Beltsville 2-Alarm Warehouse Fire With Explosions

United States (Maryland) - Firefighters encountered more then heavy smoke and fire at a Beltsville warehouse fire. Fire/EMS units were dispatched to Precision Cycle Works, 11323 Old Baltimore Pike, Beltsville, Maryland, for 911 reports of an explosion and fire at about 1:45 PM, Thursday, April 8, 2010. First arriving firefighters from Beltsville Fire/EMS Station 831 and Greenbelt Fire/EMS Station 835 were the first to arrive and observed heavy smoke from the roof area, towards the rear of the structure, of a 1-story brick, middle of the row, commercial warehouse. These units established a water supply and entered the structure with charged hoselines in attempts to extinguish the fire. Firefighters were updated that there was a quantity of handgun ammunition and re-loading supplies in the area where the initial explosion occurred. There were rapid and continuous sounds of the ammunition discharging and larger sounds of explosions with percussions felt by everyone inside or near the structure. A 360 exterior examination of the structure revealed bulging of the front garage door and rear wall, as well as, the roof assembly displayed signs that it had shifted. All of these observations indicated that a significant explosion had occurred. With heavy blinding smoke on the interior and a maze of walls and obstacles, firefighters could not immediately locate the seat of the fire. Coupled with inherent dangers of a fire in a large automotive repair warehouse and the report of the structural instability of the structure; incident commanders ordered the evacuation of all firefighters. SOURCE: Firfighting News

Crime Analysis Weekly Report for 03/22 to 03/30

Crime report in 3rd Disrict: Burtonsville, Calverton, Hillandale, and White Oak.
Crime report in 4th District: Clovery and Colesville.

In MC, teachers with Master's can earn $103,000

Teacher salaries in the Washington area jumped by more than 40 percent over the past decade. The Washington Examiner reports that teachers in the Maryland suburbs have enjoyed the largest pay raises in the past 10 years. In Montgomery County, Maryland, teachers top out with the region's highest salaries - more than $103,000 for the longest-serving teachers with master's-level degrees. In D.C., a new proposed contract gives top-performing teachers the opportunity to earn an unprecedented $150,000. Only in Fairfax County, Virginia, have inflation-adjusted salaries declined about 2 percent to an average of $64,700. Other jurisdictions in Virginia saw modest increases. SOURCEWBAL

Mirant Mid-Atlantic’s Dickerson Generating Station Removes More Than 900 Lbs. of Trash for the 22nd Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup

Dickerson, MD – On Friday, April 9, 2010, employees from Mirant Mid-Atlantic’s Dickerson electric generating station hosted a Potomac River cleanup in support of the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 22nd annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. The annual cleanup is part of the larger Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative, which seeks to have the watershed trash free by 2013.

Nineteen employees participated in the cleanup event and removed more than 900 pounds of trash along the shoreline near Mirant’s Dickerson generating station. Some of the more interesting finds included a tire, a steel drum and a basketball. The most identified items were Styrofoam and plastic bottles.

“Mirant is very proud to support the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup,” said Director of External Affairs, Misty Allen. “Our employees enjoyed rolling up their sleeves and taking part in this important initiative to help keep our local waterways free of trash.”

Bob Greenfest leads Santos, Postal Accountants in Rockville

Bob Greenfest is a Principal at Santos, Postal & Company P.C. (www.SantosPostal.com), a Rockville, Maryland based CPA and consulting firm established in 1971. Bob leads SantosPostal’s Turnaround Management Division wherein he assists companies in regaining operational excellence and positive cash flow. Based on his advice and guidance, he is a cross between Dr. Phil and Dr. House. Bob is also SantosPostal’s social media guru. He actively updates his LinkedIn profile (http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgreenfest), Twitter profile (@BobGreenfest), and blog titled Finance, Banking and Clear Thoughts on the World (www.bobgreenfest.wordpress.com). Bob can be reached at 240-499-2075 or BGreenfest@SantosPostal.com.

Md. Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

Maryland senators passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana, but the measure is not expected to pass the House of Delegates. Senators voted 35-to-12 Saturday to allow pharmacies to distribute marijuana to patients with a doctor's prescription. "We think this bill offers the most carefully crafted medical marijuana law in the country," said State Sen. Jamie Raskin (Montgomery County-D.). It offers legal protection and safe medical access to patients who are desperately in need and it takes every possible measure to prevent abuses." Other state lawmakers said the bill has little chance of passing the House of Delegates and becoming law. SOURCE: NBC Washington

Wizards' Gilbert Arenas to spend two days in Maryland jail

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas began serving his sentence Friday night for bringing guns into the team's locker room. According to Arthur Wallenstein, director of Montgomery County Corrections, Arenas arrived at the Montgomery County jail at 7:40 p.m. Arenas must spend two days there for medical screening and classification before being transferred to the county's Pre-Release Center, a halfway house. Arenas was sentenced March 26 to 30 days in a halfway house for bringing weapons into the Verizon Center. Corrections officials in Montgomery County agreed to let him serve his sentence there, as part of an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Arenas pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge in January, and has been suspended until the end of the season by the NBA. Arenas also received two years of probation, a $5,000 fine and 400 hours of community service that can't be performed at basketball clinics. "Our thoughts are always with him. We're glad that it's going to be done, and he'll be able to move on," Washington coach Flip Saunders said after the Wizards' 106-96 victory in Boston on Friday night. SOURCE: ESPN

Truck crashes into bridge at Rockville Metro

A freight truck hit the underside of the pedestrian bridge that connects Rockville Metro station with downtown. Bridge currently closed and police and fire are on the scene. Injuries unknown. SOURCE: Max for Rockville

Gail Ewing: Costco on the mind in Montgomery County

Costcos are all over Maryland. There are warehouse stores at Arundel Mills, and in Beltsville, Brandywine, Columbia, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Glen Burnie and White Marsh, and all but Gaithersburg have gas pumps on site. We are about to acquire even more. According to Glenarden Councilwoman Margaret Dade, construction is expected to begin in May for a Costco at the Woodmore Towne Center. A majority of the Montgomery County Council has agreed to support County Executive Isiah Leggett's plan to provide $4 million to Westfield to help bring another Costco to Wheaton Plaza in 2011.

There's much anticipation. Councilwoman Dade says, "Costco brings a new shopping experience in this area," adding, "and we are excited about this major addition to the Towne Center mixed-use site."

Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen says, "Costco brings jobs and a desired activity to the lower part of the county and is a strong statement of our commitment to the Wheaton community."

SOURCE: Gazette

Minorities decry cuts to Montgomery health programs

Minority groups in Montgomery County are protesting proposed cuts to health care programs, saying the cuts unfairly target those who have been historically shut out of receiving quality care. County Executive Ike Leggett is looking to cut a hotline referral and translation program for Hispanic and Asian residents, and funding for black HIV prevention efforts, as well as other minority-based health programs, by about 11 percent. SOURCE: Washington Examiner

Montgomery County police identify officer killed in crash

Montgomery County police have identified an officer who was killed when his patrol car struck a tree while responding to a call. Police say Officer Hector Ayala, a seven-year veteran of the department, died Sunday. They say Ayala was on his way to the scene of a fight after another officer called for backup. Ayala's police cruiser ran off the road and hit a tree in Wheaton. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Detectives investigating the crash are asking for tips from anyone who was at the scene. Gov. Martin O'Malley has ordered the Maryland state flag be flown at half-staff in honor of Ayala. The flag will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of his burial, which has not been set. Ayala is survived by his wife, who is pregnant with triplets, and a son. SOURCEBaltimore Sun

Md. Senate panel OKs county equity investment bill

A Maryland Senate panel has endorsed letting Montgomery County use tax dollars to make private equity investments in companies. The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation Tuesday to allow county leaders to make the investments in local firms or companies that would relocate to the county. It says local government could not own more than 25 percent of any firm. It also prohibits county leaders from engaging in any oversight of the firm. Representatives of the Montgomery County Civic Federation and activist group Citizens Above Party have urged legislators to oppose the bill because they don't want officials making risky business decisions with tax dollars. The county has a budget deficit of more than $700 million. The measure now moves to the Senate floor. SOURCEBusiness Week

Montgomery County wrestling

By Bernard Wolley
Seneca Valley, Jr.
Wolley dethroned the state champion to top a 33-2 season and capture Seneca Valley's first individual title since 1998.
Coach of the Year
Josh Munsey, Clarksburg

First team
103: Jason Murphy, Landon, Fr.
112: Daniel Sanchez, Georgetown Prep, Fr.
119: Parke Overmiller, Magruder, Jr.
125: Jenkins Monzey, Georgetown Prep, Sr.
130: Jordan Tolbert, Magruder, Jr.
135: Eric Fessel, Georgetown Prep, Sr.
140: Ryan Garey, Bullis, Jr.
145: James Roach, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Sr.
152: Josh Lowy, Sherwood, Sr.
160: Zeke Gammill, Damascus, Sr.
171: Collins Nitcheu, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Jr.
189: Taylor Leighton, Whitman, Sr.
215: Danny Lee, Whitman, Sr.
285: Pat Teixeira, Walter Johnson, Sr.
SOURCE:Washington Post

First Date: Silver Spring vs Bethesda

Orange Baron
First Date: Silver Spring Let’s get straight to brass tacks. I don’t want to sound over-confident, or arrogant, but this match-up is incredibly stacked in my favor. As much as I love and feel loyal to Bethesda, Silver Spring is simply a far superior venue for a first date. What is the comfortable first date agenda? One doesn’t normally ask someone to the club or the aquarium for a first date. The proper protocol for the first date is, of course, dinner and a movie. However, mastery of this type of date is a precise science. You don’t take a first date to Mon Ami Gabi, for example, but you don’t take her to Five Guys, either.

That’s the first foot up that Silver Spring has over Bethesda. The selection in Silver Spring for casual first date dinners is fantastic. Think of all of the nice but not formal places in Bethesda. Potbelly, Mamma Lucia and Austin Grill all spring to mind. The thing is, all of these places also have franchises in Silver Spring. Indeed, the selection in Silver Spring is far more expansive. The choices are endless: Noodles & Company, Galaxy Billiards, Addis Ababa, The Greek Place, Panera Bread and Mi Rancho are all tremendous venues for casual eating with no true equivalent in Bethesda.

And, of course, after dinner, there is the movie. On sight, it is apparent that the Majestic is far more expansive and impressive than Regal’s Bethesda franchise. The Majestic offers twice as many auditoriums as the Regal in Bethesda, as well as a far more luxurious lobby and standing area. True, Bethesda offers the Bethesda Row Cinema, but these more serious, artsy movies are usually to be relegated for a later date. I know that on a first date, I’d rather break the ice with my lady friend at How to Train Your Dragon than, say, The Last Station, a cinematic masterpiece but lacking on the cuteness factor. Of course, what does one do after dinner? Three words: Cold Stone Creamery. You don’t get that in Bethesda.



vs.
Hot Pink Baron
First Date: Bethesda

If you ask anybody from the D.C. area which neighborhood, Bethesda or Silver Spring, has better dining, a better social scene, and better theaters, and is therefore the better place for a first date, their answer would almost always be that Bethesda is superior in all of those categories. After all, anybody who is at all familiar with the area knows that the variety and quantity of restaurants, which is an extremely important factor in choosing a location for a first date, is far superior in Bethesda. Downtown Silver Spring’s website lists 137 restaurants, while Downtown Bethesda’s lists 183, divided into 30 categories, which include everything from Greek to Cajun to Korean BBQ. Downtown Silver Spring’s website lists only 18 of those categories. Clearly, Bethesda is the better place for a first date when it comes to food.

But food is not the only factor that is important to consider when weighing first date options. Bethesda also has superior movie theaters, with two theaters that play a wide selection of current titles. Bethesda also has two live theaters. Silver Spring has one movie theater that plays current titles, and another that has only one screen and occasionally plays older movies, documentaries, and short films. But possibly the best thing about Bethesda is its wildly popular central strip, Bethesda Row, which is considered by many area residents as one of the best urban areas in the county. Bethesda Row owes its terrific reputation to its vibrant, lively, social scene, both during the day and at night. Silver Spring’s recently-developed Ellsworth Drive has attempted to imitate Bethesda Row, but so far has not been nearly as popular. In short, better restaurants, better movie theaters, and a better social scene make Bethesda a better place than Silver Spring for a first date.

SOURCE: Tattler Extra

Pearson Congratulates Montgomery County Public Schools as Finalist for Prestigious Broad Prize

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 6, 2010 -- Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland earned a spot as one of five finalists for the 2010 Broad Prize for Urban Education, an annual $2 million award honoring districts that demonstrate the best student performance while reducing achievement gaps. The announcement drew praise from officials at Pearson, the global leader in education and education technology.

"The Montgomery County school system is producing spectacular academic results, raising the bar for the rest of the nation," said Pearson's Maryland District Manager David Graham. "The people of Montgomery County should be proud of their teachers and students, and we congratulate them on this impressive accomplishment."

The winner of The Broad Prize, to be announced Oct. 19, will receive $1 million in college scholarships for high school seniors graduating in 2011. The four other districts will each receive $250,000 in college scholarships. Having been named as a finalist, Montgomery County is guaranteed a minimum of $250,000 in college scholarships for its students. SOURCE: Pearson School

As Ehrlich enters, Gazette confirms Ripken out for governor

Bob Ehrlich might be trying to be No. 1 in November, but he doesn't have to worry about No. 8 in the meantime, at least according to his brother. Cal Ripken Jr. is not interested in running for governor, Billy Ripken said Monday.

"That's no," the former Orioles second basemen said emphatically about a gubernatorial bid for his brother.

Daniel Vovak, a candidate for Montgomery County executive, said in his blog two weeks ago that Cal Ripken should be the GOP standard bearer in the governor's race. The notice got some play on other blogs, but apparently not much among the Ripkens.

Well, if Cal doesn't want to lead the state, how about heading the Orioles? Three weeks ago, Bloomberg.com reported that the Hall of Famer is pondering a switch into management. Again, Billy Ripken acted as if he hadn't heard it.

"Junior has ideas and philosophies that he would like to apply. Whether that presents itself, I can't speak to, because I don't know the fact that he wants to do that as of right now," Billy Ripken said. "He's always been the type of guy that if opportunity presents itself, he would not shut the door on opportunity. "I don't think it's something he's actively pursuing," he continued. "But I know he has philosophies and things like that he would like to apply."

Billy Ripken would not be more specific about what philosophies his brother would like to apply. "Ask him that question," he said. Judging by a Thursday Associated Press report, Cal Ripken has decided how he wants to apply those philosophies. The face of the franchise will become an adviser to the Orioles front office.

SOURCE: Gazette

Leggett's Bodyguard Budget Is Source of Controversy

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett is keeping four bodyguards on staff, and that's stirring up controversy over county cuts and officials' safety. SOURCE: ABC 7

OPINION: MARC with strings attached

A new Washington Post article discusses the controversy of having overhead wires installed across downtown Washington to power the city's new streetcars. Here in Montgomery County, it is widely assumed that we will have such overhead catenararies along the planned routes of the Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway. However, the growing budget difficulties and dysfunctional Metro system - along with the poor to nonexistant performance of Metro and light rail during the 3 blizzards - continue to make an expansion of MARC commuter rail an affordable and efficient alternative.

The controversial Science City and other developments previously built along I-270 have all been touted as "smart growth" based upon the far-off construction of the CCT. Not only is the ridership of the non-existing CCT far overstated, but the current size of the Gaithersburg West plan far exceeds the capacity of current and future transportation infrastructure in that area. Meanwhile, Watkins Mill Town Center is emerging as the only real smart growth development in that corridor. Why? In addition to a planned interchange with 270 (of course, it's not yet built in our cart-before-the-horse county council's mode of planning), Watkins Mill already has a MARC rail station on site. North of the county, MARC trains take a spur into downtown Frederick. There are a variety of possible MARC configurations that could provide the rail service needed in the 270 corridor, at a greatly reduced price. READ MORE: Robert Dyer's Blog

State Senate Threatens to Derail Red Line, Purple Line, and Corridor Cities Transitway

That's not the stated reasoning—that would be testing, again, the viability of a heavy-rail option for the much-needed east-west transit line—but that would be the probable outcome if the Senate gets its wish: a full restudy of the Red Line, Purple Line, and Corridor Cities Transitway, three public-transportation projects proposed in Maryland. The House of Delegates rejected the Senate's proposal, but that doesn't mean it's dead.

Understand, a restudy will take years, re-evaluating alternatives will take years, and whatever new fight occurs after will probably take years as well—and it will take money, lots of money the Maryland Transit Administration doesn't have and needs to spend on keeping a strapped transit system's head above water.

Would it be worth it if the MTA restudied a heavy rail alternative and it magically dropped in cost by a billion dollars and fell within federal funding guidelines? Sure. The difference between heavy rail (read: subway) and light rail is significant enough that, yeah, we can hold out for a few years. But it won't be cheaper or, even if it was, it won't be cheap enough. As Maryland Politics Watch points out, both the current Red and Purple Line plans are at the cost-effectiveness wire. If the cost for a new subway line were actually lowered, one could only imagine how busted that subway system would likely be. Look at Baltimore's light rail line, for instance, done on the mega-cheap to avoid dealing with federal financing altogether. The reason the line seems to go nowhere is that—just as Baltimore subway advocates are proposing for the Red Line—it runs on freight-rail tracks that don't have much ridership around them, instead of building new tracks and lines in places such as Greenspring, Hampden, Towson, Charles Village, and other locales that could really use a well-placed light rail line. In other words, building a financially feasible subway line in Baltimore in the year 2010 means building a crappy one that runs through the woods.

SOURCE: Baltimore City Paper

Moody's Threatens Downgrade to MoCo Bonds

Moody's Global Credit Research, an agency that evaluates bond risk, has maintained its top rating on Montgomery County's general obligation bonds for now but has placed the county "on review" for a possible downgrade. Standard & Poor's is sticking with its top rating and has a "stable outlook," indicating that it will not be downgrading soon. This means that two of the three leading credit ratings agencies (including Fitch) are now warning their investors about MoCo's debt. SOURCE: Maryland Politics Watch