Health

Montgomery County Health Officials Release COVID-19 Epidemiology Surveillance Report

By Patrick Herron

The report provides statistics and epidemiology profiles of COVID-19, including infections, testing, hospitalization, deaths, vaccinations, outbreaks and contact tracing. According to the CDC’s COVID-19 community level map, as of March 2022, when the report’s data were last updated, transmission in Montgomery County was in the “low” category.  As of late June, the transmission level in the community is in the “medium” category. This is likely to change as new variants and sub-lineages continue to evolve over time.

“Montgomery County fares better than the State and national averages for most indicators related to COVID-19, but vulnerable population subgroups and communities disproportionally impacted by the pandemic remain a top priority to address through the lens of social determinants,” said acting County Health Officer James Bridgers. “Our goal is to implement the evidence-based and data-driven approaches to enhance our programs and services to respond to the pandemic proactively to meet the public health needs of Montgomery County.”

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Crime

13-Year-Old Charged with Threats of Mass Violence Against Takoma Park Middle School

By MCS Staff

Chief Antonio DeVaul of the Takoma Park Police Department announced the charging of a 13-year-old girl from Takoma Park for ‘Threats of Mass Violence and Telephone Misuse.’

Per the press release: On July 6, 2022, at approximately 10:04 am, Takoma Park Police responded to Takoma Park Middle School (7611 Piney Branch Road) for a report of threats made via telephone voicemail regarding mass violence – a school shooting. Summer school was in session, so out of an abundance of caution, the school was placed on lockdown while being searched by officers for the safety of the students and staff. After clearing the school, the lockdown was lifted and summer school resumed.

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Silver Spring

Three Adult Males Arrested for Series of Armed Robberies; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

By Patrick Herron

At approximately 3:12 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a series of armed robberies that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives has determined that two victims were on Thayer Ave. and another victim was on Fenton St. when they were approached by the suspects, later identified as Ramos, Miller and Dickey, who were driving a white Honda HRV. Two of the suspects exited the vehicle, displayed a firearm and stole property from the three victims.

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Rockville

Detectives Investigate Theft from Auto and Fraud in Rockville; Surveillance Photos of Suspects Released

By Patrick Herron

The victim stated that on Thursday, June 2, 2022, multiple credit cards were stolen from his car while it was parked in the parking lot near OneLife Fitness, located on Research Blvd. One of the unknown suspects used the stolen credit cards and made fraudulent purchases at several stores in Virginia.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage of the stores and obtained photographs of the two suspects.

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Bethesda

Carnival at Montgomery Mall Now Through July 17

By Patrick Herron

The idea of a business that made people happy though, never left his thoughts. While visiting a firemen’s carnival with his children in 1939, Frank saw what he thought might be the new business for him. He counted the people in line at the “Roll-O-Plane” and watched as the thrilled riders exited the ride, and got right back in line to ride again. He visited the carnival again each of the next three nights and paid even closer attention to the operation of amusement rides. He was now sure that this is where he would invest his savings.

Frank Joseph bought his first amusement ride, an Eyerly Aircraft, “Roll-o-Plane” in 1939. A few years later came an “Octopus” and “Spitfire’.  He operated these rides seasonally at local amusement parks, church bazaars, firemen’s carnivals, and county fairs throughout the late 1940’s. By now, his oldest son Pete was in his late teens and able to help his father with the business.

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Wheaton

Dollar Tree Coming to Wheaton

By Patrick Herron

Dollar Tree is coming to 2321 University Blvd W in Wheaton, the former site of CVS (next to Max’s). CVS closed this location back in December 2019.  No opening date has been announced for the store, but signage was just installed this week.  Dollar Tree has undergone several big changes over the past year.  In January, the company raised the price of all items in its stores from $1 to $1.25.  At the time, Dollar Tree said the higher prices were not a result of inflation, but rather to allow the company to offer a wider range of merchandise. In April the chain added “Dollar Tree Plus” sections to area stores, with items priced $3 and $5.  The higher priced items include cookware, headphones, chargers, and t-shirts (Baby Yoda, Lilo & Stich, etc.)  similar to those found at FiveBelow.

Photos of the store’s progress below courtesy of @toniosito_ on Instagram.  Dollar Tree has additional MoCo locations in Damascus, Derwood, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Montgomery Village, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

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Restaurant

Update on Tuesday Morning Fire at Copper Canyon Grill

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire at Copper Canyon Grill (928 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring) this morning, July 12,  around 8:45am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer,  the fire was located in the duct work of the restaurant and there was smoke coming from the roof of the building, above the kitchen. Around 85 firefighters responded to the scene and there are no reported injuries.

The restaurant is currently closed and we will post an update on the status of its reopening when it becomes available. There is reported to be extensive damage ($350k to >$500k) to the Copper Canyon Kitchen, according to MCFRS Battalion Chief Jason Blake.

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