Crime

Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the honorable Judge David Lease, a jury convicted defendant, Danys Martinez Lazo, 21, of Silver Spring, on one count of Criminally Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle for the death of Jaques Vainqueur, 57, of Silver Spring.

Martinez Lazo faces up to three years in prison and an additional five years of probation upon release. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 9th, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. This stems from a traffic collision on November 8th, 2020, on Old Columbia Pike, near Ruxton Road, in Silver Spring. Below is a summary adapted from a court filing in the case and attached is a photo of the victim which is being released with the family’s permission (There was no booking photo taken of the defendant).


Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks is partnering with local nonprofit Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) to collect new and gently used sports equipment. The donations are distributed to schools and organizations that provide them to under-resourced youth groups, community programs, and schools in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the District of Columbia. Equipment can be dropped off at bins located at three Montgomery Parks locations: Olney Manor Recreational Park (near the softball field, next to the indoor swim center), Ridge Road Recreational Park(near the accessible parking spots and baseball field), and Wheaton Regional Park­ – Orebaugh Area (near Wheaton Indoor Tennis).

 “Our parks play a critical role for youth sports, and we are pleased to be able to provide convenient and central locations where people can donate this much-needed equipment,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “Getting kids outside and engaging them in physical activity is a key part of our mission, so this is a great program and a natural partnership for Montgomery Parks.” 


MoCo

During the preseason, May 28 – June 17, outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 – 6 p.m. on weekends and Memorial Day.

During the summer season, June 18 – Aug. 14, outdoor pool hours are 1 – 4 p.m. and 5 – 8 p.m. on weekdays, and noon – 3 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. on weekends. The Upper County Pool is closed on Fridays during the summer season. For more information about pool hours, visit the Montgomery County Recreation website.


Silver Spring

Carlos Manuel Castro-Perez, age 14, was last seen on Friday, May 20, 2022, at approximately 5 a.m., in the 2300 block of Blueridge Ave.  Castro-Perez is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gold necklace, a dark grey t-shirt, light blue jeans and white and blue Nike sneakers. He was also seen carrying a black and grey backpack.    Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carlos Manuel Castro-Perez 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.


Event

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:


MoCo Government

Founded in 1992, the Keeping It Safe Coalition (KIS) is an alliance of County departments, local organizations and concerned residents that work to deter underage alcohol access and use. The student video contest was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Traffic Division.

“Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth and under-21 drinking is a public health problem in the United States,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “Video contests, such as this one, provide students with the opportunity to engage in advocacy with their peers and raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of under-21 drinking.”


Silver Spring

On Tuesday, May 24, Montgomery County Police announced that detectives from the Major Crimes Division were investigating a suspicious death that occurred that morning in the 1700 block of East West Hwy in Silver Spring. According to a press release, at approximately 12:06 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the location for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased adult male and noted that there was no suspect in custody and no known threat to the community.

MCPD later updated their news release to say that an autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore and the possibility of foul play was ruled out. On Wednesday, the MCPD Public Information Office confirmed via email that the cause of death was ruled a suicide.


Restaurants

Today, May 25th, all high school and college seniors can receive a free dozen doughnuts at Krispy Kreme locations nationwide, including the one at 14919 Shady Grove Rd. in Rockville. According to Krispy Kreme, any senior who wears Class of 2022 swag – from shirts and jackets to graduation cap and gown – can get a “Senior Day Dozen” FREE at participating shops while supplies last.

Krispy Kreme’s free Senior Day Dozen features eight Original Glazed® doughnuts and four custom 2022 doughnuts:


Maryland

Press release: Today during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Governor Larry Hogan announced a $2 million investment in the state’s innovative Global Gateway Initiative. Managed by the Maryland Department of Commerce, this first-in-the-nation program helps attract international businesses and ease their transition into the U.S. market by connecting them with local incubators and accelerators.

“As we continue to have one of the strongest recoveries in the world, we want to be as aggressive as possible and kick this initiative into high gear,” said Governor Hogan. “Our state is worth the attention and investment of even more international companies, and now we look forward to making it easier than ever to forge closer ties with partners across the globe.”


Events

White Oak Day will take place on Saturday, June 4th to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the White Oak Community Recreation Center at 1700 April Lane. The event will take place from noon until 4pm.

Per the event flyer: “The White Oak Community Rec center will open its doors to the community. Great for all ages and families. Enjoy music, vendors, food, and fun activities.” Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.


MoCo Government

“All the members of the Montgomery County Council are heartbroken by the senseless mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, which has taken the lives of at least 14 students and one teacher. We know there is not a parent in America who doesn’t share in the grief and anger about this horrific tragedy.

“We mourn the loss of the children and the lives that they had ahead of them filled with promise and potential. We are also thinking about the parents, grandparents, siblings and loved ones who have lost the essential light in their lives at the hands of a gunman. We know that no words will ever ease their unimaginable pain.


MoCo Government

As a parent and former elementary school teacher, I understand that this is a parent’s worst nightmare. It has been nearly a decade since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, and it is unfortunate that we are going through this sort of pain once again, but this might have been avoided if we had taken action back then. Every time a tragedy like this happens there is outrage and calls for change, to curb the proliferation of guns. However, that outrage did not result in real action, so now, here we are again.

Incidents like this anywhere undermine people’s sense of security everywhere. We know in the wake of this event, Montgomery County school parents, like all parents around this nation, are going to be concerned for their own child’s safety and welfare. Please know that our police and school system will be working together to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our school community.