Education

James Allrich, principal at Argyle Middle School, is the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Principal of the Year. Additional information on Allrich below, per MCPS:

In the six years James Allrich has been principal at Argyle Middle School, he has been recognized as a student-centered leader, a fierce social-emotional advocate, a visionary on equitable and anti-racist practices and a community builder. Students are always at the forefront of his decision-making. He often reminds them: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”


Arts

The Gaithersburg Parks, Arts & Recreation Corporation (G-PARC) Arts & Culture Alliance, in conjunction with the City Stormwater Management and Cultural Events & Services Divisions, is pleased to announce the winners & honorable mentions of our Storm Drain Art Contest 2023. The judges selected their artwork out of a total of 46 entries for its great interpretation of the contest theme, which was to bring attention to the importance of protecting our Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Per G-PARC: The eleven winners’ artwork will be painted on the storm drain covers at two locations in two phases. Phase 1 will paint on Saturday, June 3 (rain date June 4) in Diamond Farm Park. The second phase will paint in Walder Park in the Fall. The winning designs & honorable mentions may also be used in banners, posters, coloring books, other educational materials, and on social media. Congratulations to our winners & honorable mentions:


Clarksburg

Charles Orifici, instrumental music teacher at Clarksburg High School, is the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Teacher of the Year. More on Charles Orifici below, per MCPS:

For 25 years, Charles Orifici has been teaching instrumental music, 24 of them in MCPS. Since opening Clarksburg High School in 2006, he built the instrumental music program into one of the hardest working and successful school marching bands, culminating in this past fall’s Maryland Marching Band Association competition, where the band went undefeated.


Gaithersburg

The 2023 Junior Mayor Contest for the city of Gaithersburg has concluded. Milly Abdo, a fourth grader at Fields Road Elementary School, begins her term on May 1, when she is officially sworn in at the Mayor & City Council Meeting. The ceremony will also include outgoing remarks by 2022 Junior Mayor Loriele Nix of Summit Hall Elementary School. The meeting can be viewed on the City of Gaithersburg’s YouTube channel.

Congratulations, Milly! Her full essay can be seen below:


Event

Online event (see link)

Free Lunch & Learn: The 10 Financial Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make

Starting a business is exciting, but financial mistakes can create costly challenges at any stage of growth. Join K. Graham Accounting & Advisory, LLC for a free Lunch & Learn designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners build a stronger financial foundation and make more informed business decisions.


DMV

The New Orleans Saints drafted Damascus alumnus Bryan Bresee with the 29th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Bresee graduated from Damascus High School in 2019 and went on to Clemson University where he was a second-team All-ACC selection.

Per the New Orleans Saints, “Bresee, a 6-foot-5, 305-pounder from Damascus, Md., was a former No. 1 recruit in the country who burst onto the scene as a Freshman All-American in 2020. Bresee became the second ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in Clemson history. He has tallied 64 tackles (15.0 for loss), 9.0 sacks, and four pass breakups in 915 snaps from scrimmage over 26 games in his college career.”


Fairland

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene of a crash that left at least one person trapped inside of a vehicle on southbound route 29 Old Columbia Pike, just before Fairland Rd, in Fairland around 10pm on Thursday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision involved two vehicles with four total patients being evaluated on the scene. One person was extricated after being trapped inside of one of the vehicles involved. Some lanes remain blocked as of 10:45pm.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) has responded to a collision involving four vehicles on eastbound MD200 (ICC) prior to the Georgia Avenue exit (at Emory Ln) shortly before 10:30pm on Thursday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision possibly involves a pedestrian who was changing a tire and was struck by a passing driver. A person is also trapped inside the striking vehicle. At least four patients are being evaluated with most lanes closed on eastbound MD200 (ICC) and cars getting by on the shoulder. We will update as more information becomes available. Featured photo by Lucas Georgiou


Takoma Park

Police is asking for assistance in locating a missing 39-year-old man, Christopher Brown. Brown has been missing since Tuesday, April 25th at approximately 11am and was last seen on the 7500 block of Maple Avenue in Takoma Park.

He is a black male, approximately 6’2 and 160 lbs, light skin complexion, mostly bald with an unshaven face. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt over a black long sleeve shirt and dark colored pants. Brown was also last seen driving a 2009 Hyundai Somata with Maryland license plates. If you can help locate him, please call 301-270-1100 or text tip411.


Crime

Per Takoma Park Police: On April 25 at approximately 5:31 pm on Wednesday, Takoma Park Police responded to the unit block of Hickory Avenue for an auto theft in progress. Arriving officers interrupted four juveniles as they attempted to steal a red Hyundai. The vehicle window was already broken, and the ignition was punched out.

Two of the juveniles jumped into another blue Hyundai, reversed into the red one they were trying to steal, and fled the area making good their escape. The remaining two juveniles attempted to flee on foot but were immediately apprehended by responding officers. They were identified as 14-year-old juveniles who were later released into the custody of their parents.


Rockville

Landlords and tenants can attend a virtual Landlord-Tenant Informational Webinar from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 24. The webinar aims to provide the City of Rockville’s rental community with valuable insights into policies and procedures of the Rental Facilities and Landlord-Tenant Relations code, and steps to obtain assistance from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Topics to be covered include an introduction to housing and community development housing programs staff, services available through landlord and tenant affairs and the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit rental program, the role of the Landlord-Tenant Affairs Commission, FAQs, and resources for landlords and tenants. Attendees can register ahead of time via WebEx at bit.ly/landlord_tenant_webinar_2023. For more landlord and tenant resources, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/259/Landlord-Tenant-Complaints.