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Articles by Jacqueline Kalil
‘New face of Medicare’: 76-year-old Maryland woman pushes through life competing in triathlons
Susan Paisner kept herself healthy her entire life but never took up a competitive sport. She enjoyed swimming and riding her bike while growing up, and the occasional “pathetic jogging,” but would not consider herself an athlete. However, after turning 59, her mindset changed completely when a friend bought her a racing bike. “I said, ‘Oh, good! Now, I can do triathlons,'” Paisner said.
Montgomery Village man sentenced to 40 years for role in 2025 fatal shooting
This article was written by WTOP’s news partner Bethesda Today and republished with permission. Sign up for Bethesda Today’s free email subscription today. Jorden Hungerford, a 20-year-old man from Montgomery Village, was sentenced Friday to life in prison, with all but 40 years suspended, for his role in the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Montgomery Village man in Gaithersburg last year, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Montgomery Village man sentenced to 40 years for role in 2025 fatal shooting
Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. The Office of the Register of Wills is located in the courthouse. Photo credit: Elia Griffin Jorden Hungerford, a 20-year-old man from Montgomery Village, was sentenced Friday to life in prison, with all but 40 years suspended, for his role in the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Montgomery Village man in Gaithersburg last year, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Texas man accused of striking officer with gun in Silver Spring
A 23-year-old Dallas man was arrested after allegedly striking a Montgomery County police officer in the head with a gun while officers investigated a stolen Corvette in Silver Spring late Monday. Isaiah Armstrong-Smith faces assault, stolen vehicle and firearms charges and is being held without bond. [NBC4] Searcy leads in Takoma Park mayoral race Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy was leading challenger Tom Gagliardo by a significant margin in unofficial election results Tuesday night.
Serious crash halts eastbound traffic in Bowie on US Route 50
A serious crash in Bowie, Maryland, is impacting traffic Monday night. All eastbound traffic on U.S. Route 50 after U.S.-301/MD-3 near Exit 13 has come to a halt due to a serious crash involving multiple cars. Delays are currently less than a mile. This is a developing story. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Man sentenced in drug sale-turned-robbery, murder in Gaithersburg
This article was written by WTOP’s news partner Bethesda Today and republished with permission. Sign up for Bethesda Today’s free email subscription today. A man who used the pretext of a marijuana purchase to rob and fatally shoot a 20-year-old man last year in Gaithersburg, according to prosecutors, was sentenced Monday to life in prison, with all but 45 years suspended.
Man sentenced in drug sale-turned-robbery, murder in Gaithersburg
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A man who used the pretext of a marijuana purchase to rob and fatally shoot a 20-year-old man last year in Gaithersburg, according to prosecutors, was sentenced Monday to life in prison, with all but 45 years suspended. Demari Brown, 21, of Montgomery Village, was sentenced Monday by Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Debra Lynn Dwyer in the April 2025 fatal shooting of Henry Krishawn Gilbert, also of Montgomery Village.
Yogi the black bear is back in MoCo
A black bear recently captured on a Ring doorbell camera near a Montgomery County neighborhood. Credit: Billy Boshnick Yogi, the black bear that made headlines in June for drinking from a birdbath in a Germantown backyard has returned to the county – this time being spotted in recent weeks in Potomac.
Police, fire, emergency services come together at Montgomery County’s new joint operations center
Montgomery County’s new 13,000-square-foot Public Safety Joint Operations Center in Gaithersburg, which will bring police, fire and emergency management personnel together to coordinate responses during emergencies. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil Montgomery County officials on Thursday celebrated the opening of a new Public Safety Joint Operations Center in Gaithersburg, designed to bring police, fire and emergency management personnel together to improve coordination during emergencies.
Rockville man charged in fatal Wheaton stabbing is in U.S. illegally, officials say
Elder Blanco Zapata, 41, of Rockville, whohas been charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of David Estrada Fuentes in Wheaton entered the U.S. illegally, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [WJLA] Sheriff’s office K9 completes training, prepares for duty The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has added K9 Rival to its team after the dog completed 16 weeks of basic training. Rival will assist with patrol duties and the detection of explosives and firearms.
Judge sentences Silver Spring man to 10 years in teen brother-in-law’s beating death
Abraham Luna Perez, 29, had been convicted of manslaughter in the killing of Diego Edilberto Borja Cardona, 19 Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A 29-year-old Silver Spring man was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for his role in the 2024 beating death of his 19-year-old brother-in-law, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office. Abraham Luna Perez was sentenced by Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge David Lease. A jury on Aug.
Rockville man facing murder charge in fatal Wheaton stabbing
Elder Blanco Zapata, 41, of Rockville, was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a 25-year-old Wheaton man, Montgomery County police said in a Monday evening news release. David Estrada Fuentes was found with multiple stab wounds in a parking lot behind H Mart in the 12000 block of Georgia Avenue early Monday morning, police said.
Silver Spring man convicted on three charges in White Oak shooting
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A jury on Thursday convicted a Silver Spring man, 37, of three charges stemming from a July 2025 shooting in White Oak that left Horacio Daswell, 40, wounded. After about seven hours of deliberations, jurors in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville found Joseph Gordon guilty of first-degree assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a disqualified person.
Federal inspectors general won’t investigate reflecting pool case
The Justice Department’s inspector general will not investigate the handling of the case against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before prosecutors dropped the charges.
Parents of man killed in Poolesville hit-and-run launch traffic safety fund
Montgomery County police car. Photo credit: Ashlyn Campbell The parents of a 27-year-old man who died after a hit-and-run last month in Poolesville have launched a fundraising campaign in his memory to improve traffic safety in the town. Joseph Grimsby and Dina Vulpis established the Dakota Grimsby Memorial Traffic Safety Fund through a GoFundMe campaign launched Friday. As of Wednesday morning, the campaign had raised $10,700, more than double its $5,000 goal.
Man accused of stalking, hate crime against Aspen Hill Taco Bell employee
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A 44-year-old man has been arrested and charged with hate crime-related offenses, stalking and telephone misuse after allegedly making racial threats against an employee at a Taco Bell on Georgia Avenue in Aspen Hill, according to the Montgomery County Police Department. Ryan J.
Police identify Silver Spring woman killed while crossing Randolph Road
The pedestrian fatally struck Wednesday morning on Randolph Road has been identified as Enyish Sergawie Asemahegne, 72, of Silver Spring, Montgomery County police announced Friday. She was crossing the intersection at Locksley Lane in Silver Spring at about 7:04 a.m. when she was struck by a maroon 2005 Toyota Sienna traveling east, police said in a news release. An off-duty county police officer came upon the collision, police said.
Retired NIH chemist awaits sentencing in child exploitation case
A retired NIH chemist, 81, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County to soliciting a child overseas to produce sexual abuse material through live-streamed video. [The Washington Post] A 13-year-old girl was hospitalized with minor injuries after being struck by a car near Coriander Drive and Cherry Laurel Lane in Gaithersburg around 4 p.m. Wednesday. The driver remained at the scene, and the crash is under investigation.
Montgomery County invests $215K in community gardens amid food insecurity
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González speaks Wednesday at Serenity Community Gardens and Urban Farm in Silver Spring. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González and representatives of five community-based organizations gathered Wednesday morning at Serenity Community Gardens and Urban Farm in Silver Spring to highlight projects receiving $215,000 in funding through the county’s Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program.
Silver Spring filmmaker brings Trinidad and Tobago folklore to life in horror flick ‘Douen’
A scene from Douen, a horror film directed by Silver Spring resident Alyscia Cunningham. Credit: Khamaree Owens A Silver Spring filmmaker is bringing the haunting folklore of Trinidad and Tobago to the big screen with her debut feature film, Douen, a supernatural horror story rooted in the tales she grew up hearing from her family.
Police searching for men who broke into historic Bethesda Meeting House
Bethesda Meeting House photographed October 12, 2026. Credit: Wendy Kaufman Montgomery County police are requesting the public’s help in identifying two men accused of breaking into the Bethesda Meeting House and stealing church property last month. The burglary occurred Sept. 26, when two men forced their way through a back door of the historic building, according to a police appeal for information released Monday. “They stole some electronics, and the door is destroyed.
Rockville man indicted in alleged $100 million COVID-19 testing fraud scheme
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A Rockville man has been indicted on federal charges alleging he and his co-conspirators submitted more than $100 million in fraudulent health insurance claims for at-home COVID-19 tests, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Two MoCo high schools cancel homecoming dances
Northwest and Quince Orchard high schools canceled their homecoming dances due to low ticket sales, disappointing some students. Other homecoming festivities will continue, and Northwest students will receive refunds. [FOX5] A Gaithersburg industrial property has sold for $10.2 million to Rockville-based National Technology Integrators. The two-building site includes nearly 46,000 square feet of industrial space and 20,000 square feet of outdoor storage space.
Judge sentences Germantown man to 25 years in prison for fatal 2025 shooting
Germantown Square Urban Park at 12280 Middlebrook Road. Photo credit: Ceoli Jacoby Michael Aaron Lynn, 40, of Germantown ,was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting a 34-year-old man at a Germantown park last year, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office. Lynn was sentenced in Montgomery County Circuit Court to 60 years in prison, with all but 25 years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation, according to the Wednesday news release.
Wootton relocation takes center stage at school board forum
The five Montgomery County Board of Education candidates who participated in a forum hosted by the Lakewood Elementary School PTA on Sunday evening. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil School closures, budget priorities and community trust emerged as central issues during a forum Sunday evening featuring five candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education.
Former Peace Corps employee from Silver Spring sentenced for theft
A former U.S. Peace Corps employee from Silver Spring was sentenced to two years of supervised probation, including three months of home confinement, after pleading guilty to stealing government property. Court records show he simultaneously held jobs with three federal agencies.
Judge sentences Derwood man to 120 years in prison for 2025 Rockville hotel killings
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A Montgomery County judge sentenced a Derwood man to 120 years in prison Monday for the 2025 fatal shooting of two people at a Rockville hotel. Kaloyan Dimov Stoev, 27, was convicted in April of two counts of second-degree murder and four firearms-related charges in connection with the shooting deaths of Marcell Hebron, 26, and Leilani Marroquin, 27, according to a Tuesday news release from the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
MoCo weighs extending bans for disruptive behavior
Montgomery County is considering extending bans from public facilities for disruptive behavior from 90 days to up to two years. Advocates say longer bans could disproportionately affect people experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges. [FOX5] Despite economic pressures, more than half of county residents report they’re doing well A new survey published Thursday finds Montgomery County residents are holding up despite federal job cuts and rising housing costs.
Judge sentences driver to one year in prison for role in fatal 2025 Randolph Road crash
Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. The Office of the Register of Wills is located in the courthouse. Photo credit: Elia Griffin A Silver Spring woman who was driving nearly 30 mph over the speed limit when she crashed into another vehicle in Colesville last year, killing its 85-year-old passenger, has been sentenced to one year in prison. Jesica Argueta, 24, was sentenced Wednesday in Montgomery County Circuit Court to 20 years in prison, with all but one year suspended.
Rideshare driver charged after teen reports rape in Silver Spring
An Empower rideshare driver from Lanham has been charged with raping and kidnapping a teenage girl after allegedly driving her to a Silver Spring parking lot. Police arrested Abdoulaye Dia on Sept. 16 and are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim to contact detectives. [The MoCo Show] County adds weather stations, flood sensors Montgomery County is adding weather stations and flood sensors to improve storm and flood warnings.
Police searching for Gaithersburg man wanted in fatal Sunday shooting at Potomac Woods Plaza
Detectives identified Shayan Solimani Damabi as the suspect in the Sept. 13, 2026 fatal shooting in Rockville. Credit: Montgomery County Police Department Montgomery County police have identified 21-year-old Shayan Solimani Damabi of Gaithersburg as the suspect in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Nicholas Franklin Njuki early Sunday in Rockville’s Potomac Woods Plaza, according to a Wednesday news release from the department.
Community raises funds for family of man fatally shot at Potomac Woods Plaza
The Potomac Woods Plaza is home to businesses including Quincy’s Potomac Bar & Grille, Brooklyn’s Deli and Starbucks Coffee. Photo credit: Amy Orndorff A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family of Nicholas Franklin Njuki, the 33-year-old Gaithersburg man who was fatally shot early Sunday at Potomac Woods Plaza in Rockville. The fundraiser, which launched Monday, had raised more than $6,400 toward its $25,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.
Silver Spring man convicted of second-degree murder in 2024 shooting death
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images Jeriel Martin, 35 of Silver Spring, was found guilty of second-degree murder and a handgun charge related to the 2024 shooting death of 34-year-old Jamar Jenifer, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday morning. A Montgomery County Circuit Court jury returned the verdict on Friday, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. Martin‘s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15 before Circuit Court Judge J.
Montgomery County police identify man fatally shot in Potomac Woods Plaza
Lights from an emergency vehicle. Credit: Getty Images Montgomery County police in a Monday news release identified Nicholas Njuki, a 33-year-old Gaithersburg man, as the person who was fatally shot around 2 a.m. Sunday morning in the Rockville area. Rockville City police and Montgomery County police officers responded to the Potomac Woods Plaza parking lot in the 1000 block of Seven Locks Road after receiving a report of a shooting, according to the release.
Ceremony in Rockville honors Montgomery County’s 9/11 victims
Flowers are placed on the remembrance benches at 9/11 Memorial Park in Rockville to commemorate the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, including 11 Montgomery County residents. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, local leaders and community members gathered Friday morning at the Montgomery County 9/11 Memorial in Rockville to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed that day, including 11 county residents.
Montgomery County seeks public input on reshaping Friendship Heights
Montgomery County officials are developing a plan to reshape Friendship Heights as the neighborhood shifts away from traditional high-end retail toward more housing and community-focused businesses. Planners are seeking public input on the future of the area, including the former Saks Fifth Avenue site.
Man fatally shot in Silver Spring, police say
Lights from an emergency vehicle. Credit: Getty Images A man was fatally shot Thursday afternoon in Silver Spring, according to Montgomery County police. Montgomery County police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel were dispatched around 2:05 p.m. to the 1700 block of January Circle, in front of The Flats at Columbia Pike apartment complex, for a reported shooting, according to Montgomery County police and MCFRS radio transmissions.
Police charge Prince George’s County man in 2022 Silver Spring carjacking
Gavel on desk. Photo credit: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images A 23-year-old Prince George’s County man has been charged with carjacking in connection with a 2022 incident in Silver Spring that left a woman with significant injuries, according to a Sept. 9 statement from Montgomery County police. Detectives with the department’s Major Crimes Division obtained an arrest warrant for Daymonte Antonyio Jones of District Heights on July 29 and arrested him Aug. 31, police said.
‘Everybody deserves a recess,’ says Takoma Park’s Play Lady
Volunteers and Let’s Play America founder Pat Rumbaugh prepare for Play Day, an annual community event focused on the importance of play. Credit: Pat Rumbaugh Pat Rumbaugh has spent much of her life convincing people to do something that can be easy to skip but has myriad benefits: playing. “Everybody deserves a recess, adults and children,” Rumbaugh told Bethesda Today in advance of Sunday’s 50th Play Day. “Where they can just chill out and maybe even hang out on a bench and talk to a friend.
Bethesda-born Small Press Expo puts spotlight on independent comics
Attendees line up at the registration table during the Small Press Expo in Bethesda. Credit: Small Press Expo For Rockville-based comic artist Jamie Noguchi, attending his first Small Press Expo (SPX) was a revelation. Noguchi, now 49, arrived to find a crowded room filled with artists selling their own comics, stickers, prints and zines. At the time, he was working full time while making webcomics on the side, still trying to find his footing as an artist.
12 hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak in Gaithersburg Saturday
A carbon monoxide leak at Streamside Apartments in Gaithersburg on Saturday sent 12 people to the hospital and prompted evacuations across several buildings. More than 50 residents were evaluated and officials determined an oven was likely the source.
Greater DC Diaper Bank sues Silver Spring landlord
The Greater DC Diaper Bank is suing its Silver Spring landlord, alleging ongoing roof leaks damaged inventory and disrupted its operations. The nonprofit is seeking $775,000, while the landlord has filed a counterclaim accusing the Diaper Bank of failing to pay rent and violating its lease. [The Banner] Peterson Companies bought a five-story office building at Rio in Gaithersburg for about $11.1 million.
Police charge Rockville man in fatal March crash
A Rockville man has been charged with two counts of negligent manslaughter by vehicle in connection with a March crash that killed two of his passengers, Montgomery County police said Monday.
Silver Spring man pleads guilty to billing Medicaid for therapy sessions that never happened
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia - Image Credit: via Wikimedia Commons A Silver Spring man pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding D.C. Medicaid by billing for mental health services that were not provided or were overstated, according to a Thursday press release from U.S. Department of Justice and court documents. During a U.S. District Court proceeding, Said Nassor, 46, admitted to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.
Maryland measles cases prompt renewed vaccination push from MoCo health officials
Maryland has reported 17 measles cases since mid-July, all among people who were unvaccinated. Montgomery County health officials are urging families to check their children’s vaccination records and take advantage of free immunization clinics or consult their pediatrician.
Metropolitan Washington Summer Restaurant Week returns with deals at Montgomery County restaurants
Tuna tartare tacos from Pisco y Nazca. Photo credit: Courtesy of Pisco y Nazca Montgomery County diners have another reason to make a restaurant reservation this week: Metropolitan Washington Summer Restaurant Week returns Monday with seven days of three-course meals at restaurants across the D.C. region, including several Montgomery County spots. The annual promotion, presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, runs through Sunday.
Community rallies around family of Rockville crash victim
Friends and community members are rallying around the family of Raoudha Khelifi, a Rockville mother who died Monday evening after she and her 4-year-old son were struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Twinbrook Parkway. Khelifi’s son Adam survived the crash but was seriously injured and remains hospitalized, according to a GoFundMe organized by a family friend.
At Bethesda’s Pita on the Plaza, a family legacy lives on
Norma Kash, owner of Pita on the Plaza, stands inside her food truck in downtown Bethesda. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil Editor’s note: This story is part of Bethesda Today’s occasional series of interviews with local chefs, including Chef Tae Strain of Burnt Hill Farm, Zinnia’s Danny Wells, Founding Farmers chef Caitlin Mateo, Richard Huynh of Mi La Cay and Aventino Cucinina’s Mike Friedman.
Gaithersburg residents weigh in on proposed Rio development
Gaithersburg has paused review of a proposal to add up to 500 apartments and 43,000 square feet of retail at Rio Washingtonian Center after residents raised concerns about losing green space and increasing congestion. The developer is expected to revise the plan before a new public hearing. New One Medical office planned for downtown Silver Spring Amazon One Medical is expanding into downtown Silver Spring, taking over the former GW Primary Care space at 8700 Georgia Ave.
At Clarksburg’s Burnt Hill Farm, Chef Tae Strain puts local ingredients first
Chef Tae Strain in the kitchen at Burnt Hill Farm. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil Editor’s note: This story is part of Bethesda Today’s occasional series of interviews with local chefs, including Zinnia’s Danny Wells, Founding Farmers chef Caitlin Mateo, Richard Huynh of Mi La Cay, and Aventino Cucinina’s Mike Friedman. On a sunny summer day, the drive to Burnt Hill Farm in Clarksburg winds past rows of lush vineyard vines before pulling up to three modern buildings tucked onto the hillside.
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