Berns is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair that is currently styled in box braids. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, multi-color yoga pants and black Nike tennis shoes. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: Defendant, Billy Phillips, sentenced today to life plus 65 years for the murder of his former boss, Geoffrey Biddle, inside Biddle’s Bethesda home.
For a period of time, Geoffrey Biddle had trusted the defendant to work for his company, and the defendant abused that trust by using what he learned during his employment to plan his vicious, premeditated attack. According to witnesses, Billy Phillips was fired from his job in April 2021 for fraud and was in financial despair. On June 23rd, 2021, the defendant terrorized Biddle inside Biddle’s own basement and ultimately shot him four times, the final shot being close range to the victim’s head. Phillips had disabled Biddle’s car to prevent him from trying to escape. He also impersonated Biddle via email to excuse Biddle’s absence from work. Hours after the murder, Phillips was cashing forged checks from the victim’s bank account. When he was arrested, the victim’s bank card and checkbook were in his car.
Last year we let you know that specialty furniture brand Lovesac was planning to open a new location in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown. The store opened at 111 Crown Park Ave STE C120 last month.
The company’s name comes from the brand’s original Durafoam-filled bean bags called Sacs. Stamford, Connecticut-based Lovesac was founded in 1998 and first came to the area when it opened its Montgomery mall location in 2017. The retailer specializes in a patented modular furniture system called “Sactionals.” Sactionals combine both multiple “seats” and “sides,” as well as custom-fit covers and accessories that allow patrons to configure different styles of seating. Sactionals can fit most spaces, no matter the size or layout, because patrons can add, subtract and arrange pieces in an infinite number of ways. There are more than 250 available fabric options and more than 150 available covers that are machine washable, according to the company’s website.
Summer fun starts at Good Counsel! Our Summer Camps are packed with exciting activities, sports, creativity, adventure, and unforgettable memories for campers of all ages. From the field to the classroom and everywhere in between, there’s something for everyone at Good Counsel’s Summer Camps!
Spend your summer learning, laughing, and making new friends with the Good Counsel community. Spots are filling fast so be sure to register today!
Register at: www.olgchs.org/camps
Montgomery County Police responded to the scene of a hit-and-run collision on Monday, May 1 in Bethesda. According to MCPD, “the call was received at approximately 3:35 p.m. 2nd District officers responded to the 7800 block of Wisconsin Ave., for the report of a hit-and-run collision, involving two vehicles. The driver of the striking vehicle got out and ran. Officers circulated the area and found the suspect nearby, where he was taken into custody.
There were no injuries were reported. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.
Join Kaiser Permanente for Healthy at the Harbor, a free community health and wellness event taking place Saturday, June 6, from 11 am to 4 pm at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Bring your family and friends for free full day of fun, fitness, and preventive care along the waterfront.
Throughout the day, Kaiser Permanente nurses and physicians will offer no-cost health screenings, alongside a health and wellness expo focused on preventive care education. A lively Kids’ Zone will keep children active and entertained with spin-art bikes, face painting, balloon art, games, and more.
Last summer we let you know that Colony Grill, a popular Connecticut Pizza restaurant offering “bar pies”, is expanding into Maryland with its upcoming location at Cabin John Village in Potomac. Over two years ago, the New England-style hot oil bar pizza spot opened a nearby location in Arlington (2800 Clarendon Blvd). The menu is simple- Drinks on one side and pizza/toppings on the other. Pizzas range from $10.50 to $13.50, according to the Arlington location’s menu. While an opening date has not yet been set, the restaurant could open by the end of spring. Progress photos below:
Bethesda-based clothing line Collars & Co. was featured on the November 11 episode of Shark Tank on ABC. Many may have seen the clothing company’s signature item, the “Dress Collar Polo”, a buttery soft polo with a standard English spread collar that is said to be more comfortable than a normal collared shirt. Collar & Co went on Shark Tank seeking $300K for 4% equity at a $7.5 Million valuation from the sharks and ended up striking a deal. The business will return on the May 5th edition of Shark Tank for a business update. More below on how their initial Shark Tank appearance went:
According to its website, Collars & Co.’s mission is to “provide men and women with extremely high quality clothing that not only looks great, but feels amazing as well.” The business sells shirts, sweaters, underwear, and accessories. Bethesda resident Justin Baer presented his product, asking for $300K for a 4% equity (valuation of $7.5M). The business launched in 2021 and went viral on TikTok, leading to 500 orders off the bat and $40K in revenue the first month after the video’s release.
Per the City of Rockville: The city’s Traffic and Transportation Division will hold two virtual meetings in May to discuss upcoming projects to improve mobility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as part of the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan. One project will take a Complete Streets approach on Fleet and Monroe streets, near Richard Montgomery High School, in Rockville Town Center. A meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4 will review alternatives and allow opportunity for public input. Alternatives being considered include a wide shared-use path next to sidewalk, or an on-street cycle track — sometimes called a protected bike lane — that uses a physical barrier to separate bike traffic from motorized traffic.
A year ago, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments awarded the city $60,000 for a Complete Streets feasibility study of its streets. The Complete Streets approach can reduce speeding vehicles and help move the city towards achieving the goals of Vision Zero, a plan adopted by the Mayor and Council to eliminate traffic- and pedestrian-related deaths and serious injuries. Learn more at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzero.
Governor Moore released the following statement regarding the retirement announcement of Senator Ben Cardin:
“Since 1967, my friend Ben has served Maryland with distinction—as a Delegate, Speaker of the House of Delegates, a Congressman, and a Senator. He is the epitome of what it means to be a public servant.
Senator Cardin played a pivotal role in passing landmark legislation to preserve clean air and America’s waterways, safeguard protections for patients in healthcare settings, and expand access to affordable, quality dental care for youth. As a third-generation Marylander, he has been a dedicated defender of Maryland’s treasured Chesapeake Bay. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he established programs to help small businesses in Maryland and nationwide mitigate the worst impacts of a crushing recession.
There are few people in Maryland, let alone the United States Senate, that have delivered more for working families than Senator Cardin. His tireless work has had a positive impact on our community and will be felt for generations of Marylanders for years to come. I thank him and his family for their selfless service on behalf of our state and nation.”
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Friday, April 28, 2023 on Wightman Road at Aspenwood Lane. At approximately 2 a.m., 6th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of two vehicle collision.
The investigation has revealed that a red 2017 Ford F-450 tow truck was traveling north on Wightman Road when it struck a silver 2021 Nissan Versa attempting to turn left from southbound Wightman Road onto eastbound Aspenwood Lane. The adult male driver of the Nissan Versa was pronounced dead at the scene. The decedent has been identified as 51-year-old, Juan Antonio Lamas Salcido, of Gaithersburg.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Elias Montiel-Ulloa, a missing 15-year-old from Aspen Hill. Elias was last seen on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., in the 3000 block of Hewitt Avenue. Elias is approximately 6-feet tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue pants, and green and white sneakers. He has his right ear pierced. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Elias Montiel-Ulloa is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.