Ashton

Fallen Tree Causes House Fire Tuesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Around 65 Montgomery County firefighters responded to a 1-story single family house fire Tuesday morning on Haw Lane (between Ashton, Spencerville, and Burtonsville).  According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, an occupant of the home witnessed a tree coming down on power lines, which caused a transformer to blow. They then notified the power company and minutes later saw smoke coming from the basement. The fire then vented out of a basement window of the home which ignited a propane/oil tank.

All occupants were able to make it out of the home and there were no injuries reported.  One family (3 adults) has been displaced.  Howard Co Fire & EMS assisted. Per @mfrsPIO on Twitter, “Origin/Cause, electrical in nature, tree pulled wires down (outside), combustibles in basement ignited (likely power surge) Damage ~$260K.”

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Beyond MoCo

MoCo-Based Catalyst Hot Dogs to Take Over Kitchen at Denizens Riverdale Park

By MCS Staff

“Just a kid from Jersey with a dream.” Chris Van Jura opened Catalyst Hot Dogs in late 2020 as a new food truck/trailer that serves New Jersey style hot dogs. The trailer has operated across Montgomery County and surrounding areas for two years and starting January 5th Catalyst Hot Dogs will be taking over the kitchen at the Riverdale Park location (4550 Van Buren St., River Dale Park, Prince George’s County) of MoCo-based Denizens Brewing. The food trailer will continue to operate. Photos of the hot dogs available below.

Per Catalyst Hot Dogs when the trailer first opened: “Owner/operator, Chris Van Jura, has been a member of the Hospitality Industry for nearly 20 years. Over this time he has, on a daily basis, done what every Hospitalian does, which is put the attention and focus on the guest. During this time, he has relocated to the DMV, found love and started a family. He has devoted hundreds of hours to the needs of others—and now, through the pandemic and two furloughs, he has made a choice: We’re getting into the Hot Dog business!”

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Silver Spring

Three Suspects Arrested for Armed Robbery and Shooting

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section have arrested and charged 21-year-old Nathan Elijah Barnes, of Washington, DC, 19-year-old Brian Odell Bowen, of Suitland, and 21-year-old Demonte Martez Hewitt, of Washington, DC, for an armed robbery and a separate shooting incident that occurred in June 2022 in Silver Spring.

On Thursday, June 9, 2022, at approximately 3 a.m., an adult male victim was robbed at gunpoint by four suspects, in a parking garage located at 8100 Fenton St. The suspects obtained the victim’s personal property and fled the area.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Partners with Silver Spring Cares and CHEER to Bring Coats to the Long Branch Community

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is pleased to partner with several County agencies as well as Silver Spring Cares Inc. and CHEER to host a coat drive and distribution to support the Long Branch community. Coat collection will take place Dec. 27 – Jan. 5 at locations across the County. Individuals can also make a monetary contribution via GoFundMe.  

“As we can tell from recent weather, having a proper winter coat is very important; unfortunately, for many County families they are costly purchases,” said County Executive Elrich. “I encourage everyone to donate new or gently used coats at this time of the year. I want to thank Silver Spring Cares Inc., CHEER, along with the Montgomery County Police, Montgomery County Recreation and the Silver Spring Regional Services Center for providing this easy and accessible opportunity to help out our neighbors most in need.”

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Silver Spring

Police Investigate Dollar Store Burglary; Video of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary that occurred on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at the Dollar Century Plus in the 8700 block of Flower Ave. in Silver Spring. Detectives have released a video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.  At approximately 4:36 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a burglary that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that the suspect forced entry into the store, smashed two glass display cases, stole an undisclosed amount of merchandise and left the scene.  Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained video of the suspect.

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Crime

Police Respond to Report of Stolen Car

By MCS Staff

On December 26, at approximately 2:45 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to a call reporting a stolen auto.  According to the Takoma Park Police Department, on December 25 at approximately 9:00 pm, the auto was moved by the victim from the 100 block of Lee Avenue to Grant Avenue.  When the victim went to retrieve the vehicle at approximately 1:00 pm on December 26, it was gone.  The outstanding stolen vehicle is described as a 1995 black Honda Civic, MD Tag #926Z72.  Case #220057289.

The outstanding vehicle has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) stolen vehicle database. Investigation continues. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100 . Featured photo shows Grant Avenue, courtesy of Google Maps

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Events

Rockville‘s Lunar New Year Celebration to Take Place on January 28

By MCS Staff

The City of Rockville celebrates Lunar New Year by offering a free event that celebrates Rockville’s Asian cultures with performances, to-go activities and snacks. Organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, the Lunar New Year celebration is a source of pride for the city’s Asian community and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture.

The event will take place at Thomas S. Wootton High School (2100 Wootton Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20850) on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 10am-1pm. Performances will begin at 11am.

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Maryland

Maryland Minimum Wage Increases Starting January 1

By MCS Staff

Maryland’s general assembly previously voted to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of the Maryland minimum wage increase. The Maryland minimum wage, starting in 2023, will be $13.25 for larger businesses and $12.80 for small businesses. Montgomery County’s minimum wage increased earlier this year, on July 1, to $15.65 for all large employers.

As part of the bill that was recently passed, Maryland’s minimum wage will gradually increase over time (much like a Montgomery County’s has). The Maryland minimum wage is $15 per hour in 2025 for businesses with 15 or more employees, and in 2026 it will raise to $15 for businesses with 14 or fewer employees. The Maryland minimum wage increase schedule is as follows:

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MCFRS

MCFRS Stations Respond to Hundreds of Burst Pipe Calls in Last Few Days

By MCS Staff

The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) have both warned residents of broken water pipes due to cold temperatures. According to both, over the course of the last few days, stations across the county have responded to hundreds of calls for broken water pipes (mostly domestic and a few commercial).

Across the county, @mcfrs stations have responded to hundreds of burst pipe calls in the past few days

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Wheaton

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 12-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Malachi Morales was last seen on Monday, December 26, 2022, at approximately 3 p.m., in the 11500 block of Bucknell Dr. Morales is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Malachi Morales 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.

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