North Star setting up for 55th Christmas tree season on Grubb Road

 

Elves have been spotted making preliminary preparations for the 55th year of North Star Christmas Trees in Chevy Chase. They'll be returning to their spot of recent years at 2550 East-West Highway Service Road at Grubb Road in Chevy Chase. You may recall them being on the "Green Mile" along Wisconsin Avenue in the past, but they've found this Chevy Chase location is the sweet spot to draw customers from both Bethesda and the greater downtown Silver Spring areas. North Star says it will be opening for business on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year - Thanksgiving Eve, you might say.

The company is also hiring staff. See the contact information in the photo above. These are tough times in Montgomery County, and across the nation. By the way, these are new photographs; North Star is still displaying their 50th Anniversary banner at the site.

Cocaine bust at Wheaton electronics store

A shoplifting call turned into a contraband haul for Montgomery's Finest at an electronics store in Wheaton early Friday afternoon, November 7, 2025. Officers were called to a store in the 10900 block of Georgia Avenue at 12:12 PM Friday. There is a Best Buy store on that block. The alleged shoplifter was also found to have cocaine and a concealed weapon on their person.

Assault in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in downtown Silver Spring last night. The assault was reported in the 900 block of Bonifant Street at 8:07 PM Friday. It took place in a commercial parking lot.

Assault at pharmacy in Kensington

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a pharmacy in Kensington yesterday, November 6, 2025. The assault was reported at a pharmacy in the 3700 block of University Boulevard W. at 7:57 PM Thursday. There are two pharmacies on that block, and police have not yet identified at which one the incident took place.

MCDOT to unveil sidewalk and safety plans for Glen Haven ES and Sligo MS walksheds

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is inviting the community to an in-person public meeting to review and provide feedback on proposed new sidewalk construction and safety enhancements near Glen Haven Elementary School in Wheaton and Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring. MCDOT will present concept plans for these vital infrastructure improvements as part of a countywide initiative focused on identifying safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to school. The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria at Glen Haven Elementary School, which is located at 10900 Inwood Avenue in Wheaton.

MCDOT has already completed walkability studies for both schools, evaluating existing conditions and identifying needed improvements within each school’s walkshed. These studies are the basis for the proposed plans, which are geared toward significantly boosting safety and accessibility for young pedestrians and cyclists.

The presentation will cover concept plans for the following key improvements:

New Sidewalk Construction

| Bucknell Drive | Between Evans Drive and Windham Lane |

| Glenhaven Drive | Between Dennis Avenue and Gridley Lane |

| Grandlin Road | Between Dennis Avenue and Gridley Lane |

| Plyers Mill Road | Between Georgia Avenue and Glenhaven Drive |

| Republic Road | Between Dunkirk Drive and Huntley Place |

| Windham Lane | Between Inwood Avenue and Sligo Creek Trail |

Pedestrian Safety Enhancements

Dennis Avenue: Installation of curb extensions at several locations between Amherst Avenue and Julep Avenue. These permanent structures are designed to slow turning movements, and will replace the existing temporary flex posts, providing a more robust safety measure.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you can still provide feedback by email: Send comments to walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov or by phone at 240-777-2170.

Submit all feedback by 6 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2025.

White Oak Tobacco Zone burglarized

Criminals just can't seem to leave Montgomery County's smoke shops in peace. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at White Oak Tobacco Zone at 13456 New Hampshire Avenue in the early morning hours of October 22, 2025. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the store. They determined merchandise had been stolen from inside the business.

Police describe the suspects only as 5 Black males of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Self-storage facility burglarized in Takoma Park

Takoma Park City police responded to a report of a burglary at a self-storage facility Sunday night, November 2, 2025. The burglary was reported at a facility in the 1300 block of Holton Lane at 7:49 PM. Public Storage is located on that block of Holton. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the business.