Downtown Silver Spring

Outback Steakhouse Moves Closer Toward Opening Newest MoCo Location

By MCS Staff
Image courtesy Outback Steakhouse

Back in March we let you know that Outback Steakhouse will be opening its third Montgomery County location. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will open in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s  at 8661 Colesville Rd at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. Construction is currently ongoing and the restaurant has its hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) for a New Class B, Beer, Wine & Liquor License, On-Sale Only, license at 11:30am on Thursday, August 3rd (reported first by Source of the Spring). An opening timeframe is not yet available, but it will be the chain’s third Montgomery County location, joining existing restaurants in Aspen Hill and Germantown.

While Outback Steakhouse is an international chain, one of the founders has strong local ties. Chris T. Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, is a Blair High School alumnus. Sullivan attended the school, and Takoma Park Middle School before that, in the 60s before heading to the University of Kentucky to study business and economics.

Go to Outback Steakhouse Moves Closer Toward Opening Newest MoCo Location Read more
Bethesda

Wagshal’s Market and BBQ at Bonfield’s is Now Open in Bethesda

By MCS Staff

Wagshal’s Market and BBQ at Bonfield’s is now open, offering quality produce, a meat and seafood market, and Pitmaster’s Back Alley BBQ at 6124 MacArthur Blvd. in Bethesda.

In operation for over 90 years, Wagshal’s has been one of Washington, DC’s premier delicatessen and gourmet market. “We take pride in purchasing the finest ingredients from LOCAL farmers, some of whom our relationships go back more than 25 years.” Wagshal’s Pitmaster’s Back Alley BBQ uses tried and true recipes from across the nation. Offering specialties from Ibérico de Bellota Costilla (Spanish pork ribs) to Pitmasters Chickpit Sandwich.

Go to Wagshal’s Market and BBQ at Bonfield’s is Now Open in Bethesda Read more
MoCo

Multiple Homes and Cars Damaged by Fallen Trees During Friday Evening Storm

By Patrick Herron

A severe thunderstorm that rolled into the area around 7pm on Friday, July 28 has caused damage in several parts of Montgomery County. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Pete Priniger, MCFRS Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is currently on ‘CONDITION RED’ due to heavy call volume. Reminder: Treat traffic lights without a signal as four-way stops.

Incidents reported include:

Go to Multiple Homes and Cars Damaged by Fallen Trees During Friday Evening Storm Read more
Uncategorized

Beyond MoCo: Maryland Physician Sentenced in Felony Medicaid Fraud Investigation

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: “Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the sentencing of Vitalis Ohakwe Ojiegbe, 68, of Bowie, Maryland, who pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid Fraud for writing prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances without a legitimate medical purpose in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County in June. The Honorable Judge Carol Coderre sentenced Ojiegbe to a five-year suspended sentence with three years’ supervised probation. Ojiegbe was ordered to pay $16,035.11 in restitution and is also to be excluded from participating in any federally funded healthcare program.

This case was prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General’s Office in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Attorney General Brown thanked Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Assistant Attorneys General Lisa Marts and Cathy Schuster Pascale, Fraud Analysist Todd Sheffer and Investigator Michael Glenn for their work on the case. Attorney General Brown also thanked Special Agent James Browning of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Go to Beyond MoCo: Maryland Physician Sentenced in Felony Medicaid Fraud Investigation Read more
Hillandale

$50,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at Local Beer & Wine Shop

By Patrick Herron

The player, who is a cartoon fan and chose to remain anonymous, picked the nickname “Elmer Fudd” to tell the story of his win. While running errands, the 73-year-old stopped at Hillandale Beer & Wine in Silver Spring to buy beer and noticed the Corvette Cash scratch-off. He couldn’t take his eyes off of the $5 game.

Having won second-chance prizes in Lottery promotions, “Elmer Fudd” knew the game had a second-chance promotion. He added the scratch-off to his cart, purchased his items and quickly headed home. Only hoping to win a prize equal to the money he spent, the Montgomery County man scratched off the instant ticked and quickly realized it was worth much more than $5. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said. “I was very surprised because I’ve never won that much money at once. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.”

Go to $50,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at Local Beer & Wine Shop Read more
Crime

Man Convicted of 2nd Degree Murder After Savage Stabbing in Rockville Sentenced to 28 Years

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Margaret Schweitzer sentenced defendant, Jaime Havier Lee, 43, of an unconfirmed address, to 40 years in prison suspend all but 28 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.

Go to Man Convicted of 2nd Degree Murder After Savage Stabbing in Rockville Sentenced to 28 Years Read more
MoCo Sports

Montgomery County Resident Brings Home Two Gold Medals at US National Karate Championships

By Patrick Herron

Fabianna Herrera, instructor/Sensei at Senshi Karate Do in Montgomery Village, won the National Gold Medal in two categories – Women’s 16-34 Kata and Style Specific, at this year’s USANKF Karate Championships, which was held July 13-16th in Richmond, VA. Seventeen of Fabiana’s students also competed in junior divisions, bringing home a Total of 22 Medals – 7 Gold, 8 Silver, and 7 Bronze. The USANKF Karate Championships saw competitors from across the United States, including several who have represented the country at the Olympic Games. It is considered the most significant event on the Olympic circuit for karate.

Fabianna is a 2020 graduate of Clarksburg High School and started her karate journey at the age of seven, when she began training with her parents, David Abraham and Karla Flores, owners of the Senshi Karate dojo.  Over the past decade she has participated in numerous competitions, including a Gold Medal win at last year’s US Open in Las Vegas. In 2019, Herrera earned a spot on Team USA’s roster.

Go to Montgomery County Resident Brings Home Two Gold Medals at US National Karate Championships Read more
Bethesda

Concern for Missing 74-Year-Old Man

By Patrick Herron

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Joseph Emmanuel Calliste, a missing 74-year-old. Calliste was last seen on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 4:05 p.m., in the 8600 block of Old Georgetown Road.  He is 5-feet, 6-inches tall, 160 Ibs.,  and has long sideburns and a mustache. Calliste was last seen wearing a black hat, black shirt, black cloth slippers and unknown pants.

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

Go to Concern for Missing 74-Year-Old Man Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council to Hold Public Hearings on Sept. 12; Deadline to Sign up to Speak is Sept. 11 at 2pm

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:

Residents have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville. Residents can register to speak in person or virtually at a public hearing, provide written testimony, prerecorded audio or video testimony using the online form at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html; or sent by mail to County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850; or residents may sign up to testify remotely by phone (call 240-777-7803 for information). To express an opinion call 240-777-7900.

Go to Montgomery County Council to Hold Public Hearings on Sept. 12; Deadline to Sign up to Speak is Sept. 11 at 2pm Read more
MoCo Government

Tonight’s “TGIF Free Friday Concert” Featuring The Nighthawks Has Been Postponed Due to Heat

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District, which has teamed up with the iconic Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center for this year’s TGIF Summer Concert Series in Downtown Wheaton, has postponed a concert scheduled for TONIGHT, Friday, July 28, due to the heat. The group that was going to headline tonight’s concert was The Nighthawks.

The concert was scheduled to be held outside at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station. The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District will try to reschedule The Nighthawks for a concert later this summer. For updated information on the concert series, go to https://www.wheatonmd.org/.

Go to Tonight’s “TGIF Free Friday Concert” Featuring The Nighthawks Has Been Postponed Due to Heat Read more
Crime

Defendant That Burglarized Homes While Victims Were Traveling Faces up to 75 Years in Prison

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, on Thursday, July 7, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Teresa Chernosky, a jury has found defendant, Jose Mazara, 27, of unknown address, guilty of three counts of First-Degree Burglary and one count of Felon in Possession of a Regulated Firearm, as well as conspiracy counts for each and some related charges.

The defendant burglarized three homes in the Takoma Park area in November 2022, stealing multiple items of jewelry and watches (estimated total value of $30,000) and a handgun with ammunition. The victims were away from their homes at the time of the break-ins. In one case, the family was traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Kroepsch is prosecuting this case and stated in court that Mazara targeted homes where newspapers and/or mail sat outside of the front door, indicating the likelihood that the occupants were not present. The defendant entered the homes through unlocked doors and windows, in one case, using a ladder from the yard to access a second story window. Mazara is facing up to 75 years in prison and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2023.”

Go to Defendant That Burglarized Homes While Victims Were Traveling Faces up to 75 Years in Prison Read more
View More Stories