Gaithersburg

Sardi’s Has Reopened in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Sardi’s Pollo A La Brasa at 430 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg has reopened following a February 2 after their fire in the restaurant’s ductwork that activated its sprinkler system. This incident occurred approximately two weeks before another issue with the exhaust system at the restaurant’s Olney location cause that restaurant to close for an evening.

We spoke with owner Phil Sardelis who let us know that the safety of the Sardi’s employees and customers is always his number one priority. “The exhaust system at every Sardi’s location is cleaned every two weeks and unfortunately the recent situations have been freak occurrences.” Sardelis told us. Insurance claims were not filed for the recent fires at both the Gaithersburg and Olney location as the ultimate goal has been to fix any potential issue and get the restaurants open again. All Sardi’s restaurants are now open.

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Education

MCPS Student Leaders Meet with Legislators to Make Their Voices Heard in Annapolis

By MCS Staff

On Thursday, February 23, 2023 fifty-one student leaders from the Montgomery County Regional Student Government (MCR) and the Montgomery County Junior Council (MCJC), the countywide high school and middle school student government associations, traveled to Annapolis to meet with legislators that represent Montgomery County. The students researched upcoming legislation in the general assembly, wrote a one-pager on their advocacy centered around the legislation, and scheduled meetings with the legislators to advocate for these bills and share the student experiences and youth impact related to them. The topics of legislation they supported were:

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller also met with the student leaders to hear their advocacy on these bills.

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MCDOT

‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Video Contest to be Held March 1-31 for Montgomery County Teens to Promote Safer Driving and Walking

By Patrick Herron

Per MCDOT: Montgomery County teens have an opportunity to win some great prizes by producing videos to encourage peers not to allow cell phones to distract them while driving and walking. The County Department of Transportation’s “Heads Up, Phones Down” high school video contest.  High school students can be the writer, producer, director and the star in a 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) video. Videos should be 30 seconds about the importance of paying attention and not allowing phones to distract while walking, driving, or riding a bike.

Montgomery County public and private high school students can submit videos for the contest between March 1 and 31, 2023. Video entries can be submitted individually or as a group of up to four from the same school in English or Spanish.

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Montgomery Planning

Montgomery County Council appoints James Hedrick, Mitra Pedoeem and Shawn Bartley to the Montgomery County Planning Board

By Patrick Herron

“The Council appreciates Cherri Branson, David Hill and Amy Presley for serving as temporary Planning Board members. Their work was essential to providing continuity of service and building a bridge to the new Planning Board. Additionally, we thank all those who applied to serve on the Planning Board and encourage residents to stay engaged and informed about land use and planning issues.”

In Oct. 2022, the Council appointed five temporary Planning Board members to ensure continuity of operations at the Montgomery County Planning Board and maintain services for residents. The three newly appointed Planning Board members will serve out the unexpired terms of the prior members and are registered voters of the same political party as the prior Planning Board members. Shawn Bartley will serve as the Republican member until June 14, 2024. Mitra Pedoeem will serve as the unaffiliated member until June 14, 2025. James Hedrick will serve as the Democratic member until June 14, 2026.

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MoCo Government

Council Vice President Friedson Introduces Legislation to Create an Urban District to Revitalize Friendship Heights

By Patrick Herron

The bill would establish the urban district to provide funding for, and support the work of, The Friendship Heights Alliance, a nonprofit organization that works on behalf of businesses and residents in Friendship Heights to further economic vitality and strengthen community in the area.  This legislation dovetails with legislation proposed by Washington, D.C. Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin to develop a Business Improvement District on the D.C. side of Friendship Heights. 

“The bi-jurisdictional Friendship Heights Alliance, strengthened as a D.C. BID and Maryland Urban District, will support a robust recovery for the Friendship Heights commercial district,” said D.C. Councilmember Frumin. “I look forward to partnering with the Montgomery County Council and the Friendship Heights Alliance to support the local business community along the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor.” 

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Rockville

Police Respond to Armed Robbery of 7-Eleven

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police responded to an armed robbery on Tuesday afternoon in Rockville. According to police, “At approximately 1:56 p.m., MCP officers responded to the 7-11 store at 10020 Darnestown Rd. for the report of an armed robbery that just occurred. The preliminary investigation has determined that the armed suspect entered the store, stole an undisclosed amount of money, and left the scene.  No injuries have been reported. The suspect has not been apprehended.”

According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, the suspect was armed with a rifle. We will post an update when additional information is available. Feature photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Gaithersburg

Student Arrested at Richard Montgomery High School for Gaithersburg Armed Robbery

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: An 18-year-old high school student is in custody following the armed robbery of a Montgomery County gas station. Rockville City Police officers arrested Jeffrey Gabriel Johnson of Rockville, on Monday, February 27 at Richard Montgomery High School, where he was taken into custody without incident.

On Monday, February 20, 2023, at approximately 9:52 a.m., Gaithersburg and Montgomery County Police officers responded to the Summit Shell Station at 15 South Summit Ave in Gaithersburg for the report of an armed robbery.    The investigation determined that two Black males entered the store, and one suspect pulled a knife from his waistband.  The suspect went behind the counter, held the knife to the clerk, and demanded that the clerk open the cash register.   The clerk complied and the suspect removed an undisclosed amount of money from the drawer.  Both suspects ran from the store after the armed robbery.

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Gaithersburg

Home Depot on Shady Grove Road Has Been Sold… to Home Depot

By MCS Staff

Home Depot has purchased its own store at 15740 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center in Gaithersburg. According to a report by Maryland Newsletters, Home Depot recently paid $55.5 million for the 102,190 SF building. The store was previously subdivided out of the larger shopping center so that it could be sold individually.

Home Depot is a co-anchor of 270 Center, a shopping center shadow-anchored by a powerful mix of destination retailers including Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and soon (maybe), a brand new Amazon Fresh grocer. The property benefits from high historical occupancy, high sales, and long-term leases. Nordstrom Rack has been at the property for ±10 years and is ranked the 2nd busiest Nordstrom Rack in the state of Maryland by customer foot traffic. Best Buy has co-anchored the property since its inception in 1994.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County to Open Registration for Lotteries Providing Opportunities to Purchase Highly Sought Whiskeys

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open registration on Sunday, March 5, for its annual limited availability whiskey lotteries that provide opportunities to purchase highly sought spirits. The lotteries are free to enter, but have residency requirements. ABS expects to release more than 1,100 bottles for purchase in the lotteries. Among the spirits that County residents will have an opportunity to purchase are a 2022 Double Eagle Very Rare, a Michter’s 20-Year Old and several rare releases from the Willett Distillery. Maryland residents selected in the lottery will have an opportunity to purchase bottles from the First Edition Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, the Final Edition (fall 2022) Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Collection and the Old Forester Birthday Bottles (2022 edition).

The first lottery will be open to Maryland residents 21 and over. The second lottery will be open only to County residents 21 and over. Each lottery includes a wide range of spirits bottles, with some overlap. County residents will be able to enter both the State and the County lotteries.

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MoCo Government

Councilmember Jawando Introduces the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) Act to Limit Traffic Stops That Have Resulted in Racial Disparities

By Patrick Herron

Today, Councilmember Will Jawando will be introducing Bill 12-23, the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) Act, which will limit traffic stops that he says have resulted in racial disparities. According to the County Council, “the legislation would prohibit a stop for certain traffic offenses by a police officer; prohibit consent searches of a vehicle by a police officer; require the collection of data and information related to traffic stops; and exclude the limitations on traffic stops from collective bargaining.”Councilmember Kristin Mink is a cosponsor.

According to Jawando, “the goal of the STEP Act is to promote fairness and reduce racial disparities, promote safety and reduce community trauma, improve community policing relations, and further the county’s Vision Zero.” A public hearing is scheduled for June 13 and the Public Safety (PS) Committee is scheduled to review the bill on July 17.

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Bethesda

23-Year-Old Man Arrested and Charged with Theft of Catalytic Converters

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Patrol Services have arrested and charged 23-year-old Thomas Tabbs, of Harrisburg, PA, with the theft of two catalytic converters that were stolen on Monday, February 20, 2023, in the 10500 block of Montrose Ave. in Bethesda.

At approximately 6:33 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the location for the report of a theft of vehicle parts.

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