Maryland

On November 8, 2022, Maryland voted to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21+ beginning July 1, 2023. We recently spoke to Matt Jenner, Regional Marketing Manager at gLeaf (808 Hungerford Dr) in Rockville to help break down the new laws and to answer a few common questions we’ve been receiving:

While anyone over 21 may purchase and consume cannabis products in Maryland, interstate travel with cannabis will remain illegal. gLeaf accepts payment in cash or debit card only. Credit card transactions are generally not allowed in Maryland cannabis sales. Medical patients, veterans, and seniors will be eligible for daily discounts starting on 7/1. All medical patients and adult-use customers will be automatically entered into our awesome loyalty point program!


Crime

Per Takoma Park Police: On February 18, 2023 at approximately 3:22 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7400 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Quality Inn) for reports of an armed robbery and assault.  The two victims and three suspects were hanging out together when one of the three suspects pulled a handgun and robbed the victims of property.  All three suspects fled the area in an unknown direction.  Descriptions of the suspects were provided by the victims.

Wenceslas Palle Sende, 31, of New Carrollton, Maryland.  Sende is being held at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections on unrelated charges. Luis Ivan Marquez, 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland.  Marquez is being held at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections for a homicide.  An arrest warrant was submitted for Marquez for his role in the Takoma Park incident. Investigation is on-going.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will hold a community conversation on Wednesday, June 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Weller Road Elementary School and virtually on Zoom. Councilmembers have scheduled this community conversation to answer questions and listen to concerns from community members. Some of the topics for discussion will include pedestrian safety, housing and transportation, public safety and other issues of community concern. 

“Community conversations are an opportunity for residents to get to speak directly with council members and ask questions about the issues that are of concern to them,” said Council President Evan Glass. “This listening session in Mid-County will be an important dialogue about the future of the community and county.” 


MCPS

As we say goodbye to this school year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that we have accomplished, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our amazing school community. Here is my video message to the community on this, the last day of the 2022-2023 school year.


Crime

Per MCPD:  Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a burglary that occurred on Monday, June 5, 2023, in the 600 block of Saint Andrews Ln. in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance video of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 7:19 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier. The investigation by detectives revealed that while the adult male victim was in his backyard, an unknown male suspect entered the victim’s garage, stole property and left the scene.   Detectives reviewed residential surveillance video and obtained a description of the suspect.   The suspect is described as a Black male, with long locs, wearing a blue baseball cap, a light blue sweatshirt, dark blue jeans and white shoes.


Beyond MoCo

Per the State of Maryland (6.15.23): Flanked by local, state, federal and community leaders, Governor Wes Moore today announced the historic relaunch of Baltimore’s Red Line, a major investment in transit to significantly enhance east-west connectivity across the Baltimore region. Governor Moore made the announcement at the West Baltimore MARC Station joined by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller; Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and Maryland transportation officials; elected representatives from Maryland’s congressional delegation, the Maryland General Assembly, Baltimore City, Baltimore County; as well as agency partners, community advocates, and transit stakeholders representing a wide range of businesses and organizations.

 


Boyds

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 5th District Community Action Team have arrested 20-year-old, Elvis Gomez of Boyds, for possessing a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and a privately manufactured firearm (PMF).

At approximately 5:30 p.m., officers observed a blue 2016 Toyota Corolla commit a moving violation in the area of Wisteria Drive and Father Hurley Boulevard.  Officers initiated a traffic stop of the Toyota, which turned into a shopping center in the area. When the vehicle stopped the front and rear passengers jumped out of the car and ran away. Gomez, who was driving the Toyota, remained on scene. After talking with officers, Gomez took off on foot, running down Wisteria Drive. While running, officers observed Gomez throw the keys to his vehicle into a sewer drain. Gomez was quickly apprehended without incident.


Chevy Chase

Baltimore-Based ice cream shop The Charmery will open its newest location at 8551 Connecticut Ave, Suite 202, in Chevy Chase on Friday, June 23rd. As part of the grand opening the store will unveil a special flavor as an homage to F. Scott Fitzegerald, who lived in Baltimore, but is known to have spent time in Montgomery County and is buried at a Rockville cemetery.

According to a press release, “The Charmery’s first location opened in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood in 2013. Since then, husband and wife team David and Laura Alima, have opened three additional locations in Towson, Columbia, and The Union Collective. The Charmery has quickly become not only a Baltimore mainstay, but also an East Coast destination for super premium, highly original, and insanely delicious ice cream. Since opening, they have won numerous Best of Baltimore awards and recently Thrillest named them one of the 40 best ice cream shops in America. This will be their first location in the DC area with the aim to bring together the local and global communities to help every person achieve happiness through ice cream.


Crime

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed carjacking that occurred in the 5500 block of Executive Blvd. in North Bethesda on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance photos the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 5:05 p.m., 2nd District officers responded to the 11300 block of Woodglen Dr. for the report of an armed carjacking that just occurred. The investigation by detectives determined that an adult female victim was walking away from her 2015 navy blue BMW 535i, that was parked in the 5500 block of Executive Blvd., when the unknown suspect approached her, demanded her keys and displayed a dark colored handgun. The victim threw her keys at the suspect and ran toward Woodglen Dr., where she called the police. The suspect left the area in the BMW, traveling on Woodglen Dr. toward Nicholson Ln.


Bethesda

With the support of the Rock Creek Forest Elementary School administration, the parent community coordinators and pupil personnel workers in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School cluster held a community job and resource fair on June 3 to connect job seekers in the community with employment opportunities and other supports. Folks of all ages, including students, attended.

WorkSource Montgomery brought its Mobile Job Center, equipped with multiple computers and bilingual support specialists. MCPS and Montgomery County Recreation were actively recruiting workers, along with Montgomery College and the Maryland Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program, which were available for those looking to expand their skills. Interfaith Works, Manna Food Center, and the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center were offering support to families in need.