MoCo Government

“Last Congress – through the united efforts of President Biden in the White House and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate – we led one of the most productive legislative sessions in history – from critical legislation to confront the climate crisis and lower costs for American families to vital investments to modernize our infrastructure to common-sense, bipartisan first steps on gun safety, election integrity, marriage equality, and veterans’ health care.

“This session, it’s essential that we build on this progress by overseeing the effective implementation of these initiatives as we continue to build a more inclusive economy with greater shared prosperity. For Maryland, I’ll be working to invest federal resources in key initiatives across our entire state to support our schools, our workforce, our seniors and our communities, including removing the Highway to Nowhere so we can reunite divided neighborhoods in West Baltimore. And I’ll be fighting to build on the progress we’ve made to preserve and clean up the Chesapeake Bay by moving forward on our proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area.


MDLottery

UPCOMING INITIATIVES

The Maryland Lottery kicked off the year with today’s launch of its first 50th anniversary-themed product, the $1 We’re 50 Win $50 FAST PLAY game. Beginning Jan. 23, Lottery players can look for the Gold Multiplier family of games, which includes four scratch-offs ranging in price from $1 to $10. Players can enter non-winning tickets into the Gold Multiplier Second-Chance Promotion for the chance to win one of five $50,000 prizes.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in which one person died Tuesday evening in Allegany County. Shortly before 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, troopers from the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack responded to westbound Interstate-68 at Route 36 in Frostburg, Maryland for a report of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2017 Ford Explorer was driving westbound on I-68 when the vehicle rear-ended a tractor-trailer.

The crash sent the Ford Explorer into the next lane, where it was struck on the driver’s side by a 2004 Ford F350 truck. The driver of the Ford Explorer, identified as Corey Douglas McElroy, 31, of Friendsville, Maryland, was flown by Maryland State Police Helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital, where he was declared deceased. Upon further investigation, it was learned that McElroy was a deputy sheriff for the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office, and he was driving an unmarked departmental vehicle at the time of the crash.


Bethesda

In October 2016, following discussions with the state and Montgomery County, Marriott announced plans to stay in Maryland and move from its Fernwood Road headquarters to the new location in downtown Bethesda, a 21-story headquarters home to corporate associates supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories around the world. Governor Hogan took part in the groundbreaking for the site in 2018.

Earlier this year, Governor Larry Hogan and Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford celebrated the opening of Marriott International’s new global headquarters with citation presentations at JW Marriott Seoul during a celebration of the grand opening and at the company’s ribbon cutting ceremony in Bethesda. Marriott’s new headquarters includes 20,000 square feet of collaborative workspace, over 2,800 workspaces, 180 conference rooms, and is within close proximity to the Bethesda Metro Station, Capital Crescent Bike Trail, and multiple bus routes.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police:  Maryland State Police last night arrested the person wanted in connection for a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Dec. 4 in Prince George’s County.  The suspect, Lidia Parada Benitez, 63, of Baltimore, is charged with leaving the scene of an injury collision and failing to report a collision to police. She is currently being held at the Prince George’s County Detention Center pending an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

Troopers arrested Benitez following a traffic stop at 5:54 p.m. Wednesday night at Hollins Ferry Road north of I-695 in Baltimore.  She was transported to the Maryland State Police College Park Barrack for processing before being transferred to the Prince George’s County Detention Center.


Highways / Interstates

The storm is expected to begin as a wintry mix for points north and west of the I-95 corridor. Garrett and Allegany counties are expecting icing conditions, so motorists are encouraged to keep updated with forecasts and delay travel in the event of icing. The application of salt brine is used to prevent precipitation from initially bonding to the pavement. Motorists are encouraged to remain home and off the roads so crews can effectively and efficiently treat the roads.

“We’re asking for motorists’ patience while our crews are out doing their jobs, clearing paths for drivers,” MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “While we encourage everyone to stay home if travel becomes hazardous, those who must go out should remember that the safest spot for people that have to drive is safely behind our equipment.”


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland Office of the Attorney General: Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced the convictions of Eugene Fusting, 79, and Christopher Ian Fusting, 52, of Baltimore relating to their operation of a Ponzi-like investment scheme between 2012 and 2019. Eugene and Christopher Fusting were found guilty of Theft Scheme Over $100,000 and Conspiracy to Commit Theft Scheme Over $100,000 after pleading guilty in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Melissa Phinn sentenced both Eugene and Christopher Fusting to 30 years in prison, all of which were suspended. Eugene will serve 18-months of home detention and Christopher will serve 12-months of home detention. Judge Phinn also ordered the Fustings to serve 5 years of supervised probation and pay restitution in the amount of $808,745.00.

Both Eugene and Christopher Fusting held brokerage accounts in their individual names at an online securities and brokerage firm where they would, on occasion, wire a portion of the funds they received. However, instead of utilizing these accounts to invest the funds, the brokerage accounts served as a conduit for investor funds, where investors’ money sat until the balances on the Fustings’ individual bank accounts waned, at which time funds were wired out of the brokerage accounts back to the personal accounts and spent on personal expenses. Neither Fusting had any additional source of income and relied on the stolen funds to support their lifestyles.


MDLottery

Per the Maryland Lottery: As the Maryland Lottery prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, it is embracing the future with the launch of digital drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5, as well as Bonus Match 5 and Multi-Match. Beginning December 19, the drawings for all five games will be conducted using a computer system called a random number generator (RNG), which will replace the numbered Lottery balls and mechanical drawing machines.

“Lottery balls and machines have been part of the Maryland Lottery’s history, but it’s important for us to modernize as we look forward to the next 50 years and beyond,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “More than 30 other lotteries in the U.S. and Canada have shifted to RNG systems because they are efficient, cost-effective — and most importantly they are extremely secure.”


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating two fatal shootings which occurred a few hours apart Thursday evening in Dorchester County. At about 7:15 p.m. last night, the Cambridge Police Department responded to the area of Pleasant Street and Race Street in Cambridge, Maryland for a gunshot victim. Officers located the victim, identified as Taijay Brian Daniels, 24, of Cambridge, Maryland, who had been shot multiple times. Daniels was pronounced deceased at the scene.  

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by Cambridge Police to assume the investigation. According to a preliminary investigation, an unknown black male wearing a black jacket, dark jeans, black shoes and black book bag robbed Daniels at gunpoint. During the course of the robbery, the gunman shot Daniels before fleeing the area.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating two fatal multi-vehicle crashes that occurred this morning in Harford County. At about 6:45 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police JFK Memorial Highway Barrack responded to Interstate-95 North at MD Route 543 in Belcamp, Maryland for a report of a five-vehicle crash. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse was traveling north on I-95 in the left lane, when it crossed over the solid yellow line of the left shoulder and struck two tractor-trailers. The Chevrolet then rotated back into the road where another tractor-trailer struck the vehicle. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Caprice N. Davis, 27, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was declared deceased at the scene. There were no other injuries reported as a result of the initial crash.

The second crash occurred at about 8:35 a.m. on I-95 North at Maryland Route 24 in Edgewood, Maryland. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2021 Subaru Forrester was traveling north on I-95 when the driver, a female, crashed into the rear of a dump truck.  The truck was stopped for traffic associated with the initial crash. The victim, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was declared deceased at the scene. I-95 North was closed for about five hours as a result of the crashes.   The cause of the crashes remains under investigation. 


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred this morning in Frederick County. At about 6:35 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Frederick Barrack responded to Liberty Road (MD Route 26) at Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick, Maryland for a report of a two-vehicle crash. According to a preliminary investigation, a cement truck was traveling east on Liberty Road, while a 2005 Honda Civic was traveling south on Monocacy Boulevard.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Blake Timothy Hipkins, of Thurmont, Maryland, attempted to cross over Liberty Road, but crashed into the cement truck at the intersection. Hipkins was declared deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The intersection was closed until about 8:45 a.m. following the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.  


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