Piney Branch Rd. segment to close nightly in April for Purple Line construction

Affected portion of Piney Branch Road shown in red

A segment of Piney Branch Road in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring will need to be closed overnight for about a week next month, the Maryland Department of Transportation announced this morning. The portion between Flower Avenue and University Boulevard will be closed to traffic between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM beginning on or about Saturday, April 18, 2026. Purple Line crews will use that time to install the overhead catenary for the Purple Line light rail above the roadway. 

Local access to Barron Street, Garland Avenue, Arliss Street and Greenwood Avenue will be maintained during the closures, MDOT said, as will pedestrian access through the work zone. Remember that severe weather can alter scheduled construction and road closures.

Easy Like Sunday brunch restaurant coming soon to Silver Spring

I saw a sign in front of the former El Sapo Cuban Social Club at 8455 Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring that said Coming Soon, but was partly flapped over by the wind of recent days to only read "Comin--." No, it wasn't the Montgomery County Council promoting the Comintern. It's a banner ad for Easy Like Sunday, a brunch restaurant with two locations in Baltimore. If you enjoy a traditional brunch, they have all the favorites you would expect, some trendier dishes from the last decade or so, and a few creative original menu items to round out the selections. Both Charm City locations are open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, seven days a week.

Wheaton commercial building hits the market for sale again

A commercial building in Wheaton that has seen heavy turnover in recent years is now on the market for sale once again. 2670 University Boulevard W. is in a prime spot on a heavily-traveled commuter route, but for some reason hasn't been able to find the right tenant since community fixture Wheaton Tile Center moved out. Since 2016, Doña Bessy Pupuseria, Alyssa's Mangonadas, and even an evangelical church have given the storefront a whirl, to no avail. The building was then auctioned off this past January, and the new owner has quickly put it up for sale for the asking price of $1,700,000, according to the online sale listing. 

Chicken arrives at Royal Farms in Silver Spring (Photos)

The chicken has arrived at the new Royal Farms in Silver Spring. No, not the convenience store chain's famous fried chicken, but a giant fiberglass rooster. Seen outside of many Royal Farms locations, the imposing statue has taken up residence at this one, which is located at 9475 Georgia Avenue in the Montgomery Hills neighborhood just south of the Capital Beltway interchange. Still needed before the store and mega gas station can open: pavement in the parking lot!

Hakim 1 Stop Shop opens in Silver Spring

Downtown Silver Spring's one-stop shopping destination is now open. Hakim 1 Stop Shop has opened at 8433 Georgia Avenue, next to Chase Bank. Last night, a cashier was behind the counter waiting for customers. The inventory of essential items, plus things you didn't expect to find, is somewhere between a convenience store and a Rite Aid in product range.

Strong-arm robbery in broad daylight in residential neighborhood in Silver Spring

Violent crime during daylight hours continues to trend upward in Montgomery County. In the latest example, Montgomery County police were called after a strong-arm robbery occurred in the Glenmont area of Silver Spring on Friday afternoon, March 13, 2026. The assault and robbery were reported in the 12800 block of Holdridge Road at 3:27 PM Friday. That is in the Glenmont Hills Heights subdivision off of Weller Road, a quiet residential area.

Montgomery County under severe storm threat Monday

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center portends trouble for the Washington, D.C. suburbs and central Maryland tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026. Many meteorologists are saying the NWS prediction is showing the highest chance of a tornado or derecho event they've seen in many years. The NWS predicts there is a 15-29% chance of a tornado in Montgomery and Frederick Counties Monday. The "moderate" designation means "widespread severe storms are likely," with severe weather most likely between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

Such a forecast underscores the importance of monitoring weather forecasts and NWS bulletins over the next 36 hours. Make sure to bring indoors or secure any objects in your yard or on your balcony that could be lifted by high winds. Replace batteries in flashlights and transistor radios as needed tonight, try to fully charge your cellphone, and ensure you have at least half a tank of gas. A few days' supply of non-refrigerated snacks and water bottles can't hurt. Finally, have a plan for all occupants of your home to quickly move to the basement or lowest level of your house if you receive a Tornado Warning on your phone.