gaithersblog.net

• Melissa A. Chadwick writes, Special gang unit to target violence:
  

  In the wake of gang-related violence around commuter hubs, the county police chief and county executive last week created a special emergency response team for the Gaithersburg, Germantown and Rockville communities.

• Kristina Gawrgy and Sebastian Montes write, Police putting thieves and car owners on notice:
  

  County police officers have begun recording license plate numbers of vehicles that have valuables sitting in plain sight and mailing notices to the owners letting them know they should be more aware of how vulnerable their items are to thieves.

• Janel Davis writes, Leggett signs transgender discrimination ban into law:
  

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has signed into law the county’s controversial legislation aimed at preventing discrimination against transgender people.

• Agnes Jasinski writes, Board calls for new talks on concert hall:
  

  Residents who say the process in selecting a concert venue operator in Silver Spring was rushed and secretive got a boost last week when a board that advises the county executive on community concerns voted to recommend that the county reopen negotiations.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, New digital TV deal could be available by spring:
  

  Cavalier Telephone Co. is pursuing franchise talks that could result in a new digital television option for 15 municipalities and parts of the county, including Germantown, Bethesda and Silver Spring.

  Gaithersburg, which has its own franchising authority, has already received a draft proposal from Cavalier, said Tony Tomasello, an assistant city manager.

  He has been in negotiations with the company for the last month and once comfortable, the city will evaluate whether the company is legally, technically and financially qualified to build a system in Gaithersburg, he said. Service in Gaithersburg by March is possible.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Aquatic and youth centers have “green” elements:
  

  Two Gaithersburg recreation facilities will have “green building” elements, such as “green” roofs, that will help with stormwater management and heating and cooling.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Meetings planned for those seeking loans:
  

  The city continues to reach out to residents soon to be displaced by redevelopment of three apartment complexes. Residents of Deer Park, Ty-Gwinn and Diamond Court apartments have until Aug. 29, 2008 to start the application process for the city’s homeowner assistance program, which offers up to $20,000 at zero percent interest to eligible homebuyers for down payment and closing costs. Funds will be available to displaced tenants of these apartment complexes through Nov. 30, 2010, said Louise Kauffmann, a city grants administrator.

• Titus Ledbetter III writes, November brings birds, visitors to Black Hill:
  

  A black and white woodpecker furiously hammered away at a tree near the visitor center at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds on Nov. 11 as a small group of residents watched through their binoculars.

• Erin Donaghue writes, Former North Potomac hub may find new use:
  

  Neighbors and community members are looking into new uses for an Izaak Walton League property that was once a social hub in North Potomac.

Update: There has been an arrest in conjunction with one of the fires, and the County Police have issued a press release on the robbery/shooting.

I hope that at least most of you are having a good Thanksgiving.

From the City’s website:

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Significant Events

On 11/22/07, at approximately 4:35 a.m., police responded to the unit block of Crestwood Drive to assist the Fire Department with a box alarm. Indications are that the fire was set intentionally, and a suspect has been identified. Investigation is continuing.

On 11/22/07, at approximately 5:20 a.m., police responded to the 300 block of North Summit Avenue to assist the Fire Department with a box alarm. Smoke was seen coming from a residence, and a fire was located in the kitchen. An unconscious resident was found on the kitchen floor. The injured person was transported to an area hospital for treatment, and the fire appears to be accidental in nature at this time. Investigation is continuing.

In addition, Fox 5 reports that there was an armed robbery and shooting this morning at Muncaster Mill & Woodfield:

Police are on the hunt for two men behind an early Thanksgiving Day morning shooting and robbery in Montgomery County.

The victim is an Exxon gas station employee who had only been working there about two weeks.

According to the report, the victim is expected to recover.

Channel 4 also reports on the fires:

Man Killed In One Of Two Gaithersburg Fires

A 50-year-old man died in an apartment fire at 390 N.Summitt Ave.

Firefighters arrived around 5:30 a.m. and found heavy fire in the basement of the building with smoke extending to the upper floors.

Firefighters also received a report of a fire in a three-story garden apartment building at 14 Crestwood Drive.

Responding units found a fire in a second-story apartment, which they said apparently started when a flammable material was thrown into the apartment through a window.