 18800 block of Bent Willow Dr in Germantown on Tuesday, November 7, for the report of a cell phone on fire. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, “cell phone overheated and caught on fire in apt, resident moved phone out of apt into hallway, occupant got out, closed door and called 911. Arriving firefighters encountered ‘smoking device’ in hallway.”

The building was evacuated and one patient is being evacuated for minor burns. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

MoCo Native Jordan Hawkins Scores 31 Points on The Nuggets Monday Night

By MCS Staff

Published November 7, 2023 at 8:38AM

Montgomery County native and New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins, making a start in place of CJ McCollum, scored a career-high 31 points on Monday night in a 116-134 loss to the defending World Champion Denver Nuggets. Hawkins’ coach Willie Green referred to him as fearless, saying, “When he’s open he’s going to shoot it. He’s aggressive and the beauty of it is Brandon, Z, all of his teammates are looking for him.”

The young man from Gaithersburg was drafted 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2023 NBA Draft. He is averaging 12.6 and 4.7 rebounds per game coming off of the bench, but earning significant minutes, for the Pelicans this year. Including the seven he hit on Monday night, Hawkins has made 20 three pointers in seven games this season. He has made 11 in his last two, showing that he is the outside-shooter he was drafted to be in the NBA.

Renovations at Damascus High School Now Have a Recommended Completion Date of August 2027; Will Accommodate Students From Clarksburg High School

By MCS Staff

Published November 5, 2023 at 8:22PM

A Major Capital Project was approved to address various building systems and programmatic needs for 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 had an original completion date of August 2025, however 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 was approved for construction funds. As part of the recommended FY 2025–2030 CIP, the completion date for this project is delayed one-year again due to an extension of the construction timeline. The recommended completion date is now August 2027.

Once completed in 2027, school capacity is expected to increase from 1,543 (where it’s at currently) to 2,250. Community meetings have begun regarding future plans for the project, as the capital project for Damascus High School will include a major addition to accommodate students from Clarksburg High School. A boundary scope recommendation will be included in a future CIP. Information courtesy of the MCPS Capital Improvements Program/Master Plan.

Germantown Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Attempted Murder in Gaithersburg Shooting, Per State’s Attorney

By Patrick Herron

Published November 3, 2023 at 8:15PM | Updated November 4, 2023 at 10:50AM

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Christopher Fogleman has sentenced defendant, Marvin Frazier, 24, of Germantown to 40 years in prison suspend all but 25 to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. Frazier was convicted by a jury in April of 2023 on charges including attempted first-degree murder, two counts each of first-degree assault and use of a handgun in a crime of violence, and illegal possession of a handgun. The sentencing hearing took place on Thursday, November 2^nd, 2023.

This stems from an incident at a music studio along Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg on August 8^th, 2020. Frazier shot a 19-year-old male, causing him to become paralyzed from the waist down. He also pistol-whipped a 20-year-old male. The defendant and victims are associated with rival gangs. The defendant fled but was apprehended in 2022.

Introduction to Self-Defense Course Being Offered by Commission for Women

By Patrick Herron

Published November 2, 2023 at 12:14PM | Updated November 15, 2023 at 4:54PM

Per Montgomery County: “The Montgomery County Commission for Women will be presenting three classes on “Introduction to Self-Defense: The S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) Seminar.” Each class is a single two-hour sampler seminar for women of all ages and abilities taught by Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)-certified instructors. Classes are available on Thursday, Nov. 16, Tuesday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 3. Classes are $12 per person.

More information about the classes is available at Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense Fall 2023 Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite.