Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is pleased to partner with several County agencies as well as Silver Spring Cares Inc. and CHEER to host a coat drive and distribution to support the Long Branch community. Coat collection will take place Dec. 27 – Jan. 5 at locations across the County. Individuals can also make a monetary contribution via GoFundMe.  

“As we can tell from recent weather, having a proper winter coat is very important; unfortunately, for many County families they are costly purchases,” said County Executive Elrich. “I encourage everyone to donate new or gently used coats at this time of the year. I want to thank Silver Spring Cares Inc., CHEER, along with the Montgomery County Police, Montgomery County Recreation and the Silver Spring Regional Services Center for providing this easy and accessible opportunity to help out our neighbors most in need.”

You can drop off new or gently used coats at the following locations starting Tuesday, Dec. 27:

• Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown
• Long Branch Community Recreation Center, 8700 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring
• Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center, 13850 Travilah Road, Rockville
• Potomac Community Recreation Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac
• Wheaton Community Recreation Center, 11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton
• White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
• 3rd District Police Headquarters, 1002 Milestone Dr., Silver Spring

Please note these Community Recreation Centers will be operating on a holiday schedule Dec. 27 – 31 and closed on Jan. 1 and 2.

The goal is to collect more than 500 gently used winter coats of all sizes. Free coats will be distributed to those in need on Friday, Jan. 6, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Long Branch Community Recreation Center.

Coats will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one coat per person. The recipient must be present to receive coat. Registration is not required.

The coat drive is being coordinated by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Police, Montgomery County Recreation, the Silver Spring Regional Services Center, Silver Spring Cares Inc. and CHEER.

# # #

Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones, along with County Executive Marc Elrich and 3rd District Commander David McBain held a press conference regarding the Wednesday night homicide that occurred in the Wayne Avenue Parking Garage (Garage 60) near Ellsworth Dr. in Downtown Silver Spring. The victim has been identified as Charles Reynolds, 62, of Silver Spring.  Reynolds was bringing leftovers to his vehicle after eating dinner with his family at a nearby restaurant when he was shot and killed in the stairwell of the garage. It does not appear to be a robbery as none of the victim’s personal items were taken. There are no suspects at this time. You can view the full press conference here.

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a homicide that occurred in the parking garage on Wayne Ave. and Fenton St. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Detectives are urging the public for assistance in solving this homicide. At approximately 8:59 p.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded to the location and found an adult male victim in a stairwell, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Life saving measures were provided to the victim who was then pronounced dead at the scene.  The decedent has been identified as 62-year-old Charles Joseph Reynolds, of Silver Spring.

Currently, there is no suspect in custody. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Detectives are asking for anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward.  Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the homicide suspect. Callers may remain anonymous.

Montgomery County Police announced that New Hampshire Estates Elementary School at 8720 Carroll Avenue in Silver Spring was placed on a lockdown earlier this morning. According to MCPD, “At approximately 8:30 a.m. New Hampshire Estates ES went into lockdown as the result of a police investigation in the area. The lockdown lasted approximately 30 mins. until police verified there was no threat to the school or community. The lockdown has been lifted.”

“Community Engagement officers responded to New Hampshire Estates Elementary School and remained at the school until the lockdown was lifted. Officers will continue to monitor the school for the remainder of the day.”
We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. New Hampshire Estates ES went into lockdown as the result of a police investigation in the area.

The lockdown lasted approximately 30 mins. until police verified there was no threat to the school or community.

The lockdown has been lifted. pic.twitter.com/CmPr8XoBb2

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) December 16, 2022

 

Lugo Peralta, 19, of Silver Spring was arrested in Lexington Park, MD on Wednesday morning for stealing used oil from nearby restaurants. Additional information courtesy of the St. Mary’s County Police Department:

“Deputy First Class Phillip Henry was conducting a premise check at the Lexington Village shopping center in Lexington Park early Wednesday morning when he came upon a suspicious vehicle and individual behind the Golden Chicken restaurant.

Defendant Hamsel Lugo Peralta, age 19 of Silver Spring, told Deputy Thomas Deinert that he was taking used oil grease from the Valley Proteins dumpster at the rear of the business. A grease dumpster behind another nearby restaurant, Pizza Boli’s, also had two locks broken. Peralta said he was able to open the top door of Pizza Boli’s dumpster and inserted a hose in to suck the grease out into a 330-gallon container inside the vehicle. Peralta was attempting to breach the dumpster behind Golden Chicken when caught by deputies.

It is estimated that the two 330-gallon tanks in the vehicle would be worth $3,000 after sale. Peralta was arrested by Deputy Deinert, transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown where he was charged with Theft Scheme: $1,500 to under $25,000; Theft Scheme: $100 to under $1,500; Theft: $1,500 to under $25,000; Theft: $100 to under $1,500 and Destruction of Property under $500.”

Per Montgomery County: The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District will have many holiday and winter-themed programs to keep all ages entertained through the New Year. In addition, the outdoor ice skating rink at Veterans Plaza is now open seven days a week.   More than 100 arts and humanities organizations, arts venues, attractions and entertainment businesses are within the Arts and Entertainment District, with many hosting or sponsoring special events during the holiday season and during winter break. Reservations or tickets are required for many of the events.

The outdoor ice skating rink at Veterans Plaza is open daily, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Skating sessions are for one hour.  Reservations are available up to two weeks in advance. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.silverspringiceskating.com/. The rink has more than 400 pairs of skates available to rent, sized from toddler to adult.

A list of dining and retail options in Silver Spring can be found at www.SilverSpringDowntown.com.

Upcoming special events in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District will include:

• Collage Holiday Ornament Making Workshop at Create Arts Center. Saturday, Dec. 17.  2-4 p.m. Create collaged holiday ornaments. Choose from a selection of colorful, textured papers to layer onto papier-mâché forms that will be transformed into your designs.
• Create Arts Center is offering a series of Winter Break Art Camp days for ages 6-12. Dec. 28, 29, 30 and Jan. 2, 3. Parents can choose the days that work best for their schedule, with activities from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with before- and after-care available.
• Cookie Decorating Workshop and Sounds of the Season. Saturday, Dec. 17. Noon-4 p.m.  Downtown Silver Spring is offering holiday performances by Banneker Middle School’s Ransom Notes & The Right Hands, violinist Julianne Tortolano and the Rockville Brass Band. There also will be a cookie decorating workshop and refreshments at Nando’s Patio Bar and Warming Lounge.
• Sounds of the Season. Saturday, Dec. 24. Noon-1 p.m. A solo performance by violinist Chloe Robertson on the stage.
• Nutcracker and Holiday Treats. Saturday, Dec. 17. 7 p.m. The Akmedova Ballet Academy will perform the best-known dances from The Nutcracker and original choreography at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center.
• Certain Party or Parties Unknown. Art exhibit at the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery in the Silver Spring Civic Building through Jan. 13. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, experience a free evening of jazz music with Paul Carr and pianist Bruce Barth.
• The Majestic Theater is showing holiday movie favorite Polar Express on Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18, How the Grinch Stole Christmason Dec. 24, It’s a Wonderful Life on Dec. 18 and 21, and daily screenings of the new non-traditional Christmas movie Violent Night.
• Holiday Classics at the AFI Silver. Enjoy perennial Christmas classics It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bishop’s Wife and ’80s favorites Die Hard and The Muppet Christmas Carol(celebrating its 30th anniversary with a restored director’s cut) and Love Is Gone aka Belle’s Song. Also in the mix are Will Ferrell in Elf, Albert Finney in 1970’s Scrooge and underseen 1952 British yuletide classic The Holly and the Ivy. Select screenings on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 24 feature intros by Jeremy Arnold, author of Turner Classic Movies’ Christmas in the Movies: 30 Classics to Celebrate the Season.
• Silver Branch Brewing. Saturday, Dec. 17. Hosts an Ugly Sweater Party. Saturday, Dec. 31, hosts a New Year’s Eve Bash. Along with a holiday movie marathon, the Ugly Sweater Party will offer prizes for the Ugliest Sweater, the Best Homemade Sweater and the Funniest Sweater.
• The American Legion Post 41. Saturday, Dec. 17. 4-7 p.m. Hosts a music-filled holiday with an Ugly Sweater Party. Sunday, Jan. 8: Hosts the DC Blues Jam.
• Photos with Santa. Ellsworth Place is offering visits and photos with Santa through Dec. 24. Times vary.
• Other locations with daily entertainment offerings during winter break include The Big Escape Room Silver Spring, Dave and Busters Silver Spring, The Eleanor’s bowling lanes and a Black and White photo tour with Sip N Develop.

Designated as an Arts and Entertainment District by the State of Maryland in 2001, the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District is a hub of performance venues, restaurants and nightlife, festivals and community celebrations and family friendly fun. An Arts and Entertainment District helps develop and promote community involvement, tourism and business revitalization through tax-related incentives that attract artists, arts organizations and other creative enterprises.

For more information and an events calendar, visit the official Silver Spring website.

# # #

A Silver Spring man is $100,000 richer after purchasing a winning lottery scratch-off ticket at the Latino Market & Jewelry 2505 Ennalls Avenue. Full story below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:
Montgomery County man claims top prize on $100,000 Extreme Cash instant ticket
A dash of Lottery luck recently gave a Silver Spring sous chef a tantalizing $100,000 scratch-off prize. The player, who buys Lottery games each week, found his top-prize win on a $30 $100,000 Extreme Cash scratch-off.

The Montgomery County resident made a stop at Latino Market & Jewelry in Silver Spring. When he realized he won, “I was very happy,” the player said. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use his winnings to pay off loans. His lucky retailer located at 2505 Ennalls Avenue will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for its role in selling a top-prize winning scratch-off worth $100,000. This instant ticket was launched in September 2020. There are still eight $100,000 top prizes remaining along with more than 82,000 other prizes ranging from $30 to $5,000.

A Silver Spring man purchased a $50,000 winning Powerball ticket this week at the Old World Favorites Beer & Wine at 3854 International Drive in Leisure Plaza. Full story below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:
Lucky $2 quick-pick ticket delivers big win
A Silver Spring man and his wife are now $50,000 richer as a result of a third-tier Powerball win in the Dec. 5 drawing. The Montgomery County resident was at home with his wife when he discovered his win using his mobile Lottery app. He said his wife started to scream with excitement while he played it cool.

“My wife was a little more excited than me. I was in total shock and speechless,” he said.
The lucky winner said he does not play as often as his wife, who buys tickets several times a week. He plans to share the prize with her.   “I guess my money is really her money,” he said, when the happy couple stopped by Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim the prize.

An engineer, the winner said he plans to put most of the money in the bank but will spend some of it on a vacation and a new car for his wife. The couple play both Mega Millions and Powerball because they love the big prizes. The estimated Mega Millions jackpot is set for $379 million for Friday’s drawing and the estimated Powerball jackpot is at $116 million for Saturday’s drawing.

“We are going to keep playing,” the winner said. “We hope to come back after we win the full jackpot next time.” He purchased the lucky $2 quick-pick ticket at Old World Favorites at 3854 International Drive in Silver Spring.

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Jan. 18, starting at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed construction of a sidewalk in the Roscoe Nix Elementary School community on Oakview Drive from Dilston Road to New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.

 

At the virtual hearing, MCDOT will present the project details, costs, schedules and obtain public testimony. If approved, the completed project will enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities as they travel to nearby schools and facilities. Public input is encouraged and will influence whether MCDOT constructs any, all or a portion of the proposed sidewalks.

Online registration is required to attend. On the morning of the meeting, an electronic invitation will be sent to those who registered. Prior to the virtual meeting, the public is encouraged to review the proposal files on the project website.

Written testimony or questions may be submitted to MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program by email to [email protected]. Written testimony carries the same weight as oral testimony. All information provided including questions and testimonies will become a matter of public record.

Interpreter services will be provided upon request with five business days advance notice by contacting Hamed Ahangari by email at [email protected] or call 240-220-8299.

Learn more about MCDOT’s engineering and construction projects by visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte.

For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

#  #  #

A $50,000-winning Powerball ticket was sold at the Old World Favorites Beer & Wine store located at 3854 International Drive in Silver Spring. Additional details below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:
“Congratulations to our new $50,000 third-tier Powerball winner! While no one hit the jackpot in the Monday, Dec. 5 drawing, there were 6,933 Maryland winners of prizes ranging from $4 to $50,000.  Check your tickets for a win, especially if you bought one at Old World Favorites located at 3854 International Drive in Silver Spring. The Montgomery County retailer sold the $50,000-winning ticket. The winning numbers in the Dec. 5 drawing were 35, 45, 47, 54 and 55; the Powerball was 14.

Lottery officials encourage all winners to sign the back of their tickets and put them in a safe location. They get 182 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes. The Powerball jackpot has rolled to an estimated annuity value of $100 million for the Wednesday, Dec. 7 drawing, with an estimated cash option of $52.9 million. This year, in Powerball, Maryland Lottery has sold two $2 million second-tier winning tickets, seven $1 million second-tier winning tickets, 90 third-tier winning tickets and five Double Play third-tier winning tickets.

Instructions on claiming prizes in person or by mail are available HERE. Players must redeem prizes larger than $25,000 by mail or at Lottery headquarters in the Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330 in Baltimore. The Lottery’s Claims Center in Baltimore is open by appointment only (no walk-ins). Click HERE to schedule an appointment. Winners can also drop off a winning ticket along with a completed claim form and copies of their photo ID and proof of Social Security/Tax ID number in the Lottery drop box in the Montgomery Park Business Center lobby.

Winning Powerball numbers are available at mdlottery.com and on your smartphone by downloading the free MD Lottery app. Tickets cost $2 each. Players can add either Power Play to their tickets for an additional $1 or Double Play for an additional $1 or both for a total ticket cost of $4.”

A $50,000 FAMILY FEUD scratch-off purchased at Kemp Mill Beer, Wine & Deli  (1339 Lamberton Drive) in Silver Spring and a $50,000 Money Explosion scratch-off purchased at the Olney Shell (18040 Georgia Avenue) in Olney were the two biggest lottery prizes redeemed this past week that were sold in Montgomery County. Two $1,000,000 scratch-offs, both purchased in Upper Marlboro, MD, were also redeemed. Additional information on winners around the state of Maryland below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:

Two Maryland Lottery scratch-off players, one each in Upper Marlboro and Westminster, redeemed winning tickets that made them millionaires last week, and another six players landed prizes of $100,000 each in Fort Washington, Hagerstown, Langley Park, Laurel, Middle River and Windsor Mill. In all, 41 tickets across Maryland delivered prizes of $10,000 or more during the seven days ending Dec. 4, and the Maryland Lottery paid more than $35 million in prizes during that span.

Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.

Here is the weekly roundup of big winners:

Scratch-off Prizes Claimed Nov. 28-Dec. 4:

$2 Million Prize

• Cash Is King, Jiffy Mart, 1 Magna Way, Westminster

$1 Million Prize

• Million Dollar Mega Multiplier, Tucker’s Liquors and Restaurant, 9205 Marlboro Pike, Upper Marlboro

$100,000 Prizes

• $100,000 Crossword 6^th Edition, Allentown Valero, 7713 Allentown Road, Fort Washington
• $100,000 Lucky, Four Corners Wine and Liquor, 8038 New Hampshire Avenue, Langley Park
• Lucky Times 10, Laurel Citgo, 130 Second Street, Laurel
• Money Rush, Martin’s #6444, 18726 North Pointe Drive, Hagerstown

$50,000 Prizes

• FAMILY FEUD^®, Kemp Mill Beer, Wine & Deli, 1339 Lamberton Drive, Silver Spring
• Lucky Times 10, Laurel Liquors, 420 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel
• Money Explosion, Olney Shell, 18040 Georgia Avenue, Olney

$30,000 Prize

• Peppermint Payout, Food Lion #1319, 30290 Mount Wolf Road, Charlotte Hall

$20,000 Prize

• Big Cash Riches, Grandpop’s Place, 5200 Kenwood Avenue, Baltimore

$10,000 Prizes

• $100,000 Crossword 6^th Edition, Dash In #1851, 6000 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel
• BETTY BOOP™, Value Dollar, 8030 New Hampshire Avenue, Hyattsville
• Big Cash Riches, Corona Grocery, 3520 East Lombard Street, Baltimore
• Bonus Bingo X20, South River Liquors, 3204 Solomon’s Island Road, Edgewater
• Deluxe Crossword 7^th Edition, Giant #344, 6020 Marshalee Lee Drive, Elkridge
• Mega 7s, One Stop Convenience, 321 Stemmers Run Road, Essex
• Million Dollar Mega Multiplier, Royal Farms #055, 3701 Fleet Street, Baltimore
• Money Rush, RRK Airpark Exxon, 7983 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg
• Ravens X5, The Green’s Liquor, 9201 Crain Highway, Bel Alton
• Show Me $100,000!, Corner Market, 1 South Bi-State Boulevard, Delmar

FAST PLAY and Draw Game Tickets Sold for Drawings Nov. 28-Dec. 4:

BONUS MATCH 5

• $50,015 ticket sold Nov. 29 at Inner Harbor Exxon, 1800 Russell Street, Baltimore (claimed)

FAST PLAY

• $100,000 Winfall Doubler ticket sold Nov. 30 at Kwik Mart #2, 901 A Middle River Road, Middle River (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $10,000 Towering 10s ticket sold Nov. 28 at Royal Farms #257, 7560 Belair Road, Nottingham (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)

MEGA MILLIONS

• $10,000 ticket sold Nov. 30 at High’s #048, 1624 Annapolis Road, Odenton (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)

PICK 5

• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 29 at Fishpaw’s Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Highway, Arnold (claimed)
• $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 1 at Biddle Liquors, 2100 East Biddle Street, Baltimore (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 29 at Pine Liquors, 9231 Oxon Hill Road, Fort Washington (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 26 at Tony’s Liquors, 12637 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel (claimed)
• $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 1 at Royal Farms #064, 7950 Pulaski Highway, Rosedale (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 28 at Rosedale Liquors, 6403 Kenwood Avenue, Rosedale (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 26 at Dawson’s Liquors, 589 Baltimore – Annapolis Boulevard, Severna Park (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 29 at Whitney’s Liquors, 2218 Old Washington Road, Waldorf (unclaimed as of Dec. 5)
• $25,000 ticket sold Nov. 29 at 7-Eleven #23157, 2170 Crain Highway, Waldorf (claimed)

POWERBALL

• $100,000 ticket sold Nov. 17 at Rolling Road BP, 2202 North Rolling Road, Windsor Mill (claimed)

RACETRAX

• $30,734 ticket sold Nov. 28 at Kenilworth Sunoco, 4837 Kenilworth Avenue, Hyattsville (claimed)
• $15,367 ticket sold Nov. 28 at Royal Farms #014, 4384 Hollins Ferry Road, Baltimore (claimed)
• $15,367 ticket sold Nov. 28 at Lucky Lottery, 6029 Marlboro Pike, District Heights (claimed)
• $15,367 ticket sold Nov. 28 at Royal Farms #206, 700 Annapolis Road, Gambrills (claimed)
• $12,707.30 ticket sold Nov. 28 at Southern Liquor, 13318 Harry G. Truman Drive, Solomons (claimed)
• $12,145 ticket sold No. 29 at Security Square Mall Exxon, 1601 Belmont Avenue, Windsor Mill (claimed)

The Maryland Lottery encourages players to check their tickets by scanning them at any Lottery retailer or with the Lottery’s mobile apps. Draw game winners have 182 days from the date of a drawing to claim their prizes, and scratch-off winners have 182 days from the announced end-of-game date.

Last claim dates for scratch-off tickets are published in the scratch-off section of mdlottery.com.

According to MCPD, the adult male victim that was shot early this morning in Silver Spring has been pronounced deceased and the incident is now being investigated as a homicide.  Per MCPD: “On Friday, December 2, 2022, at approximately 3:05 a.m., 2nd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 8500 block of 16th St. for the report of a shooting.   

Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries. The suspect has not been apprehended.   At this time, investigators believe that this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.”