Yesterday, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) filed a lawsuit against Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap Inc. contending that “excessive social media usage and addiction are exacerbating the mental health struggles of students. Students have faced a myriad of challenges, including heightened feelings of depression, anxiety, and body image issues, among others.” In June, Montgomery County announced it had joined over 500 school districts across the county in a lawsuit against social media companies.
Per FCPS (10.18.23): “As a result of this ongoing addiction crisis, FCPS is facing the challenge of providing adequate mental health resources and proactive social media education for their students. Through this lawsuit, FCPS aims to curtail the exploitation of young social media users and secure funds from those responsible to address the crisis.
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.
Per Montgomery County Police: “The following is a brief summary of events regarding a collision involving a Montgomery County Police Officer. At approximately 3:48 a.m., Montgomery County Police officers were attempting to stop the driver of a vehicle believed to be driving under the influence on I-270 NB near Watkins Mill.
A male officer exited his patrol car to deploy stop sticks, used to deflate tires of suspect vehicles on the roadway. As the officer was in the process of deploying the stop sticks, the driver of the suspect vehicle collided with the officer. The suspect vehicle continued northbound on I-270, where a second officer successfully deployed stop sticks, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop.
There is no better place to relax and unwind than the Lakehouse at Copper Canyon Grill in Gaithersburg.
Overlooking the water, the Lakehouse offers a refreshing outdoor dining experience perfect for lunch, dinner, or drinks with friends. Guests can enjoy chef-prepared favorites, handcrafted cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for gathering and conversation.
Whether you are planning a casual afternoon, a sunset dinner, or a weekend outing, the Lakehouse provides the ideal setting to take in the season.
Join us and experience outdoor dining by the water at Copper Canyon Grill Gaithersburg.
Update Per Montgomery County Police: “The following is a brief summary of events regarding a collision involving a Montgomery County Police Officer. At approximately 3:48 a.m., Montgomery County Police officers were attempting to stop the driver of a vehicle believed to be driving under the influence on I-270 NB near Watkins Mill.
A male officer exited his patrol car to deploy stop sticks, used to deflate tires of suspect vehicles on the roadway. As the officer was in the process of deploying the stop sticks, the driver of the suspect vehicle collided with the officer. The suspect vehicle continued northbound on I-270, where a second officer successfully deployed stop sticks, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop.
Join Us for StoryBox Comics Fair, a two-day festival celebrating local and independent comics authors!
Day 1 – Saturday, June 27th, 11-5pm @ DwightMess compound (805 Silver Spring Ave): Events are open to the public, admission is FREE. Featuring Special Guest Artists, gallery exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, a modeling session (suggested donation) and exhibitors, you can dig in to indie comics and also tour the compound, which features an extensive comics collection, a rare video collection, Risograph and screenprinting studios.
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.
The next City Election for three City Council Members will be Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Gaithersburg residents will cast their ballots for three City Council Members in the November 7, 2023 Election. The terms of office for Council Members Neil Harris, Ryan Spiegel, and Robert Wu expire in November. The Council Members elected in 2023 will serve a four-year term.
The City of Gaithersburg will use a hybrid process that allows for mail-in or in-person voting. On September 8, all registered voters began receiving an application in the mail inviting them to apply for a mail-in ballot. Registered voters can also request mail-in ballots online. Voters with approved applications will receive their mail-in ballot starting on October 6 and can return ballots by mail or place them in any of the seven secure ballot boxes that will be located throughout the City. Ballots must be postmarked or placed in the boxes by 8 p.m. on November 7.
Italian women’s clothing line Calzedonia is coming to the lower level of Montgomery Mall, across from the LEGO store. Calzedonia specializes in leggings and swimsuits. We will provide an update when an opening date is announced.
Click here to see a list of additional retailers that have recently opened or are coming soon to Montgomery Mall.
Montgomery Planning staff will present recommendations for the plan during an online meeting October 23 and an in-person meeting October 25
The Montgomery County Planning Department will host an online-only community meeting for the Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science on Monday, October 23 at 7 p.m. and an in-person community meeting on Wednesday, October 25 at 7 p.m. At both meetings, Montgomery Planning staff will provide an overview of the plan including its organization and preliminary recommendations for the built, social, natural, and economic environment, as well as recommendations for implementing the plan. The department’s plan team will also take in public feedback on the plan and its preliminary recommendations at the meetings.
Per Montgomery County: The ad-hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee will meet in a proposed closed session on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. to evaluate the role and responsibilities of the Council’s executive director position and make decisions about the recruitment process. The members of the ad-hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee include Council President Evan Glass, Chair Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Kate Stewart, Marilyn Balcombe and Kristin Mink.
The joint Public Safety (PS) and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee will meet at 2 p.m. to review a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to the FY24 Operating Budget for the Drone as First Responder Pilot Program within the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The members of the GO Committee include Chair Stewart, Council Vice President Friedson and Councilmember Sidney Katz. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Mink.
Votes are in! Winner of the Gene Lynch Urban Park art contest chosen! After a months-long selection process and a public vote, Montgomery Parks announced the winner in the Gene Lynch Urban Park art contest is “Synesthesia” by Baltimore artist Becky Borlan. The winning entry was selected among four finalists and will be permanently installed in Gene Lynch Urban Park in the summer of 2024.
“Synesthesia” features highly polished stainless-steel panels that will provide a mirrored surface to reflect the action happening in the park. It will be covered by a layer of laminated glass or acrylic containing graphic film that creates a kaleidoscope of colors. Colorful fins will project out of the main wall to give the piece dimension.
Detectives continue to investigate after a man was struck with a crossbow arrow in Bailey’s Crossroads, Fairfax County police stated in a press release.
According to police, “Around 12:05 a.m., on October 15, officers were called to the 3400 block of Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads for an adult man who was struck by an arrow. The man was walking on the sidewalk when his backpack was struck by the arrow which continued into his back. He was transported to the hospital due to injuries that were deemed non-life-threatening, and after receiving treatment, he was released.
