MCFRS

Driver of Van Who Caused Metrobus to Crash Into Jewelry Store Thursday Morning Has Been Charged With Four Infractions, According to Police

By MCS Staff

WMATA Transit Police tweeted the following regarding the Metrobus crash into a jewelry store in weekend this morning: “Driver of van that caused morning Metrobus accident charged with 4 infractions: (1) unsafe lane change, (2) failure to control speed to avoid a collision, (3) improper right turn, and (4) failure to wear corrective lens. Thx to @mcpnews and @mcfrs for their on-the-scene support.”

At approximately 9:30am on Thursday morning there was a collision involving a Metrobus that closed Veirs Mill Rd between Reedie Dr and University Blvd, according to Montgomery County Police. The incident occurred at the Jewelry Buyers at 2575 Ennalls Ave in Wheaton around 9:30am on Thursday, March 2.  Featured photo courtesy of Alex Chapelle

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Brookeville

Assisted Living Employee Sentenced to 18 Months for Theft Scheme

By Patrick Herron

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Robert Greenberg sentenced defendant, Maritza Ramirez, 57, of Germantown to five years in prison suspend all but 18 months and five years of supervised probation upon release. Ramirez was also ordered to pay $7,700 in restitution to the families of victims she stole from. Ramirez was a 14-year employee of Marian Assisted Living, located in the 19100 block of Georgia Avenue. On November 29, 2022, she pleaded guilty to Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adults in a Scheme.

The investigation began in March of 2022 when one victim’s family discovered that while their relative, a resident at Marian, underwent surgery and recovery, several items of jewelry and a cell phone had gone missing from the secured bedroom. The ensuing investigation by Montgomery County Police uncovered at least 11 victims and pawn shop records which show that between 2015 and 2022 Ramirez received at least $7,700 by selling 81 items including jewelry and several designer purses. Chief of our Special Prosecutions Unit, Assistant State’s Attorney Bryan Roslund prosecuted this case.”

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Will Offer Adult Bike and Scooter Classes in April, May and June

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA), will offer adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes include a learn to ride and a basic skills class. MCDOT also will offer four free scooter classes in spring. Participants in the bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. The classes will be led by experienced WABA instructors.

Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes and cost $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members. The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people and fill up quickly. Registration is currently open for April classes. Registration for May classes will open at 9 a.m. on March 27 and June class registration will open at 9 a.m. on April 24.

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Education

MCPS: Pre-K/Head Start Registration Now Open

By MCS Staff

Registration is open for Prekindergarten and Head Start for the 2023-2024 school year. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2023, and families must be income-eligible to apply. Families can register their children online or in person. For families who want to register in person, weekday and weekend locations are open through March 31:

Registration is also still open for the current 2022-2023 school year. For more information about eligibility guidelines, required documents and how to register online, call 240-740-4530 or visit the MCPS website. Prek, Head Start Registration, 2023-2024. When and Where to Register, 2023-2024

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Event

Healthy at the Harbor

National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland

165 Waterfront St.

National Harbor, Maryland 20745

Website Social

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.

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Beyond MoCo

College Park Mayor Writes Letter of Resignation Ahead of Arrest and Charges For 56 Counts of Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

By MCS Staff

Patrick Wojahn, mayor of College Park since 2015, resigned last night in a letter submitted to the City of College Park ahead of his arrest and charges of 56 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. His letter and the official statement from the City of College Park, released prior to when the investigation was made public information, can be seen below:

Patrick Wojahn’s letter is resignation: “It has been a profound honor and privilege to serve the City of College Park since 2007 as a City Councilmember and your Mayor. However, effective immediately, I must resign my position.

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Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 16-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 16-year-old from Silver Spring.  Angely Lisbeo Lora was last seen on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., at her residence in the 2300 block of Glenmont Circle in Silver Spring.

Angely is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a creamed colored crop top and windbreaker pants with white stripes on the sides.  Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

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Beyond MoCo

College Park Mayor Arrested and Charged With 56 Counts of Possession & Distribution of Child Pornography

By MCS Staff

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Abuse – Internet Crimes Against Child Unit arrested a College Park man this morning for possession and distribution of child pornography. The suspect is 47-year-old Patrick Wojahn.

Per Prince George’s County Police: On February 17, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the PGPD that a social media account operating in the county possessed and distributed suspected child pornography. The image and videos had been uploaded to the social media account in January of 2023. Through various investigative techniques, PGPD investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn.

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Montgomery Parks

National Park Service Announces Peak Cherry Blossom Bloom Prediction

By Patrick Herron

The National Park Service has predicted peak bloom for the DC area Cherry Blossoms to fall this year between March 22 – 25, the NPS announced on Monday. According to the NPS, “The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).”

Here in MoCo, Montgomery Parks  makes it easy to find and tour cherry blossoms in local parks with its online tree finder map. “People regularly flock to Washington D.C. to enjoy the cherry blossoms and may not even realize there are so many of these trees right here in Montgomery Parks,” said Mike Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks. “Why not pick a park you’ve not yet visited and go enjoy these beautiful trees.”

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MCFRS

Bus Crashes Into Jewelry Store in Wheaton

By Patrick Herron

A collision involving a Metro bus has Veirs Mill Rd shut down between Reedie Dr and University Blvd, according to Montgomery County Police. Drivers should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes. The incident occurred at the Jewelry Buyers at 2575 Ennalls Ave in Wheaton around 9:30am on Thursday, March 2. Per Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services: “Montgomery County Fire Rescue is currently active at an incident located on the corner of Veirs Mill Road and Ennalls Avenue. Bus versus car with the bus into a building. 3 people transported with non-life threatening injuries.” We will post an update when additional information is available. Feature photo courtesy of Alex Chapelle. jewelry

 

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Bethesda

Larry Hurd to Become Athletic Specialist at Walter Johnson; Steps Down From Coaching Football

By MCS Staff

Longtime MCPS teacher and coach Larry Hurd has accepted the Athletic Specialist (formerly known as “Athletic Director”) position at Walter Johnson High School. Hurd, who has been the football coach at the school, will be stepping down as coach in order to take the position. He will be replacing the legendary Tom Rogers. Below is Hurd’s full statement:

“Wildcat Nation,

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Education

Bestselling Author, Sheree Renee Thomas, Speaks to Northwood Students

By MCS Staff

New York Times bestselling author Sheree Renee Thomas spoke to Northwood High School students during a visit to Maryland last month. Thomas wrote Marvel’s Black Panther: Panther’s Rage novel, adapted from the legendary comics. She is the editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, founded in 1949, and Obsidian, founded in 1975. Last year, she co-curated Carnegie Hall’s historic, citywide Afrofuturism Festival. She also spoke at the Rockville Library on afrofuturism and diversity in sci-fi.

The featured photo, courtesy of MCPS, shows Sheree Renee Thomas speaking to students at Northwood High School.

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