gaithersblog.net

• Sebastian Montes writes, Would-be day-laborer center to become restaurant:
  

  Having sat idle for years, the Olde Towne Gaithersburg building that was once the proposed site for Montgomery County’s third day-laborer center for immigrant workers will at last be put to use — as a restaurant.

• Sebastian Montes and Amber Parcher write, $1.5M gift, bail money fund stirs controversy for Casa of Maryland:
  

  The Silver Spring offices of Casa of Maryland were the backdrop Monday for launching a national campaign to raise money to post bond for immigrants detained by federal agents, just days after the immigrant advocacy group made news as the recipient of a $1.5 million donation from the Venezuelan-owned oil giant Citgo.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Police make second arrest in July shootout case:
  

  With a resident’s help, police made a second arrest last month in connection with the early July shooting spree that left more than 20 bullets lodged in two town houses and a car in Gaithersburg’s Newport Estates subdivision.

  Several days after Freeman’s arrest [link added -gb], police charged Maurice Cortez Mercer, 21, of Walkers House Road in Montgomery Village, with reckless endangerment for shooting a firearm in a residential neighborhood toward homes and vehicles, threatening death or serious physical injury to a woman in the house, according to charging documents. He was also charged with possessing a regulated firearm after having been convicted of a felony. He was released July 26 on $10,000 bond.

• Joe Beck writes, Heroic feats earn praise from upcounty chamber:
  

  Montgomery County Police officer Nicholas Augustine was the first to reach Jo Anna Delgardo as she lay dying from stab wounds in the foyer of her home on Emerald Way in Germantown on the night of Jan. 27.

• Patricia M. Murret and Bradford Pearson write, Aunt says she only wanted discipline for her nephew:
  

  The woman who led police to uncover a weapons and explosives case that has raised questions about a potential plot against the President said she never intended to launch an investigation and is “shocked” by the extent of the ensuing probe, which now includes federal agents.

• Patricia M. Murret writes Of note around Gaithersburg:

  • City officials introduce hotel tax, schedule public hearing

  • City expands recycling program

  • Speed cameras here to stay

• Janel Davis writes, Leggett: Disability rules need revision:
  

  Several former county police officers fired for double-dipping are receiving disability retirement benefits under a system that County Executive Isiah Leggett called an “anomaly” compared to other jurisdictions in the region.

  Leggett said he had received several questions regarding former county assistant police Chief John A. King, who receives service-related disability retirement benefits from the county. King left the county force last year, and was hired as Gaithersburg police chief in June 2007.

  “It’s kind of shocking that I’m the poster child for the issue,” King said Tuesday.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Web site details GE Tech, Webb Tract plans:
  

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has launched a Web site describing his sweeping plan to build new facilities for seven county agencies on properties throughout the upcounty.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, West Nile found in Gaithersburg:
  

  Lab tests have confirmed that mosquitoes found in Gaithersburg last month were carriers of the West Nile virus, according to state and county officials.

• Nathan Carrick writes, Two-vehicle collision sends one to hospital:
  

  A two-car collision in the 9700 block of Great Seneca Highway in Rockville Monday afternoon sent one man to the hospital and left a vehicle aflame on the front lawn of the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy, county fire and rescue officials said.

• Andrew Ujifusa writes, Food banks see high demand, low donations:
  

  A few months ago, Linda and Dick Kirschten of Martin’s Additions in Chevy Chase were watching an ABC News program called “Power of 2″ about simple things people could do to improve the world around them, including organizing donation drives to food banks and pantries.

  Gaithersblog readers are also reminded that Gaithersburg’s own local food bank, Gaithersburg HELP, is always in need of further donations.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Motorcycle catches fire in garage:
  

  A Gaithersburg man suffered second-degree burns to his arms and face Sunday evening after his motorcycle caught fire in the garage of his Kentlands home.

• Peggy McEwan writes, The riders and the growers find common ground:
  

  The Gazette sent veteran fair-goer Peggy McEwan to the county fair to write about her favorite things.

  The county fair is essentially divided into two parts: the rides and the agriculture. The “woooa!” and the “awwww.” The thrill-seekers and the nature-lovers.

• Bradford Pearson writes, A day at the fair has something for all ages:
  

  The Gazette sent Staff Writer Bradford Pearson to the county fair to write about his experiences as a first-time fairgoer. Here’s what he saw, smelled and tasted.

• Sebastian Montes writes, On the menu: Feast of fun and fare:
  

  Cheesesteaks soaked in a nearly neon cheese sauce. Every manner of meats-on-a-stick. Most anything else dunked in batter and deep-fried to a crispy golden goodness.

• Melissa J. Brachfeld writes, Woman has not missed fair in nearly 50 years:
  

  For 46 years, Marian Seim has been going to the annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair to get back to her farming roots.

See also the Gazette’s Fair Overview page.