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Meghan Tierney writes:

A Gaithersburg man charged with the armed robbery of an Olde Towne bank in April was found not guilty Friday in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville.

After an hour of deliberation, a jury determined that Timothy James Denzel, 30, of the unit block of Russell Avenue was not guilty of the charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and robbery.

This is a story that had been extensively covered in previous Gaithersblog posts.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Germantown man dies from stabbing at Lakeforest bus stop:
  

  Two stabbings in less than 24 hours in Gaithersburg has left one man dead and another with serious injuries.

  Robert Troy Jackson, 21, of the 18500 block of Owl Run Way in Germantown died early Tuesday morning from multiple stab wounds to his upper body, police said.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Five arrested in retaliation stabbing:
  

  Two men and three juveniles charged as adults have been arrested in connection to a gang­related stabbing Tuesday night that police say was in retaliation for the stabbing death of a Germantown man the night before, police said Wednesday.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, MARC train hits truck in Gaithersburg:
  

  A westbound MARC train carrying 35 passengers hit a truck carrying construction equipment near Metropolitan Grove station between Gaithersburg and Germantown on Wednesday afternoon.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Two-alarm fire displaces 48 near Olde Towne Tuesday:
  

  A fire in an apartment in the 17000 block of Queen Victoria Court near Olde Towne Gaithersburg displaced 48 people Tuesday night.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City election sees historic voter turnout:
  

  Drzyzgula led the pack with 2,418 votes, or 68 percent. Ashman, who ran on a slate with Drzyzgula, received 2,241 votes, or 63 percent. And Spiegel — the lone One Gaithersburg candidate — claimed the third council seat with 2,000 votes, or 56 percent.

  Carlos Solis and Ahmed Ali were the other two candidates endorsed by the One Gaithersburg coalition. Solis won 993 votes, or 28 percent, and Ali 917, or 26 percent.

  Wilson Faris won 982 votes, or 28 percent, and Shawn Ali received 460 votes, or 13 percent.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, New voting system, record turnout adds up to few glitches:
  

  Despite cold temperatures Tuesday, the day proceeded without major hitches, said Assistant City Manager Fred Felton.

  ‘‘My biggest problem this afternoon is that the Villa Ridge [polling place] ran out of tea, and we have now rectified that,” he said at about 3:30 p.m. ‘‘From a practical standpoint, it’s been a flawless election.”

• Melissa J. Brachfeld writes, ICC dig uncovers ancient quarry:
  

  Tucked deep into a pocket of forest in south Olney, archaeologists were working furiously last week to unearth and catalogue Native American artifacts before the patch of woodland becomes part of the proposed Intercounty Connector.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Homeowner assistance topic of forum:
  

  The city of Gaithersburg and the county’s Housing Opportunities Commission are holding a homeowner assistance workshop Saturday for city residents displaced by recent redevelopment in Olde Towne and the Deer Park area.

Patricia M. Murret (with help from Meghan Tierney) write in the Gazette, Drzyzgula, Ashman and Spiegel claim seats:

The unprecedented efforts of a regional coalition to influence the outcome of the Gaithersburg City Council election appeared to fall short Tuesday as only a single One Gaithersburg candidate won office.

Cathy Drzyzgula, Jud Ashman and Ryan Spiegel claimed decisive victories in the election, which drew an historic voter turnout for a city race. With 3,562 ballots cast, a record 14.6 percent of the city’s registered voters made their way to the polls.

Rosalind S. Helderman and Ann E. Marimow write in the Post, At the Polls, a Mostly Smooth Day:

…voters in Gaithersburg rejected two of three city council candidates who were backed by a coalition including labor union groups and the liberal advocacy organization Progressive Maryland, as well as Montgomery’s county executive.

Instead, voters selected two candidates who were endorsed by the city’s longtime mayor and had a history of activism: Jud Ashman, a schools advocate, and Cathy C. Drzyzgula, who had served on the city’s day-laborer task force. Attorney Ryan Spiegel, who was endorsed by the mayor and the coalition, was also elected.

Bill Starks reports for Channel 9, Two-Alarm Fire In Gaithersburg:

Montgomery County Fire crews battled a two alarm blaze at an apartment building in Gaithersburg Tuesday evening.

The fire was reported at about 4:45 pm in the 17000 block of Queen Victoria Way, off of Muddy Branch Rd. The first units on the scene reported heavy fire coming from the top level of a garden apartment building and called for a second alarm.

Update: Two press releases from the County Police:

Detectives Have Suspects in Custody for Tonight’s Stabbing in Gaithersburg:

11/6/2007

Detectives Have Suspects in Custody for Tonight’s Stabbing in Gaithersburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division and the 5th/6th District Investigative Section are investigating a stabbing that occurred this evening in the 18200 block of Goshen Road near the 500 block of Odendhal Avenue in Gaithersburg. The location of this stabbing is in reasonable proximity to the fatal stabbing that occurred last night on Lost Knife Road in Gaithersburg. However, it is too soon in the investigation to know whether or not the two stabbings are related.

At approximately 5:20 this evening, 6th District officers responded to Goshen Road for the report of a stabbing that had just occurred. A 26-year-old male victim from Gaithersburg was found suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. At this time he is expected to survive those injuries.

Four black male suspects in dark clothing were seen running from the crime scene. They were later located by patrol officers not far from where the stabbing occurred, and were taken into custody without incident. The suspects, who range in age from their teens to early twenties, are in the process of being interviewed, with charges pending.

The name of the victim will be released after family members have been notified.

Anyone who has information about either stabbing is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing in Gaithersburg:

11/6/2007

Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing in Gaithersburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division - Homicide/Sex Section are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred yesterday at a transit bus stop in Gaithersburg.

On November 5, at approximately 6:31 p.m., Gaithersburg City Police and Fire Rescue units responded to a transit bus stop, located at the 9600 block of Lost Knife Road, for the report of a stabbing that had just occurred. Responding officers found the victim on the ground suffering from multiple stab wounds to the upper torso. The victim, Robert Troy Jackson, age 21, of the 18500 block of Owl Run Way in Germantown, was taken to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The only description of the suspect is a black male.

The exact cause and manner of death will be confirmed after the completion of an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore.

Anyone who may have witnessed the assault or has information about this incident and/or the suspect is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

Anyone who has information about either stabbing is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

###

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

From the City’s website:

Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Aggravated Assault
On 11/06/07, at approximately 5:20 p.m., police responded to the area of Goshen Road and Odend hal Avenue for a stabbing. The victim had been stabbed multiple times. The incident is under investigation.

Monday, November 05, 2007
Homicide
On 11/05/07, at approximately 6:30 p.m., police responded to the report of a stabbing at the Lakeforest bus shelter, located on Lost Knife Road at Odend Hal Avenue. Upon arrival, police located the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries. The incident is still under investigation.

Suspect - Black male, 5′06″-5′07″, approximately 150 lbs wearing a black North Face jacket.

Ernesto Londoño reports in the Post, Man Dies After Stabbing; Gang Link Suspected:

A 21-year-old Germantown man died yesterday after being stabbed multiple times Monday night at a Gaithersburg bus station, possibly by gang members, Montgomery County law enforcement officials said.

Robert T. Jackson was stabbed at least four times about 6:30 p.m. at the Lakeforest Mall bus station, in the 9600 block of Lost Knife Road, authorities said. Another man was stabbed near the mall late yesterday, and police are investigating whether the two incidents are linked. The victim is a 17-year-old Hispanic male, police said.

Channel 7 News reports, Police Arrest Four In Connection With Stabbing:

Police have arrested four men in connection with a stabbing that occurred Tuesday evening in the 18200 block of Goshen Road near the 500 block of Odendhal Avenue in Gaithersburg.

The stabbing occurred near where a fatal stabbing happened Monday night on Lost Knife Road, but police said they do not know yet whether the incidents are related.

From the City’s website:

Unofficial Results Indicate Ashman, Drzyzgula and Spiegel Elected to Gaithersburg City Council
Posted 11/6/2007

Based on unofficial results Jud Ashman, Cathy Drzyzgula and Ryan Spiegel have been elected to the Gaithersburg City Council during elections held at six polling sites on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. The results are expected to be certified on Wednesday, November 7, and the newly-elected officials will be sworn in at a special meeting that same evening. They will each serve a four year term.

3,562 voters cast ballots out of 24,461 registered voters, or 14.5%. Voter turnout in the 2005 City of Gaithersburg election was 9.6%.

Cathy Drzyzgula received 2,418 votes (or 68% of those voting); Jud Ashman received 2,241votes (63%) and Ryan Spiegel received 2,000 votes (56%). Also running for City Council were Ahmed Ali, who received 917 votes (26%), Shawn Ali, who received 460 votes (13%), Wilson Lee Faris, who received 982 votes (28%), and Carlos Solis, who received 993 votes (28%). These results are unofficial until certified by the Board of Supervisors of Elections on November 7.

City Council candidates must be qualified voters in the City at the time of the election and must be City residents immediately preceding their election. They must also reside in Gaithersburg during their term in office. All of the newly-elected officials meet these requirements.

For more information please contact the City Manager’s Office at 301-258-6310 or cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.