Germantown teen missing

Montgomery County police are searching for a missing Germantown teenager, and are asking the public's help in locating her. Sokha Sade Prak, 16, hasn't been seen since leaving her home on Sibley Terrace on January 23, 2020. She has not been in contact with her parents since, police say.

Police describe Prak as being about 5’ 03” and weighing around 130 pounds. She has brown eyes and her hair is shoulder-length and is currently a reddish/blond color.

Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Sokha Prak is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400 or the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24 hours).

Gaithersburg Nike missile site to be sold by U.S. government

More development could be coming to the Muddy Branch area of Gaithersburg if Uncle Sam has his way. Yahoo! Finance reports that the federal government will put the Gaithersburg Nike Missile Site W-92 up for sale in the coming months. The site became inactive in 1974, when it was rendered obsolete by a new generation of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. It is considered to be worth $5 million in the current real estate market, Yahoo! claims.

The missile launch site
as seen on Google Maps

However, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment, the site is still contaminated and would require remediation to be used for commercial or residential redevelopment. Among the substances that were previously identified in the soil and groundwater of the site are trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (PCE), benzene, carbon tetrachloride and associated degreasing agents, petroleum compounds, red fuming nitric acid, dimethyl hydrazine, perchlorates, lead based paints, asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides and heavy metals. Portions of the site have been remediated, MDE says.

A good picture of just how hemmed-in
the former missile site is by later
development - homes back right up to
the Nike Missile facility

Nike Missile Site W-92 is located at 770 Muddy Branch Road, near residential homes and shopping centers built since it was decommissioned.

MCGOP to hold Lunar New Year celebration at New Fortune in Gaithersburg

Christina E. Shin (Sohn) will be the headlining speaker at the Montgomery County Republican Party's 2020 Lunar New Year Celebration on February 7, 2020 at 7:00 PM at New Fortune Chinese Restaurant, located at 16515 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Shin is a founding partner of Rowe, Weinstein & Sohn, PLLC and Quantum Title Corporation in Rockville. She is also the President of the Korean American Republican Party of Virginia.

Guests will enjoy a 7-course meal of Fried Shrimp Balls, Seafood Tofu Soup, Roasted Chicken Cantonese, Walnut Shrimp, Mushrooms with Vegetables, Chow Foon with Vegetables, Sweet 'n Sour Pork Chop, Young Chow Fried Rice, Oranges/Fortune Cookie, Soft Drinks, and Tea (vegetarian options available). Adult beverages will be available at a cash bar.

Tickets are $40.00 if purchased by Feb. 2, 2020, or you can pay $45 at the door. Payment can be made online, by credit card, or by check; cash will not be accepted for this event. Sponsors can buy a table for 10 for $400, and will be recognized at the event - but must buy tables by January 31.

Make Checks Payable to MCGOP: 15833 Crabbs Branch Way Rockville, Maryland 20855.

Gaithersburg smoothie bar being liquidated Jan. 30

A Gaithersburg smoothie bar is "closing its doors and making a complete, urgent liquidation," according to an online auction listing. Based upon what's shown in the listing, it appears to be the Blended Smoothie & Juice Bar inside of L.A. Fitness at Downtown Crown. The business-unfriendly climate created by the policies of the Montgomery County Council are likely to blame once again, as I can't imagine a better fit for a healthy refreshment business than the inside of a gym.

Dog Haus Biergarten opens in Gaithersburg

One of the best hot dogs to be found in Montgomery County is now in Gaithersburg. Dog Haus Biergarten has opened at the Market Square development in the Kentlands. There was a packed house Sunday night when I went by. Dog Haus master Würstmacher Adam Gertler was spotted at the opening of what is sure to be a popular pre- and post-cinema dining spot at Market Square.

Temporary closure on ICC this weekend

Traffic alert: There will be a temporary closure along the ICC this weekend, as the Maryland Transportation Authority begins replacing the electronic tolling gantries with newer, updated ones. Closures are expected between January 24 and 27, 2020 and again next weekend. Follow the detours below this weekend and next.

Beginning at 9:00 PM tonight, Friday, January 24, and continuing until 5:00 AM on Monday, January 27, westbound traffic on the ICC/MD 200 will be detoured at New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650). The detour route will direct motorists north on New Hampshire Avenue to Norbeck Road, west to Layhill Road (MD 182) ,and south on Layhill Road back to westbound ICC/MD 200.

The following weekend, from 9:00 PM Friday, January 31, until 5:00 AM on Monday, February 3, eastbound ICC/MD 200 traffic will be detoured at Layhill Road (MD 182). The detour route will direct motorists north on Layhill Road to Norbeck Road, east on Norbeck Road to New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650) and south on New Hampshire Avenue back to eastbound ICC/MD 200.

Photo via MDTA

Shack ND Pack to appear at Sprint store in Gaithersburg Jan. 25

WPGC FM's Shack ND Pack will be appearing at the Sprint store at 527 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg this coming Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 1:00 PM. There will be special Sprint deals, and if you can answer WPGC trivia correctly, you could win a $50 gift card.