Week in Review: Bank Robbery Update, Curfew Hearing and Nick's Farm Facebook Campaign

This week brought updates on Potomac bank robberies; a contentious public hearing on the County's proposed teen curfew; and news that a local heritage farm has turned to social media in its fight for survival.

Montgomery County Police announced late in the week that they believe the same suspect is linked to two robberies of the Suntrust bank at 9812 Falls Road. During investigations of the bank's recent armed robbery on July 21, police noticed similarities in description, method and surveillance photos with a previous robbery of the bank in January. A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

Earlier in the week, sparks flew at the Montgomery County Council's public hearing on the controversial Teen Curfew bill. The proposed measure received unwavering support from police officials and Silver Spring civic leaders; but was rebuked on several fronts by 18 of the 27 people who testified before the Council. About 30 students were also in attendance and have been helping lead the anti-curfew effort. The issue has also generated a storm of on-going discussion in Patch comments, in both the hearing report and Parsons on Politics.

On Wednesday we learned Nick's Organic Farm is turning to social media, in its quest for survival. A Facebook campaign is the latest effort to save 31-year-old heritage farm from a proposed Montgomery County plan to develop up to four soccer fields on the site. As owner Nick Maravell told Patch, the "SAVE Nicks Organic Farm" began with an idea generated by his daughter. A fundraiser is also planned (more details in story).

The wait for a local football standout to join an NFL team finally ended earlier this week, with Monday's stop of the five-month NFL lockout. On Tuesday, former Bullis School football star Joe Lefeged was signed by the Indianpolis Colts. Lefeged had been passed over during last April's NFL draft--despite being rated one of NFL's top available undrafted players. His rocky journey to the NFL was recounted in Monday's Patch story.

Finally this week, Potomac Patch's first Editor, Sarah Beth Hensley, bade farewell. In her final Editor's note, Hensley announced she is leaving the area to return to her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and a new position there. Hensley had led Potomac Patch since the site's launch in September 2010, helping grow it into the news source for many residents it is today.

We wish Sarah Beth the best in her new endeavor, hope you will continue to turn to Potomac Patch to see what’s happening in the community--as she will.

Stay tuned, and have a great week!