ALERT: Possibly-rabid raccoon in Wheaton/Kemp Mill area

Montgomery County is alerting residents in the Arcola Avenue area of Wheaton and Kemp Mill that there is a potentially-rabid raccoon on the loose in that vicinity. Areas likely to be frequented by the raccoon would include Arville, Kemp Mill, Wheaton Regional Park, Arcola Local Park, Sligo Creek, and Colt Terrace Neighborhood Park. However, keep in mind that the typical raccoon in a developed area like this may travel as far as one-to-two miles each night, so you really want to be aware of your surroundings during the day and night, if you are within a mile or two of Arcola Avenue. Behavior and movement of a raccoon will also be affected if it is rabid; it is more likely to roam during daylight hours, for example.

The raccoon in question has bitten two people in the 1800 block of Franwall Avenue in the Arville neighborhood. The County Office of Animal Services and the Department of Health and Human Services are asking residents to be alert, and to share this information with neighbors. Rabies is a serious disease that is typically fatal if the victim of exposure does not receive rabies shots in time.

Residents are asked to call 911 and Animal Services at 240-773-5900 if they come into immediate contact with an animal acting aggressively or strangely. If you determine you are not in immediate danger from the animal, you can just call Animal Services to report your sighting so that they can investigate.  HHS advises that if you and/or your pet had contact with a raccoon in this area, to seek medical or veterinary care immediately. If you can supervise your pets' outdoor time, and keep them indoors the rest of the time, that would be the safest way to avoid or be aware of any contact with this raccoon.

Residents in the dark again at University Towers

A second electrical fire this week yesterday has blacked out the University Towers condominiums at 1111 University Boulevard W. in Silver Spring. More than 1000 residents are without air conditioning, hot water and other basic services at the 275 unit complex.

Electrical contractors, engineers and others worked throughout the day Tuesday to resolve the outage, which began after the property's second fire in 72 hours, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. He said the condo's fire alarm system remains functional.

Montgomery County code enforcement officers have inspected the situation and posted a violation notice at the property, Piringer said.

Despite the heat, most residents are sticking it out in their units overnight. For those who want out, the Red Cross has now established a shelter at Blair High School. The Parents Coalition of Montgomery County tweeted a query as to as why the closer Northwood High School was not utilized - good question.

A more long term question that must be on the minds of University Towers residents: How did this happen? And, how much is it going to cost them to fix? As a condo building, unless a contractor or other 3rd party can be fingered for this, the cost will likely fall on residents to pay off with a higher condo fee.

Electrical fire blacks out University Towers in Silver Spring (Photos)

An electrical fire in the boiler room at University Towers at 6:15 PM last night had residents stuck in elevators, sheltering in place, and in the dark for hours. Power was restored to all apartments by around 11 PM.

The condominium at 1121 University Boulevard W. has more than 1000 residents in its 15 stories. After the fire was extinguished, the evacuated residents were told to shelter in place until PEPCO could restore power. No injuries were reported, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. Several residents were evaluated by EMTs, however.

Photo: Pete Piringer