MCFRS

Update: Three Transported to Hospital After Collision Involving Minivan and School Bus

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue services responded to Midcounty Hwy, near Washington Grove Ln, on Thursday morning around 8:30am for the report of a collision. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision involved a minivan that struck (rear-ended) a school bus. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. The driver of the minivan was extricated after being “severely trapped/pinned” inside their vehicle. A total of three people were transported to the hospital. Approximately 30 MCFRS firefighters responded to the scene, including two squads, three manpower engines, three EMS transport, and four command staff. Medevac was initially requested on scene due to injuries sustained by the occupant of the minivan but was unavailable due to the weather.

Westbound Midcounty Highway is currently closed from Miller Fall Road to Washington Grove Lane due to the collision. We will post an update when additional information is available.

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MoCo Government

MoCo’s Transportation & Environment Committee Writes Letter to WMATA Advocating For Lower Metro Fares

By MCS Staff

Members of the Transportation & Environment Committee have written WMATA a letter stating that they believe that Metro should adopt a fare plan that is fair to all riders. The full letter, by Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Marilyn Balcombe, can be seen below:

“Dear Mr. Smedberg,

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Darnestown

Detectives Continue to Investigate Turkey Foot Road Fatality; Victim’s Identity Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal single vehicle collision that occurred the morning of Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in the 14400 block of Turkey Foot Road.  At approximately 12:27 a.m.,1st District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a traffic collision.

The investigation by detectives has determined that the driver of a gray 2017 Toyota 4Runner was traveling west in the 14400 block of Turkey Foot Road. For reasons that are still under investigation, the Toyota left the roadway and struck multiple trees, causing the vehicle to overturn.  The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The decedent has been identified as 48-year-old Mark Sampson, of Gaithersburg.   This is an active and ongoing investigation.

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Montgomery Village

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 17-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 17-year-old from Montgomery Village. Lesly Hernandez Perez was last seen on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at approximately 7 a.m., in the 8300 block of Stedmall Ter.

Perez is approximately 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair and was last seen wearing a pink jacket, blue jeans and white shoes. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Councilmembers to Host Community Conversation on Safety in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: On Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m., Councilmember Kate Stewart and Council President Evan Glass will host a community conversation on safety in Silver Spring. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD. The event will include a panel discussion on gun safety and safety improvements in downtown Silver Spring, a discussion with community residents and a safety walk. Councilmembers Stewart and Glass will be joined by nonprofit partners, public safety and local business leaders.

“We are gathering for this event because like many of you, I want to make sure that Silver Spring continues to be a place where young people, children, families, young adults and older folks feel safe and enjoy all we have to offer,” said Councilmember Stewart. “Addressing the issues we are facing will require everyone to take part in solutions — Montgomery County leadership, partners in neighboring jurisdictions, our police, our businesses, non profits, and our residents.”

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MCFRS

Midcounty Highway Closed Due to Collision Involving School Bus and Minivan; No Passengers on Board Bus

By Patrick Herron

RT @mcpnews TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Westbound Midcounty Highway is closed from Miller Fall Road to Washington Grove Lane as the result of a traffic collision. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays. https://t.co/HVEUnckEs1

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 23, 2023

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Gaithersburg

Phase 1 Plans for Shady Grove Innovation District Expected Soon

By MCS Staff

Plans for the Shady Grove Innovation District (“SGID”) are expected to be submitted soon to the City of Rockville. SGID has been described as a “world-class, amenity-rich, mixed-use district catering to the dynamic life science industry in the heart of the Shady Grove cluster in Rockville, Maryland.” The first phase of SGID will feature a brand new 137,000 RSF lab building and 315 luxury apartments set in a new, walkable urban environment. Phase 1 will be located at 15815 Shady Grove Road and Choke Cherry Rd. Future phases will include an additional 1M SF+ of new lab space in new buildings. Below you will see a photo of what Phase 1 is expected to look like. A rendering of the completed project can be seen in our featured photo, courtesy of SGID:

Additional information can be found on the SGID website.

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Rockville

House Fire Started by Overheating Bathroom Ceiling Fan Causes ~$275K in Damage

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at a single-family home in the 200 blk of Ashley Manor Dr in Rockville around 10:30pm on Wednesday, March 22. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the cause of the fire was a bathroom ceiling exhaust fan that overheated. Around 60 firefighters responded to the scene and there were no injuries reported. Damage is estimated to be ~$275K and two adults have been displaced. We will post an update when additional information is available. Photo courtesy of @liem__s on Instagram.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “200blk Ashley Manor Dr,(3/22 initial dispatch 1030p); single family house; fire contained to attic/roof; Origin/Cause, bathroom ceiling exhaust fan, probable fan motor overheated (fire extended to attic); Damage ~$275K; 2 adults displaced; no injury; ~60 FFs responded”

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Restaurants

Bonchon Rockville is Hosting a Wing-Eating Competition on March 25

By MCS Staff

Bonchon, located at 107 Gibbs Street in Rockville, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in Rockville Town Square by hosting a wing-eating competition on Saturday,  March 25th. The Korean fried chicken chain will be choosing five contestants for spicy and five  contestants for soy garlic wings to “see who can eat 15 wings the fastest in under 1 minute (bones must be clean).”

This competitive food eating contest is for amateurs that are 18+ only. The first place winner in each group will receive a $100 gift certificate and t-shirt. The competition will take place March 25th at 4pm, and any contestants selected would need to arrive thirty mins prior. Aspiring competitors can register for the competition using this form. Featured photo courtesy of Bonchon.

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Park Potomac

Gym & Tonic Has Closed in Park Potomac

By MCS Staff

Gym & Tonic, a boutique featuring “the best in luxury athletic and casual wear” has closed after approximately 4.5 years in Park Potomac. The 1,000 SF boutique opened in September 2018 at 12435 Park Potomac Ave. According to Store Reporter, the brand is hoping to reopen at a different shopping center, likely in Potomac or Bethesda, but decided not to renew its lease due to a lack of foot traffic in Park Potomac.

Per a previous press release, Gym & Tonic offered a unique blend of high-end athleisure apparel. It’s the brainchild and labor of love of two retail veterans and good friends – Amy Block and Wendy Abelman. Block, a Miami native turned Bethesda-ite, wanted to open a store that she felt was lacking in the DC Metro area.“We created Gym & Tonic to feature the kinds of fashionable, top-of-the-line clothes that we all love to wear,” Block said. “Everything we offer is stylish whether you’re at the gym in the morning or out on the town at night.”

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Arts

Montgomery Potters Present Ceramics Exhibit Through June 4

By MCS Staff

Arts on the Green presents a ceramics exhibit featuring works by members of Montgomery Potters. The exhibit is on display through June 4, 2023. Meet the artists and view their works at a joint Artists Reception on Thursday, April 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at both the Arts Barn & Kentlands Mansion, where the Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association’s exhibition will be on display. The joint reception is open to all and free to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Masks & social distancing are encouraged, but not required.

Members of Montgomery Potters will also provide docent tours of the exhibit from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the Arts Barn’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 15. “We are so pleased to welcome the Montgomery Potters to the Arts Barn Gallery,” says Gallery Program Coordinator Jaree Donnelly. “Their work is terrific and varied in style, and we hope our patrons will enjoy perusing the pieces from this talented group of artists & choose to acquire something from the exhibit for their collection or to give as a wonderful, unique gift.”

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