Former Montgomery County resident Vince McMahon announced his retirement today from World Wrestling Entertainment. McMahon and his family lived on Stedwick Dr in Montgomery Village in the late 60’s/early 70’s. On June 8, the Wall Street Journal released an article alleging that McMahon paid a secret $3 million “hush money” settlement to a former WWE employee he allegedly had a sexual relationship with. One week later, McMahon announced he was temporarily stepping down from his role as Chairman and CEO while the company ran an internal investigation. The Wall Street Journal then released a second article on July 8, alleging that McMahon paid more than $12 million in total over the past 16 years in settlements with women, all who were associated with the WWE.
Vince’s daughter Stephanie McMahon, along with WWE President Nick Khan, have been named co-CEO’s of the company moving forward. McMahon remains the majority shareholder of WWE, owning about 32% of its stock. McMahon released the following statement Friday afternoon on the company’s corporate website:
“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE. Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you. I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand. Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment. I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.
“Our global audience can take comfort in knowing WWE will continue to entertain you with the same fervor, dedication, and passion as always. I am extremely confident in the continued success of WWE, and I leave our company in the capable hands of an extraordinary group of Superstars, employees, and executives – in particular, both Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan. As the majority shareholder, I will continue to support WWE in any way I can. My personal thanks to our community and business partners, shareholders, and Board of Directors for their guidance and support through the years. Then. Now. Forever. Together.”
McMahon’s MoCo History:
When Vince McMahon Sr. wanted to expand the then-WWWF further down the east coast, he sent his son Vince McMahon Jr. down to D.C. to run operations. Since Vince and his wife Linda couldn’t afford to live in the city, they purchased a home on Stedwick Dr in Montgomery Village. On January 15, 1970, Shane Brandon McMahon was born in Gaithersburg. About 5 years later, they moved back and forth between Connecticut and Gaithersburg until finally moving to Connecticut full-time in the early 80s.
Around 4,000 residents in Montgomery Village are currently without power after a transformer blew up this morning around 9am at the intersection of Watkins Mill Rd and Stedwick Rd.
Pepco is currently at the scene and are estimating that power could be restored to most customers by noon. No injuries from the explosion have been reported. We will post an update when more information becomes available. Per Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS: “Update – Gaithersburg, MD IAO Watkins Mill Road & Stedwick Road @PepcoConnect on scene & report ~4K customers out of power.”
Watkins Mill Road & Stedwick Road. Underground transformer blew up. Power out in surrounding areas. Pepco enroute. @mcfrs PE708 on scene @MontgomeryCoMD pic.twitter.com/cC0c9f1a6f
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 17, 2022
On Monday the Maryland Court of Appeals handed down its opinion in the case of Rony Galicia, 30, of Boyds, MD. Galicia was convicted in November 2018 of murdering two Northwest High School students in Montgomery Village on June 5, 2017. That conviction was overturned in January 2021 and remanded to Montgomery County Circuit Court. This now reinstates Galicia’s convictions on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of first-degree felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and armed robbery.
In June 2017, on the eve of their graduation from Northwest High School, Shadi Ali Najjar, 17, and Artem Ziberov, 18, were ambushed and shot multiple times while they sat in a parked car in Montgomery Village. Four men, including Rony Galicia, were convicted of the murders in three separate trials. The Court of Special Appeals reversed Galicia’s conviction in January, 2021, on the basis of two evidentiary issues that arose during his trial, but the higher Court of Appeals has now reached a different conclusion on both of those issues, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“The opinion from Maryland’s highest court reaffirms what the State believed from the beginning. Rony Galicia is, indeed, responsible for the violent deaths of these two teenagers along with his co-defendants. We are pleased to learn the jury’s decision will be upheld and Galicia will continue to serve out his sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Our hearts are with the families of the victims today,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
Read the full opinion here: https://mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/coa/2022/5a21.pdf
Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Montgomery Village Starbucks, which will be located at the former site of the Montgomery Village Denny’s (19290 Montgomery Village Ave.) While the exterior of the of the store appears to be complete, the buildout has not yet begun on the inside. No opening date has been announced.
Last month we reported that Dickey’s BBQ Pit will also be opening a new location in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. Building permit signs were posted on the future sites of Kobe Japan, The Joint, and Boo Boo Pho, also in the shopping center, back in March.
Kobe Japan will be located at 19226 Montgomery Village Ave, next to the recently opened Moe’s Southwest Grill. They currently have locations at 13623 Georgia Ave. Suit A in Silver Spring and 163 University Blvd E, Takoma Park. Their menu features, sushi and sashimi, bento boxes and hibachi.
The Joint will be located at 19218 Montgomery Village Ave, the former site of Floor Tile Carpet, which has moved to a new storefront next to 7-Eleven in the center. The Joint is an affordable chiropractic care center with over 700 locations nationwide.
Boo Boo Pho will be located in one of the brand new storefronts at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave. No other information is available about Boo Boo Pho at this time.
Per the Village News:
Fresh quality produce is available again in Montgomery Village! In less than a month, the Montgomery Village Farmers’ Market, located at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 9801 Centerway Road, will be open for the season! On Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., come enjoy this unique market feel while supporting our local vendors, some new and some returning favorites!
Make an early appearance for the opening announcement and claim a free Farmers’ Market grocery bag (limited quantities available).
For the 12th season, the Montgomery Village Farmers’ Market will feature local vendors with products ranging from produce to sweet treats and everything in between, as well a variety of local breweries and wineries each week. Make a plan to visit your favorite vendors: Valencia’s Produce, Pleitez Produce, Springfield Farm, Killdeer Valley Cookies, Mom’s Sweet Creations, Stone Hearth Barkery, The Crêpe Shoppe, D’s Smokehouse BBQ, DMV Empanadas, Nativo Condiments and Seasonings, Just Pralines, Elk Run Vineyards, Urban Winery, Mully’s Brewery, 7 Locks Brewing, Baltimore Spirits Co. and Twin Valley Distillery. Check out the latest additions to the MV Farmers’ Market as well: Sharrah Orchards, Springfield Farm, Honey Bunny Bakery, Origo Coffee and Doggy Donuts.
New for 2022 is our Farmers’ Market Composting Service. This free service is offered to all market goers from the Compost Crew! Simply bring your container of food scraps to the market each week to recycle into organic compost material. Please note this service will only be available during market hours (there will not be a permanent container on the church property).
So, come out on Saturday, June 4, and support the community and our local economy, as you enjoy one of many sights and sounds unique to Montgomery Village. For more information, visit www.mvfarmersmarket.com.
A new El Salvadorian restaurant is coming to 19114 Montgomery Village Ave, the former Einstein Bagel Bros location in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. The owners of the restaurant say they are almost finished with construction and are hoping to open sometime next month. The restaurant will serve popular Salvadorian dishes like pupusas, tamales, and yuca con chicharron, as well as traditional Salvadorian cuisine such as pastelitos. The name of the restaurant has yet to be announced. La Poteria, which sells Colombian street food and coffee, is located next door. Einstein Bros closed its Montgomery Village store in December of last year and has additional Montgomery County locations in Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, and Silver Spring.
Also in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center, construction is nearing completion on the upcoming Starbucks location. Once construction of the building is complete, Starbucks will then take it over and begin the buildout process (installing equipment, signage, etc,) and is still expected to open this summer. Building permit signs were posted on the future sites of Kobe Japan, The Joint, and Boo Boo Pho back in March, but buildouts have not began on any of these locations. Representatives from klnb, the shopping center’s realty company, tell us more new businesses coming to the center will be announced very soon.
There will be a food distribution event today, May 11, between 1-2:30pm at Watkins Mill Elementary School (19001 Watkins Mill Rd) in Montgomery Village. Please remain in your vehicle while food is being delivered. For additional help accessing food in Montgomery County, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week. Learn more at blackrockcenter.org
There is a food distribution event happening at the @UpCountyHub this afternoon! See details in the flyer. For additional help accessing food in Montgomery County, visit ➡️ https://t.co/GS5vg9MVfA. pic.twitter.com/GwMMPkEN46
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) May 11, 2022
Update: Athens Grill has officially reopened.
Athens Grill has been a Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village staple for over 30 years– the restaurant opened at 9124 Rothbury Drive in Goshen Plaza in 1991. A few weeks back the restaurant suffered a sprinkler malfunction that led to a bevy of issues that had temporarily closed the restaurant.
We spoke with the owner of the restaurant who told us that following the sprinkler malfunction, the restaurant has had to replace every piece of cooking equipment and has undergone two professional cleanings as well as additional cleaning by the owners and employees.
Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigative Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 17-year-old from Montgomery Village. Daviana Pamela Hernandez was last seen in the 9700 block of Hellingly Place. Hernandez is approximately 5-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. It is unknown what clothing she was last seen wearing.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Daviana Pamela Hernandez is asked to call the Montgomery County Police SVID at (240) 773- 5400 or the police non-emergency number at (301) 279- 8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.
A car was driven into the Montgomery Village Post Office (10079 Stedwick Rd) on Monday afternoon around 12:20pm.
MCPD is currently on the scene and a towing company is in the process of removing the vehicle.
There were no injuries reported, only property damage, according to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Pete Piringer.
A building inspector has been requested.
Residents are advised to use nearby post offices in Gaithersburg and Germantown.
(~1220p) 10079 Stedwick Rd Office-, Montgomery Village, car in building, Property damage only, building inspector requested pic.twitter.com/8j0YgiVm9B
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 18, 2022
Feature photo courtesy of @angelcantareroo on Instagram.
Montgomery Village has been named a 2021 Tree City USA community by The National Arbor Day Foundation, according to the Montgomery Village News. It is Montgomery Village’s 34th consecutive year receiving the recognition.
Full details below per Montgomery Village:
Montgomery Village has been named a 2021 Tree City USA community by The National Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. It is the 34th consecutive year Montgomery Village has received this national recognition.
According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, Montgomery Village has met four criteria to become a Tree City USA, including a tree board or department; a tree care ordinance; maintaining a community forestry budget; and holding an official Arbor Day observance.
Montgomery Village will celebrated Arbor Day this year on April 28 with a in Lake Whetstone Park. This tree will be planted to honor former MVF Board of Directors President Pete Webb, for his years of service to Montgomery Village.
Montgomery Village is committed to effective urban forestry management. Maintaining this importance resource is vital to our public infrastructure. Cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings and increased property values are among the benefits enjoyed by Tree City USA communities.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
For more information on The National Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org.
