🌱 Patch AM: Air Fryer May Have Sparked $75K Wheaton Fire: Officials

Good day Wheaton! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Unattended air fryer blamed for costly Wheaton townhouse blaze
• Which January skating days at Wheaton Ice Arena are can’t-miss?
• Why a Wheaton resident is jailed in a high-profile kidnapping case

Also on today's calendar: Camp and Program expo.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Windy and much colder, with a high of 35 and low of 25 degrees.
• Wednesday: Some sun, temps: high: 39, low: 27.
• Thursday: Cloudy, a flurry; colder, with a high of 29 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Air Fryer May Have Sparked $75K Wheaton Fire: Officials (patch.com) — Residents in a Wheaton townhouse were displaced after an unattended air fryer apparently sparked a kitchen fire that caused about $75,000 in damage on Sunday evening. Montgomery County firefighters responded to the three-level home on Schoolhouse Circle near Viers Mill Road, quickly controlling the blaze and reporting no injuries. The incident highlights fire safety concerns for Wheaton households using countertop cooking appliances.
   

2. Montgomery Parks Celebrates National Skating Month With January Events at Wheaton and Cabin John (mocoshow.com) — Wheaton residents can lace up at Wheaton Ice Arena all January for National Skating Month, with themed public sessions, expos, and discounted admission days. From New Year’s Day skates to School’s Out and Olympic-themed events, Montgomery Parks is packing the calendar with family-friendly, low-cost ways to stay active close to home.
   

3. Montgomery Co. man accused of kidnapping 13-year-old claims it's a 'huge misunderstanding' (wjla.com) — A Montgomery County man is being held without bond after authorities say a missing 13-year-old from Kentucky was found safe at his Wheaton home, though he insists the situation is a misunderstanding. He appeared by video for a bond review, will not fight extradition to Kentucky, and the girl has since received medical evaluation and been reunited with family support.
   

4. Bus shelter replacement work to begin January 2026 (mymcmedia.org) — Bus shelters at the Wheaton Metro station are slated for replacement as part of WMATA’s Better Bus initiative, improving safety and comfort for riders. Work begins January 2026, with similar upgrades at nearby stations like Twinbrook and Glenmont. Buses will keep serving all routes, though some bays may temporarily shift during construction.
   

📸 Around Wheaton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wheaton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Sunday January 11

• Camp and Program expo
  Wheaton Ice Arena , 11717 Orebaugh Ave , Wheaton-Glenmont
  11:00 am

📣 Wheaton Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 30

• Family Storytime at Noyes
  Noyes Library for Young Children (Kensington) , 10237 Carroll Pl , Kensington
  9:30 am
• Winter Playdate at Chevy Chase
  Chevy Chase Maryland Library , 8005 Connecticut Ave , Chevy Chase
  10:30 am
• Little Ones - Drop-in
  Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center , 4301 Willow Ln , Chevy Chase
  10:30 am
• Bocce Rolls on!
  Schweinhaut Senior Center , 1000 Forest Glen Rd , Silver Spring
  1:00 pm
• Shuffleboard
  Schweinhaut Senior Center , 1000 Forest Glen Rd , Silver Spring
  1:00 pm
• Family Game Night at Long Branch
  Long Branch Library -
  2:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Maryland Historical Trust's Museum Assistance Program: Deadline
  Montgomery Preservation Inc , 8100 Georgia Ave , Silver Spring
• Family Storytime - In-person
  Kensington Park Library , 4201 Knowles Ave , Kensington
  10:30 am
• Chevy Chase Writing Space
  Chevy Chase Maryland Library , 8005 Connecticut Ave , Chevy Chase
  12:00 pm
• New Year's Eve Party
  Silver Branch Lagerhaus & Biergarten , 8401 Colesville Rd #150 , Silver Spring
  8:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 35
  Hyattsville Branch Library Hyattsville -
  10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Wheaton PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
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• Dogtopia of White Flint — (475) 338-3501
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• MacGillis Global Academy — (240) 599-8968
  Accredited Online School: Full/Part-time & Homework Support

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A large fire response was reported at a three-story townhouse on Schoolhouse Circle in Wheaton, MD, with the fire in the kitchen on the second level extinguished and one firefighter evaluated for illness.
  7:03PM on Dec 28: Fire on the second floor of a three-story townhouse on Schoolhouse Circle near Viers Mill Road in Wheaton, with multiple fire and… (Nextdoor )

Ok Wheaton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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