Articles by Rich Daniel
April frost affects farmers and consumers
April frost affects farmers and consumers Manolo Gomez is the head winemaker at the award-winning Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. Since 2007, he has seen some challenging times from Mother Nature. The frost of April 21st has set an all-time record of loss. ” A year ago, we were at about 60 to 65 tons of production, and this year we hope for five or ten. The warm early spring produced buds that could not stand that cold,” said Gomez. The battle is carried out daily by hand.
Silver Spring is home to the Rammy Awards’s employee of the year
Silver Spring is home to the Rammy Awards’s employee of the year The awards are considered the area’s premier restaurant and hospitality honors given by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Today at the restaurant, General Manager Aidan Rinehart recounted the evening, “It was pretty amazing. When they announced Jose, it was so surreal, we all jumped up and cheered. It was phenomenal”. Salagado’s acceptance speech was short and sweet. “He said he dedicates his life to Zinnia.
18-year-old homicide and carjacking suspect under arrest
18-year-old homicide and carjacking suspect under arrest On Monday, June 29, Montgomery County Department of Police Task Force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive task force arrested Earl Deangelo Charles Jr. in Prince George’s County. On Friday, June 26, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Charles with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and armed carjacking.
Silver Spring firm wants to take the sting out of summer
Silver Spring firm wants to take the sting out of summer Silver Spring-based Bee Safe Mosquito Control sits at the forefront of the biopesticide movement. Between June and September the company will release 600,000 infected mosquitoes . The male mosquitos are infected with the gut bacteria Wolbachia. Dubbed ZAP males they don’t bite. But when a ZAP male mates with a female, she will no longer be able to produce offspring.
A new sheriff is coming to the county
A new sheriff is coming to the county Milam shared these words after securing the Democratic nomination: “I am deeply grateful to the voters of Montgomery County for placing their trust in me and in our vision for the future of the Sheriff’s Office.” He continued, “Throughout this campaign, I had the privilege of speaking with residents from every corner of our county.
Police chase ends with teen arrested on gun and burglary charges
Police chase ends with teen arrested on gun and burglary charges The chase and arrest were captured here. Last Friday at about 8:57 p.m., officers were conducting proactive enforcement in the area of Sligo Avenue and Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring when they were flagged down by a resident. The resident reported that a group of people had entered a construction area within an apartment building in the 800 block of Sligo Avenue and that the group was also gambling in a stairwell.
Montgomery County to enhance its minority, female and disabled business program
Montgomery County to enhance its minority, female and disabled business program New Federal Certifications Recognized: Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) – at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens and meet federal small business requirements. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) – a subset of WOSB with additional economic disadvantage criteria.
Elrich comments on primary results at weekly media briefing
Elrich comments on primary results at weekly media briefing During his weekly press briefing, Elrich said, “I’m deeply appreciative of all those who supported me in my At-Large bid. It feels nice to be in the position I’m in. I’m grateful for the support I had and the trust the voters have placed in my ability to serve our county, which is something I take very seriously, and I never take it for granted”.
Police seek help finding fatal hit and run driver
Police seek help finding fatal hit and run driver At approximately 1:14 p.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Crestmoor Drive and Colesville Road for the report of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The investigation revealed that Wegayehou was struck by a vehicle while crossing Crestmoor Drive. The driver failed to remain at the scene. Despite life-saving efforts, Wegayehou was pronounced dead at the scene.
Woman dies in parking garage crash
On Monday evening, around 5:31 p.m., Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and the Montgomery County Police Department responded to the Woodglen Drive area near Whole Foods in Rockville in response to reports of a single-vehicle collision in the parking garage. The preliminary investigation reveals that a Toyota RAV4 struck a cable barricade within the parking garage entrance area for reasons that remain under investigation.
Motorcycles collide in Rockville leaving one dead
Motorcycles collide in Rockville leaving one dead The investigation reveals that a black 2007 Honda CBR600 and a white-and-black 2006 Honda CBR600 were traveling westbound on Norbeck Road when they made contact. Both operators lost control, and their motorcycles left the roadway. Hale, the operator of the black 2007 Honda CBR600, subsequently struck a curb and a traffic sign support. The operator of the 2006 Honda remained at the scene and was uninjured during the collision.
Does the weather get a vote today?
Does the weather get a vote today? How much does the weather affect voter turnout? With the possibility of downpours forecast throughout the day, MCM looked at some scientific studies for a barometer of how weather impacts voter participation. According to several studies, it does indeed seem to have some effect. For every centimeter of rain — less than half an inch — the odds of voting drop about 1 percentage point, according to an estimate published in the 2023 Electoral Studies.
4 council at-large seats open in a crowded field
4 council at-large seats open in a crowded field This election, the choices include people with a wide range of experiences and endorsements. With only four possible boxes to check out of the 17 names, it poses a formidable challenge for the voter. By way of a brief history, this is not the first time so many have enlisted for the position. In 2018, thanks to term limits, 33 names were on the ballot. In the early days of the County Charter, all councilmembers were at-large.
Trespassing and assault by former employee causes elementary school lockdown
Trespassing and assault by former employee causes elementary school lockdown Police said officers received reports Wednesday around 11:30 a.m. of a former Glen Haven Elementary School employee who had entered the building and assaulted staff members, prompting a lockdown lasting about an hour. There, officers found Nadine Akoko Sefako Dogbo, 27, of Gaithersburg, who tried to run off when confronted. MCPD took her into custody after a brief chase.
Good Samaritan loans bike to help police apprehend suspect in sexual solicitation of minor
A cooperative moment between police officers and a community member occurred Monday night. Officers from the 6th District stopped a suspect on Shady Grove Road after receiving a report of an adult soliciting sex from a minor, according to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The suspect began to flee on foot, and that’s when a community member loaned his bicycle to the officer to continue the chase and apprehend the suspect.
Floating an optimistic future for White’s Ferry
Floating an optimistic future for White’s Ferry Since the late 1780s, thousands of commuters have crossed from horses to cars via White’s Ferry. Then, in November 2020, it all came to a halt over a land dispute between the owners of the Ferry and the owners of the Virginia property it lands on. A community rally in December 2025 continued to show support for the long-overdue opening of the crossing. Then, in April this year, more attention arrived as the election season approached.
Silver Spring man arrested for rape
Silver Spring man arrested for rape Melesse Semegne / Photo from Montgomery County police Police arrested Melesse Semegne, 58, of Silver Spring for rape and believe there may be additional victims. Semegne is charged with second-degree rape, attempted second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree assault, and fourth-degree sex offense.
New bill designed to deter street takeovers and unlawful racing
New bill designed to deter street takeovers and unlawful racing The legislation would give MCPD enhanced civil enforcement authority and define the prohibited conduct associated with a street takeover, per a council release. The bill would also allow additional penalties for violations and allow law enforcement to take action. “Residents deserve to feel safe on our roads and in their neighborhoods,” said Friedson.
State Board of Elections clears Jawando campaign in finance complaint
State Board of Elections clears Jawando campaign in finance complaint “From the start, we said there was nothing here, and after a careful review, the State Board of Elections has confirmed exactly that,” Jonathan Weinberg, field director for Jawando’s campaign, said in a statement Monday. The state board told Jawando’s campaign in a letter that it closed the investigation after finding insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaint.
4 decades of food love: Shepherd’s Table gets $3,000 grant to help feed those in need
4 decades of food love: Shepherd’s Table gets $3,000 grant to help feed those in need Each and every day for 43 years, Shepherd’s Table has provided a hot and fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner to hundreds of those most in need. It was founded in 1983 by 15 local congregations who were determined that no one in their community should go hungry. Imagine over two million meals served and never missing a one.
2 women arrested in Ohio face first-degree murder charges
2 women arrested in Ohio face first-degree murder charges Vanessa Wahanganisa Tjongarero-Henderson, 29, of Clarksburg and Samantha Raebel, 36, of Phoenix, AZ, were arrested on Wednesday by the Genoa, Ohio Police Department after a resident recognized them from media coverage and a Montgomery County Department of Police news release. A nationwide search was launched for the suspects, with media coverage extending throughout Ohio, Nashville and Phoenix.
Montgomery County restaurants shine with multiple 2026 RAMMY nominations
Montgomery County restaurants shine with multiple 2026 RAMMY nominations Montgomery County’s vibrant dining scene is once again earning regional recognition, with several local restaurants and hospitality professionals receiving nominations for the 44th Annual RAMMY Awards. Presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the RAMMY Awards honor the outstanding individuals, restaurants and food-service businesses that help define the Washington, D.C. area’s dining culture.
Darnestown teenager pleads guilty to manslaughter 88 y.o.
Darnestown teenager pleads guilty to manslaughter 88 y.o. Liam Coskun, now 19, pleaded guilty to grossly negligent manslaughter and the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He admitted to drinking and taking the 2018 Blue Jeep Compass without permission. Shortly after 8:35 a.m. on May 31, 2025, Coskun was driving with 88-year-old Myrtle Gottlieb as the front seat passenger when he crashed into the back of a 2017 Blue Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road.
Maryland makes $43 million investment in solar power projects
Maryland makes $43 million investment in solar power projects Governor Wes Moore announced 69 new grants for Community Solar projects on Tuesday. The projects will be located around the state and will bring clean energy to cut electricity bills for low-income households. “The Community Solar Grant Projects are a vital piece of our broader plan to make Maryland more affordable,” said Moore. Two of those grants will focus on 13 projects within Montgomery County. Lightstar was awarded $260,651 dollars.
New mail-in ballots have started to be received
New mail-in ballots have started to be received County officials are still working to help voters understand the process of receiving and completing their ballots after a printing error produced 500,000 ballots which contained errors. This was the latest update shared from the media briefing held by County Executive Marc Elrich on Thursday. Residents who received a second ballot are highly encouraged to use it. Canvassing began Monday June 1 in Gaithersburg.
Small Businesses at the Crossroads of Success
Small Businesses at the Crossroads of Success For the inaugural legacy recognition, TLCDA selected a variety of businesses that highlighted the importance of food and products, the community of professionals (doctors, dentists), and especially the rich history of culturally specific clothing and fabrics. The first 5 of 10 overall awardees to be recognized over a two-day span have served the community for a combined 169 years, ranging from 17 to 55 years in business.
The ‘Mozart of Cheeseburgers’ establishes brick-and-mortar location
The ‘Mozart of Cheeseburgers’ establishes brick-and-mortar location Growing up in Gaithersburg, 30-year-old Hunter Karametos always had a love for burgers, which turned into a highly successful pop up in 2022, followed by Best Burger in the DMV accolades from the Washington Post, and then being dubbed the Mozart of Cheeseburgers by WTOP. Steeze Burger at 12141 Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg had its grand opening on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. And it worked marvelously.
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