Beyond MoCo

20-person company founded in 1954, signs lease with St. John Properties, Inc. for 15,000 square feet of space at 4724 Arcadia Drive in Arcadia Business Park

Steel Products, Inc., a woman-owned specialty contracting firm founded in 1954, has signed a lease with St. John Properties, Inc. for 15,000 square feet of flex/R&D space at Arcadia Business Park. Earlier this year, the company relocated its corporate offices from Rockville to Frederick, Maryland. Approximately 20 employees moved to 4724 Arcadia Drive, a single-story building containing 48,120 square feet of flex/R&D space.


MoCo Government

Awards include for:

NACo is a nonprofit organization that provides services to the nation’s 3,069 counties and represents county governments across the United States. The NACo Achievement Awards recognize a county’s outstanding commitment to public service in various categories such as civic education and public information; community and economic development; children and youth; and arts and entertainment.


Crime

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable John Maloney, a jury convicted defendant, Kyle Noble, 30, of unknown address, on charges of second-degree murder and armed robbery for the death and robbery of 31-year-old Efrain Arias. Noble faces up to 60 years in prison and a 25-year mandatory minimum as this is his third conviction for a crime of violence in the state of Maryland. Noble committed this murder while on probation for a stabbing in Frederick County in April of 2017. He also pleaded guilty to robbery in Montgomery County in March of 2014. He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on July 17th 2023.

This stems from an incident on September 15th 2019, when the defendant, Noble, confronted Efrain Arias as Arias exited a vehicle in the parking lot of the Extended Stay America hotel on Milestone Center Drive in Germantown. Noble chased the victim down a hill into a field near the parking lot, fatally stabbed him, then came back and robbed the dying victim of personal property. As stated by the prosecutors in court, the attack was fueled by drug-seeking behavior and a jealous rage, as the victim was a friend of the defendant’s ex-girlfriend.


Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks partners with Wheaton Arts Parade to showcase unique pyramid sculptures at Brookside Gardens this summer.Visitors can enjoy a self-guided pyramid art walk or attend a special guided tour on August 12, 2023, from 9:00 –10:00 a.m.  

WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks is joining forces with the Wheaton Arts Parade to place eleven pyramid sculptures throughout Brookside Gardens. The pyramids are part of an art walk and will be on display through August 27, 2023.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich today announced the nomination of Jon Monger to lead the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Dr. James Bridgers to lead the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The County Council is scheduled to vote on both nominees on Tuesday, June 20.

County Executive Elrich’s nominee to head DEP, Jon Monger, currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where he oversees agency policy, management, and operational priorities. Mr. Monger has dedicated his career to addressing environmental issues, including serving as Counsel to a presidential commission formed to investigate the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, EPA’s White House Liaison under President Barack Obama, policy advisor in EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, and Oversight Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. Jon received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and graduated magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. During law school, he clerked for the U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Honorable James J. Brady of the Middle District of Louisiana.


Beyond MoCo

This is the final weekend for Big Bounce America, the largest touring inflatable event in the entire world, which has been at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington (Prince George’s County) since May 20th. “We’ve created an action-packed day out suitable for all ages and featuring some of the most unique and exciting custom-built inflatable attractions ever made.”

Per Big Bounce America: “Covering an area of just over 16,000 square foot and towering 32ft from the ground to the tip of our candy-colored turrets we’ve worked hard to ensure there is never a dull moment in this, the World’s Biggest Bounce House. We’ve created a crazy inflatable landscape filled with some of the most amazing, completely customized attractions you’ll have ever seen. Not only does our massive bouncer look spectacular, it really does have something for everyone within its four walls of fun.


MCPD

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ramiro Vladimir Palacios, a missing 13-year-old from Silver Spring.

Ramiro was last seen on Thursday, June 8, 2023, around 8 p.m., in the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane.  Ramiro is approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. Ramiro has black eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black athletic pants and black Nike sneakers. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.


WMATA

 

For the first time, Metro will begin offering reduced fares to assist low-income customers. The new income-qualified reduced fare program, ‘Metro Lift’ launches Tuesday, June 20. Customers in DC, Maryland and Virginia who qualify for the US Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) are eligible to enroll.


Crime

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed robbery of a Dollar City and More that occurred on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The initial investigation has revealed that at approximately 9:25 a.m., an unknown suspect entered the store in the 12300 block of Georgia Avenue and attempted to purchase several items with counterfeit money. When the employee told the suspect that she would not accept the counterfeit money, the suspect became angry and walked to the back of the store. The suspect then removed a package of steak knives from the shelf and returned to the front of the store. Pointing the knives at the employee, the suspect demanded money and the victim’s personal property. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash and property.


Crime

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Investigations Division are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the Motel 6 in the 400 block of Quince Orchard Rd. in Gaithersburg on Friday, May 26, 2023. Detectives have released photos of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 12 a.m., the suspect was seen entering the room that was occupied by two female victims and then exiting the room approximately 15 minutes later. Upon exiting the room, the suspect grabbed one of the victim’s pink purse, which contained U.S. currency and displayed a knife towards the victims.  Both victims attempted to stop the suspect and a struggle ensued, which continued outside the hotel room. The suspect was then able to make good on his escape.