Aspen Hill, Kensington, Wheaton, Olney among hardest hit by power outages after Saturday's storm

Pepco crews staging at the 7-Eleven store
on River Road in Bethesda this morning

Over 10,000 Pepco customers remain without power this morning in Montgomery County, but that number is down about 60,000 from the height of last evening's thunderstorm damage. The weather event, and resulting tree and power line damage, has been one of the few significant tests for Pepco since the electric utility was acquired by Exelon in 2016. Yesterday's storm appeared deceptively routine for late summer, but spawned straight line winds in areas like North Bethesda and Rockville, and had some in Northwest Washington, D.C. reporting a tornado in their community.

Southwest Bethesda neighborhoods like Springfield, Sumner, Wood Acres, Bannockburn and Spring Hill are still experiencing significant power outages. Grid resiliency issues reared their head again in the Westbard area long after skies had cleared Saturday night. Residents there who were fortunate enough to retain power after the storm last night report experiencing brownouts at 2:12 AM and 4:32 AM. The 4:32 AM brownout was an extended one, as after a split-second blackout that ravaged appliance motors, light fixtures were shimmering and flickering until all power was lost around 4:45 AM. Power was then restored around 4:48 AM. Interestingly, both brownout episodes reported seem to coincide with brand new power outages in the Westbard and Wood Acres/Searl Terrace areas, which the Pepco outage map indicates were reported at 2:15 AM (Searl Terrace) and 4:53 AM (Westbard Avenue). This morning's brownouts follow three sunny day brownouts in the Westbard area two weeks ago.

In North Bethesda, apartment building residents reported being in the dark Saturday night, and outages persist around Grosvenor, Garrett Park, Tilden Lane, Randolph Hills and the Randolph Road corridor this morning. Things aren't looking much better in the Twinbrook and Rollins Park areas of Rockville.

Aspen Hill is still smarting today with many outages. Fortunately for those without air conditioning, today's high will "only" be 85 degrees, instead of the 99 degree peak experienced last Friday. Outages also persist around Leisure World, Bel Pre Road, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Colesville and Fairland. 

The storm appears to have cut a straight path across Montgomery Village, Goshen, and Laytonsville, judging from the large number of outages there. Outages remain in the Kentlands, Montgomery College-Germantown campus, Olney and Sandy Spring areas. 

Car stolen at Leisure World

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at Leisure World on Monday morning. The car was taken from a driveway in the 3700 block of Finsbury Drive. It is believed the vehicle was stolen sometime between 10:00 PM Sunday night and 8:30 AM Monday morning.

More coronavirus cases in East Montgomery County nursing homes

Montgomery County has confirmed several more coronavirus cases in nursing homes in the East County. A staff member at Althea Woodland Nursing Home in the Montgomery Knolls area of Silver Spring has tested positive for Covid-19. So has a resident at Brook Grove in Sandy Spring, and a resident at Cadia Healthcare at 4011 Randolph Road in Wheaton.

The worst outbreak in the East County is at Layhill Center, located at 3227 Bel Pre Road near Aspen Hill, Aspenwood, and Leisure World. There, three residents and one staff member have been confirmed to have the coronavirus.

Woke Doug Duncan calls out Montgomery County cartel

Former Montgomery County Executive and Rockville mayor Douglas M. Duncan is the first prominent political figure to acknowledge, and call out, the political cartel that has seized control of the County over the last two decades. Over that same period since they first won a majority of the seats on the County Council in 2002 - and now control every single seat in 2019, the County has plunged to rock bottom in all relevant regional economic development categories. As a result of their high-tax and anti-business policies, the County economy has become moribund, the ultra-wealthy have fled in great numbers to lower-tax jurisdictions, and the County has failed to attract a major corporate headquarters in over twenty years. While high profile voices like The Washington Post, Washington Business Journal and Sage Policy Group have finally joined me in declaring Montgomery County moribund, no prominent figure has previously identified that a political cabal has seized control of the local Democratic party and County government. Until now.

A day after the County's elected officials held another clueless meeting on the stagnant County economy, repeating the same mantras and problems without endorsing actual solutions we know will solve them, it's worth examining what Doug Duncan recently said regarding the cartel. One of the key reasons we are struggling to attract jobs and economic growth is that cartel-controlled officials are anti-highway and anti-car. That is because the most dominant players in the cartel are developers who specialize in developments that require traffic congestion to remain high, in order to justify their density. So it's not surprising that the County Council's predictable opposition to Gov. Larry Hogan's Express Lanes plan for the Beltway and I-270 frustrated a common-sense leader like Duncan.

"You don't often see a governor saying, 'I want to put billions of dollars into your infrastructure,'" Duncan told the Post. "For Montgomery County to say no right off the bat without saying let's look at this is the result of who's controlling the Democratic Party now."

Those elected officials have not only blocked and canceled critical highway projects, but have also pursued the anti-business course that their developer sugar daddies in the cartel have demanded behind closed doors. Developers want the valuable land in Rock Spring and along I-270 where existing office parks could be used to lure defense, aerospace and tech firms that need large, secure campuses. They want those office zones to remain vacant and struggling, so that they can acquire the land and redevelop it as residential. This is why you see the Council continuing to refuse to take the steps needed to turn the economy around, and to block economic growth.

Duncan addressed that, too, in his remarks to the Post. He told the newspaper "the County's Democratic leadership of 'no-growthers' is out of step with residents."

This is a breakthrough in the public debate. Duncan is as liberal a Democrat as they come, but he's also remembered for being pro-business while in office until he ran for governor in 2006. Duncan lost his bid to return as County Executive in 2014, when the cartel threw its weight behind incumbent Ike Leggett. He may now wish he had run in 2018, when pro-business candidate David Blair lost to Marc Elrich by a literal whisker in the Democratic primary. If the County remains on this road to bankruptcy, we likely haven't heard the last of Duncan and Blair in the political arena.

To be first to acknowledge the local Democratic Party and our elected offices have indeed been hijacked by a cartel, cabal or whatever you want to call it, is indeed a shot across the bow by Duncan. These words need to be heard and taken seriously, if we are to resolve this fiscal crisis, and become the major economic development player we once were in the region.

Small renovation planned at Leisure World Giant in Silver Spring

Giant is preparing for a small renovation project at its Leisure World store, located at 3860 International Drive in Silver Spring. While the renovations will cost $100,000, they will only involve 325 SF of floor space inside the store, so it will not require a temporary closure.

Giant ends Senior Tuesdays discount

Senior Tuesdays usually find an increase in shoppers at local Giant stores. That was because of the 5% discount for seniors. About two weeks ago, however, some seniors discovered the popular promotion is ending.

While the 5% discount was honored that Tuesday, the shoppers were informed that they could sign up at the customer service desk for a new promotion where coupons would be mailed to them at home. I asked the corporate office at Giant, and they confirmed that the Senior Tuesday promotion is being axed.

Giant said they are introducing a new plan for seniors, a personalized monthly mailer with targeted coupons and nutrition advice. As store employees told shoppers two weeks ago, you can sign up for the mailings at the customer service desk using your Bonus Card and mailing address.

Hogan declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Florence

Potomac River at 

flood stage at

Little Falls, 

White's Ferry closed,

National Guard alerted

Will Hurricane Florence hit Maryland hard? We don't know yet, but Gov. Larry Hogan isn't taking any chances. "While we're hoping for the best, we are preparing for the worst," Hogan said at a press conference, where he announced he has declared a state of emergency. The governor said the declaration would allow the state to mobilize the resources and personnel potentially needed in the areas expected to be hardest hit.

Hogan warned of the strong possibility of "historic, catastrophic, and life-threatening flooding," in coastal and low-lying, flood-prone areas. "At my direction, the state is currently taking action to activate all available resources," he told reporters, "including alerting the Maryland National Guard."

Sporting a yellow-trimmed polo shirt, Hogan said he is in constant contact with the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, to obtain up-to-the-minute briefings on the storm's track. He said the state's Emergency Management Center is "fully-staffed" at this hour, at that emergency shelters around the state are now standing by to receive displaced residents.

Pepco will face its first real test of its "new" system. The utility will have no excuse to be short on personnel, because Hogan explicitly mentioned that he has personally alerted the state's electrical companies to mobilize now.

The governor urged residents to "start now to prepare your families and your homes for potential heavy rains, wind and possible flooding." He recommended citizens "have water, batteries, and flashlights at the ready in case of power outages."

Hogan said he expected to know more about the storm's potential impacts by later today.

Suburban News Network

Storm Center Update

The National Weather Service has put a Dense Fog Advisory into effect until 10:00 AM this morning. A Flood Warning remains in effect until noon Wednesday. The many preceding days of heavy rain have put the area behind the 8-ball before Florence even arrives near the end of the week.

Already, the Potomac River is above flood stage at Little Falls, and high water has closed White's Ferry for now.

Current temperature in Silver Spring and Takoma Park is 69 degrees. It is 68 in Wheaton, Glenmont Leisure World and Aspen Hill; and 67 in White Oak, Burtonsville and Olney.

The high today will be 80, with a shower or thunderstorm expected this afternoon. Winds are from the WSW at 2 MPH, gusting to 6 MPH.

Pedestrians struck at Leisure World, in Takoma Park

Four pedestrians and two bicyclists were struck by cars yesterday in Montgomery County; two of those victims were in the East County.

At 3:45 PM, a pedestrian was struck in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park.

About an hour later, another pedestrian was hit at Leisure World. That collision took place in front of the Leisure World Administration Building, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer.

No details on the injuries of the victims have been made available as of press time.

2 ASSAULTS IN FAIRLAND, DRUG ARREST IN TAKOMA PARK, THEFT AT LEISURE WORLD - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 1, according to crime data:

"Other sexual offense." 13400 block Keating Street (Aspen Hill).

Theft. 2900 block N. Leisure World Boulevard.

Burglary. 3200 block Henderson Avenue (Connecticut Avenue Estates/Glenmont area).

Assault. 11200 block New Hampshire Avenue (White Oak).

Burglary. 1500 block Heather Hollow Circle (White Oak).

Assault. 2100 block Harlequin Terrace (Fairland).

Assault. 13900 block Castle Boulevard (Fairland).

Theft from vehicle. 1700 block Elton Road (Hillandale).

Theft from vehicle. 9700 block Mt. Pisgah Road.

Theft from vehicle. 1000 block Cresthaven Drive.

Assault. Colesville Road at University Boulevard (Four Corners).

Assault. 8600 block Colesville Road.

Assault. 8500 block Piney Branch Road.

Theft from vehicle. University Boulevard E. at Piney Branch Road.

Drug arrest. 600 block Ethan Allen Avenue (Takoma Park).

Liquor arrest. Avenel Road at Dilston Road.

Liquor arrest. Piney Branch Road at Flower Avenue (Long Branch).

THEFT AT LEISURE WORLD, ASSAULT IN ASPEN HILL + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on July 25, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. Spring Center, 8621 16th Street.

Theft. Georgia Avenue at Evans Parkway.

Drug arrest. 1200 block Fidler Lane.

Assault. 1100 block Fidler Lane.

Theft. LA Fitness (Wheaton).

Assault. Progress Place, 8210 Dixon Avenue.

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Triangle Lane.

Liquor arrest. 8400 block Georgia Avenue.

Liquor arrest. 11406-D Georgia Avenue (Wheaton).

Disorderly conduct. Regal Majestic Theater.

Liquor arrest. 8200 block Fenton Street.

Assault. 12700 block Parkland Drive (Aspen Hill).

Vehicle burglary. 3600 block Isbell Street (Connecticut Avenue Estates).

Assault. 12000 block Bernard Drive (Wheaton-Glenmont area).

Drug arrest. 3100 block Weller Road.

Theft. 12400 block Georgia Avenue (Glenmont).

Disorderly conduct. 8200 block Piney Branch Road.

Liquor arrest. University Boulevard at Carroll Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 1100 block Linden Avenue (Takoma Park).

Drug arrest. 3800 block Dunsinane Drive (Bel Pre/Aspen Hill area).

Theft. 3700 block Rossmoor Boulevard (Leisure World).

Theft. Sears Automotive Center (White Oak).

Vehicle burglary. 11300 block Lockwood Drive (White Oak).

Drug arrest. 500 block Rosemere Avenue (Colesville).

Assault. New Hampshire Avenue at Randolph Road.

Theft. 14800 block Notley Road.

POWER OUTAGES NEAR ASPEN HILL, LEISURE WORLD

Electrical storms passed through the area Wednesday night, but as of early this morning, 2 small power outages were being addressed by Pepco. One was in the Connecticut Avenue Estates/Green Wood Knolls area of Wheaton, near Aspen Hill and Glenmont. The second was in the vicinity of Leisure World.

Both outages affected 5 or less customers each, according to Pepco, and were scheduled to be fixed by this morning.

VEHICLE BREAK-IN AT LEISURE WORLD, ASPEN HILL/BEL PRE ROBBERY - SILVER SPRING WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on April 19, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. 1300 block East-West Highway (downtown Silver Spring).

Vehicle theft. 10800 block Georgia Avenue (near Wheaton House apartments).

Theft. JC Penney at Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. Wheaton Plaza.

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Grandview Avenue (Wheaton).

Drug arrest. 8700 block Cameron Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. Georgia Avenue at University Boulevard (Wheaton).

Vehicle burglary. 900 block Wayne Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Assault. 11200 block Markwood Drive (Wheaton Forest area).

Drug arrest. Granville Drive at Colesville Road (Indian Spring Terrace area).

Assault. Georgia Avenue at Randolph Road (Glenmont).

Burglary. Unit block of Columbia Avenue (Takoma Park).

Assault. Piney Branch Road at University Boulevard (New Hampshire Estates).

Robbery. 14100 block Georgia Avenue (Aspen Hill/Bel Pre area).

Drug arrest. Cresthaven ES (Hillandale).

Burglary. 14400 block Bakersfield Court (Layhill/Plaza del Mercado area).

Vehicle burglary. 3000 block S. Leisure World Boulevard (Leisure World).

Drug arrest. 11400 block Lockwood Drive (White Oak).

Burglary. 700 block Milshire Court (North Sherwood Forest).

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, CONNECTICUT AVE. ESTATES, LEISURE WORLD, LAYHILL - MARCH 22-24

A theft at Leisure World, and a stolen car in Layhill are 2 notable incidents in this Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Connecticut Avenue Estates, Leisure World and Layhill crime report for March 22-24, 2013.

MARCH 22:

Theft. 3900 block Aspen Hill Road.

Disorder. 3000 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 14300 block Georgia Avenue/4050 Bel Pre Road.

Disorder. 14000 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 12800 block Bushey Drive.

MARCH 23:

Theft from vehicle. 3600 block Gleneagles Drive, Leisure World.

Stolen car. 14500 block Layhill Road.

Disorder. 3800 block Bel Pre Road.

Disorder. 1800 block Middlebridge Drive.

Disorder. 4700 block Wissahican Avenue.

MARCH 24:

Theft from vehicle. 3600 block Bel Pre Road.

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, CONNECTICUT AVENUE ESTATES, LAYHILL, LEISURE WORLD

A robbery, a stolen car, drug busts, and lots of disorderly people, jump off the rap sheet for March 8-11 in Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Connecticut Avenue Estates, Layhill and Leisure World.

And there really were "no rules" at Outback Steakhouse during a disorderly conduct episode.

March 8

Drug arrest. XX Valleyfield Court.

Disorder. 2200 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 1440 block Homecrest Rd./3050 Bel Pre Road.

March 9

Theft. 13700 block Connecticut Avenue.

Disorder. 3200 block Hewitt Avenue.

Disorder. 14800 block Village Gate Drive.

Disorder. 14200 block Grand Pre Road.

Disorder. Outback Steakhouse.

March 10

Theft from vehicle. 3900 block Peppertree lane.

Disorder. 14900 block Habersham Circle.

Disorder. 3600 block Pear Tree Court.

Disorder. 1310 block Superior Street.

Disorder.  12900 block Goodhill Road.

March 11:

Stolen car. 3300 block Weeping Wiilow Court.

Robbery. 3800 block Aspen Hill Road.

Disorder. 13800 block Georgia Avenue.

Disorder. 13500 block Georgia Avenue.

Drug arrest. 3900 block Bel Pre Road.

Theft from vehicle. 3800 block International Drive.

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, LEISURE WORLD, GLENMONT AND LAYHILL

Here is a list of crimes reported to Montgomery County Police between February 25-27, 2013 in the Aspen Hill/Leisure World/Bel Pre/Layhill area:

Thursday, February 25:

Theft from vehicle. 14000 block Castaway Drive.

Theft. 14600 block Bauer Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 4000 block Peppertree Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 4000 block Postgate Terrace.

Theft. 14000 block Georgia Avenue.

Friday, February 26:

Drug arrest. 3200 block Whispering Pines Drive.

Assault.  3300 block Beaverwood Lane.

Theft. 3400 block Hewitt Avenue.

Burglary. 3000 block Hewitt Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 13800 block Vintage Lane.

Drug arrest. 14200 block Layhill Road.

Robbery. 2200 block Bel Pre Road.

Burglary. 14200 block North Gate Drive.

Saturday, February 27:

Assault. 3800 block Tynewick Drive.

Assault. 14500 block Macbeth Drive.

Assault. 12900 block Margot Drive.

Disorder. 13500 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 2800 block Vixen Lane.

POLICE: LEISURE WORLD RESIDENT MISSING (PHOTO)

Montgomery County Police detectives are asking the public's help in locating a missing Leisure World resident.

Arthur Lee Dixon was last heard from in a phone conversation around 7:00 PM last night. During that conversation, Dixon said he was about to drive to his son's residence in Clinton, MD to visit his son. But he never arrived, and is now considered a missing person.

Dixon is 84-years-old, 150 pounds, with glasses and graying dark hair. Police say he may be wearing a jogging suit and hat.

Dixon's vehicle is described as a gold, 2003 Cadillac, with Maryland tag 1ELP14.

If you find Mr. Dixon, or have any information regarding his whereabouts, or just think you may have seen that Cadillac, please call police at 301-279-8000.  If the situation is an emergency, use 911, obviously.