MCPD

Police Respond to Stabbing at Silver Spring Metro Station Wednesday Evening; Victim Sustains Serious Injuries

By Patrick Herron

A Metro contractor was stabbed in front of the Silver Spring Metro Station on Wednesday, October 11, around 5:20pm.  Metro Transit Police reports that the victim was stabbed in the arm and sustained serious injuries.  According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, “Montgomery County 3rd District Officers radioed that the victim had experienced “significant” blood loss and the Officers were able to further control the bleeding when they applied one of their tourniquets.” A suspect is not in custody at this time.

We will provide an update when additional information becomes available.  Featured image courtesy of Google Maps. 

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Gaithersburg

Armed Carjacking Defendants Who Totaled Stolen Vehicle Sentenced Today in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith sentenced defendant, Zyier Brown, 19, of Washington D.C. to 30 years in prison suspend all but 13 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. On September 28th, 2023, Judge Smith sentenced a co-defendant, Victor Noel, 17, of Upper Marlboro to 30 years in prison suspend all but 11 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.

Each co-defendant pleaded guilty earlier this year to two armed carjackings and use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence. This stems from two incidents: the armed carjacking of an Uber driver along the 15000 block of Shady Grove Rd. in Rockville on October 25th, 2022, and the armed carjacking of a man driving a Toyota Corolla along the 7800 block of Guildberry Court in Gaithersburg on November 14th, 2022. Immediately after the November 14th carjacking, the defendants crashed the Corolla following a high-speed police pursuit on I-270.

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MoCo Government

$900,000 in Security Grants to be Awarded to County Nonprofit Organizations at High Risk of Experiencing Hate Crimes

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) announced this week that the County is making a $900,000 commitment to help protect nonprofit organizations that have experienced or are at high risk of experiencing hate crimes. OEMHS will administer the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Nonprofit Security Grant that organizations can use to help reduce security expenses.

Nonprofit organizations can request up to $20,000 per facility and funds must be expended over a 12-month period. Eligible organizations include nonprofit community service providers, houses of worship or other faith-based organizations with facilities located in the County.

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Gaithersburg

Suspect Arrested in Connection With Monday’s Shooting in Gaithersburg; Police Asking for Help Identifying Additional Suspects 

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Investigative Section have arrested 19-year-old Nicholas Zavala-Aguilar of Germantown and charged him with the residential shooting that occurred on Monday, October 9, 2023, in the 7900 block of Spiceberry Circle in Gaithersburg. Detectives have released surveillance video of the shooting and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying additional suspects.

At approximately 9:55 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the location for the report of shots fired. The investigation has revealed that the suspects arrived at the location in an unknown model white SUV. While the vehicle was traveling in the parking lot, the front passenger fired multiple rounds from the vehicle. The suspects then drove away and left the scene.  No injuries were reported. The gunfire struck one apartment and three vehicles in the parking lot. Shell casings were recovered from the scene.

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Gaithersburg

Police Discover Dead Body After Responding to Vehicle Fire in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police is conducting a death investigation after an incident that occurred Wednesday morning in Gaithersburg. According to police, “On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at approximately 9:36 a.m., MCPD and Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 17100 block of Downing Street for a vehicle on fire. The initial investigation has determined that an adult male was located deceased inside the vehicle.

The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, where an autopsy will be conducted to officially determine the cause and manner of death.  Preliminarily, no foul play is suspected, and there is no known threat to the public.   This is an active and ongoing investigation.   More information will be released as it becomes available.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Cordell Pugh (@CordellTraffic).

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Restaurants

Pines of Rome Express Expected to Open By The End of the Month

By MCS Staff

Last year, we let you know that Pines of Rome, a Bethesda staple for over 50 years, tabbed WashUrban to spearhead their first ever search for a second location. In June, we reported that Pines of Rome has found a home for its newest venture, Pines of Rome Express. It will be located at 121B Congressional Lane– the former home of Congressional Deli, a representative from the restaurant confirmed. The new restaurant is located beside/behind Mykonos Grill and near Bed Bath& Beyond. A representative from Pines of Rome in Bethesda let us know today that the restaurant will open in “maybe 10 days.”

The original restaurant, which will remain open, is located at 4918 Cordell Ave. in Bethesda. Pines of Rome moved to the location in 2017 and was previously located at 4709 Hampden Lane, opening in 1972.  The restaurant is known for its extremely popular white pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, and other traditional Italian dishes. The express version will focus on carry-out and delivery.

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Arts

2023/2024 Fall Theater Productions in MCPS Schools

By MCS Staff

The curtain is rising on fall theater productions throughout the school system, at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run into early 2023. From “Shrek” and “Mamma Mia” to “Radium Girls” and “Lavender,” an original work by a 2023 Albert Einstein High School graduate, there’s something for everyone. Full list below, courtesy of MCPS:

Middle Schools

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Maryland

Governor Wes Moore Spotlights Biotechnology and Economic Development During Visit to University of Maryland BioPark

By Patrick Herron
Visit to University of Maryland BioPark

Governor Wes Moore today visited the University of Maryland BioPark for a discussion and tour focused on biotechnology, innovation and economic development. Governor Moore was joined by University of Maryland Baltimore President Bruce E. Jarrell, M.D., F.A.C.S.; Biotechnology Innovation Organization Chief Executive Officer Rachel King; and numerous biotech and life sciences industry leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration and promoting the innovation economy in Maryland.

“BioPark isn’t just a hub for discovering new, breakthrough treatments and cures–it’s also a key piece of our state’s economic engine,” said Gov. Moore. “The biotech industry contributes $20 billion to our state’s economy each year, and average annual life sciences incomes are significantly higher than other industries in Maryland. The biotech sector is going to create jobs, drive growth, and build an economy fit for the 21st century.”

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Education

Applications for Montgomery Virtual Academy For Next School Year Due November 3

By MCS Staff

Applications for the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) for the 2024-2025 school are now open and due Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Applications for the waitlist for Semester 2 of the Virtual Academy’s 2023-2024 year are also due on Nov. 3. Applications submitted after Nov. 3, 2023, but by Feb. 9, 2024, will be added to the 2024-2025 waitlist. Rising Grades 2-12 students can apply in ParentVUE. Current MVA families MUST also reapply in ParentVUE.

The MVA is a comprehensive online instructional program. Students will engage virtually and synchronously five days a week during the traditional school day. The MVA provides a high quality engaging and innovative instructional program for students who thrive in virtual learning. The primary focus of the MVA is to foster a safe, inclusive online learning environment that meets the individual needs of all students. For questions about the MVA admission process, contact Cassandra Heifetz, dean of the lower school, or Jackie DeLucia, dean of the upper school.

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