Three new tenants sign on at Ellsworth Place in Silver Spring (Photos)

Three new retailers are coming soon to Ellsworth Place mall in downtown Silver Spring. Kids For Less is said to be opening this month, but there isn't much sign of life inside the space so far. Also on the way are Tg Jewelers and Twins Fashion.

There also some construction work going on in the center of the mall, which has already undergone a major renovation.

Body of missing Olney teacher found, boyfriend charged with murder

Montgomery County police located the body of missing Olney resident Laura Wallen in a wooded area of Damascus near Prices Distillery Road around noon Wednesday. With the pregnant Wilde Lake High School teacher now confirmed dead at the age of 31, her boyfriend Tyler Tessier of Damascus has been charged with killing her.

Tessier, uncomfortable and sweating, had made an emotional plea for Wallen's return at a press conference just 48 hours earlier. It turns out police detectives had intentionally included him in the press conference to see what he might say, with the knowledge of Wallen's family, who held Tessier's hands during the media event.

Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger said detectives determined Tessier was the last person to be with Wallen before her disappearance ten days ago. Manger said it is believed Wallen was killed September 3, after last being seen with Tessier on a grocery store surveillance camera a day earlier.

Tessier sent Wallen's sister text messages on September 4, Manger said, but he did not divulge the content of those texts. Those texts were what launched the urgent search for Wallen last week.

Construction permit requested for Astrolabe Brewery in Silver Spring

The owners of the future Astrolabe Brewery at 8216 Georgia Avenue have requested a construction permit from Montgomery County. Included in the 5847 SF project are a microbrewery and tasting room. A planned rooftop deck was apparently scrapped after finding it would not work with the building design.

Family of missing Olney woman offers $25,000 reward

The family of Olney resident Laura Wallen is now offering a $25,000 reward to anyone who provides the information that leads to her safe return. Wallen is four months pregnant, and did not show up to her teaching job on September 5. Her family received a troubling text message a day earlier, and she has not been seen or heard from since.

Wallen's Ford Escape was found on September 7 in Columbia. Police are not telling the public what the contents of the text message were, nor any details about the Ford Escape's condition or any forensic evidence that may have been found inside. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Laura Elizabeth Wallen is urged to call the 24-hour police non-emergency line at 301-279-8000.

Bodies found in Wheaton Regional Park, Long Branch Stream Valley Park raise specter of MS-13...again

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a deceased person discovered in Wheaton Regional Park last Tuesday, September 5, but did not reveal the discovery until this weekend. Detectives say the body found was that of an adult male, but are so far withholding all other details as the investigation continues.

The case was made even more troubling by the discovery around the same time of the body of Cristopher Alfredo Funes Guerra, 20, in Long Branch Stream Valley Park. Previous MS-13 gang killings have frequently either taken place in parks, or the victims' bodies have been found in parks. This raises the possibility of yet another wave of violence by the organization with the charming motto of "Kill. Rape. Control," that has been given safe haven by the Montgomery County Council.

Police find missing Olney woman's Ford Escape

Olney teacher Laura Wallen has been missing since September 4, when she sent family members a text message they found troubling. Since the story first broke, detectives have revealed that Wallen is four months pregnant. Now, police have located the Ford Escape she was believed to be driving at an apartment complex on Gramercy Place in Columbia.

However, Wallen was not inside the vehicle, nor found yet at the apartment complex. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Laura Elizabeth Wallen is urged to call the 24-hour police non-emergency line at 301-279-8000.

First retail tenants announced for Central development in Silver Spring (Photos)

Developer Grosvenor Americas announced yesterday it has signed the first two commercial tenants for the ground floor retail space in its new Central development in Silver Spring. Both are gyms. Pure Barre has leased a 1200 SF space at Central, and Orangetheory Fitness will move into a 3800 SF space. Each will open in early 2018.

“We set merchandising goals over a year ago when kicking off our leasing process, and are extremely excited about our first two leases.  Pure Barre and Orangetheory are both first class operators who help set the tone for the retail experience to be offered at Central,” said Brad Buslik of H&R Retail, who is representing Grosvenor for retail leasing at Central. “Our goal is to provide to the local community an eclectic group of retailers that bring energy and excitement to Silver Spring,” said Jon Carr, Grosvenor Senior Vice President. “Pure Barre and Orangetheory Fitness are two of the most popular fitness experiences in the country, and we are looking forward to our new partnership with these franchises which complement each other in support of health and wellness.”

When completed at 8455 Fenton Street, Central will offer a total of 243 rental apartments, and 17,000 SF of retail/restaurant space. Central is located steps away from the world-class Silver Spring Library and future Purple Line station.