DMV

“Odometer Rollback on the Rise” in the DMV, According to Carfax

By MCS Staff

Over 1.9 million vehicles on the road have rolled-back odometers, a 7% increase from the previous year, according to Carfax research. That includes an increase of 18% in odometer scale in Maryland, a 6% increase in DC, and Virginia  leading the area– coming in 8th in the nation in odometer scams.

“Many people think odometer fraud disappeared with the invention of digital odometers,” said Emilie Voss, Public Relations Director for CARFAX. “But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We’re still seeing the number of vehicles on the road with a rolled-back odometer rise year-over-year.” According to Carfax data, consumers lose an average of $4,000 in value from unknowingly buying a car with a rolled-back odometer, and that doesn’t include unexpected maintenance costs.

Go to “Odometer Rollback on the Rise” in the DMV, According to Carfax Read more
WMATA

Metro: New Escalators at L’Enfant Plaza Starting Monday; Escalators Currently Being Replaced at a Few MoCo Stations

By MCS Staff

Starting Monday, three new escalators will be up and running at L’Enfant Plaza Station following eight months of construction that closed the north entrance at Maryland Avenue and 7th Street SW. The project, completed on budget, will provide better, more reliable escalators for customers and includes the latest safety features and LED lighting. The reopening of the north entrance will also restore the connection to Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and the closest Metro entrance for government agencies, office buildings and some of the most popular museums on the National Mall.

During construction, Metro’s contractor, Kone, removed all three escalators at once. New concrete encased support beams had to be installed before replacement work could begin. Each escalator is custom built to fit the entrance and is industrial grade, designed to be more durable for the weight and traffic of a busy station. The completion of the north entrance escalators is part of a seven-year project to replace 130 escalators by 2028 and brings the number of escalators replaced in the past two years to 39. Work will begin next year to replace the remaining six escalators at L’Enfant Plaza’s two other entrances.

Go to Metro: New Escalators at L’Enfant Plaza Starting Monday; Escalators Currently Being Replaced at a Few MoCo Stations Read more
Education

Montgomery College Launches Rolling Raptor “EduKitchen” Food Truck

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery College: The Rolling Raptor EduKitchen is a 26-foot-long mobile food lab that arrived at Montgomery College in October. It is equipped with the most cutting-edge culinary equipment and technology to serve as a business lab that facilitates experiential learning experiences for students within the Hospitality Management Program. Its design enables students to develop a food truck business/ concept, fabricate and test out products to be served, cost out and develop menus, operate the food truck in a real setting (e.g., golf courses, breweries, City of Rockville events), and finally evaluate the success of the concept based on customer feedback and financial gains or losses. 

“The Rolling Raptor creates an unprecedented opportunity for students to gain real-life entrepreneurial experiences throughout their studies at Montgomery College,” said Jana Anderson, Hospitality Management Program coordinator and associate professor at Montgomery College. “The mobile food lab allows students to bring the products and business ventures they develop in the classroom to actual customers in real-life settings. It also creates an opportunity for the Hospitality Management Program to partner with local businesses such as True Respite Brewing Company in securing locations for the Rolling Raptor.”

Go to Montgomery College Launches Rolling Raptor “EduKitchen” Food Truck Read more
Uncategorized

Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) to Hold Public Forum on January 9th; PAC Believes That Traffic Enforcement Practices Do Not Meet Basic Tests of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equal Enforcement

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) of Montgomery County will hold a virtual public forum at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, to solicit community testimony and feedback on traffic enforcement by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). Other police departments—municipalities, park police, state police, etc.—are not under the PAC’s purview. Community members are invited to register to provide live testimony during the public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony. Residents will be asked to limit their live testimony to no more than three minutes and to one speaker per organization (if applicable). Written, audio and visual testimony submitted prior to the public hearing may be longer, if needed. The deadline to register to speak at the public hearing is 4 p.m. on Jan. 9.

The PAC believes that traffic enforcement practices in the County do not meet basic tests of effectiveness, efficiency and equal enforcement and that a change in mission, focus and strategy is necessary. The PAC’s report on traffic enforcement, including recommendations, can be found here.

Go to Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) to Hold Public Forum on January 9th; PAC Believes That Traffic Enforcement Practices Do Not Meet Basic Tests of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equal Enforcement Read more
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.

Go to Healthy at the Harbor Read more
MCDOT

Norfolk Avenue Streetery Survey Open Through Tuesday, Jan. 31

By Patrick Herron

“The map on this page shows the current extent of the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue in red (between Del Ray Avenue and St Elmo Avenue). The project study area is shown with a dotted black line. The study area extends along Norfolk Avenue from Rugby Avenue to Woodmont Avenue. The study area also includes cross streets, approximately 100 feet in both directions from Norfolk Avenue.”

Per MCDOT: Have you been to the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue between Del Ray Avenue and St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda? Montgomery County is thinking about the future of this street and wants to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the online survey so that MCDOT can make informed decisions with our community’s feedback in mind. The survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes of your time. Take the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/PDRZ8K3. For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

Go to Norfolk Avenue Streetery Survey Open Through Tuesday, Jan. 31 Read more
Germantown

Several Families Displaced After Early Morning Fire in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a townhouse fire on the 13300 block of Demetrias Way (off Wisteria Dr) in Germantown on Sunday morning around 3:30am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, damage is estimated to be $300,000 and several families have been displaced. One person was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: (320a) 13300blk Demetrias Way, off Wisteria Dr, Germantown, 3-sty MOR TH, fire showing upon arrival, all occupants got out, fire is out, 1 civ transported, NLT, @mcfrs PE729, PE722, PE734, PE735, PE708, T734, AT735, RS729, M729, BC705, BC703, T731, PAT708, A722 & others responded

Go to Several Families Displaced After Early Morning Fire in Germantown Read more
DMV

Shark Tank Featured ‘Cousins Maine Lobster’ Announces DMV Expansion

By MCS Staff

Cousins Maine Lobster, a food truck concept and provider of Maine lobster rolls, has announced an expansion into Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C, bringing six food trucks to the region over the next 18 months. Cousins Maine Lobster appeared in Shark Tank over a decade ago to help launch expansion and began franchising in 2014. The deal marks their first multi-unit franchise sale.

Yunus Shahul joined the Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Family when he launched his first food truck in Connecticut in September 2018. Six months later, Shahul added a second truck dedicated to New York City. For expansion into the DMV market, Yunus will partner with his brother, Thameem. The brothers have worked together for the last four years as Yunus grew his operations in New York and southern New England. Yunus currently owns and operates five trucks across his territories.

Go to Shark Tank Featured ‘Cousins Maine Lobster’ Announces DMV Expansion Read more
Business

Silver Spring Apartment Building Sold For $20 Million

By MCS Staff

Transwestern Real Estate Services announced its Mid-Atlantic Multifamily Group has brokered the sale of Parkside Terrace, an 87-unit multifamily asset at 502 Easley St. in Silver Spring, Maryland. A partnership led by Enterprise Community Development (ECD), a nonprofit owner and developer of affordable homes, purchased the garden-style community for $20 million, or $229,885 per unit.

Per the press release: “The property has been well managed by long-term owners allowing ECD and its partners to preserve naturally occurring affordability in desirable Montgomery County with a high-quality apartment community,” said Williams, an Executive Vice President at Transwestern. Parkside Terrace features one- and two-bedroom units in a quiet neighborhood east of downtown Silver Spring. The property is situated adjacent to a public park, offering exceptional walkability and convenient access to public transportation and surrounding transportation arteries.

Go to Silver Spring Apartment Building Sold For $20 Million Read more
Education

MCPS Teachers Test Out New Device to Help Inform Future Instructional Technologies

By MCS Staff

Per Montgomery County Public Schools: MCPS held a Teacher Device Showcase to give teachers the opportunity to test more than 50 devices under consideration for future technology acquisition. Teachers also had the chance to check out new technology to support science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning.

Those who attended were encouraged to share input on what device features are most important to them and give feedback in order to inform future purchases and align new technologies with unique classroom needs. Teacher devices will be a new and important part of the refresh cycle starting in Summer 2024.

Go to MCPS Teachers Test Out New Device to Help Inform Future Instructional Technologies Read more
Gaithersburg

Bath & Body Works in Lakeforest Postpones Closing Date

By MCS Staff

The Bath & Body Works location inside of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg was scheduled to close this Saturday, January 7, but that has been pushed back according to associates at the store. The new closing date is currently not available, but staff wanted customers to know that there are not any closing sales at the store at the moment. A new Bath & Body Works location will be opening in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown later this month. The new store will be located at 130 Crown Park Ave, in the location that was formerly home to Hair Cuttery, in between ZAGG and Warby Parker. Employees from this location will be transferred to the Germantown store at 20934 Frederick Rd.

Bath & Body Works offers its own brand of fragrances for the body and home. The brand is a consumer favorite for top-selling body products, including lotion, cream, wash, hand soap and hand sanitizer. The retailer is also known for its fragrance diffusers, fine fragrance mist and candles. Bath & Body Works will join Sweetgreen as an upcoming tenant in Downtown Crown.

Go to Bath & Body Works in Lakeforest Postpones Closing Date Read more
Crime

Germantown Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for the Illegal Possession and Distribution of Firearms and Drugs

By MCS Staff

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Dwight Luis Clarke, age 32, of Germantown, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and four counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Clarke admitted that he sold crack cocaine and seven firearms, including five privately manufactured firearms, known as “ghost guns” to an undercover law enforcement officer.

According to his plea agreement, during late 2021 and early 2022, Clarke was identified as a suspected trafficker of narcotics and firearms.  In February 2022, an ATF Special Agent, acting in an undercover capacity (the UC) contacted Clarke, who agreed to sell the UC crack cocaine and firearms.  During three meetings that month, Clarke sold the UC:  two privately made firearms (PMFs) that Clarke referred to as “ghost guns,” specifically, Polymer80 Inc. 9mm semi-automatic pistols, bearing no apparent serial numbers; a.22-caliber semi-automatic AR-style pistol; a 33 round 9mm extended magazine, which contained one 9mm cartridge; a .22-caliber extended AR-style magazine loaded with three .22-caliber cartridges, a .22LR caliber mini mag ammunition box containing 95 cartridges; a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and 44.48 grams of crack cocaine.

Go to Germantown Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for the Illegal Possession and Distribution of Firearms and Drugs Read more
View More Stories