MCPS

As we enter a much-deserved Winter Break, I want to wish all of you, our amazing students, superb staff and wonderful families — a joyous holiday season. With the first semester winding down, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for all that each and every one of you do  for our students and for one another.

Reflecting on this first half of the school year, I am so proud of what we have accomplished as a community, with our “All Together Now” spirit. We are staying true to our mission, so that all of our students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. I remain hopeful that we can and will continue the work we have embarked on this school year, build on the momentum we cultivated, and address the challenges before us.


North Bethesda

Two suspects were arrested in Howard County after an incident occurred in Pike & Rose involving an off-duty police officer on Friday evening.  According to MCPD, “At approximately 7:58 p.m., an attempted vehicular assault on an off-duty officer occurred in the area of Pike & Rose in North Bethesda for reasons that are still under investigation. MCP Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop. Officers followed the vehicle to I-95 in Howard County, where both suspects were taken into custody. No injuries have been reported.  

This is an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.”


MoCo

It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Dr. Aquilur Rahman who was a pillar of the community and one of the founders of the Montgomery County Muslim Council. Read my full statement. https://t.co/fnys3JUgek pic.twitter.com/CxRT5oqLdi


Rockville

The Rockville City Police are attempting to locate a missing senior citizen last seen around 10am on December 23. Per RCPD: “Missing – Guy Cunningham, 86, of Azalea Dr, last seen around 10:00 am (12/23/22) driving a dark blue Hyundai Accent w/MD tag 5EX0192. He suffers from dementia & frequently visits the Fred County/Brunswick area. Call 240-314-8900 or 911.”

https://twitter.com/RockvilleCityPD/status/1606481277665812481


Event

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.


MoCo

A Cold Emergency Alert is the highest level of extreme temperature alert issued by the County. It is activated when conditions—temperature combined with wind chill—are forecast to be below 20 degrees. These conditions pose a significant threat to exposed human and animal life. The conditions may include wind chill advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service and/or significant snowfall.


Bethesda

Under Armour, founded by MoCo native Kevin Plank, announced that Marriott’s Stephanie Linnartz will join the company as President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of its Board of Directors, effective February 27, 2023. Her appointment follows a thorough and deliberate search led by a committee of independent members of Under Armour’s Board of Directors. Linnartz currently serves as the president of Bethesda-based Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hospitality company, with a portfolio of nearly 8,200 properties across 138 countries and territories and 30 brands, including The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, Marriott Hotels®, W® Hotels, and Westin® as well as the industry’s most extensive customer-loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy®, which has 173 million members.

Per the press release: “As a 25-year veteran of one of the world’s most respected global companies, we are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the brand,” said Kevin Plank, Under Armour Executive Chair and Brand Chief. “She is a proven growth leader with a distinguished track record of brand strategy, omnichannel execution, talent acquisition and development, and passion for driving best-in-class consumer connectivity, experience, and brand loyalty.”


Bethesda

In December 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office received information that Rueda Landeros was likely living in Guadalajara, Jalisco.


Crime

Statement of Charges, per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: “On 12/8/22 at 3:00 PM, Montgomery County Police responded to a convenience store at the Shell Gas station located at 11150 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Ayalew Wondimu, a black male with date of birth of 11/6/61, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation revealed the victim was working inside the store, behind the register when he was shot. Wondimu was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Your affiant (Detective Dimitry Ruvin) reviewed surveillance video from inside and outside the store. The video showed the suspect entering the store at 2:58PM. The suspect selected a soft drink and then approached the victim, who was standing behind the cash register. The suspect appeared to have a conversation with the victim and then picked up several items from on top of the counter and threw them at the victim. The victim picked up a pole and attempted to strike the suspect. The suspect then backed up and produced a handgun and fired at the victim.


Potomac

A former Harvard fencing coach (Peter Brand, 67) , and a Potomac businessman (Jie “Jack” Zhao, 61) were found not guilty of conspiracy and bribery in a scheme the government claimed involved $1.5 million in payments to the coach in order to get Zhao’s two sons into Harvard.

Prosecutors alleged that Zhao made $1.5 million in payments to Brand. They alleged Zhao paid for Brand’s car, made college tuition payments for Brand’s son, paid the mortgage on Brand’s Needham residence, and later purchased the residence for well above its market value, thus allowing Brand to purchase a more expensive residence in Cambridge that Zhao then paid to renovate. The defense argued that Zhao’s sons didn’t need any help getting into Harvard, and that the payments were loans that Zhao made to Brand because they were close friends. Jurors were shown checks supporting the defense’s claim that Brand repaid the loans with an inheritance he received after his mother’s death last year. 


Wheaton

Ashley was last seen on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at approximately 6 p.m., in the 10600 block of Glenhaven Drive. Ashley is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 105 pounds. She has long black hair and brown eyes. Ashley was last seen wearing a black winter jacket, black sweater, gray pants and a green hat. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ashley Yaeni Lara Villanueva is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.


Bethesda

ZBounce/ZPlanet has recently reopened inside of Montgomery Mall. The indoor play space/amusement park was previously located in the mall near Macy’s and is now located across from Forever 21. ZBounce describes itself as “the Ultimate Kids Fun Center in the mall” with inflatable slides, bounce houses, and bumper cars. ZBounce has a additional nearby locations at the Clarksburg Outlets and inside of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg. Photo courtesy of www.zbouncefun.com.

☎️ (734) 347-2354