Burtonsville Burger King renovations update (Photos)

Renovations on the Burger King restaurant at 15703 Columbia Pike at Burtonsville Crossing continue at a snail's pace. What were frameworks in my last update now are facades that have been painted. You can see that the drive-thru has been upgraded with dual lanes. Can't wait to get a Whopper when it's all done. Don't go to bed before the King!

Insomnia Cookies opens in Silver Spring

Insomnia Cookies has opened at 8455 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring, in the ground floor of the Central apartments. The bakery has already picked up a couple of five-star reviews on Google. Insomnia Cookies promises to provide - or deliver directly to your door - fresh, warm cookies until 3:00 AM. Check out their limited-time-only flavor Spellbound Sugar, and their Friendsgiving cookie pack that just might make you the most popular host or guest at your Friendsgiving feast!

Violent home invasion in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying two suspects in a violent home invasion in the Colesville Farm Estates neighborhood in Silver Spring. Police say that the owner of a home in the 800 block of Orchard Way was attempting to leave his residence in the early morning hours of November 12, 2025. He was not aware that two male suspects were waiting on his porch. The two began striking the victim in the head, dragged him back into the house, and demanded money. He complied, and the two assailants fled. The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

Police describe the two suspects only as two Black males of unknown age. Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 

Homicide in Fairland area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a homicide in the Fairland area of Silver Spring. At 9:06 PM Wednesday night, November 19, 2025, K-9 officers were canvassing the 13800 block of Aston Manor Drive, in relation to a nearby shooting case. They discovered the body of Jadyn Mekhi Brown, 20, of Silver Spring. They noticed he appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Brown was declared dead at the scene.

Police personnel had been in that area since 7:54 PM, when they had been dispatched to investigate a report of a shooting in the vicinity of Aston Manor Drive. Officers located a shooting victim in the 3400 block of Robey Terrace. The adult male victim was able to tell police that he had been shot on Aston Manor Drive, and had run to Robey Terrace, where 911 was called. He was transported to a local hospital. Police did not specify his condition, but characterized him as being alert and conscious.

Homicide detectives have not yet definitively connected the two cases. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed in connection with either the shooting or the homicide.

Anyone with information about possible suspect(s) or these incidents is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Submit a tip online by visiting the Crime Solvers website and selecting the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

Inventa Towers is first Silver Spring building to earn WiredScore Platinum status

Inventa Towers at 1 Inventa Place in downtown Silver Spring has become the first building in town to earn Platinum status from WiredScore. Only seven other properties in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia have achieved Platinum status. Inventa Towers earned a 93 out of 100 score in total, as well as a perfect score for connectivity. Property manager American Real Estate Partners credits the towers' multiple high-speed fiber providers, redundant entry points, protected cabling systems, and mobile-ready infrastructure - designed to ensure continuous uptime and secure, seamless collaboration among workstations - for the achievement.

"Achieving WiredScore Platinum underscores our commitment to creating enduring value for our tenants, clients, and communities by positioning them for the future of business," Paul Schulman, Principal & Chief Operating Officer at American Real Estate Partners, said in a statement this morning. "This is a significant achievement for American Real Estate Partners," John Meko, Vice-President, North America, WiredScore, said. "Their commitment to delivering a tech-first environment means that they are creating a space where tenant experience will be significantly enhanced through solid digital infrastructure. This achievement also highlights how AREP is leveraging technology not just for performance, but to elevate wellness, sustainability, and connectivity as core elements of the modern workplace."

These type of recognitions can be critical in setting an office property apart in a very tough office market like we are experiencing today. AREP deserves credit for maintaining the property - formerly the headquarters of Discovery Communications, which moved its Silver Spring operations to Tennessee - as office towers, rather than taking the easy and profitable way out with a residential conversion or demolition. The building is now positioned to take advantage of future upturns in Montgomery County's moribund economy, if the right people are elected to office in 2026. When we are able to attract high-wage jobs, we must have places ready to put them. It's critical that downtown Silver Spring continue to be a job center as well as a great place to live or dine, and not just a bedroom community as downtown Bethesda is on course to becoming.

Man jumped by gang of 4 robbers in Long Branch area of Silver Spring

We have the Gang of Eight in Congress, but in Long Branch, a man was jumped by the Gang of Four on November 8, 2025. Montgomery County police say the adult male victim was in the 300 block of Domer Avenue at 9:04 PM that night when he was surrounded by four adult male suspects. They proceeded to physically assault the victim, and stole property from him.

Police describe the suspects only as four Hispanic males, ages 20 to 29. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Apartment burglarized in Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a burglary that occurred in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring early Sunday morning, November 16, 2025. The burglary was reported at an apartment building in the 3300 block of Teagarden Circle at 3:02 AM Sunday. That is at the Centre at Silver Spring Apartments. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the unit.