Health

Attorney General Brown Joins 19 States in Opposing Indiana Anti-Transgender Law

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office (9.27.23): Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a multistate coalition of 19 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief opposing a state law in Indiana that severely blocks the ability of transgender youth to access critical, lifesaving gender-affirming care. The plaintiffs in K.C. v. Indiana are suing to block Indiana’s Senate Enacted Act (S.E.A.) 480, which prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth.

“Access to evidence-based, gender-affirming healthcare is critical to the health and well-being of transgender people,” said Attorney General Brown. “Youth, in particular, have better health outcomes when providers can address and treat gender dysphoria early, without interference from unlawful state bans on these life-saving health care services.”

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Derwood

Outdoor Ed. Celebrates 60th Anniversary at Lathrop E. Smith Education Center

By MCS Staff

Staff, students, families and the community are welcome to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Outdoor Environmental Education Program from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center, 5110 Meadowside Lane in Rockville. The event will feature:

Vendors are expected to include: Montgomery Parks, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, the Izaak Walton League, Nature Forward, NASA, the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, the MCPS Division of Sustainability and Compliance, Conservation Nation, the Poolesville High School Global Ecology Program, One Montgomery Green, Meadowside Nature Center and the Montgomery County Forestry Board.

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Restaurants

Hundreds Brave the Rain to Celebrate Red Ribbon Bakeshop’s Grand Opening

By MCS Staff

Red Ribbon Bakeshop, a Filipino bakery chain, opened its new Wheaton location last Saturday, September 23 at 9am just as heavy rains moved through the area with Tropical Storm Ophelia. That didn’t  stop hundreds of customers from showing up to support the bakery’s first Maryland location– arriving as early 3:30am. One customer, Mr. Eugie Ariaga of Rockville, became Red Ribbon’s first-ever Maryland customer. He won “one year of sweetness”– a Mango Supreme Cake every month for a year.

The bakery is located at 2501 University Blvd W, right next to the Anchor Inn sign that still stands. Currently, Red Ribbon Bakeshop has over 200 locations across the Philippines and 39 in the United States. In 2005 it was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation, which opened its first D.C. area Jollibee location at Wheaton Mall in 2021.

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MoCo Government

‘Know the Signs’ Campaign is Theme of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC) is urging residents to “Know the Signs” of domestic violence. That is the theme as October will be recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Montgomery County Council will present a proclamation on Tuesday, Oct. 3, recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout October, visitors to the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza will notice a display of several dozen yard signs containing warning signs for those experiencing domestic violence and information about available resources.

People in need of assistance or having concerns for a friend or family member should call the Montgomery County Family Justice Center at 240-773-0444, the Montgomery County Crisis Center at 240-777-4000 or email [email protected].  More information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and how to know the signs of domestic violence is available at www.tinyurl.com/mocodvam.

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MoCo Government

Council Committees to Review Initial Report Findings for Investigations of Employee Misconduct in MCPS at Meeting on Thursday, September 28

By Patrick Herron

The Education and Culture (EC) Committee will meet on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m. to review initial report findings and processes for investigations of employee misconduct in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The members of the EC Committee include Chair Will Jawando and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Kristin Mink. The joint EC and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on school bus and traffic safety. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Mink.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

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MoCo Government

County Executive Marc Elrich Applauds County Council’s Approval of Phase Out of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is applauding the County Council’s passage of Bill 18-22, which will phase-out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. The Council voted10-1 to enact the bill, which is an amended version of the legislation County Executive Elrich sent to the Council last year. The bill will be signed into law by the County Executive and is the latest step in the County’s continued efforts to reduce noise pollution.

For more information on Bill 18-22, including the Sept. 26, 2023, County Council staff report, click here. The final approved version of the bill is not yet available online. It should be posted online later this week. To watch the Council session, click here.

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Aspen Hill

Police Looking for Suspect Who Used Pepper Spray on Boston Market Employee

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred at the Boston Market in the 3800 block of Aspen Hill Road in Silver Spring on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 8:16 p.m., the suspect entered the Boston Market, approached an employee at the counter and demanded money. When the employee failed to comply with the suspects demands, the suspect sprayed the employee in the face with pepper spray and then ran from the restaurant.  Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras and obtained a suspect description.  The suspect is described as an unknown race male, approximately 20-years-old and 5-feet, 10-inches tall. He was wearing black goggles, a black mask, grey hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and black and white Nike sneakers.

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Olney

First Look at Mackie’s Barbecue Co.; Now Open in Olney

By MCS Staff

Mackie’s Barbecue is now open at 5500 Olney Laytonsville Rd in Olney (most recently Umberto’s). The restaurant is in its soft opening phase with a limited menu for dine in, takeout, and delivery via DoorDash, Ubereats, and GrubHub. A preview and first look video is available below.

Per Mr. MoCo, “The restaurant features a beer cave, similar to the ones found at Shoppers grocery stores, and a wall of retail wine that features local vendors (a wide variety of beer and wine is coming soon, with some already there). The restaurant will also eventually have a full bar.

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Crime

Police Investigating Restaurant Burglary; Surveillance Video of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigations Division are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who committed a commercial burglary of a restaurant in Silver Spring.

On September 19, 2023, 3rd District officers responded to the Dragon City in the 800 block of Sligo Ave., for the report of a burglary.   The investigation by detectives determined that the suspect shattered the front of the business with a brick and stole property.

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MCPD

Concern for Missing 66-Year-Old Last Seen September 2

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jennifer Jaime Chepuras. Chepuras, 66, was last seen on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Westfield Wheaton Mall in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Rd. She is 5′ tall, 135 lbs., with red hair and  hazel eyes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jennifer Jaime Chepuras is asked to call the Wheaton Investigative Section (240) 773-5545.

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Arts

Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival on Sunday, Oct. 15

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, a showcase of creative marching art preceding a day of food, fun and entertainment, will return to Downtown Wheaton on Sunday, Oct. 15. The parade annually features exhibits that can be pushed, pulled, carried, worn or performed—but none that is powered by motors of any kind.

The parade, which starts at 10 a.m., traditionally has bands, dance groups, artists and large floats that march around the Wheaton Triangle Business District and finish at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton. Entries in the parade can be organized by groups of all kinds, and in some cases, by individuals.

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