Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: George Washington University Names Ellen Granberg the 19th President in School History; She Becomes the First Woman to Serve in That Role at GWU

By MCS Staff

Ellen Granberg, Ph.D., a visionary higher education leader with a record of bolstering teaching and research excellence across disciplines, supporting a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty and staff, and collaborating with all stakeholders to drive transformative change and increase institutional prominence, has been named the 19th president of the George Washington University, the Board of Trustees announced Wednesday.

Granberg, a sociology scholar who is currently provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and was previously an academic leader at Clemson University, will become the first woman to serve as GW’s president when she takes the helm of the largest university in the nation’s capital on July 1.

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MDLottery

Three $10,000-Winning Mega Millions Tickets Sold in MoCo; Jackpot Climbs to $1.35 Billion 

By Patrick Herron

While nobody matched all six numbers in last night’s Mega Millions drawing, three MoCo retailers sold winning tickets worth $10,000. Those stores were the State Line Market at 7817 Eastern Avenue in Silver Spring, Tiger Beer, Wine & Deli at 303 North Washington Street in Rockville, and Watkins Mill Beer & Wine at 857 Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg. The next Mega Millions drawing will take place this Friday, January 13, and has an estimated value of  $1.35 billion with a cash value of $707.9 million. Additional details below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:

Although there was no Mega Millions jackpot winner on Tuesday night, the drawing produced five third-tier $10,000-winning tickets sold in Maryland. Congratulations! The jackpot for the next Mega Millions drawing on Friday, Jan. 13 rolled to an estimated annuity value of $1.35 billion. If the jackpot is hit at that amount on Friday, it would be the second-largest in Mega Millions history and the fourth-largest in U.S. lottery history. The estimated cash value for Friday’s drawing is $707.9 million.

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Business

Gaithersburg’s Novavax Names John C. Jacobs as New President & Chief Executive Officer

By MCS Staff

Gaithersburg-based Novavax, a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, announced that John C. Jacobs will succeed Stanley C. Erck as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. The transition will be effective as of January 23, 2023. Mr. Erck will serve as an advisor to the Company for the next fifteen months to enable a smooth transition.

Per the press release: “As we prepare for Stan’s retirement, the Board reflects on the incredible legacy he leaves behind,” said James F. Young, PhD, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Stan led Novavax from a clinical development organization to a global commercial vaccines company during a worldwide pandemic. This foundation puts Novavax in a strong position to execute on its long-term strategy, and we look forward to supporting Stan and John through the transition. John is a seasoned industry leader who will bring a fresh perspective and deep industry expertise to Novavax.”

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Education

Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Opening of Food Pantry at Weller Road Elementary School Will Take Place January 12

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will celebrate the opening of its fourth food pantry at a community school with a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m.  The food pantry at Weller Road Elementary School is a partnership between the Capital Area Food Bank’s (CAFB) School Pantry Program and MCPS to provide a reliable source of nutritious food to families throughout the year.

The food pantry will be open on Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m. and Thursdays 2-3:30 p.m. by providing consistent access to staple shelf-stable items. These items include pasta, rice, non-perishable fruits and vegetables, cereal, and canned and dried beans. Schools that are part of the program are able to choose what food items from CAFB’s available inventory fit the needs of their respective communities.

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Gaithersburg

City of Gaithersburg Offering One-Year School-Based Nonprofit Grant Opportunities

By MCS Staff

The City of Gaithersburg‘S Grant portal opens February 1, 2023, where the City of Gaithersburg Community Services Division in coordination with the Educational Enrichment Committee, will be offering one-year School-Based Nonprofit Grant opportunities.

An information session on the grant program and portal access will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please click here  to register to receive the link to the virtual training. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. Training attendance is mandatory. Please contact us to share any questions or concerns.

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Silver Spring

Police Investigating Armed Carjacking; Surveillance Footage Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed carjacking that occurred on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.  At approximately 9 p.m., officers responded to the Truist Bank Drive-Thru, in the 12000 block of Cherry Hill Road for the report of an armed carjacking that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives has determined that an adult male victim was outside of his vehicle at the ATM, when he was approached by a black male suspect, armed with a knife. The suspect demanded cash from the victim. As the victim backed away, the suspect entered the victim’s car and drove away.  The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 30-years-old, 6-feet, 2-inches to 6-feet, 3-inches tall, 180 to 190 pounds, with a medium build. He was wearing an orange hood and a medium length, gray coat.

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News

Remembering Jim Vance on What Would Have Been His 81st Birthday 

By Patrick Herron

Local news anchor Jim Vance passed away on July 22nd, 2017 at the age of 75.  January 10th, 2023, would have been Vance’s 81st birthday. Vance worked at WRC-TV (NBC 4) for over 45 years, with the majority of them spent anchoring the 11pm newscast alongside Doreen Gentzler, Bob Ryan, and the late George Michael. Considered by many to be the most trusted voice in the Washington area, Jim was a Silver Spring resident and had won multiple Emmy Award for Outstanding News Anchor during his career.

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Bethesda

Update on Upcoming Andy’s Pizza Location in Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

Andy’s Pizza, the 2021 winner of the International Pizza Challenge™, is coming to Montgomery County with an upcoming location at 4600 East West Highway– the former site of sandwich shop Booeymonger in Bethesda. According to a representative from Andy’s, the restaurant is “approximately six months away from opening.”

Andy’s Pizza currently has locations in Adams Morgan, NoMa, Navy Yard, and Shaw in DC, with an additional NoVa location at Tysons. Another upcoming location is planned for Old Town Alexandria. Owner Andy Brown, who grew up in Bethesda, stated that he had been looking in the area since his restaurant began expanding. According to Business Journal, “The Bethesda location will also have more space than average — its other locations run roughly 1,800 square feet — to accommodate larger parties.”

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Continues Investigation Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash In Anne Arundel County

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are continuing to investigate a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred late last month in Anne Arundel County. Shortly before 1:55 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2022, troopers from the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack responded to the area of southbound I-97 at Maryland Route 648 for a report of a struck pedestrian. According to a preliminary investigation, the victim, identified as Delroy Roderick Ben, 54, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, is now believed to have been struck by two vehicles: a 2010-18 black Audi A8 or S8 and a silver 2007-2013 Nissan Altima or Maxima (stock photos of the suspect vehicles pictured below). Ben, who was on the road for unknown reasons, was declared deceased at the scene.

The drivers of the Audi and Nissan failed to remain at the scene. Investigators believe at least the Audi will have damage to the right front corner and is missing the passenger side mirror. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation. The road was closed until about 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 following the crash. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack at 410-761-5130.

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Maryland

Smoking Costs the Average Maryland Smoker $3,628,050 Over a Lifetime, According to Study

By MCS Staff

With the economic and societal costs of smoking totaling more than $600 billion per year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on The Real Cost of Smoking by State, with costs for the average Maryland smoker over $3,628,050 over a lifetime (Maryland statistics available below).

To encourage the estimated 34.2 million tobacco users in the U.S. to kick this dangerous habit, WalletHub calculated the potential monetary losses – including the lifetime and annual costs of a cigarette pack per day, health care expenditures, income losses and other costs – brought on by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

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