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| Pepco crews staging at a 7-Eleven store in Montgomery County this morning |
Southwest Bethesda neighborhoods like Springfield, Sumner, Wood Acres, Bannockburn and Spring Hill are still experiencing significant power outages. Grid resiliency issues reared their head again in the Westbard area long after skies had cleared Saturday night. Residents there who were fortunate enough to retain power after the storm last night report experiencing brownouts at 2:12 AM and 4:32 AM. The 4:32 AM brownout was an extended one, as after a split-second blackout that ravaged appliance motors, light fixtures were shimmering and flickering until all power was lost around 4:45 AM. Power was then restored around 4:48 AM. Interestingly, both brownout episodes reported seem to coincide with brand new power outages in the Westbard and Wood Acres/Searl Terrace areas, which the Pepco outage map indicates were reported at 2:15 AM (Searl Terrace) and 4:53 AM (Westbard Avenue). This morning's brownouts follow three sunny day brownouts in the Westbard area two weeks ago.
In North Bethesda, apartment building residents reported being in the dark Saturday night, and outages persist around Grosvenor, Garrett Park, Tilden Lane, Randolph Hills and the Randolph Road corridor this morning. Things aren't looking much better in the Twinbrook and Rollins Park areas of Rockville.
Aspen Hill is still smarting today with many outages. Fortunately for those without air conditioning, today's high will "only" be 85 degrees, instead of the 99 degree peak experienced last Friday. Outages also persist around Leisure World, Bel Pre Road, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Colesville and Fairland.
The storm appears to have cut a straight path across Montgomery Village, Goshen, and Laytonsville, judging from the large number of outages there. Outages remain in the Kentlands, Montgomery College-Germantown campus, Olney and Sandy Spring areas.
Councilmember Mitchell zeroed in on a central Jawando campaign theme in his endorsement statement. “From his work on the County Council to stabilize rents to his commitment to introduce a Universal Basic Income program in the U.S. Senate, it is clear to me that Will Jawando is the only true progressive in this race," Mitchell said. "We need a new generation of leaders in every part of our government — ones that will prioritize voting rights, action on climate change, and a vision of equity for all. That’s why I’m proud to stand by Will in his race to be Maryland’s next U.S. Senator.”
Mayor Casañas also echoed Jawando's effort to claim the progressive lane in the race, which has been left open by the decision of Congressman Jamie Raskin to pass on the 2024 Senate contest. “As a community activist, I know that the only option in this race is Will Jawando," she said. "I have had the honor of working alongside Will Jawando on the Montgomery County Council to promote and advance English literacy in adult communities. Will is a partner in building equity and opportunity for marginalized communities and that’s exactly what he will do in the U.S. Senate.”
Jawando's recent role in the passing of rent stabilization in Montgomery County was mentioned by several of the endorsers, including Councilmember Dewalt. “I’ve spent a career working on behalf of the citizens of Laurel, both as a police officer and now as the Councilmember for Ward 1," Dewalt said. "Will has delivered for his constituents in Montgomery County time and time again; his efficacy as a legislator is unparalleled, look only to his recent success in passing rent stabilization in the largest county in Maryland. I look forward to working with him when he is elected to be our next U.S. Senator.”
“I am so proud to earn the endorsements of Councilmembers Mitchell and Dewalt and Mayors Casañas and Benitez," Jawando said in a statement. While I have been honored to serve on the Montgomery Council Council for the past 5 years, the truth is that there’s so much more to Maryland in addition to Montgomery County – and my expanding progressive coalition spans across the state. Prince George’s County is a beautiful bastion of diversity, economic development, and some of Maryland’s best.
“I intend to win this race by bringing together all the communities that make our state great, spanning across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic lines. These endorsements today help demonstrate our campaign’s strength in this regard, and over the next few months, I will continue to show that this message resonates with all Marylanders.
“As we continue to expand my coalition, I plan to travel all across the state and take no vote for granted. Our vision for Maryland’s future will lift everyone up, no matter your ZIP Code. I look forward to working alongside all of these excellent public servants between now and election day.”
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| Existing shopping center |
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| Proposed Phase 1 redevelopment with townhomes at left and right |
Event planning is also back in full swing at the hotel. Reopened are eight event rooms with 8,000 sq ft of flexible space, including a 350-person ballroom and the hotel’s renowned Washingtonian Room. Catering and banquet spaces have been fully restored for social or corporate functions. Support for business guests is rounded out by hotel-wide free high speed WiFi, and a 24-hour business center. There is also a 24-hour gift shop where guests can purchase packaged snacks, beverages and sundries.
“We are proud and excited that this iconic hotel will again serve the residents, visitors, and businesses of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County," B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group President Mark Carrier said in a statement. "Welcome!” Reservations can be made online, or by calling 301.948.8900.
Photos courtesy Holiday Inn Gaithersburg
Photo courtesy RCPD
One can still see original farm buildings at the public King Farm Farmstead park at 16100 Frederick Road. The King dealership has just been demolished, and the property has been annexed into the City of Rockville.
EYA is playing up the farm theme with the tagline "A fresh take on the modern neighborhood." W. Lawson King acquired the farm in 1925, local historical preservation group Peerless Rockville says. He added surrounding farmland to create the 403-acre Irvington Farm, which at one point boasted the largest population of Holstein cows in the world, Miriam Bunow wrote for Peerless. Irvington was a milk supplier for Thompson's Dairy, a household name in the D.C. area for older generations. The heritage of the site will now be shared by Farmstead District residents and their neighbors at the King Farm development.
The victim has told detectives that six Black males in their twenties approached him after he exited his vehicle in the parking garage of his apartment building. They displayed handguns, and informed the victim that this was a robbery. The suspects then stabbed and assaulted the victim, and used zip ties to bind his hands behind his back. He was forced into the suspect's vehicle, where they demanded he accompany them up to his apartment.
After the victim was led upstairs to his apartment by the suspects, the men took a safe holding an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry, and fled the scene. Family members of the victim in the apartment were not harmed, police said.
Detectives have released surveillance video from the apartment building's elevator, and from the victim's apartment. One of the suspects is described by police as a Black male, in his twenties, with curly hair, medium build and armed with a handgun. He was wearing a black ski mask and black clothing. Police have not given a more detailed description of the other five suspects.
Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspects involved to call 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 suspects. Callers may remain anonymous.
