KaFean Koffee moving to Wheaton

It looks like KaFean Koffee is switching malls in Montgomery County. Their coffee kiosk recently closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But look what's popping up here at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. A kiosk with a KaFean Koffee sign! KaFean Koffee serves coffee from the Austrian coffee roaster Julius Meinl. Their kiosk also has a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine. When it opens, look for KaFean Koffee on Level 2 of the mall, near Kokee Tea.

Montgomery County orders closure of convenience store in Silver Spring

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services has ordered the closure of a convenience store in downtown Silver Spring. Hakim 1 Stop Shop at 8433 Georgia Avenue has been shut down by HHS inspectors under Montgomery County Code Chapter 15, Section 15-16(b), which reads as follows:

When it is imperative to preserve the immediate health and safety of the community, the [HHS] director may summarily revoke or suspend a license without the notice prescribed in subsection (a), and may direct that the facility be closed to the public until the hazard is corrected. 

The store only recently opened in March. Once code violations are corrected, and the corrections are approved by inspectors, Hakim 1 Stop Shop will be able to reopen. One positive update about the business is that a sign in the window now says it is open 24 hours a day, a rare thing in Montgomery County in recent years.

New book drop at Takoma Park Library

There's a new book drop at the Takoma Park Library at 101 Philadelphia Avenue. It is located to the left of the main entrance. Patrons are asked to only insert books for return into the slot. CDs and other fragile media and materials should be returned in person at the front desk. The book drop, of course, is open and accessible 24 hours a day. Library operating hours are now 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Friday through Sunday.

Allium Place apartments burglarized in Silver Spring, vehicles stolen from complex

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at the Allium Place apartments at 4024 Gannon Road in Silver Spring on April 13, 2026. The burglary was reported at 12:55 PM. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry. They also discovered that a set of keys were stolen from an office area, which were used to steal a vehicle belonging to the complex. Police describe the suspect only as a Hispanic male of unknown age.

Three days later, another vehicle was reported stolen from the parking lot on April 16. Police believe that vehicle was taken sometime between 5:00 and 7:00 AM that morning. They have no suspect description in that case. If you have any information about either of these incidents that could assist detectives in closing these cases, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Assailant chokes victim to unconsciousness inside Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall yesterday afternoon, April 23, 2026. At 2:56 PM Thursday, a suspect placed a victim in a chokehold inside a store at the mall. The victim temporarily lost consciousness as a result. While the suspect then fled the store, he was ultimately detained outside the mall by police.

Armed robbery in Four Corners area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a grocery store in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring yesterday morning, April 22, 2026. An alleged shoplifter was confronted by employees at the Safeway store at 116 University Boulevard West at 11:51 AM Wednesday. The suspect then threatened the employees with an unspecified weapon, police say, and fled the store with merchandise. Officers were able to locate the suspect a short time later, and made an arrest. Police did not identify the suspect.

Car stolen from home in Aspen Hill

Auto thieves are prowling Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill again. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a vehicle being stolen from the driveway of a home in the 4300 block of Bel Pre yesterday morning. Police believe the vehicle was taken sometime between 10:40 PM on April 20, and 6:20 AM on April 21. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.