Takoma Park

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a house fire in the 7200blk of Maple Ave in Takoma Park around 5am on Friday, March 17. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the cause of the fire is still under investigation but it appears to have started in the basement of the home and involved mattress/bedding. There were no injuries reported.  Damage is estimated to be ~$100K (contents/structure) and three adults have been displaced. One resident of the home is unaccounted for but was likely not home at the time of the fire as the family had reported them as a missing person, according to Piringer.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Maple Av, Takoma Park, house fire; Origin & Cause, still under investigation, however it appears to have started in basement, involving mattress/bedding, etc; Damage estimate ~$100K (contents/structure); 3 adults displaced (Red Cross assisting)”


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Council Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Andrew Friedson are among those expected to join the County Committee Against Hate/Violence (CAHV) panel discussion on “Anti-Semitism in Montgomery County” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22. The in-person event at the County’s Executive Office Building in Rockville also will be viewable online.

The Executive Office Building is located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville. The panel discussion can be viewed live online at https://www.facebook.com/CountyCableMoCo.


East County

Friends of White Oak and Councilmember Kristin Mink are asking the White Oak community (and surrounding areas) what they would like to see in the location that was previously home to Sears in the White Oak Shopping Center. Sears closed its White Oak location in 2021.

“Friends of White Oak is working to increase commercial and residential development, existing infrastructure and opportunities can make the community a prime hub for business development and economic expansion. This survey aims to engage the community and gather input about what can be done with the Sears building in the White Oak Shopping Center. Please share among the community as feedback will help assist in the future of the remaining property.” The survey can be found here.


Beyond MoCo

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in a homicide that occurred on Thursday, August 25, 2022, in the 800 block of 7th Street, Northwest. The decedent was previously identified as 21-year-old Montgomery County resident Juwaan Henry, of Silver Spring.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department: At approximately 8:16 pm, members of the First District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead.


Uncategorized

The Renegade Monster Truck Show is coming to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg on April 15th. The Renegade Monster Truck Tour features “90 minutes of pure adrenaline fueled excitement for all ages.” The event allows for people to come early and meet the competitors, and “get up close and personal with the Monster Trucks and even take a ride on a real Monster Truck all this and more at the pre show Fun Zone Track Party.” Additional information below, courtesy of Renegade Monster Trucks:

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Education

Montgomery College (MC) is providing a $500 tuition scholarship to Montgomery County residents who are spring 2023 graduates from a Montgomery County high school and are taking at least six MC credit hours this fall. The $500 “Raptor Ready” Scholarship can only be applied to fall 2023 tuition and fees, and the application must be completed by Tuesday, Aug. 1. The first 1,500 eligible applicants will be considered, with others added to a waitlist. Additional information below, courtesy of Montgomery College:

Montgomery College offers a $500 tuition scholarship to help 2023 spring Montgomery County high school graduates jump into their academic program in fall 2023. The $500 scholarship will be applied to fall 2023 tuition and fees at Montgomery College. The program is for spring 2023 Montgomery County high school graduates who are Montgomery County residents who register for and attend at least 6 credit hours at Montgomery College in the fall 2023. The scholarship cannot be used for any other semester.


Events

MCPS will host the 2nd Annual Youth Climate Summit from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The event will take place at Tilden Middle School, which achieved a LEED Silver Certification in 2021 from the U.S. Green Building Council.

This student-led event is designed to educate MCPS high school students about climate change and equip them with the tools to create climate action projects to bring back to their communities. During the summit, students will talk with environmental mentors, collaborate with peer leaders and grow as environmental activists.


Wheaton

Montgomery County Police are investigating an assault and robbery that occurred Thursday, March 16 in the parking lot of the Wheaton Giant. According to police, “At approximately 1:40 p.m., MCP officers responded to the Giant Food store in the 2900 block of University Blvd. West in Wheaton for the report of a robbery that just occurred.


Crime

A Rockville woman has been arrested for her role in the robbery of a food delivery driver which occurred on February 18, 2023 in the 700 block of Fallsgrove Drive, according to Rockville Police.

Per the press release: Demia Lincoln-Scott, age 20, of the 700 block of Fallsgrove Drive, was arrested without incident by RCPD Detectives on March 16, 2023. She has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Assault, and Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Assault.


White Oak

A pedestrian was struck and killed on Columbia Pike at Stewart Lane on Thursday, March 16. According to Montgomery County Police, “At approximately 1:28 p.m., an adult male was crossing the northbound lanes of Columbia Pike in a westbound direction when he was struck by a Ford Explorer traveling northbound. The driver remained at the location and the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.” MCPD will issue a news release as more information becomes available, including the name of the deceased. 

2PM update: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving a pedestrian around 1:20PM on Thursday, March 16. According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, the incident occurred at Northbound US-29 Columbia Pike, near Stewart Ln in White Oak. Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 2:12PM: “All lanes at northbound 29 at New Hampshire Ave. are closed. All southbound lanes of 29 are open. Drivers can use Old Columbia Pike as an alternate route to continue northbound on 29. Expect significant delays.” We will post an update when additional information is available.


Education

1. Next Family Fentanyl Forum Set for March 25: Montgomery Goes Purple, in partnership with MCPS, is hosting a third Family Forum on Fentanyl from 9 a.m.–noon on Saturday, March 25, at Paint Branch High School. This forum will focus on in-depth learning opportunities with dozens of sessions, as well as Narcan training, resource tables and opportunities for fitness. The forum will include sessions for youth and adults, individually and jointly, in English and Spanish. Discussion topics will include:

Paint Branch is located at 14121 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. RSVP