Gaithersburg

MCFRS Respond to Fire in Gaithersburg; One Cat Successfully Resuscitated

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire on Prairie Rose Ln., off Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg on Monday afternoon. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated in the basement utility room of the three-story townhouse.  All human occupants made it out of the home safely and one family is likely to be displaced.  Firefighters located two cats, one of which was successfully resuscitated, and one that did not survive. Approximately 60 firefighters responded to the scene. We will post an update when additional information is available. 

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Prairie Rose La, fire in basement extinguished, both occupants got out & are OK, FFs located/rescued two (2)cats, 1 survived (1 did not), likely at least 1 family displaced, @mcfrs  FFs checking for extension, ~60 FFs on scene”

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Colesville

Identity of Victim Released as Police Continue to Investigate Fatal Collision on Norbeck Road

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Saturday, April 1, 2023 in Colesville. At approximately 7:36 p.m., a white 2012 Honda Pilot was traveling westbound on Norbeck Road, just before Norwood Road, when it hit the curb and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, colliding with a white 2019 Honda Pilot traveling eastbound on Norbeck Road.

The driver of the 2019 Honda was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the 2012 Honda, 66-year-old Altai Khaltar of Derwood, was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. A third vehicle, a 2019 Nissan Rogue, was behind the 2019 Honda and suffered minor damages from debris caused by the collision. The driver of the Nissan was not injured. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at 240-773-6620.

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MoCo

Giacomo’s Brick Oven Pizza to Cease Operations at the End of April

By MCS Staff

Giacomo’s, a Neapolitan-style mobile brick oven pizzeria that has operated in various places across MoCo, has announced that it will cease operations at the end of this month. The pizzeria was founded by Giacomo Sciuto, an MCPS history teacher and son of a Sicilian immigrant who came to the country in 1988. According to an announcement made via social media, Giacomo’s will continue with all of its April events and will post that schedule later this week. The full post can be seen below (featured photo courtesy of Giacomo’s Brick Oven Pizza Instagram):

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Gaithersburg

$50,000 Winning Powerball Ticket Sold at Gaithersburg 7-Eleven Remains Unclaimed

By Patrick Herron

A $50,000 winning Powerball ticket sold at 7-Eleven at 3 Professional Drive in Gaithersburg remains unclaimed as of April 3.  Winners have 182 days from the date of a drawing to claim their prizes with the lottery. Other recent winners of note include a $50,000 scratch-off sold at Sunoco in Glenmont and a $10,000 Keno ticket sold April 2 at La Mexicana on Shady Grove Road.  Additional information on winners across the state of Maryland below, courtesy of MD Lottery:

Three Maryland Lottery scratch-off players claimed $100,000 prizes last week on tickets purchased in Adelphi, Glen Burnie and Hurlock. Meanwhile, six Pick 5 tickets worth a total $300,000 were sold March 28 at a Dash-In store in Upper Marlboro. In all, the seven days ending April 2 produced 46 winning tickets worth $10,000 or more that were sold or redeemed across Maryland, and the Lottery paid more than $34.4 million in prizes during that span.

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Events

Montgomery Parks is hosting Earth Month events to help residents take action

By MCS Staff

Volunteers will put on their work gloves and help beautify parks. Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is organizing teams of volunteers to help with a variety of volunteer projects for Earth Month 2023. Projects range from trash collection and maintenance in parks to removing invasive non-native plants with the Weed Warriors program.  No experience is required, and all necessary tools and work gloves are provided. There are dozens of ways to help. Individual volunteers or groups can find an opportunity by visiting:

Most volunteer opportunities are approved for student service learning hours. Registration is required to participate in all clean-ups and workdays. New projects are regularly being added to the schedule. Volunteers are advised to check back often for the latest on where help is needed, and which programs are already at capacity.

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Bethesda

MCFRS Respond to Fire at Bethesda Apartment Complex; No Injuries Reported

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at The Flats apartment complex in the 8300 block of Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda on Monday morning around 9:30am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated on a kitchen stove on the 4th floor of the 12-story building. There was some extension to nearby cabinets before it was extinguished and no injuries have been reported. The building was partially evacuated due to smoke and damage is estimated to be ~$5K.  Piringer reports that the building’s sprinkler system was out of service.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – The Flats, Wisconsin Ave., 12-sty apt, 4th floor, kitchen, fire on stove top w/ some extension (cabinets), no injuries, NOTE: occupant closed door on way out (contained fire), some smoke, bldg partially evacuated, Damage ~$5K, sprinkler system OOS”

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Olney

The Pre-Civil War Oak Tree At Lone Oak Farm Brewery Has Fallen After Sustaining Damage From High Winds

By MCS Staff

The pre-Civil War “lone oak” white oak tree at Lone Oak Farm Brewery has fallen after sustaining damage from high winds the last two days. Lone Oak Brewery made the announcement on their social media this morning after losing their farm’s namesake. Below is the statement by Lone Oak (video tribute below that):

“Dear Friends and Supporters, It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the loss of the Lone Oak tree, the namesake of our farm. This tree, which has stood for generations as a symbol of strength, resilience, and beauty, fell last night after sustaining damage from heavy winds.

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Olney

Police on the Scene of Barricaded Person in Olney

By Patrick Herron

MCPD is on the scene of a barricaded person in the area of Shadow Ridge Ct in Olney. There is increased police presence, but the incident is contained to the one residence.
Please avoid the area as officers work towards a peaceful resolution. #MCPD #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/fl6llcCmt8

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) April 3, 2023

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Glenmont

$50,000 Winning Scratch-off Sold at MoCo Sunoco

By Patrick Herron

He is no stranger to winning a big Lottery prize, although it’s been a long time. He told Lottery officials that he played Powerball for the first time 30 years ago in Washington D.C. and won $100,000. His Montgomery County Lottery retailer is celebrating, too. The Glenmont Sunoco at 12321 Georgia Avenue will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery for its role in selling a $50,000-winning Pick 5 ticket.

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Education

Blake High School Community to Hold Meeting to Discuss Process on Search for New Principal

By MCS Staff

A message was sent to the Blake High School community, on behalf of Dr. Donna Redmond Jones, Director, School Support and Well-Being, inviting the community to a meeting to discuss the process of searching for a new principal. Full message can be seen below:

“As you know, Mr. Robert Sinclair, Jr. was appointed by the Montgomery County Board of Education to be a consulting principal, effective July 1, 2023.  My office will be conducting the search for the next principal, and community feedback is an important part of the process. Please join me via Zoom on Tuesday, April 11th at7:00 p.m. to discuss the principal search process, and for information about how you can give feedback about the desired characteristics of the next principal, as well as express interest to serve on the interview panel.  The Zoom information is as follows:

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