gaithersblog.net

The following message was broadcast this afternoon on Alert Gaithersburg:

The Gaithersburg Department of Animal Control is currently tracking a small black bear on the National Institute of Standards and Technology property, adjacent to Quince Orchard Road. If you encounter this animal do not attempt to approach it.

Please do not be alarmed if you come in contact with this animal. Black bears tend to shy away from people and loud noises. Experts in the field have indicated making loud noises should compel the animal to leave the area.

• Sebastian Montes writes, City, county discuss GE Tech Park:
  

  Though county and Gaithersburg leaders have reached a more amiable understanding, a proposal to bring two major county operations to a 100-acre plot off Route 28 continues to raise questions over the long-term impact on adjoining communities and city coffers.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Gaithersburg man faces more explosives charges:
  

  Investigators who described a Gaithersburg man as a “survivalist” last week after charging him with multiple explosives offenses now say that the man “just wanted to do some chemistry with his son” and got in over his head.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Formal peony garden opens window to the city’s past:
  

  Peonies are in full bloom this week at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, where a small formal garden displays vestiges of a historic collection.

• Janel Davis writes, CASA wants state to investigate threatening calls:
  

  Representatives of an immigrant advocacy group have called for an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office into three threatening phone calls made last month.

• Meghan Tierney and Patricia M. Murret write, Man killed in Great Seneca Highway crash:
  

  A Germantown man was killed Wednesday afternoon at Great Seneca Highway and Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg when the van he was driving passed through a red light at the intersection and struck two vehicles, police said.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City moves to monitor media inquiries:
  

  Gaithersburg is considering its first-ever media policy that restricts the ability of city workers to talk with reporters.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Gaithersburg budget OK’d:
  

  Gaithersburg ratified a new budget for fiscal 2009 on Monday, while continuing to keep taxes flat in the face of trying times.

• Melissa J. Brachfeld writes, County to discuss latest proposal for Casey 6 and 7:
  

  The Shady Grove Advisory Committee next Tuesday should learn more about a proposal to move the county’s bus depot and maintenance center to two properties across from the Grove Shopping Center in Derwood.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, 200-pound fiberglass panda takes pounding:
  

  Police are searching for vandals who perpetrated a late May attack on a 6-foot fiberglass statue of a giant panda.

• Patricia M. Murret writes in Of Note Around Gaithersburg:
  • Meet and greet the city manager candidates
  • Local elections
  • New city signs
  • Foreclosure workshops
  • HOA volunteer workshop