Maryland

Memorial Day weekend marks a great time to enjoy Maryland blue crabs and crab meat. To guarantee you are purchasing fresh local crabs and crab meat, the Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages you to check the container’s label to confirm that crab meat being purchased was caught in Maryland. While dining out, ask the restaurant server if the crabs being served are from Maryland or look for the True Blue logo on the menu.

“Here in Maryland, our delicious Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are second to none,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “To support Maryland’s watermen, please check that the crabs and crab meat that you are purchasing are indeed Maryland crab. And remember to pair with more local produce like Maryland sweet corn, tomatoes, lettuce, and asparagus!”


Maryland

“Protecting the health and well-being of Marylanders and the environment in which we live and raise our families is one of my top priorities,” said Attorney General Brown. “Access to safe drinking water, a clean environment, and the precious natural resources of Maryland will not be jeopardized by those who put profits above public health and safety. These corporations must pay to clean up the damage and be held accountable for the harms they have caused.” Exposure to PFAS in humans and animals has been linked to several diseases, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and low birth weight, and may also impair the immune system, including the immune response to vaccines. PFAS pose a serious threat to human health, as they are not just present in drinking water, but can also be ingested, inhaled, and even absorbed through the skin. PFAS are estimated to be detectable in the blood stream of 99 percent of the U.S. population.


Rockville

Per The City of Rockville: Rockville is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Actions we take in our own backyards can have a significant impact on the health, habitat and wildlife of local waterways, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. Help Rockville celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, from Saturday, June 3-Sunday, June 11, by sharing, with friends and family, these actions to help protect local water resources, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay:

Reduce pesticide and fertilizer use. Or better yet, don’t fertilize at all if it isn’t necessary! Never fertilize or use pesticides if rain is forecast within 24 hours. Fertilizers and pesticides can end up in streams and harm aquatic life — and most synthetic pesticides are prohibited in Rockville. Learn more and find organic lawn care tips at www.rockvillemd.gov/pesticideban.


Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at 9900 Shelburne Terrace (Sawyer Flats apartment complex), off Rio Blvd in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, May 30 around 7:45pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located in the walls on the third and fourth floors of the 4-story building. The building was evacuated and there were no injuries reported.  We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO: “Update – Shelburne Terrace, Sawyer Flats, fire in the walls, building evacuated, checking for extension, fire, appears to be contained on third and fourth floor, no fire in the attic, no injury”


Takoma Park

Per Takoma Park Police: Private First Class Manny Gaitan was selected Officer of the Year 2021 and Private First Class Pandelis Hinaris was selected Officer of the Year 2022 because of their dedication to duty and significant accomplishments and contributions throughout those years.

Their work and actions contributed significantly to the department’s visions and goals through their extraordinary efforts in the accomplishment of extremely difficult police work requiring skills and intelligence.  They demonstrated outstanding performance by showing initiative, perseverance and dedication to duty in highly credible police work.


I-270

Per the Maryland Attorney General: The Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and involved officers in the fatal crash that occurred on May 20, 2023, in Montgomery County along I-270. The decedent has been identified as 37-year-old Lawrence White of Washington, D.C.

All the involved officers are with the Montgomery County Police Department. The officers are identified as Sergeant Brett Trahan, a 29-year veteran; Police Officer III Kyle Baxter, a 9-year veteran; Police Officer III Jonathan Johnson, a 5-year veteran; and Police Officer Quinton Bowles, who has approximately a year-and-a-half of law enforcement experience. All of the officers are assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau.


Restaurants

Flip’d by IHOP at 8537 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring will be closing on June 1.  The restaurant opened on September 20, 2022 in the space that was previously occupied by Asian Bistro Cafe, between Panera and Red Lobster. Flip’d is a quick-service version of IHOP that features some of the chain’s best selling items made to order for carryout and delivery. IHOP has full service locations in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Rockville, Wheaton, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park.

Items on the Flip’d by IHOP menu include:


Maryland

Per the State or Maryland: On this Memorial Day, the Moore-Miller administration honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Governor, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and First Lady Dawn Moore attended events across Maryland with veterans, Gold-Star and military families.

In the afternoon, the governor attended the Baltimore Orioles game with Maryland Gold Star families.


Takoma Park

Per Takoma Park Police: Residential parking permit renewal begins on Monday, June 5.  To determine whether you need to renew your permit, please check your vehicle’s windshield or back window for the small rectangular expiration sticker.  If you have a sticker with an expiration of June 2023 or older, you must renew your permit prior to June 30, 2023. To purchase a residential parking permit, you must be a City resident and live in a residential zone.  If you renew in person, in order to expedite the process, please be prepared to provide a copy of your current vehicle registration and license which shows your Takoma Park address.

You may also send in a renewal request by mail.  A decal and year sticker for each registered vehicle will be mailed back within three business days of receipt. Two visitor parking permits will be included for each address. Please add $1.00 for shipping and handling.  Permit applications can be found on the City’s website under services and then permits and licenses:  www.takomaparkmd.gov. If you have any questions, please contact parking enforcement at 301-891-7112.


Germantown

The Germantown Flea Market returns this Saturday, June 3, from 8am-1pm at the MARC rail commuter lot at the intersection of Germantown Rd. (Rt. 118) and Bowman Mill Drive. Additional details below courtesy of the Germantown Historical Society:

The Germantown Community Flea Market is the place to find bargains and treasures. There’s something for everyone – toys & games – fashions and footwear – antiques and collectibles, lawn mowers and bicycles. You can search for your favorite CDs or books, discover kitchen gadgets you never knew you needed, jewelry to go with your favorite outfit – all kinds of things that you just can’t live without — and all at bargain prices! And the first bargain you find is when you come in – there is no admission or parking fee.


Beyond MoCo

Per WMATA: Beginning Saturday, June 3, Metro will begin rail replacement work on the Orange Line in Virginia. During construction, which will be done in two phases to minimize station closures, Metro will replace the original 40-year-old steel rail between Ballston-MU and Vienna stations. Replacing the track in this section is a top priority to ensure safety and increase reliability. Crews will also install fiber-optic cables during this shutdown to modernize communications and allow for more efficient maintenance in the future.

Free shuttle bus service will be available for customers during all station closures. Customers are advised to plan extra time for their travel. Metro is boosting outreach to customers at the affected stations and will have prominent signage, announcements in stations and on trains, and teams of outreach personnel to assist customers with the temporary travel patterns during the construction. “Replacing some of the oldest tracks in our system is critical to safety and reliability, and crews will work 24/7 to complete this project as quickly as possible so we can get back to normal service,” said Metro Chief of Infrastructure Andy Off. “We make every effort to minimize impacts to our customers, and we thank them for their patience while we continue to build a safe and modern Metro to serve the entire region.”