MoCo Athletics

Justin “Captain America” Budd is a Poolesville native and 2016 graduate of Poolesville High School. Last week he made his pro debut at the Legacy Fight Alliance’s LFA 152 show, knocking out Caleb Jensen in the first round with a spinning back fist (video below).

The 5’10, 170 lb Budd wrestled at Poolesville before going on to wrestle at Bacone College. MMAnews.com gave Budd the #1 finish of the week with his impressive performance, stating the following about the up and coming fighter, “Justin Budd had a lengthy amateur career before turning pro at LFA 152, but he jumped onto the radars of a lot of fight fans with the way he stopped Caleb Jensen.”


Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a collision that led to an overturned vehicle on W Diamond Avenue near Bureau Drive in Gaithersburg at approximately 4:30pm on Friday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews two adults were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Gaithersburg police put out a traffic alert at 5:28 announcing the closure of westbound W Diamond Avenue and alerts drivers to expect significant delays. At 5:53, Piringer tweeted to seek alternate routes. Featured photo and video below courtesy of Instagram user @ester.arias_


Arts

Due to limited availability of openings, artists are encouraged to send in their application as soon as possible. All applications must be received by February 28. The application and vendor agreement, including terms & conditions, is available here. Artists will be provided indoor or outdoor space to sell their artwork and will be responsible for setup, cleanup and handling their own sales. Wi-Fi and electricity are not guaranteed.

For more information, please call 301-258-6394, e-mail [email protected].


Education

The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) is looking for car donations. Donations will help more high school students learn how to evaluate, repair and restore used cars. The ATF is a nonprofit that fosters automotive education by offering students hands-on instruction in maintenance, repair, sales and marketing. The students run a mini-dealership where people can purchase the refurbished cars.

The ATF accepts donations year-round by appointment at Damascus, Gaithersburg and Seneca Valley high schools, at Thomas Edison High School of Technology and at the Shady Grove Bus Depot. Donations are tax deductible. Call 240-740-2047 to donate. MCPS students engage in a hands-on curriculum to refurbish used cars. As part of the automotive program, students sell the cars at three sales throughout the school year. The last car sale of the year will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring. More information


Event

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:


Education

The Montgomery County branch of the NAACP is awarding $1,000 scholarships to MCPS graduating seniors. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, March 24. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, participate in extracurricular activities and participate in faith-based, religious-based or volunteer activities.

Completed applications should be sent to Rebecca Gibson, Board of Education office, Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 123, Rockville, MD, 20850. If you have questions, send an email here. The scholarships will be presented during the annual Freedom Fund Dinner on May 21. NCAAP Scholarship Application, 2023


Education

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 26th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals, groups and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County. Nominations will be accepted in the following categories:

“Individual Pioneer” award nominees are individuals who, although they may not be currently active, have made extraordinary contributions in the past. The nominee’s contributions must have had a profound effect on the school system over a sustained period of time. Nominations in other categories must be of individuals (including MCPS students), groups or organizations that have, within the past three years, provided service, support and commitment to public education as demonstrated by:


Glenmont

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have charged seven juveniles, one 14-year-old, three 15-year-olds, two 16-year-olds, and one 17-year-old, with auto theft. On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at approximately 7:30 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the 12300 block of Livingston St. for the report of a suspicious situation.

Detectives from the Auto Crime Enforcement Section (ACES) were in the area conducting proactive enforcement, with 4th District patrol, in response to Hyundai and Kia theft trends and responded to the location as well. The preliminary on scene investigation revealed that officers observed a red Hyundai Sonata leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Officers determined that the Sonata was reported stolen from Washington, D.C.


Gaithersburg

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Karla Smith, a jury has found defendant, Adin Huezo Grandados, 28, of Leesburg, VA, guilty of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor. The jury returned the verdict this week, on Wednesday, February 15th.

Huezo communicated with what he thought was a 15-year-old female through a social media profile created by an undercover officer with the Montgomery County Police Vice & Intelligence Unit and was arrested on June 17, 2022 when he arrived at a planned meeting place in a shopping center across from a Montgomery County public high school. He believed the “female” he would meet was a student at the school.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore yesterday testified in support of The Keep Our Heroes Home Act, presented as House Bill 554 before the House Ways and Means Committee, marking the first time a sitting governor has testified in support of a bill since 2014. The act is a major component of the governor’s legislative agenda to support veterans and their families.

“Maryland’s veterans start small businesses, serve on boards, and bring their talents to companies that are driving Maryland’s economy forward,” said Governor Moore. “These public servants start families, make friends, and build their lives here in Maryland—and yet we’re losing them to other states. I believe that this legislation stands to be among the most impactful that you will consider this session.”


Gaithersburg

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a commercial armed robbery and attempted sexual assault that occurred on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the Claire’s in the 500 block of North Frederick Avenue. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that the suspect entered the store and approached the counter. After briefly chatting with the victim, the suspect stated he had a gun and demanded that the victim open the register. When the victim refused to comply, the suspect walked behind the victim and placed her in a chokehold. The victim complied and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect stated he had a gun, took the victim to the bathroom and attempted to sexually assault the victim.  When the victim refused to comply, the suspect hit her in the head multiple times before fleeing the store.


Rockville

Update: Last weekend, a Girl Scout troop selling cookies in front of the Safeway at 14939 Shady Grove Rd in Rockville had approximately $300 stolen when someone grabbed their cash box and ran away. The group has since reached out to let us know that that if anyone would like to help the troop they can purchase cookies for donation at this link, and the troop will receive part of the proceeds.

February 14 Update: According to Montgomery County Police, “The victim stated that while her child was selling girl scout cookies she noticed a male sitting on the bench in front of the location for about 15 to 20 minutes. The suspect walked up to the Girl Scout Cookie table and grabbed the cash box and ran away. Officers searched the area for the suspect and attempted to find any surveillance video of the suspect running away. The victim said that she did not want to press charges if the suspect was found. She said that she just wanted her money back.”