MCPS

MCPS: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: The Board of Education has proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, MCPS schools will be celebrating the unique culture and traditions of students, teachers, staff and community members who trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Hispanics and Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in MCPS, with 32 percent of the student population, representing 21 Spanish-speaking countries. MCPS resources to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month are available here.

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WMATA

Metro is “Working Differently” to Support Customer Safety and Community Service Initiatives

By MCS Staff

Per WMATA: Metro is “Working Differently” to launch several public safety initiatives that will strengthen and support customer safety and community service for those who use our transit system. Metro Transit Police (MTPD) have strategically increased officer availability to be more visible throughout the Metrobus and Metrorail system to offer customers additional support. Officers are riding trains and buses in intervals throughout the day as part of the new safety patrol operation “HelpingHands.”

“We’ve been listening to customers over the past two months, and it’s clear that a better, safer customer experience is paramount to rebuilding ridership and customer trust,” said GM and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “The steps we are taking are part of a larger framework that enhances the work MTPD is already implementing to improve Metro daily.” In the coming months, Metro will hire several Crisis Intervention Specialists trained in mental health awareness and de-escalation methods. They’ll be paired with an MTPD officer or Operating staff to respond to customers with mental health disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Rewrites Sign Ordinance; Updates Allow More Flexibility for Menu Boards and Digital Signs

By Patrick Herron

The changes approved in ZTA 22-05 represent the first comprehensive rewrite of the County Sign Ordinance in the past 25 years. The provisions of ZTA 22-05 will go into effect Monday, Oct. 10.

Prior to approval of the new ZTA, owners of digital sign boards were legally limited to changing the messages on digital signs to once every 24 hours unless they obtained a variance. The new regulations will allow changes once every 30 seconds.

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Education

MCPS: Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence to be Launched in October

By Patrick Herron

The Rales’ $10 million gift is the largest donation ever to the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation.

Annually, the program will award 200 scholarships worth $10,000 each to the highest achieving graduating seniors from low-to-moderate income households in Montgomery County to help ease the financial burden of attending college, beginning in 2023 through 2027. In total, 1,000 exceptional students will receive scholarships, in recognition of their hard work and achievement.

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Education

MCPS: Mental Health Awareness Week to Take Place Oct. 10–15

By Patrick Herron

The Waymaking mental health forum will be held from 6:30- 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The virtual resource fair and expert panel will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Virtual events will include pre-recorded videos and live interviews with experts on topics, including healthy habits, supporting positive school climate through equity and diversity, and supporting problem solving through appropriate use of social-emotional vocabulary. Experts are expected to speak on topics such as neurodiversity, exercise and wellness, yoga and pain management, substance use prevention and therapy dogs. Students may earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participation in virtual activities.

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Aspen Hill

California Woman Arrested for Committing Lottery Ticket Scam in Montgomery County; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

By Patrick Herron

On Monday, April 4, 2022, at approximately 3:38 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the 4000 block of Aspen Hill Rd. in Silver Spring for the report of a robbery that occurred earlier.

The investigation by Detective M. Vendemio has determined that an adult female victim was sitting inside of her parked vehicle in the1900 block of Veirs Mill Rd. in Rockville, when suspect one approached her and stated that he had a winning lottery ticket but did not want to claim it because of his alleged illegal immigration status in the United States.

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Crime

Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Shots Fired During an Incident Last December

By MCS Staff

Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, Judge Chris Fogleman sentenced defendant, John Tomlinson, 29, to 30 years suspend all but 15 years in prison. Ten of those years are mandatory meaning he won’t be eligible for parole until after then. Judge Fogleman also ordered 5 years supervised probation upon Tomlinson’s release. Tomlinson pleaded guilty to charges of attempted second-degree murder and prohibited person in possession of a firearm on August 25th. This stems from an incident on Dec. 13, 2021 at 2:14 a.m. in the area of Thayer Avenue and Manor Lane (video below).

A man, later identified as John Tomlinson, saw a driver collide with his friend’s vehicle parked on Manor Lane. As Tomlinson’s friend engaged in an altercation with the driver, Tomlinson ran down the street, retrieved a handgun from another vehicle and then returned to the scene firing off nine gunshots, hitting the vehicle, street signs and at least five businesses on Bonifant Street. Miraculously no one was injured. Video from a Tesla parked nearby was used along with area surveillance video to identify Tomlinson and he was in possession of a firearm when he was arrested the following month.

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Gaithersburg

Roaming Rooster Gaithersburg is Coming Soon

By Patrick Herron

Roaming Rooster is coming to 511 Quince Orchard Rd in Gaithersburg. The restaurant will be located in space previously occupied by Duck Donuts in the Firstfield Shopping Center. Duck Donuts permanently closed in August. Roaming Rooster is known for its variety of buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches that vary in heat depending on the diner’s preferences – mild, medium or hot. In addition to its free-range, grain-fed, antibiotic-free and Halal chicken, Roaming Rooster offers an all week breakfast menu, salads and sides including wings, chicken tenders and hand-cut fries.

This will be the chain’s second Montgomery County location. Its Pike & Rose location at 11586 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda opened on June 21. No opening date for the new location has been announced. Featured photo courtesy of instagram user, @kerryout_delivery

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MCPS

Week 3: The MoCoShow High School Football Top 10

By Damon Anderson

1. Quince Orchard 3-0 (LW 1)

The Cougars earned their 3nd straight shutout of the season, handing Walter Johnson their 1st loss of the season 42-0. QB Savan Briggs was a perfect 9 out 9 passing for 92 yds and 1 TD.  QO’s biggest test to date is up next as Damascus visits the Cougardome.

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MoCo

‘Kids Day Out’ Will Offer a Day of Fun for Elementary-Aged Students When School is Out Throughout the Year, Starting with Monday, Sept. 26

By Patrick Herron

Programs will take place at various locations across the County. The cost to participate in the program is $25 for one day or $120 for a package that includes all dates (September-April). Each day of programming will take place from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Students should bring their lunch.

Kids Day Out locations include:

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