Gaithersburg

In April we let you know that Copper Canyon Grill is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located in the RIO Lake. At its regular meeting on June 7, 2023, the Planning Commission made the recommendation to the Mayor and City Council for approval (5-0 vote) of Schematic Development Plan SDP-9003-2021, based on the evidence and testimony submitted to the record and the findings in the Final Staff Analysis, to the Mayor and City Council.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Schematic Development Plan would add commercial as an allowed use on the RIO lake parcel. The Planning Commission was supportive and complimentary of the project, noting that this is an exciting new way to enjoy the existing lake. The Mayor & City Council Record was closed at 5 pm on June 14, 2023 with the anticipated Mayor & City Council Final Action to be presented on July 3, 2023 during the Mayor & City Council Meeting. Below are renderings of the proposed piers:


Crime

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Merhender Birmingham, 47, of no fixed address, for an open warrant for 1st Degree Assault and possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Crack Cocaine on Monday morning.

Per Takoma Park Police: On Monday, June 19, at approximately 11:51 am, Takoma Park Police initiated a traffic stop in the 7400 block of New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland.  Investigation revealed that the vehicle was unregistered, uninsured and the vehicle driver was unlicensed.  Birmingham, who was an occupant in the vehicle, was known to police to have an outstanding warrant for 1st Degree Assault in Takoma Park.  Birmingham was placed under arrest.  A search incident to arrest yielded he was in possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Crack Cocaine.  Other items of evidentiary value were recovered.  The vehicle was towed pending a search warrant.


Aspen Hill

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision with entrapment on Tuesday, June 20, around 4pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred near the intersection of Bonifant Road and Layhill Road in Layhill/Aspen Hill (Silver Spring). One patient has been extricated and EMS is transporting one adult with Priority2  trauma.

 


Sponsored

It’s Asian American Pacific Islander Month, and what better way to celebrate the culture than to immerse oneself at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival outside of Annapolis on May 31st?

Or didn’t get enough Irish last month? Two of the biggest Irish acts returns to the stage with Gaelic Storm and Carbon Leaf. See below for more details and information!

All events are family-friendly, packed with food, live music, interactive experiences, and now even more ways to get active.

To kick things off, you can save 20% on tickets with code MOCOSHOW (valid through May 31 for general admission tickets).

2026 Festival Lineup

Annapolis Irish Festival

May 29 & 30

Experience the spirit of Ireland right here in Annapolis with two days of live music, great food, and high-energy performances. Headlined by internationally recognized acts like Scythian, Gaelic Storm, and Carbon Leaf, the Annapolis Irish Festival blends traditional Irish culture with modern rock festival vibes.

Haven’t heard of Gaelic Storm? Are you sure? They were the band in James Cameron’s Titanic and went from local stars to national powerhouses. We are lucky to have them right here in Maryland so don’t miss out!

Enjoy Guinness, Irish whiskey tastings, craft beverages, local vendors, and nonstop entertainment in a setting that brings thousands together to celebrate Irish heritage.

Anne Arundel Asian American Festival

May 31

Celebrate culture, community, and cuisine at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival, a vibrant showcase of food, performances, and traditions from across Asia!

Come hungry and enjoy authentic dishes from a wide range of vendors, cultural performances throughout the day, and interactive experiences for all ages. This family-friendly event highlights the diversity and energy of the Asian American community during AAPI Heritage Month.

Food vendors include:

Namit Filipino, Ekiben, Bun’d Up, E-San Thai, MD Brad Butcher and Central Asian dishes, Thai Pinto, Pho Wheels, and The Sister House! (more…)


Montgomery Planning

Public invited to give feedback at a series of public meetings hosted by State Delegate Lesley Lopez, in coordination with the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery County Executive’s Office

The public is invited to three public listening sessions on June 22, July 18, and August 2 to provide input on Montgomery County’s development review process. These public sessions are part of the newly formed Development Review Process Workgroup, which was created by the Montgomery County state delegation and chaired by Maryland State Delegate Lesley Lopez (D-District 39).


Fairland

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jada Robinson, a missing 15-year-old from Fairland.

Robinson was last seen on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m. on Harlequin Ter.  Robinson is approximately 5-feet, 5-inches tall. She has hair that is dyed reddish-pink and brown eyes. Robinson has a tattoo on her left inner arm. She was last seen wearing a red hoodie, black sweatpants and blue Crocs. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.


Downtown Silver Spring

The restaurant posted the following message Tuesday afternoon on social media:

It is with a heavy heart that we share some difficult news. After facing unprecedented challenges since opening just two weeks before the pandemic shutdown, we have decided to close our Silver Spring location.


Maryland

A $1.1 million winning Multi-Match lottery ticket sold recently at a Bel Air, MD Wawa remains unclaimed as of June 20. Full story below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery: “The Maryland Lottery is looking for a new millionaire after a jackpot-winning Multi-Match ticket was sold in Harford County. The estimated annuity value of the jackpot for the Thursday, June 15 drawing was $1.1 million. The winner can choose between the annuity, paid in 25 equal installments, or an estimated $710,000 cash option (before taxes). The winning ticket with the numbers 1, 8, 10, 24, 36 and 37 was sold at Wawa #557 located at 1515 East Churchville Road in Bel Air. The store will receive an $1,100 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Lottery officials encourage the winner to sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a safe location. The player has 182 days after the date of the drawing to claim the prize. This is the fourth Multi-Matchjackpot win of 2023 and the largest so far this year, surpassing a $750,000 jackpot that was hit in the Feb. 6 drawing. The game’s jackpot was hit six times in 2022 and five times in 2021. The Multi-Match jackpot was last hit for $570,000 on April 13. The top four Multi-Match jackpot wins to date were $4.8 million on Sept. 19, 2009; $4.45 million on March 18, 2010; $3.8 million on Dec. 16, 2010 and $3.6 million on June 8, 2015.


Gaithersburg

The City of Rockville will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm on Tuesday, July 4th from 7pm to 10pm. “This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display.”

 


DC Sports

Future Washington Commanders owner and MoCo native Josh Harris and his sports and property management company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment LLC (HBSE) has bought a minority equity stake in Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by  heralded former Washington head coach Joe Gibbs, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal.

According to the report, Gibbs has told people close to him that he intends to keep the team in the family and would only sell a minority stake. Gibbs will continue running Joe Gibbs Racing while receiving help from HBSE in areas like marketing and sales, plus fundinG. The racing team name will not change and Gibbs will become part owner of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA New Jersey Devils of the NHL, pending approval by both leagues. As a part of HBSE, Gibbs would also have a minority ownership stake in the Washington Commanders once the sale is finalized.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland (6.19.23): Governor Wes Moore today proclaimed and celebrated June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Maryland. Juneteenth is a celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Though the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect at the beginning of 1863, many enslaved people did not gain freedom until much later. On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas, to liberate those who were still enslaved. Newly freed African Americans rejoiced and their celebrations started the tradition that is now known as Juneteenth. In 2021, Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day.


MCPD

Hassen was last seen on Monday, June 19, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., in the 1000 block of Willowleaf Way. Hassen is approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Hassen was last seen wearing a gray sweater and black pants. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Maryam Hassen is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.