Maryland

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun stocking more than 300,000 trout in Maryland waters. This early “preseason” stocking of a few fish in impoundments will be done to reduce density at DNR’s hatcheries and create available space outdoors for young trout to grow.

The annual stocking program will be completed in three bursts – preseason from now through February 2023, and then two rounds of spring stocking, March 6–24. and April 3–28. All stocked locations that fall under a closure period will be announced prior to opening day on March 25, 2023. 


Crime

Takoma Park Police is investigating a series of shed burglaries that occurred on Saturday on Belford Place and Belford Drive. Additional details and tips for deterring shed burglaries available below per Takoma Park Police:

500 block of Belford Place:  December 17 at approximately 10:00 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the area for a shed burglary that occurred overnight.  Some time between December 16 at 4:30 pm and December 17 at 9:50 am, unknown suspect(s) broke into the victim’s shed. It is unknown if property was taken.  Investigation continues under case #220055891.


Germantown

Nearly 100 Robert E. Peary High School alumni gathered for a surprise celebration to honor and thank their former teacher, Mr. Vincent Gibbs, for a lifetime of sharing his love for the performing arts, humanities and English education with his students. Mr. Gibbs, known as Mr. Christmas is in his Germantown community for the decorations and nativity scene that he puts up at his home each year, hasn’t been able to decorate due to his treatments for melanoma.

Debi Barbee, Class of 1983, drove attendees in a Montgomery County School bus from Fox Chapel Shopping Center to Mr. Gibbs’s nearby home in Germantown. The celebration began at 1:00 pm in the front yard of Mr. Gibbs’ home. Attendees held up posters, sang Christmas carols and the song “The Impossible Dream” (brief video below), and delivered a few short speeches to honor their former teacher.


Education

The deadline for a prestigious student scholarship is fast approaching! Do you know a high-achieving student who has taken rigorous courses and has a weighted GPA of 4.69? They may qualify for a $10,000 scholarship.

Applications are open for the Ruth and Norman Rales–Patricia Baier O’Neill Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence. These scholarships for graduating high school seniors were announced earlier this year by the Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation to honor the lives and contributions of Ruth and Norman Rales and former Montgomery County Board of Education member Patricia O’Neill. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.


Bethesda

MCPS is deeply disturbed and saddened by the antisemitic graffiti found outside of Walt Whitman High School. MCPS’ mission is to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment that celebrates the diversity of our global community and all cultural backgrounds. This hurtful behavior, along with any acts of discrimination, have no place in our school community and will not be tolerated.

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Arts

Three contests are now open for submissions—the Gaithersburg Book Festival’s poetry contest,  the Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) essay contest, and Arc Maryland’s art contest.

The 2023 Gaithersburg Book Festival’s annual high school poetry contest is now open for submissions. This year’s theme is “Diversity or Inclusion.” To participate, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12. The deadline is midnight on Thursday, Feb. 23. First, second and third place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates, respectively.


Bethesda

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, at approximately 8:04 a.m., Montgomery County Police 2nd District officers were dispatched to Walt Whitman High School on Whittier Blvd in Bethesda, for the report of anti-Semitic graffiti spray painted on the school’s sign board.

The case has been assigned to an investigator and they are working to obtain any images of possible suspects. There is currently no suspect in custody.


MCPS

Per Montgomery County: Today, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement condemning the antisemitic graffiti found at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda.

“We are disgusted and angry to learn about yet another display of hate targeting the Jewish community in Montgomery County. Our nation continues to experience a deeply troubling rise in antisemitism, and we must continue to join together to denounce these acts of hate here at home.


Rockville

Back in March, we let you know that Hulu Skewer House would be moving in to 1488-B Rockville Pike, the former location of Mi Rancho and On The Border before that, next to Yekta. The restaurant had its hearing with Alcohol Beverage Services for a beer, wine, and liquor license at 9:30am back on March 17, so final inspections appear to be the only thing left to go on the restaurant that’s nearing its opening (exact date not currently available).

Hulu Skewer House touts “the most authentic Chinese BBQ experience in Maryland.” It will offer a variety of skewers, appetizers, and Chinese cuisine. They will also have karaoke available on the second floor, which is currently being constructed. The space has been vacant since Mi Rancho closed its Rockville location since September 18th. Mi Rancho continues to operate its Germantown and Silver Spring locations.


MCFRS

12:45pm Update: Montgomery Coutny Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a loaded cement truck and six other vehicles. Several people were evaluated and two patients were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Original report below:

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) have responded to a collision involving seven vehicles that has closed Colesville Rd at Franklin Ave in Silver Spring in both directions on Saturday afternoon. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision does involve entrapment (someone trapped inside at least one of the vehicles). MCFRS crews are currently on the scene. Per Ready Montgomery: “Traffic incident closes Colesville Road (US-29) in both directions between Franklin Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route.”


Rockville

In June we let you know that Lil’ Cakes & Creamery will be opening a new location at 844 Rockville Pike, the former site of Sam’s Cafe & Market, also known as Sam’s Hookah.  Sam’s closed permanently at the end of March.  Lil’ Cakes initially expected the new location to open in about 3-4 months, but it has taken a little longer than anticipated. Construction is now underway inside and we expect an opening in the first half of 2023.

Lil’ Cakes & Creamery offers a rotating selection of cupcakes and ice cream, as well as macarons, pupcakes, cookies, cookie sandwiches, pushpops, and milkshakes. Their Gaithersburg shop opened in October 2019 and is located a few stores down from the former site of Chuck E. Cheese’s (now Five Below)  in Gaithersburg Square. They have additional locations in White Marsh and Urbana.