Strong-arm robbery in South Four Corners/Sligo Woods area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the Sligo Woods/South Four Corners area of Silver Spring Tuesday morning, February 10, 2026. The assault and robbery were reported in the 700 block of Dennis Avenue at 7:35 AM Tuesday. That is near University Boulevard and Collins Funeral Home.

Maryland is 2nd-worst state to start a business, study finds

 

Maryland is the second-worst state in America in which to start a business, a study by WalletHub found. Rhode Island is rated the worst of all. The latest ignoble recognition for the Old Line State is compounded by other recent rankings showing Maryland is #46 out of 50 in tax competitiveness, according to the Tax Foundation, and is way down at #36 on the list of best states to retire in - also compiled by WalletHub.

Montgomery County has the highest overall tax and fee burden in the region. What else makes Maryland a terrible place to start a business? A poor business environment, WalletHub says. That includes measurements of current small business growth statistics, job growth, variety of industries, startups per capita, five-year business survival rate, share of fast-growing firms, and the entrepreneurship index. 

Another criteria examined was the cost of doing business. Beyond high County and State taxes, that takes into account the cost of living, the cost of office space, labor costs, employer-based health insurance costs, and the corporate tax rate. Not surprisingly, Maryland scores poorly across the board on business costs.

Also considered were access to capital and a skilled workforce. This includes the amount of venture capital being invested in Maryland businesses, rankings of colleges and universities in the state, and growth of the working age population.

Which states are the best to start a business in? According to WalletHub, Florida, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, and California. Better start voting for better-qualified elected officials, or rent a moving truck for your business to relocate to greener pastures.

Imagine if they had factored in the exorbitant cost of energy in Maryland! We might have dropped to dead last. As it is, we're in real trouble, folks. How many more miles can Montgomery County and Maryland go down the road with tape over the Check Engine light on the economic development dashboard? Heckuva job, Brownie!

Auto thieves still prowling Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill

Auto thieves continue to target Aspen Hill, and specifically, the Bel Pre Road corridor there. They struck again Sunday, February 8, 2026. And once again, they hit the 3300 block of Weeping Willow Court. A vehicle was reported stolen from a residential parking lot there at 8:53 AM Sunday. Remember to lock your vehicle, remove all visible items from the cabin, don't leave keys or key fobs in the glove compartment or ignition(!!), and use an anti-theft device like The Club to deter thieves.

Attempted armed robbery in Wheaton

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the Wheaton Triangle area of Wheaton on January 27, 2026. The robbery was reported in the 11200 block of the Triangle Lane at 6:58 PM. Police say the adult male suspect displayed a weapon, and demanded money from the adult male victim. He was unsuccessful, and fled the scene.

Police describe the suspect only as a Hispanic male, approximately 35 years of age. If you can identify this suspect, or have any other information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Wild night keeps cops busy at Orchard Center in Silver Spring

A wild night at the Orchard Center in the White Oak area of Silver Spring on February 4, 2026 saw Montgomery County police called twice to the grocery store there in as many hours. Officers were summoned first at 8:00 PM for a shoplifting incident, and found the suspect in question in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, a growing trend in Montgomery County. Just an hour and fifteen minutes later, a second shoplifting incident escalated into an aggravated assault at the supermarket. Giant is located at 12028 Cherry Hill Road.

Raskin secures $3,150,000 to improve Georgia Avenue bus lanes in Silver Spring

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D - MD-8) has secured $3,150,000 in American taxpayer funds to improve bus lanes along Georgia Avenue between Glenmont and downtown Silver Spring. The money will be used to "upgrade pavement markings, painted lanes, signage and design modifications and lane transitions," Raskin's office announced yesterday. Dual goals include increasing driver awareness of the lanes, and compliance with bus lane rules. The appropriation is part of a $16.5 million haul for his Maryland congressional district that Raskin touted Friday. Raskin is running for re-election this fall, facing Democrat Stephen Alan Leon in the primary, and Nancy Wallace (Green Party) and Cheryl Riley (Republican) in November.

Strong-arm robbery in Aspen Hill

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Aspen Hill on the evening of February 3, 2026. The robbery and assault were reported in the 13800 block of Aspen Hill at 7:51 PM Tuesday. They took place at a bus stop.