Firefighters Battle 15-Acre Brush Fire in Darnestown

No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) spent several hours Sunday battling a 15-acre brush fire in Darnestown, according to MCFRS Assistant Chief Scott Graham.  The fire, located at the 16700 block of Riffle Ford Road, has been contained and no injuries have been reported, Graham said. There were approximately 85 fire and rescue personnel at the scene as of 6 p.m. Sunday working to extinguish the blaze. 

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Show Us Your Snow: Snowquester Edition

What's the view from your window?

Today's forecasted snow storm is predicted to bring up to 8 inches of white stuff to Montgomery County through the evening, with higher snowfall accumulations predicted for the northern and western portions of the county. By Wednesday morning, Gaithersburg was dusted in a light covering of snow. As the weather system moves through the neighborhood, upload your snow photos to Patch and show your neighbors the view from your window. 

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Chalk Talk: Local Grads, New Dean’s List Additions

Student news for Germantown, Darnestown and surrounding region

Student news is submitted by representatives from colleges and universities nationwide. Don’t see your kid’s school? Email tiffany.arnold@patch.com. We’ll contact their school representative. Germantown Students Graduate from Bowie State University BOWIE, MD—Three Germantown residents received degrees from Bowie State University on December 21, 2012. They were among 415 students to graduate during the Winter 2012 Commencement. The students and their respective degrees are: Antonia Y. Francis of Germantown Named to McDaniel College Dean's List WESTMINSTER, MD—Antonia Y. Francis of Germantown has been named to the McDaniel College fall 2012 Dean's List with Honors. Highest honors are earned for a semester grade point average of 3.90 or …

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Winter Storm May Affect Region This Weekend

Forecasters aren't sure whether there will be any significant snow—or just rain

Crime Summary: Burglaries, Vehicle Thefts Reported

The following arrest information was supplied by the Montgomery County Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction

District 1 (Rockville/Potomac) A residential burglary was reported in the 11900 block of Gainsborough Road, Potomac, between 10:30 a.m. and 2:33 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.  Forced entry; property taken. A vehicle theft was reported in the 10300 block of Cavanaugh Court, Rockville between 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 and 6:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25.  A residential burglary was reported in the 11100 block of Lamplighter Lane, Potomac between Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Thursday, Oct. 31.  No forced entry; property taken.   District 5 (Germantown, surrounding region) A sex offense was reported at the Germantown campus of Montgomery College at around noon Wednesday, Oct. 24, and Friday, Oct. 26. Police said the suspect exposed himself to the victim. A …

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Delaney Unseats Bartlett In Maryland's 6th District

Democratic challenger John Delaney defeats incumbent U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett for Maryland's 6th Congressional District.

(Update, 10:45 p.m.) Maryland 5th District Rep. and Democratic WHIP Steny Hoyer introduced the state's new 6th District Rep. John Delaney at approximately 10:20 p.m. Delaney thanked Maryland's 6th District constituents and said his campaign was about standing together and working for the common good of the country. "I promise to work as hard as I can to make differences in your lives, pursue opportunities, and help overcome challenges," Delaney said in his acceptance speech to supporters at the Bolger Conference Center in Potomac. The newly elected Congressman thanked his family, staff, supporters and Rep. Roscoe Bartlett for his 20 years of service. Bartlett, 86, issued a statement after falling short in his attempt for an 11th term: It …

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Cyclist Struck By School Bus Identified, Still in Critical Condition

Police: Michael Wilhelm Breithaupt, 54, of Chevy Chase, was struck by a school bus in Darnestown Tuesday.

Montgomery County Police have identified the cyclist who was hit by a Montgomery County school bus carrying students in Darnestown on Tuesday. The cyclist — Michael Wilhelm Breithaupt, 54, of the 3700 block of East West Highway in Chevy Chase — remains in critical condition, according to police. The incident is under investigation. Breithaupt was struck as he was biking north on Berryville Road. The school bus was travelling east on Darnestown Road. There were 29 students from Poolesville High School on the school bus. None were injured, police and school officials said. The school bus driver, Michael Rinaldo, 53, of Germantown, was transported to an area hospital for a check-up, according to police. Investigators have asked anyone who …

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UPDATED: Cyclist Hit by School Bus in Darnestown

No students injured; cyclist in serious condition

(UPDATED 12:30 a.m.) For reasons still under police investigation, a cyclist traveling north on Berryville Road was hit by a Montgomery County school bus carrying students east on Darnestown Road, Montgomery County Police said in an update released late Wednesday night. Police said the name of the bicyclist—who remains in critical condition—would be released once the family was notified. The school bus driver, Michael Rinaldo, 53, of Germantown, was transported to an area hospital for a check-up, police said. The school bus was carrying 29 students from Poolesville High School. None of the students were injured, according to police. At around 2:30 p.m., police and emergency responders were dispatched to reports of a crash in which a school…

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