MoCo

Montgomery County Community Covid-19 Level Status is Currently Low

By MCS Staff

County Executive Marc Elrich tweeted on Thursday afternoon that Montgomery County’s Community Level Status dropped to Low. “Encouraging news as our COVID-19 community level status drops to ‘low.’ Health experts say community transmission rates remain high at 13.3% per 7-day average. Please make sure everyone in your family stays up to date on vaccines and boosters.”

Additional Covid-19 information for Montgomery County can be found on the county’s Covid-19 Information Portal. The COVID-19 community level is determined by the higher of the new admissions and inpatient beds metrics, based on the current level of new cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. To find out the COVID-19 community level:

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Crime

Former Maryland MVA Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Providing Fraudulent Driver’s Licenses to Applicants Who Paid a Fee

By MCS Staff

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Marion Rose Payne, age 55, of Harwood, Maryland, on August 15, 2022, to 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to produce and transfer identification documents without lawful authority, specifically, Maryland driver’s licenses.  Judge Chuang also ordered Payne to forfeit $25,000, which constitutes the proceeds of Payne’s participation in the criminal conspiracy.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.

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Education

MCPS Reopening Guide 2022-2023; Covid-19 Strategy For Upcoming School Year

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS and Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight: The Montgomery County Board of Education and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are committed to providing students with a world-class education, while also addressing their social, emotional and academic needs. This commitment is shared by teachers, administrators, supporting services staff, parents and the community. This letter presents the 2022-2023 School Year Reopening Guide for Schools.

The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority. Although COVID-19 is still with us, MCPS intends to carry out its continued commitment to deliver in-person instruction, five days a week, for all of our students. Our new MCPS medical officer, Dr. Patricia Kapunan, will partner with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to help implement COVID-19 guidance, with the goal of maintaining in-person learning while promoting the wellness of our entire school community.

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MCPS

Apply Online Now for Free/Reduced Price Meal Benefits for MCPS Students

By MCS Staff

The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals. Additional information below, per MCPS:

Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available) Click here for an English video tutorial. Click here for a Spanish video tutorial.

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Bethesda

Gaithersburg Native is Bringing Back Westwood Pet Center; The Family Business Closed Last Year After 42 Years of Serving the Area

By MCS Staff

Westwood Pet Center (then located at 5428 Westbard Ave.) closed last summer after 42 years in Bethesda when owner David Griffin decided it was time for retirement, citing the COVID-19 pandemic reducing store traffic and the redevelopment of Westwood Shopping Center as reasons that helped him make the decision. A few months later, the shop announced a return– this time at The Shops at Sumner Rd (4611-N Sangamore Rd). It will be operated by David’s daughter, Anna Griffin, and will open in the new location on Saturday, August 20th.

“Despite our amazing run at Westwood Shopping Center, we were presented with a relocation opportunity, true to our Bethesda roots, that we simply could not refuse.” Anna tells us. She was born and raised in Gaithersburg , and is a 2005 graduate of Watkins Mill High School. She went on to Salisbury University where she received a nursing degree and worked as an RN at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda before permanently transitioning to the pet industry in 2018.

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Restaurants

Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins Now Open in Four Corners

By MCS Staff

Last December we let you know that Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins would be coming to 115 University Blvd W, in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring. The location is now open, according to an employee of the store.

The new location has taken over the former home of Chevy Chase Bank and has a drive-thru like the most recent Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins in MoCo (located in the Rock Grove Center on 355/Shady Grove Rd.) and the upcoming Cloverly location, which is just a Dunkin’.

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MoCo Police

Police and Family Concerned for Welfare of Missing 15-Year-Old

By MCS Staff

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old girl from North Bethesda.

Isana Porter was last seen on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at approximately 11:20 p.m. in the 5800 block of Inman Park Circle. Porter is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo on her right middle finger.

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MoCo Government

Importance of Use and Occupancy Certificates for Montgomery County Business Owners to be Focus of Montgomery al Día Radio Show on Tuesday, Aug. 23

By MCS Staff

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Manager Gail Lucas will be the guest on the Montgomery al Día radio show at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, to discuss use and occupancy (U and O) certificates for business owners with radio show host Lorna Virgilí. The show can be heard live at Radio América 900 AM.

According to Ms. Lucas, every commercial business in Montgomery County must have a valid U and O certificate issued by DPS. The certificates document that the building, space or suite occupied by the business meets the code requirements (electrical, fire and mechanical and zoning) for that use. The certificates do not expire unless the use of the space changes. Ms. Lucas will address why it is important to get a copy of the current use and occupancy certificate before a business space turns over.

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