FMD

The Hagerstown man must also register as sex offender.

Greenbelt, MD  (LG)   A convicted sex offender has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of multiple minors.  Matthew Molnar, 47, of Hagerstown, Maryland will be on 15 years of supervised probation once he is released from prison and he must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides and where he is an employee.

According to the plea agreement, Molnar was convicted of possession of child pornography in 2015.  In 2020 and 2021 the man communicated with a minor victim and coerced the victim to produce sexually explicit videos. Authorities said he also traveled to visit the minor victim, falsely saying he was 17 years of age.  Police said Molnar had sexual intercourse with the minor on multiple occasions.  In February 0f 2020 Molnar started communicating with a Maryland based minor victim, exchanging sexually explicit messages with her, as stated in a press release.

By Loretta Gaines

The Md. Health Department says there could be possible Literia contamination,.

Baltimore, Md (KM) The Maryland Department of Health is advising consumers not to eat certain liverwurst and deli meats produced by Boars Head due to possible contamination by the Listeria bacteria. The agency says a sample of Liverwurst it examined recently contained Listeria.

These liverwurst and deli meat products from Boars Head are subject to a recall:

3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.” The products shipped to retailers bear sell by dates ranging July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024, printed on the side of the packaging.

Marylanders should also avoid the following Boar’s Head ready-to-eat deli meat products produced on June 27, 2024:

9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with sell by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.

3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.

These products  were distributed to retail deli outlets all over the nation., and have the establishment number EST 12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label.

The symptoms of Listeria include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, the symptoms are headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. These symptoms will appear with three to ten weeks after exposure, but most often within three weeks, according to the Department of Health. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should consult with their health care providers.

The Health Department says six individuals in Maryland have come down with Listeria since July 19th.

By Kevin McManus

It will allow crews to replace a pipe.

Frederick, Md (KM) A part of Annandale Road from Hampton Valley Road to the 17247 address west of Emmitsburg will be closed for about three weeks beginning on August 5th. The Frederick County Department of Highway Operations says this closure will allow crews to replace a pipe to help reduce flooding in the area.

A signed detour will be set up.

By Kevin McManus

One was against a suspect involved in a shots-fired incident in June.

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Grand Jury returned seven indictments on Friday, including one against a Frederick man involved in a shots-fired incident in Urbana in June.  Adrienne Mendoza Milam, 48, is charged with three counts of 1st-degree assault, one count possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, three counts of reckless endangerment, one count of violation of a protective order and other offenses. .

In that incident on June 21st, Milam was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office for firing between 15 to 20 shots from his home on Braveheart Drive. .That led to an hour-long lockdown of the neighborhood.   No one was injured.

The Grand Jury also indicted Milam for possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm and other weapons-related offenses for an incident which occurred on March 1st of this year. At that time, authorities say Milam was shooting through the floor of his home at people he said were trying to harm him.

Other indictments hand down by the Grand Jury include:

*Harwinder Singh, 55, of Dundalk, Md,., who is charged with 1st degree assault, and 2nd-degree assault, 2nd degree assault, and 2nd-degree assault for an offense which occurred on June 30th, 2024.

*Dawda Abdoulbe Jaarga Njie, 33, of Frederik, who is charged with 1st degree assault and reckless endangerment for an offense which occurred on April 24th, 2024.

*Jason Allan Kidwell, 41, of Frederick, who is charged with assault, 1st-degree assault, 2nd-degree assault, malicious destruction of property valued at less than $1,000, two counts of disorderly conduct, and one count of reckless endangerment for an offense which occurred on July 7th, 2024.

*Richard Jungwon Park, 52, of Fairfax Station, Va., who is charged with 2nd degree rape, sex abuse of a minor, sex abuse of a minor–continuing of conduct, sex abuse of a minor, 3rd degree sex offense and sex abuse of a minor for offenses which occurred between February 7th, 2004 to February 1st, 2013.

The Grand Jury also returned a supplement indictment against Nathan Dallas Paulsgrove, 33, of New Market, for offenses which occurred between July 10th and July 19th, 2024

The  indictments move these cases to the Circuit Court where trial dates will be scheduled.

The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office says an indictment is charging document alleging criminal conduct, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

By Kevin McManus

The facility is expected to cost more than $100 million.

Frederick, Md (KM) It’s been discussed for many years, but the biggest question about the proposed downtown hotel and conference center in Frederick is when will construction begin. During a recent appearance on WFMD’s “Morning News Express,” Mayor Michael O’Connor said such large projects like these can take a few years. “If it was easy to build  a large scale hotel and conference center in downtown Frederick, I think somebody would have pulled the trigger and done it. But it requires these partnerships of public and private entities coming together.” he said.

The hotel and conference center is planned for property along South Carroll Street.  It’s expected to contain 208 rooms and 21,210 square feet of conference space, including ballrooms, pre-function and breakout space. There will also be a parking area which will be open to everyone, not just hotel guests.

Mayor O’Connor said getting a lot the funding for a project such as this that’s expected   to cost more than $100 million dollars takes time. “The conversations  of working with the state, and securing some state funding was about filling in–when you’re looked at a roughly a $100-million project–trying to fill in a piece of the financing that was just going to be a challenge for the private sector to lift alone without some public support,” he says.

The project is expected to cost $101.56 million with the private sector coming up with the largest amount. Plamondon Hospitality Partners, which plans to build the hotel and conference center, is expected to pay $73.54 million toward the project which is 72.41 percent, according to background materials from a recent Board of Aldermen Workshop. Public financing will be $28.02 million or 27.59 percent. The City of Frederick will be committing $2 million while Frederick County will be coming up with $2.52 million. The state’s contribution is expected to be $23.50 million or 23.14 percent.

“The support from the state, I think, has been really critical,” says the Mayor. “It’s demonstrated the value that  this is  going to provide as an economic development driver.”

But after many years of discussion, it looks like there could be some movement on this project. “The reason why detailed drawings and those kinds of things are continuing to work their way through our process is because now there’s enough confidence on the part of the private sector to move those pieces of the project that they can and get them into the next phase,” Mayor O’Connor says.

A site plan for the downtown hotel and conference center is expected to be presented to the Frederick Planning Commission next month.

O’Connor says this new facility will only add to what the city of Frederick already has. “You’d be hard pressed to find another community the size of Frederick that doesn’t have structured downtown lodging of the type that we’re talking about building in Frederick,” he says.

By Kevin McManus

Affected property owners are upset they could lose their lands to make way for the project.

County Councilman Steve McKay  (Photo from Frederick County Government website)

Frederick, Md (KM) There’s growing opposition to the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. That’s a nearly 70-mile long  transmission line which is expected to run through northern Baltimore County, Carroll County and southern Frederick County.

County Councilman Steve McKay spoke about that recently on WFMD’s “Morning News Express.” “This is all being done to feed the northern  Virginia data center alley,” he says. “Will Frederick County benefit from it? For sure. Will the Quantum Loophole project benefit from it eventually? Yeah, but that’s not why it’s being done. The reason it’s  being done is the need for power for the data centers in northern Virginia,” he says.

The developer of the project, the Public Service Enterprise Group, says it was awarded a contract by PJM, which manages the electric grid in this region, to build the line. It says the line will meet the growing electricity need in the region.

Councilman McKay says this line will have an adverse affect on Frederick County. “This is actually going to impact Frederick County significantly. It’s going to Carroll County. It’s going all the way to Baltimore County. It’s gong through people’s property. It’s taking people’s property from them. And it’s devaluing their property,” says McKay.

McKay says PSEG has said it will use eminent domain in order to obtain the property needed for the line; and it will be more than just  a power line traveling over someone’s property. “It’s the footprint, the tower could be on your land. The path of the line could be over your land. And when that happens, that changes what you can do with your land. There are things that you can just no longer do We have power lines that could go over tree farms. They can’t grow those trees under those lines anymore,” says McKay.

He says PSEC could have used existing rights of way to deliver that power. :”I recognize we do need the power at times. My biggest concern is that they haven’t done nearly enough to really exhaust the existing rights-of-way. that goes through those areas, and can they do more with them,” sys McKay.

PSEC has held public information briefings in Frederick,  Carroll and Baltimore Counties to present its project. The company has not yet  applied to the Maryland Public Service Commission regarding this project. The PSC would have the final say on whether to authorize this power line.

McKay says right now, this 500-kilovolt transmission line is in the hands of the state. “We don’t have the authority to say yes or no. But that doesn’t mean we won’t any influence over it,” says McKay.

But there  is some hope. “Recently, you saw the Carroll County Board of County Commissioners came up with a really, really powerful statement in opposition. I really appreciated what they said. I think we should do the same here in Frederick.” he says.

A forum on this project is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31st at LInganore High School from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

By Kevin McManus

It’s an effort to cut speeding by motorists, and urge them to slow down.

Glen Burnie, Md (KM) It’s always good practice to drive at a safe speed, .but this weekend in particular. The Maryland Department of Transportation says more than 45 law enforcement agencies, including all State Police Barracks, will be taking part in High Visibility Enforcement. They will be conducting stepped up speed enforcement to reduce crashes and increase safety across the state, and remind motorists to slow down. ‘ Marylanders are reminded to slow down to avoid a citation and prevent a potentially life altering   crash.

“We are asking all Marylanders to give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination and please slow down. Speeding will only increases your chance of not getting to your destination  at all,” says Chrissy Nizer, Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administrator, in a statement. “Law enforcement officers are an important highway safety partner, and we truly appreciate the hard word they do on our roads every day to keep Marylanders safe.”

Nizer also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative..

MDOT officials say excessive speeding is a form of aggressive driving behavior, and is a contributing factor to more than one-third of all fatal crashes nationwide. The probability of death or serious injury increases significantly at higher rates, doubling for every ten miles per hour over 50 miles per hour that a vehicle travels, MDOT says.    As speed doubles, stopping  distances quadruple.

Other states on  the East Coast will be conducting speed enforcement along Interstate 95.

Some of the area law enforcement agencies taking part in the High Visibility Enforcement this weekend are the Frederick, Mount Airy and Hagerstown Police Departments, and the Carroll County and Washington County Sheriff’s Offices.

This speed reduction effort is in partnership with the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway  Safety Office is providing overtime funding for law enforcement agencies to conduct this effort.

By Kevin McManus

He’s currently being held without bond.

Gaithersburg, Md (KM) An Owings Mills man was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a gold bar scam. Montgomery County Police took Vipul J. Thakkar, 52, into custody.   He’s currently being held at the Central Processing Unit without bond.

Authorities say they were contacted earlier this month by a 74-year-old Bethesda man who said he was scammed for more than $1 million.. He said he received an e-mail stating that a suspicious deposit had been made into his  bank account, and was told to convert his assets into gold bars.

The victim told detectives that between March, 2024 and June, 2024,  he purchased more than $1.1 million in gold bars, and arranged to have the gold picked up by  the suspect’s associate.   After making a final purchase of over $240,000 in gold bars, the victim said he saw a news report about a woman was scammed out of $1 million in a similar way    The victim then contacted police.

Police say Thakkar was arrested after showing up at the victim’s home for a pickup. After taking the gold, Thakkar got into a car and drove away. Police officers were nearby and  took him into custody.

Thakkar is charged with multiple counts of attempted theft.

By Kevin McManus

The National Park Service says it’s due to increased security.

Catoctin Mountain Park visitor center (Photo from Catoctin Mt. Park’s website)

Thurmont, Md (KM) Portions of Catoctin Mountain Park will be closed this weekend due to security reasons.

The National Park Service says the closure will begin on Friday, July 26th at about 3:00 PM, and end on Sunday, July 28th at about 6:00 PM.

Park Central Road between Thurmont Vista and the Camp Greentop entrance will be closed. Trails to Hog Rock Overlook and Blue Ridge Summit Vista will also be closed.  All other trails and roads will remain open.

The parking lost at the visitor center will be open but may fill up early in the day. Park Service officials say additional parking is available on the west side of the park at Camp Round Meadow and the Owens Creek picnic area. Trail maps are available trailheads throughout the part.

For more information on the availability of park services, call 301-663-9388,or go on line to www.nps,gov/cato.

The Camp David Presidential Retreat is located within Catoctin Mountain Park.

By Kevin McManus

Corporal Kassidy Noble sustained life-threatening injuries.

Martinsburg, WV – Around 3:30 on Monday morning, Berkeley Dispatch received reports of a motor vehicle collision involving multiple vehicles at approximately the 14.6 mile marker of Interstate 81 North Bound. Berkeley County Sheriff Deputies responded and found that a total of three tractors-trailers, 1 Ford Escape, and 1 RAM Pickup with an attached trailer, were involved in the accident.

Officers found that the driver of the Ford Escape was in critical condition and being extricated from her vehicle by Fire and EMS personnel. The collision spanned multiple lanes and resulted in I-81 being shut down for several hours while the vehicles were removed and the roadway cleaned and repaired.

The crash occurred when a tractor-trailer in the far right lane failed to notice that traffic was coming to a stop due to road work. That vehicle then rear ended the Ford Escape, which was pushed into the middle lane, where it struck the rear of a second tractor-trailer.

The first tractor-trailer continued forward and rear ended the trailer attached to the RAM pickup which was pushed forward into a third tractor-trailer.

The driver of Escape (see below) was taken into emergency surgery at Berkeley Medical Center to be stabilized and then transported to Ruby Memorial by air. Her condition remains critical at this time.

The driver of the RAM pickup was seen at Berkeley Medical Center as a precaution but was released shortly after.

The first tractor-trailer that struck the Ford Escape was found at fault due to on scene findings and interviews that were completed. Charges will be filed once the investigation is complete.

The Charles Town Police Department said in a press release “Corporal Kassidy Noble of the Charles Town Police Department was involved in an off duty, multi vehicle motor vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Berkeley County, West Virginia. As a result of this crash, Corporal Noble sustained life-threatening injuries, which required immediate transport to Berkeley Medical Center. Once stabilized, Corporal Noble was flown to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.”

“Corporal Noble is nearing six years of service with the Charles Town Police Department and is a respected member of the community and the department. Corporal Noble is a true asset to the department who specializes in investigating child and adult sexual assault cases among other crimes.”

Cpl Kassidy Noble (Photo from Charles Town, WV Police Dept,.)

A GoFundMe account has been set up.  Those who would rather contribute in person, donations of cash, gift cards, and cards of encouragement are being accepted at the Charles Town Police Department, located at 661 South George Street, Suite 100 Charles Town, WV 25414.

Councilman Carter says he’s opposed to amendments added to the legislation.

Councilman Mason Carter  (Photo from Frederick County Government Website)

Frederick, Md (KM) It could be back to the drawing board for legislation to amend the accessory uses on residential property in Frederick County to allow homeowners to keep eight or less chickens on their properties. In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the County Council agreed  to withdraw the legislation at the request of its sponsor, Councilman Mason Carter.

In comments during the meeting, Carter said he could no longer support this legislation after some amendments were added. “Over the years, this County, this Council, has repeatedly displayed the appetite for making things more difficult than they need to be,” he said. “And the amendments made to such a simple bill is proof of that.”

The bill proposed by Councilman Carter in April would have allowed property owners  to keep no more than eight chickens on their property. No roosters would be allowed, and the lots would have to be at least 30,000 square feet. The chickens must be confined to the backyard at all times.

The bill had a public hearing, but no one testified.

In early July, Councilwoman Renee Knapp introduced several amendments to the bill. One stated that no pen, stall, coop or any structure may be closer than 25 feet from a lot line. The amendments also required a minimal floor area of two square feet per chicken. A portion of the backyard where the chickens will be kept be enclosed by a fence of at least four feet in height. The coop where the chickens are kept would be kept in a “neat and sanitary  condition,” and  must be cleaned to prevent an odor form being detected  at the property line. . And no chickens would be allowed to roam outside of if the coop or the enclosed backyard area.

At the time these amendments were voted on by the Council, Carter said they went “too far”.

During Tuesday’s meeting, he said he wanted his bill to be simple for the public to understand. “What we have before us tonight are regulations on a 30,000-square-foot lot that are stricter than those found under our limited ag activity which can be applied for with any lot size,” he said. “This is one of those bad bills. I cannot in good faith sponsor a bill that I cannot support.”

“I’d be more comfortable if we start all over again,” he continued.

By Kevin McManus

MDE is urging residents to conserve water.

Baltimore, Md (KM) A drought watch has been declared in western Maryland which includes Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. The Maryland Department of the Environment says that’s based on lower-than-normal stream flows and groundwater levels . MDE also says there are no mandatory water restrictions in place at this time, but residents are urged to conserve water. .

There is enough water to meet the demand from residences and businesses, but officials say they will continue to monitor water supplies in the region.

“We are closely monitoring conditions across the state during these hot summer months. We’ve already issued a drought watch for the Eastern Shore, and now we are issuing one for western Maryland,:” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain, in a statement. “There is no need for mandatory water restrictions, but we are asking residents  and businesses to take steps to reduce the amount they use.”

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is encouraging residents to take precautions when it comes to open air burning.   That includes using alternatives such as composting instead of burning, and disposing yard waste at a local landfill which turns it into mulch. Other suggestions include don’t burn on windy  days; have hand tools and a ready supply of water on hand; never leave  the fire unattended; clear the area around the site for a minimum of ten feet; burn at a safe distance from your  home, shed or other structures; never use gasoline as the fumes can ignite and cause serious injury or possibly death; and check with  your state and local regulations before burning.

“Marylanders need to use caution when burning outdoors. Being responsible, attentive and following established guidelines provided by local authorities can make a significant difference,” says Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray, in a statement.

This  drought watch does not include Frederick County which has an open burning ban in effect through August 31st. The ban does not cover small recreational fires such as campfires, barbecues or gas grills.

By Kevin McManus

Subject was in possession of a privately manufactured firearm. 

Gaithersburg, MD – 32-year-old Drimitri Lemaire, of Takoma Park, has been arrested and charged with multiple handgun charges, following a traffic stop on Friday, July 19, 2024.  

Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Community Action Team were conducting an investigation in the area of Cornet Ct., following a community complaint of illegal drug activity in the neighborhood.

Through the course the investigation, officers saw a Hyundai Kona make multiple traffic violations and conducted a traffic stop.

(photo courtesy of Montgomery County Police)

During the traffic stop, officers saw a handgun with an extended magazine in the front passengers’ crossbody bag, in plain view. Officers determined the handgun to be a privately manufactured firearm. The passenger, Lemaire, was placed under arrested without incident.

Lemaire was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit where he is currently being held without bond.

Montgomery County Police are investigating.

Gaithersburg, Md (KM) The investigation continues into a fatal crash in Gaithersburg Saturday night.

At around 10:12 PM, police and fire and rescue responded to North Frederick Avenue at Travis Avenue. That’s where a Nissan Altima operated by Isaac Akomanyi of Germantown was traveling north on North Frederick Avenue when it collided with a Ram pickup truck. Akomanyi was taken  an area hospital where he was pronounced dead

The driver of the Ram and an occupant of the Nissan were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Montgomery County Police are asking anyone who has information which could be helpful in their investigation to contact authorities at 240-773-6620.

By Kevin McManus

Residents who may have come into contact with the groundhog are asked to call their health care provider.

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Health Department says a groundhog found last week in the Taskers Chance neighborhood has tested positive for rabies. The groundhog turned up in a stormwater management pond near the Taskers Chance swimming pool along Bel Aire Lane. Animal Control Officers collected the groundhog on Thursday, July 18th at 9:00 PM after it attacked a dog earlier that evening.

The Health Department says anyone who has had contact with this groundhog or any other wildlife should get in touch with their health care provider; and then contact the Health Department’s Community Service Office at 301-600-3342. . If your pet has had contact with this groundhog or any wildlife, contact your veterinarian; and then call the Health Department’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717..

Rabies is a viral disease that once it’s contracted by humans is nearly always fatal unless post exposure treatment is administered. The virus infects mammals, or warm-blooded animals, and its spread through the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite.

Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, and/or atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals emerging during the daytime.

“To protect your family from possible rabies exposure, make sure that your pets are currently vaccinated, and do not touch or play with wild or stray animals,” says Barry Glotflelty, the Director of the Frederick County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services.

Health Department officials say if your pet has had contact with a stray animal or wild animal, call Animal Control at 301-600-1544 to speak with an Animal Control Officer. For general information about rabies, call 301-600-1717, or go on line to https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/rabies.

By Kevin McManus

Construction is expected to begin next year.

Frederick, Md (KM) It looks like there will be some movement on the proposed downtown Frederick hotel and conference center. A briefing on the project was presented on Wednesday to the Board of Aldermen.

The facility will be located along South Carroll Street and contain 208 rooms, and 21,210 square feet of conference center space, including ballrooms, pre-function and breakout space. There will also be a parking space which will be open to everyone, not just hotel guests.

Pete Plamondon, the Co-CEO of Plamondon Hospitality Partners which plans to build the facility, said the project is moving along. “We started pre-development costs. We’re in for site plan approval come this August. So we started the process with our engineers and architects to do that. This summer, we’re starting to socialize where the private equity will come from,” he said.

Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

The project is expected to cost $101.56 million.  . Background materials at the meeting say that Plamondon will by paying $73.54 million dollars toward the project, which is 72.41%. Public financing will be $28.02 million dollars or 27.59%. The City of Frederick will be committing $2 million and Frederick County is providing $2.52 million. The State of Maryland is expected to provide $23.50 million or 23.14 %.

The Board of Aldermen are expected to vote on Thursday, July 18th whether to accept a $1-million grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development which will be used for the project.

During the meeting, State Senator Karen Lewis Young said constituents have asked why public money is going toward this project. She said public funds will be used for projects that provide a public benefit. “If the total public investment is $28-million, if you look at the aspects of the projects that have a public benefit, that’s $35.24 million, and that doesn’t even include the brownfield mitigation,”: she said.

But Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak noted that if the city is receiving state funding for this project, will this prevent funding for other projects. “I need to know that it doesn’t stop all other projects because I feel there are a couple big projects that are happening now that certainly were not my major things to do,” she said.

Richard Griffin, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick, said this project will have an economic impact to the city. “$1.5 billion over 25 years is estimated. Over $60 million dollars annually in direct and indirect and induced spending that’s going to occur around this facility,” he said

He also said the city and the county will collect tax revenue from this project.. “They’re going pay local city tax and county tax. and those are going to be be significant revenues coming in,” he said.

And Alderman Ben MacShane said the city needs more than just residential development. “A lot of folks are saying ‘we need more than just housing. We need investment in commercial. We need economic development. We don’t want to be just a bedroom community. We don’t want to build new development suburbs, and just become a new suburb of wherever to our south.'”

By Kevin McManus

Victim’s identity released.

Gaithersburg, MD- Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Saturday, July 20, 2024, on North Frederick Avenue near Travis Avenue.

At approximately 10:12 p.m., Gaithersburg Police officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a collision involving two vehicles.

The investigation has revealed that a black 2022 Ram 1500 pick-up truck was traveling northbound on North Frederick Avenue when it collided with a black 2016 Nissan Altima traveling northbound on North Frederick Avenue.

The operator of the Nissan was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Isacc Akomanyi, of Germantown.

An occupant in the Nissan and the driver of the Ram were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

This is an active and ongoing investigation, and CRU detectives are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call (240) 773-6620. 

It includes a $3-million-dollar supplemental budget.

Frederick, Md (KM) A three-step plan was unveiled on Monday to help relieve school overcrowding, particularly in the Oakdale Elementary School area. During a public information briefing, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said one part sets up a supplemental budget.. “I’m seeking approval for the design funding for the new school number 41. This request will be for approximately $3 million to begin the design process in FY {fiscal year} 25.  The funding for this comes  from school mitigation fees which is 100 percent developer-funded dollars, not taxpayer dollars,” she said.

Fitzwater says she will present this supplemental budget to the County Council in late August for its approval. The Council will be in recess for July 30th, August 6th and August 13th, returning to its weekly meetings on August 20th.

School number 41 is expected to relieve overcrowding at Oakdale Elementary School which Fitzwater says is expected to be at  170 percent capacity when it reopens in August.

During her public information briefing on Monday, County Executive Fitzwater said many of these school overcrowding issues resulted from policies approved by the last Board of County Commissioners in the  2000’s. That board allowed builders to keep on constructing homes in the areas served by Oakdale and Green Valley Elementary Schools regardless  of the overcrowding situation. The developers were asked to contribute a school mitigation fee, and keep on building. Many of those projects  have been completed, or are nearing completion.

A new Green Valley Elementary School is under construction, but Oakdale Elementary still remains overcrowded, according to Fitzwater.

The second part of her plan would allow Oakdale Elementary School to use land near its school building for field space. “Providing land for outdoor recreation space creates flexibility so land close to the main building can support additional indoor core space such as a cafeteria, indoor physical education or additional pod classrooms as deemed appropriate by FCPS,’ she said.

There are plans to build a public library at that site. Fitzwater says this use of the property will still allow the library go forward. “But best of all, this arrangement will not impact the time line in the county’s  adopted CIP for the Linganore branch library, currently planned for design in FY 27, and construction in FY 29,” she says.

The third part of the plan calls for the county to continue to acquire sites for future public schools. “The County has not stopped actively pursuing any and all additional solutions, including the purchase of land to solve the school overcrowding and address aging school infrastructure,” Fitzwater said. “We will continue to do this in partnership with FCPS.”  FCPS is Frederick County Public Schools.

The county has purchased 20 acres of land along Gas House Pike for an additional school site, says the County Executive’s Office. The land was paid for with developers’ fees, not taxpayer money. Also, two other developments, must donate land for school sites as a condition for their approval. They include a middle school site near Deer Crossing Elementary School in Gordon Mills,  and  an elementary school on the Casey property west of Md. Route 75.

By Kevin McManus

It’s open to children who don’t have health insurance.

Frederick, Md (KM) Back-to-school vaccination clinics are being held by the Frederick County Health Department. They will take place from August 6th through September 11th.

They’re open to students who do not have health insurance; whose insurance does not cover vaccinations; or they cannot get the vaccines from their regular health care provider. The clinics are free, but families need to call and set up a time to attend. The number to call is 301-600-1733.

Those with health insurance are encouraged to contact their health care provider and arrange for their children’s vaccinations.

Under Maryland law, children enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th  grade need to have their age appropriate vaccinations. . Students must have proof of these vaccinations before being allowed to come to school.

The Health Department says school vaccination requirements help protect children by making sure they’re protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Children who are not vaccinated can spread disease to others, particularly those who are too young to be vaccinated, or people with weakened immune systems such as those with cancer. Schools must have proof of vaccination before allowing students to begin classes. Students who do not have proof of vaccination may not be able to attend schools until this proof of vaccination is presented.

Children 17 and under coming to these clinics should be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. If the parents cannot bring their children to the clinics, they must provide a note  to the adult bringing the children  which states that this person is authorized to bring them  to the clinic. Vaccinated children are required to remain at the clinic for observation following their vaccinations. Only one parent can accompany children who have an appointment, Additional persons  will not be admitted. The Health Department also says please don’t bring a child, or parent or guardian to the clinic if that person has any symptoms of COVID-19, or is  awaiting results from a COVID-19 test.

For more information, go to the Health Department website at Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/immunization.

By Kevin McManus

Sheriff Jenkins says he’s proud to be part of the program.

Frederick, Md )(KM) A recent inspection of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office participation in the 287g program found no deficiencies or areas of concern   That’s according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The inspection was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Professional Responsibility. It looked at office procedures, records kept by the Sheriff’s Office, all documented encounters and entries into the Enforcement Integrated Database Arrest Guide for Law Enforcement. (EAGLE)

The inspection took place between June 25th and June 27th, 2024.

The 278g program allows the Sheriff’s Office  to check the immigration status of those arrested. and if they’re here illegally, they can be deported. That process takes place at the Adult Detention Center.

“We look forward to these inspections as an opportunity to demonstrate that we are enforcing the program correctly and the way it was intended,” Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said in a statement. “We are proud   to be a part of this program and that this program makes this community safer.”

He continues” :As we move forward, the importance of maintaining this program will continue to be demonstrated. I believe our 287g will continue to be the model program for the entire country.”

By Kevin McManus