Flower Branch Explosion, Top Restaurant, Trump Election Fallout: Top Stories of 2016

SILVER SPRING, MD — Some of the most-read stories on Silver Spring Patch this year involve drama of sorts, from perceived backlash against Donald Trump supporters and a former Silver Spring father denouncing Trump at the Democratic National Convention to racist vandalism at a local church. Then there was the devastating natural gas explosion at the Flower Branch Apartments that killed seven people, but also led to an outpouring of community support to help the survivors.

Readers were entertained by the trek of a black bear through town and Here’s a look at some of the top stories from 2016.

Silver Spring Eatery Makes 100 Best Restaurants in Washington List

The guide to the very best in haute cuisine in the Washington area, as selected by Washingtonian magazine, includes a handful of Bethesda area restaurants, one of which is in Silver Spring.

Father of Fallen Muslim Soldier Tells Trump: 'You Have Sacrificed Nothing'

Two sacrifices struck a sorrowful note on the final night of the Democratic National Convention: the sacrifice of Muslim immigrant parents whose son joined the U.S. Army to fight terrorists in Iraq, and the death of their beloved son from an explosive device in the Mideast. Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan, who grew up in Silver Spring, died in a suicide attack in Iraq. Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims, said the fallen officer’s father, Khizr M. Khan, with vows to build walls and ban Muslims from the country. Khan and his wife, Ghazala, took the stage at the DNC to remind voters that their family wouldn’t be allowed in a United States under a Trump presidency – and their Muslim son wouldn’t have had the chance to fight for a country that believes in religious freedom.

$10K Reward Offered in Church Vandalism, 'Whites Only' Graffiti

A reward of $10,000 is being offered for tips that lead to the arrest of whoever vandalized a sign advertising the Spanish-language Mass at an Episcopal Church and the wall of the parish's memorial garden in Silver Spring, authorities said. The words, "Trump Nation. Whites Only," were painted on the sign and wall at Episcopal Church of Our Savior.

Cause Determined in Apartment Explosion that Killed 7: Report

A natural gas leak caused the devastating explosion and fire that killed seven people at a Silver Spring apartment complex. The disaster at the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring was caused by a gas leak in a pipe or a piece of equipment at or near the gas meter of the building. Leaking gas built up in a lower level utility room until the explosion was sparked.

Black Bear Dines out at FDA Campus

Maryland’s wandering bear spent two days in Montgomery County, lunching leisurely on grubs at the FDA campus before moving on, officials said. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources had warned residents that a 1-year-old black bear was spotted in suburban areas in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

$500 Fine Possible for Pet Owners Who Leave Animals Outside

Montgomery County authorities are reminding residents not to leave pets tied up and unattended outside. Dog owners face a $500 fine for violating the anti-animal cruelty ordinance.

Montgomery School Calendar for 2016-17 Approved
Members of the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education adopted the 2016-2017 school year calendar; the school year will begin on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, and is scheduled to end on Friday, June 16, 2017. The board voted 6-to-2 in favor of moving a professional day in consideration of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

Heroin Epidemic in Montgomery County Suburbs Focus of Cable Series
The first show of “Montgomery County: A Closer Look” studies how the nationwide heroin epidemic has become a prominent problem in Montgomery County, impacting families who could never imagine it would be a problem in their homes.

25 Top Maryland High Schools: U.S. News Rankings

U.S. News and World Report has released its rankings of 21,000 public high schools across the country, again placing some Maryland schools among the best educations that America has to offer. And a Bethesda high school was ranked No. 1 in the state.

In Liberal Bethesda, Montgomery Suburbs, Donald Trump Supporters Feel Isolated
Trump supporters are a rare breed in Democratic strongholds like Chevy Chase, but they do exist. Most would prefer that their neighbors not know which candidate they back. Trump voters say they feel isolated and even persecuted.

'Real Housewives of Potomac': New Cast Members Coming?
Media reports are speculating that “The Real Housewives of Potomac” will add new ladies to the frothy mix when the reality series starts its second season. The latest addition to Bravo TV’s look inside the lives of privileged women premiered Jan. 17. The series about an exclusive suburb of Washington, D.C., brought in the highest ratings ever for a show in the Housewives franchise.