First Purple Line station signage installed in Silver Spring

The first Purple Line light rail station signage I have seen in Montgomery County is now installed at the Silver Spring Library station in downtown Silver Spring. Crews have been installing gray brick pavers between the embedded tracks at the station. The light rail line is now expected to begin service in early 2028.

Ellsworth Place has Christmas decor cornered in downtown Silver Spring

The shocking lack of Christmas trees and decor at Downtown Silver Spring, and around downtown Silver Spring in general, has stunned many shoppers and residents. One tiny oasis has been located in the downtown area, inside Ellsworth Place mall. Tucked away in a semi-shadowy corner of the mall are a nicely-decorated Christmas tree, a life-size Santa Claus figure, and five wrapped gifts. Did the Montgomery County Council quietly pass a ban on holiday decorations in downtown Silver Spring? If so, kudos to Ellsworth Place for defying it.

Starbucks adds Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles to menu

Check out what's new at Starbucks for the holiday season. Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles are starting to pop up on menus at Starbucks locations across Montgomery County in recent days. Three bite-size Belgian waffles are shaken in a Cinnamon Dolce Shake Shake Topping, and served warm and golden brown. The waffles are available all day long, not just for breakfast.

Dor-Ne Corset Shop closing in Silver Spring after 93 years in business

Dor-Ne Corset Shop is closing at 8126 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The undergarments boutique has operated continuously since 1932, surviving the Great Depression, many recessions, and the recent pandemic. Dor-Ne was located in Washington, D.C. during the 20th Century, and moved out here to Silver Spring in 2001. 

The owners say they have decided to retire, and that the business is available for sale. Meanwhile, a closing sale is underway. Their new operating hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday.

Downtown Silver Spring skipping Christmas this year (Photos)

Where are you, Christmas? Downtown Silver Spring has experimented with some non-traditional spins on holiday decorations in recent years. But it appears Ebenezer Scrooge was hired as the decor consultant for 2025. As of this evening, the Peterson Cos. retail property at 916 Ellsworth Drive is devoid of Christmas trees and decor, as well as any overt holiday-themed lighting. It's up to individual tenants to supply the Christmas cheer this year.

Silver Spring teen arrested for bringing loaded gun to school

 

Montgomery County police arrested a student at Northwood High School in Bethesda yesterday morning, after he was found to allegedly be in possession of a firearm at the school. Isaiah Gaunt, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged as an adult with possession of a firearm without a serial number, handgun on person, possession of a firearm by a minor, and loaded handgun on person. Police say he was carrying a loaded 3D printed privately manufactured firearm (PMF) in his waistband. 

Gaunt was arrested without incident, police say. The alleged firearm came to light during an altercation between Gaunt and another student earlier Friday morning. Police officers were then dispatched to the school, located at 11211 Old Georgetown Road, at 8:23 AM.

UPDATED: Arrive Wheaton residents return home after flood remediation

UPDATE - 2:50 PM, December 8, 2025: Residents have been allowed to return to their units. The story below has been updated to include Arrive Wheaton's response regarding provision of hotel rooms for all residents, or for reimbursement for rooms paid for with valid receipt.

Over 1000 residents of the Arrive Wheaton apartments at 11215 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton remain homeless this evening, after their building was condemned by Montgomery County. A major flood in the building's sub-basement forced the shut-off of power and water to the apartments above. Most shockingly, according to residents, they are being forced to sleep on cots in an emergency shelter, rather than being put up in hotels by the building owner.

Michelle Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Arrive Wheaton, said that the building management had offered to reimburse residents for hotel rooms if they could show receipts. However, she said they learned that some residents had instead gone to emergency shelters, and they procured hotel rooms for those individuals. It was not immediately clear if the residents who indicated they went to shelters were not aware of the reimbursement offer, or did not have the funds to make the initial payment to a hotel.