MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force’s Muslim cohort will hold a virtual listening session on Monday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. The listening session is an opportunity for the public to engage with the Muslim cohort of the Anti-Hate Task Force and provide input that will guide the cohort’s recommendations to the Council. Each of the six cohorts is tasked with presenting policy recommendations that promote safety and combat hate in Montgomery County.   

The Anti-Hate Task Force was formally adopted through a resolution with unanimous support by the Council in June. The task force, made up of community and faith leaders, held their first meeting in July. 


MCPD

The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Elkin Herrera, a missing 14-year-old. Herrera was last seen on Wednesday August 30, 2023 at approximately 5:30 p.m., in the 600 block of Monroe St. in Rockville. He 5’7′ 120 Ibs, with black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing red t-shirt with the Nike logo, black sweatpants and grey sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Elkin Herrera is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Gaithersburg

The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Betsy Angelee Santiago Olan, a missing 16-year-old. Santiago Olan was last seen on Friday, September 1, 2023 at approximately 5 p.m., in the 400 block of Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg. She is 5-feet tall, 150 lbs., with black hair, green eyes, and a tattoo on her hand. She was last seen wearing all black clothing.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Betsy Angelee Santiago Olan is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


DMV

Chefs from Estuary, Money Muscle BBQ, dLeña, and 101 Hospitality Group Face Off During DC Central Kitchen’s Baddest Night of Doing Good at The Anthem

Capital Food Fight returns to The Anthem on Thursday, November 9th for the 19th installment of DC Central Kitchen’s raucous night of fighting hunger. The event will feature Montgomery County resident José Andres and Money Muscle BBQ/All Set/Fryer’s Roadside’s Ed Reavis. Tickets to this year’s event, presented by Instacart, go on sale Tuesday, September 5th at capitalfoodfight.org.


Beyond MoCo

PGPD Executive Command is aware of a video circulating on social media with one of our officers. As soon as we became aware earlier today, we opened an investigation to determine the circumstances. Additional information will be released once investigated and confirmed.

— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) September 5, 2023


Crime

Maryland State Police arrested a man Wednesday on charges he solicited sex from an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a child over a smartphone app in Anne Arundel County. Luis Esteban Borunda, 65, of Essex, Maryland, is charged with one count of sexual solicitation of a minor. He is being held without bond at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. Borunda served in Maryland’s State Department during the Hogan and Ehrlich administrations and was named the deputy Secretary of State in 2015.

According to a preliminary investigation, on August 22 Borunda engaged in an inappropriate text chat who he believed was an underage female. Borunda was actually chatting with a special agent with the Fort Meade Army Criminal Investigation Office posing as a 13-year-old female online.


MCPD

The Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing Silver Spring woman. Arminda Williams was last seen on Monday, September 4, 2023 at approximately 2 p.m., in the 11900 block of Bucknell Drive of Silver Spring. She is 5’3″ tall, 120 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a pink sweatshirt, black yoga pants, tennis shoes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Arminda Williams is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Bethesda

Our small team recently discussed a few upcoming events that some of our staff members/contributors/friends plan to attend in the coming weeks and while many were mentioned, we put together this list of the five events that came up the most:

GreekFest (9/8-9/10, Silver Spring): Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church will hold its annual Greek festival starting Friday, September 8th and running until Sunday, September 10th. The festival will take place over three days–  on the grounds of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 701 Norwood Road in Silver Spring: Friday, 9/8: 4pm-9pm, Saturday, 9/9: 11am-9pm. Sunday, 9/10: 11am-7pm. Read more about the event here.


MoCo Government

A full list of upcoming public hearings is available on the Council Calendar. Review the public hearing frequently asked questions for additional information.

To testify in-person or remotely during a live public hearing at the Council Office Building, residents need to preregister on the Council’s web page. Residents may also choose to provide pre-recorded testimony in written, audio or video formats or submit testimony by mail.


Entertainment

Rocktobierfest returns to Rockville Town Center on Saturday, Sept. 30 for a day of bands, beers and being together. The fifth edition of the free festival, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., will include two stages of live music, food, beer sales by local breweries, and an artisan shopping area.

Bavarian and rock musical acts will take the stage, including Mike Surratt and the Continentals, Under the Covers, Capital Effect, Chesapeake Sons, Alt Washingtonia and Rockville German Band. Featured beverage vendors will include 7 Locks Brewing, Crooked Crab Brewing Company, Dawson’s Market, Denizens Brewing Co., Landmade Brewing, Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co., Saints Row Brewing, Silver Branch Brewing Company, Twin Valley Distillers, Waredaca Brewing Company and World of Beer.