Montgomery County Council seeks to remove neighborhood veto power on "benefit performances"

The Montgomery County Council is proposing to strip residents of their existing veto power over "benefit performances" staged in their residential neighborhoods. Currently, entities and organizations - with a few exceptions, such as fire departments and religious institutions - who propose to hold a live music event, carnival, festival, or other performance to raise charitable funds must obtain consent from 75% of residents whose homes are within 600 feet of the performance site. Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-11: Temporary Uses - Benefit Performances would entirely eliminate this veto authority from neighbors. If passed, the ZTA would merely require that those residents be notified that they are going to be treated to a benefit performance, whether they like it or not. The performances could last as long as 15 days(!!).

I would venture to say that few Montgomery County residents are even aware that they currently possess this veto authority, much less that the Council is conniving to relieve them of it. The move continues a trend for the Council - when they're not banning stuff or raising taxes, they're systematically removing residents' ability to express objection or input on controversial matters they want to ram through, from development and road diets to bike lanes, bus depots, landfills and jails. A public hearing on the ZTA is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

Wheaton Plaza shooting suspect charged as adult

The 17-year-old suspect in a shooting inside Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall last evening has been charged as an adult, Montgomery County police announced this afternoon. Diego Rafael Turcios Avalos is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent felony, carrying a loaded handgun on his person and possession of a firearm by a minor. He is being held at the County jail pending a bond hearing.

Police allege that Turcios Avalos was seated at a table near Cinnabon inside the mall at 5:58 PM Friday, when a group of teenagers walked past him. For reasons yet unspecified, he stood up, drew a handgun, and fired at the teens, hitting a 13-year-old boy in the leg. Turcios Avalos then turned and ran from the scene.

As the suspect neared Dick's Sporting Goods, he was intercepted by an armed mall security guard. Police say the guard ordered him to drop to the floor, which is where County police officers responding to approximately two dozen 911 calls regarding the shooting found him minutes later. Police allege Turcios Avalos was in possession of a black 9mm handgun when he was taken into custody by Montgomery's Finest.

Officers found the shooting victim, and applied a tourniquet to his leg. They took note that children had been playing in a play area close to the shooting scene when the shooter allegedly fired. Turcios Avalos could be facing additional charges for the reckless endangerment of mall patrons. His mugshot was not released by police.

Knife-wielding suspect tries to enter homes in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect they say tried to enter several homes in the middle of the night in the Fairland area of Silver Spring on Friday, July 24, 2026. At 4:23 AM, the suspect was captured on doorbell cameras attempting to enter several homes in the 13200 block of Guilford Run Lane. Police allege the suspect was carrying a large knife at the time. 

The suspect is described by police as a Hispanic male, approximately 16 to 20 years of age, with dark hair and a goatee. He was wearing "oversized athletic shorts" and a light colored hoodie with the hood pulled up. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at http://crimesolversmcmd.org, and click on the “http://p3tips.com” link at the top of the page, or call 1-866-411-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 

Aggravated assault at apartment complex in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police were called to an apartment complex in the White Oak area of Silver Spring to investigate an aggravated assault Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The assault took place in an apartment in the unit block of Featherwood Court at 11:58 PM. That is at the Spring Parc Apartments along Columbia Pike.

According to police, two men were arguing and one struck the other in the head with an unspecified "hard object." The victim was injured by the blow. A description of the suspect, and an update on the condition of the victim, have not been released at this time.

Wonder food hall to open in Burtonsville

Wonder food hall must have received an incredible fusion of capital. It is expanding across Montgomery County at breakneck speed, sending fancy mailers to homes around each location, and making tremendous online and buys. The latest location is Burtonsville Crossing at 15771 Old Columbia Pike. "Coming soon" signage has been installed at the future storefront.

Italian Kitchen for sale in Silver Spring

Italian Kitchen is now being offered for sale in Silver Spring. The restaurant closed last August after a successful decade in business. Nearly a year later, a banner attached to the building is announcing the business - not the building - is now available for sale. Italian Kitchen is located at 8201 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring.

AutoZone nears opening at White Oak Shopping Center in Silver Spring

AutoZone is in the home stretch at 11259 New Hampshire Avenue at the White Oak Shopping Center in Silver Spring. Signage has been installed on the building, which was formerly home to Sears Auto Center. Inside, as you can see in the photos below, workers are now beginning to stock the shelves. The building is looking sharp amid the surrounding architectural gems such as the iconic-but-vacant Sears store, and the Enclave apartments.