Bethesda natives off to a winning start for Harvard, Navy women's lacrosse teams

Two Bethesda natives are in the news as the college women's lacrosse season gets underway this month. Stephanie Hong has been named a captain of her team at Harvard, an honor she also held at Bethesda's Holton-Arms School in 2019. An Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association Academic Honor Roll selection, Hong became a starter for Harvard last season, scoring her first goal in her first game as a starter.

Closer to home, Navy goalkeeper Emma Richardell has played two complete games for the Midshipmen. A graduate of Walter Johnson High School, she has already exceeded her ground ball total from last year in this young 2023 season. Richardell has a history of excelling early, being named lacrosse team MVP in her freshman year at WJ.

Photos courtesy Harvard University Athletics/Navy Athletics

Holton-Arms School in Bethesda placed on lockdown as police took "domestic dispute" suspect into custody

A "domestic dispute" involving an employee of Holton-Arms School on River Road in Bethesda brought police to the private school at 10:59 AM this morning. The school was placed on lockdown due to the incident, which police have not yet detailed publicly. After police took the suspect into custody, the lockdown was lifted. A police spokesperson said that there is "an active and ongoing investigation" into the incident. 

In a bizarre coincidence, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on River Road near the school entrance at around the same time. The collision resulted in two adults being transported to local hospitals. This story will be updated if further details become available.

Bethesda summer camp counselor charged with sex abuse of minor at Holton-Arms camp (Photo)

A camp counselor at the Holton-Arms Creative Summer Camp in Bethesda has been charged with sex abuse of an 11-year-old camper there this summer.

Jose Luis Casumbal Valenzuela, age 43, of the 5400 block of Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C., was arrested Friday by detectives from the Special Victims Investigation division of the Montgomery County Police. Valenzuela was charged with one count of third degree sex offense and one count of sex abuse of a minor.

Police say an 11-year-old girl, who attended the camp from June 30 to July 3, 2015, was touched inappropriately by Valenzuela during magic classes. Valenzuela has been teaching magic classes at Holton-Arms camps since summer 2012.

Valenzuela went by the nickname, "Jolly", at the camp.

Detectives are concerned there may additional victims in this case. Anyone who believes that he/she was a victim of inappropriate contact with Valenzuela, or has information regarding this or other incidents involving Valenzuela, is urged to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5460.

Photo: Montgomery County Police

BETHESDA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING DUKE UNIVERSITY: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

If you are a Bethesda high school student interested in attending Duke University, October 2 should be marked on your real or smartphone calendar now!

That Tuesday evening, the university will hold a Discover Duke event at the Hanley Center at Georgetown Prep, in North Bethesda, from 7-8:30 PM.

A Duke representative will make a presentation, and answer all of your questions about the university, the admissions process, and financial aid opportunities for potential students.

Click here to fill out an online form to reserve your spot.