Crime

MCPD: Traffic Stop in Germantown Leads to Seizure of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police issued a press release today announcing that a traffic stop in Germantown on March 8 led to the discovery of 20 suspected Fentanyl pills, approximately 21 grams of suspected Crystal Methamphetamine, Crack Cocaine and drug paraphernalia. This is the third press release regarding traffic stops that MCPD has released since Councilmember Will Jawando introduced Bill 12-23, the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) Act, on February 28, which will limit traffic stops that he says have resulted in racial disparities.

Per MCPD: “Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Community Action Team have arrested 38-year-old Harry Perkins of Germantown for Possessing Fentanyl and Crystal Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.  At approximately 11:35 p.m., officers observed a Chevrolet Equinox commit a moving violation in the area of Circle Gate Dr. and Wisteria Dr. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the Chevrolet in the area of Great Seneca Hwy. and Wisteria Dr.

Go to MCPD: Traffic Stop in Germantown Leads to Seizure of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Read more
Poolesville

Town of Poolesville FY 2024 Budget Now Available

By MCS Staff

The Commissioners of Poolesville have presented the FY2024 Budget and Tax Rate. The FY 2024 proposed budget maintains the constant tax rate .1781¢ per $100.00 of assessment and water rates remain the same. 

Per The Commissioners of Poolesville: The Town’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget is balanced, funds all debt service obligations, and funds critical operation and maintenance items. As has been the case for the last several years, the Town continues to grapple with rising costs for construction projects, equipment replacement and overall increased costs for goods and services. A Public Hearing will be held on April 3, 2023, 7:00 PM @ Town Hall. FY2024 Proposed Budget & Tax Rate

Go to Town of Poolesville FY 2024 Budget Now Available Read more
Maryland

Governor Moore Announces Maryland Adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II Rule; Requires Manufacturers to Increase the Share of Electric Vehicles Sold to 100% by 2035

By Patrick Herron

The Advanced Clean Cars II rule is a vehicle emissions standard first adopted by California using its unique authority under the federal Clean Air Act. Now that California has adopted the standards, other states can follow suit.

Maryland has the most ambitious climate goals of any state in the nation and is recognized as a national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing our state economy. The Advanced Clean Cars II rule, coupled with strong federal and state incentives, will be one of the state’s most important emissions reduction measures.

Go to Governor Moore Announces Maryland Adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II Rule; Requires Manufacturers to Increase the Share of Electric Vehicles Sold to 100% by 2035 Read more
Arts

TRANSFORMATIONS Art Opening Reception to Take Place on Thursday, March 23

By MCS Staff

Per the Takoma Park Newsletter: The origin of paper winds through history and across centuries from papyrus in ancient Egypt to pulp-based paper from the Han dynasty in China to the invention of photographic paper in the early 19th century. Artists have transformed this common material into new worlds of invention and creativity. Three artists will share their paper-based work in the TRANSFORMATIONS exhibition at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave) with an opening reception at 7:30 pm on March 23. The featured artists include Beth Caruso, Landry Dunand, and Randall Williams.

Beth Caruso’s work often depicts aspects of the self and the body in relation to nature. In her Inner Life series, she photographs subjects and scenes and then uses digital tools to transform them into mirrored, kaleidoscopic imagery. “This series stems from a vivid interplay of intellect and emotion, combined with the workings of my conscious and subconscious,” she said. “In this light, the work can be viewed as a dialogue between the inner life of the artist and her surroundings, reflecting a desire to reorder the elements of the external world.”

Go to TRANSFORMATIONS Art Opening Reception to Take Place on Thursday, March 23 Read more
Uncategorized

2023 ‘Women Making History Award’ Winners to be Honored by Montgomery Commission for Women and Montgomery Women on Thursday, March 16 in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County:  The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women have named 32 women who were selected for the 2023 “Women Making History Awards.” They will be recognized at the Women Making History Celebration and panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. on March 16 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The awards are given in recognition of outstanding women in Montgomery County who are making significant contributions to their vocations and to the community. Recipients and their accomplishments will be featured each day in March on the social media platforms of the Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women.

This year’s recipients are:

Go to 2023 ‘Women Making History Award’ Winners to be Honored by Montgomery Commission for Women and Montgomery Women on Thursday, March 16 in Silver Spring Read more
MCFRS

Driver Crashes Into Market and Outdoor Seating Area of Restaurant; No Injuries

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to a driver crashing into the Corner Market and then the outdoor seating at the Daily Dish in the Rock Creek Shopping Center on Grubb Rd in Silver Spring.

According to a witness on the scene, we were told that the driver appeared to lose control and initially crashed into the market before driving into the outdoor tables outside of the Daily Dish restaurant. Per the witness, there were no injuries. Photos below courtesy of @comidatragosyco on Instagram.

Go to Driver Crashes Into Market and Outdoor Seating Area of Restaurant; No Injuries Read more
Gaithersburg

Public Hearing for Proposal That Would Bring 380 Residential Units to Old Nike Missile Site in Gaithersburg Scheduled For March 20 Public Hearing

By MCS Staff

Pleasants Development/Muddy Branch Investments, LLC  has submitted Sketch Plan application SK-9497-20231, to establish a new sketch plan for approximately 13.71 acres of land at 770 Muddy Branch Road, the former Nike Missile Site, surrounded by the Muddy Branch Shopping Center, Lakelands Ridge, City-owned park land, and Timberbrook Condominium. The Application proposes to create a residential community of up to 380 multifamily units. The Applicant has submitted an application proposing to develop a new multifamily residential community with associated open space and amenities. The development will include up to 380 dwelling units. The Applicant, as part of the application, has submitted a statement of support and justification outlining the purpose of the current request:

According to the Statement, the main purpose of the sketch plan is to redevelop the former Nike missile site into a multifamily residential development that will complement and be compatible with the surrounding Lakelands Ridge, Timberbrook, and Shady Grove Village communities, as well as the Muddy Branch Square Shopping Center. The Application proposes a maximum of 380 multifamily dwelling units, located within four separate development blocks. Individual blocks have been allocated a maximum number of dwelling units out of the overall 380 unit cap. Although the 380 units proposed across the entire 13.71-acre site is significantly less dense (27.7 units per acre) than other recently-approved stand-alone multifamily developments, such as the Fishman Site (109 units on 0.99 acres, or 110.0 units per acre), Kentlands Apartments (365 units on 3.1 acres, or 117.7 units per acre), and Camden at Washingtonian (365 units on 5.86 acres, or 62.3 units per acre), the proposed density is comparable to and compatible with the surrounding Timberbrook Condos (168 units on 9.74 acres, or 17.2 units per acre) and Lakelands Ridge Condos (159 units on 9.39 acres, or 16.9 units per acre).

Go to Public Hearing for Proposal That Would Bring 380 Residential Units to Old Nike Missile Site in Gaithersburg Scheduled For March 20 Public Hearing Read more
Crime

Teenager Arrested for Stolen Auto; Other Offenses

By MCS Staff

Per Takoma Park Police: On March 12, at approximately 12:57 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7100 block of Holly Avenue for the report of a stolen auto.  As officers arrived, they observed a vehicle driving away at a high rate of speed with the stolen auto being driven behind it.  Officers attempted to make a stop of both vehicles without success.  Upon reaching Maple Avenue and Erie Avenue, the vehicles split up, with the vehicle in front turning onto Erie Avenue towards Flower Avenue.  Officers continued to surveil the stolen auto.  The driver of the stolen auto lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway onto a tree stump near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Kennebec Avenue.  The suspect was taken into custody, identified, and a search incident to arrest yielded items of evidentiary value on his person indicative of tools to jump start vehicles.  The victim was notified.  A lookout for the other vehicle was provided to surrounding jurisdictions.

The driver of the vehicle, a 15-year-old male from Hyattsville, Maryland, was charged with Auto Theft, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle and various other traffic offenses. The charged juvenile was released to the custody of a parent(s). Investigation continues. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100 and refer to case #230012056. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Go to Teenager Arrested for Stolen Auto; Other Offenses Read more
Rockville

CM Chicken in Rockville Rebrands to Gama Chicken & BBQ

By Patrick Herron

Choong Man (CM) Chicken at 765 Rockville Pike #E, which specializes in Korean style fried chicken, has rebranded to Gama Chicken & BBQ. A representative from the restaurant tells us that they made the change a few months back and that you can still find many of the same menu items.  Last week, we reported that the CM Chicken at 12933 Wisteria Dr in Germantown had rebranded to Chicken Pocho.

About Gama Chicken & BBQ: “Established over 6 years ago, we are a korean fried chicken franchise made with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Whether you eat in, get it to go, or get delivery, Gama Chicken will make sure to satisfy your taste buds. It is our great pleasure to serve you with the highest quality food and excellent service at the best prices. Next time you’re craving chicken, come by our Gama Chicken in Rockville, MD. We look forward to seeing you!”

Go to CM Chicken in Rockville Rebrands to Gama Chicken & BBQ Read more
Education

Board of Education Takes Tentative Action and Adopts the Superintendent’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget; Holds a Work Session on the FY 2024 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY 2023–2028 Capital Improvements Program, and Received a Biannual ADA Facilities Update; and Discusses and Takes Action on Legislative Items

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on Thursday, February 23, 2023. During the meeting, the Board took tentative action to adopt the Superintendent’s Recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget; held a work session on the FY 2024 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY 2023–2028 Capital Improvements Program, and received a Biannual ADA Facilities update; and discussed and took action on legislative items. The agenda for the meeting, with related links, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording.

The Superintendent’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget: The Board took tentative action to adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget. The budget reflects amendments based on BOE feedback to provide focused investments to improve literacy and math across the district. This budget continues to be centered on Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) core purpose of preparing all students to thrive in their future and graduate with deep academic knowledge and preparation for the complex world and workplace of tomorrow. The request includes a $296 million (10%) increase over the current budget and $272 million above the minimum amount required by the maintenance of effort law. The increase in funding is to provide a high-quality education for our growing student population, continuing our recovery from the impact of lost learning time from the pandemic, the addition of new research-based innovative approaches to teaching and learning in our district, providing competitive salaries for our staff and the rising cost of health care for our employees and retirees, opening of our 211th school in the Clarksburg Cluster, and supporting the increased cost of goods and services in our district. Read the memorandum to the Board. View the PowerPoint Presentation.

Go to Board of Education Takes Tentative Action and Adopts the Superintendent’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget; Holds a Work Session on the FY 2024 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY 2023–2028 Capital Improvements Program, and Received a Biannual ADA Facilities Update; and Discusses and Takes Action on Legislative Items Read more
MCDOT

MCDOT to Hold an Online Public Informational Meeting on the Greater Seneca Transit Network on Wednesday, March 15

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: On Wednesday, March 15 starting at 6 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an online public informational meeting to engage the community on the Great Seneca Transit Network, a new Ride On extRa bus service in and around Shady Grove Medical Center, Rio, and adjacent properties. The meeting will share information, answer questions and allow for MCDOT to receive community feedback.

The Great Seneca Transit Network will provide frequent and equitable transit, improving mobility and crucial access to jobs in the healthcare, biotech, and education sectors as well as healthcare providers, and medical facilities. The network will include five frequent bus routes with dedicated bus lanes, new bus stations and safer pedestrian and bicycle connections in the area. Sustainability is important to MCDOT. Along with reducing the number of single-passenger cars by replacing them with dependable bus service, MCDOT is also transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet with upgraded facilities.

Go to MCDOT to Hold an Online Public Informational Meeting on the Greater Seneca Transit Network on Wednesday, March 15 Read more
View More Stories