F45 Training opens in downtown Silver Spring

F45 Training has opened its new downtown Silver Spring gym. The Mark Wahlberg-backed fitness concept is in the ground floor of the Solaire 8250 Georgia apartment building. Nice amenity for those living in the building upstairs.

Aggravated assault in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in downtown Silver Spring yesterday morning, December 29, 2021. An assault involving a firearm was reported in the 900 block of Bonifant Street at 4:26 AM, according to crime data.

Armed robbery at Silver Spring ATM

An individual using an ATM was held up at gunpoint in downtown Silver Spring early yesterday afternoon. Police were called to an ATM in the 8400 block of Georgia Avenue at 12:09 PM for a report of an armed robbery, according to crime data.

$1 million Powerball ticket sold at Takoma Park gas station

 

A winning $1 million Powerball ticket was sold at New Hampshire Sunoco at 6360 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, the Maryland Lottery announced yesterday. No one has so far come forward to claim the prize, however. The ticket was sold for the December 20, 2021 Powerball drawing.

Takoma Park is the most burglarized town in Maryland, website declares

Takoma Park has won a recognition most residents would rather not have. It is currently the most-burglarized town in the state of Maryland, according to 24/7 Wall St. The website made the determination using burglary statistics from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report for 2020.

Image courtesy FBI

Montgomery County sets new record for homicides

Montgomery County tied its 1994 homicide record of 34 this week, with the brutal stabbing death of a man in a stairwell at the Shops of Wisconsin in Bethesda. Last night, the County's record was broken with a homicide reported at 6:35 PM in the 19300 block of Circle Gate Drive in Germantown. The record was smashed just as it was revealed that the County police force has shrunk by 56 officers since February 2021. Response times have suffered, and the annual number of police traffic stops plunged from 106,075 in 2019 to only 39,412 in 2020.

Defunding of the police department by the County Council accounts for only 27 of the 56 lost officer positions. The others have resulted from retiring officers not being replaced, and from reduced morale. Perhaps the only relief for County officials who have to own the new record of 35 homicides, is that there are only seven more days in 2021.

Strong-arm carjacking in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm carjacking in Silver Spring yesterday afternoon, December 22, 2021. The carjacking took place in the driveway of a home in the 900 block of Philadelphia Avenue at 1:30 PM, according to crime data.

Another auto theft in Olney

Auto thieves are still zeroing in on Olney this week. A second car was stolen from a residential parking lot near Olney Village Center on the evening of December 20, 2021. The vehicle was taken from a parking lot at the Champlain townhouse development, in the 18000 block of Ohara Circle. A day earlier, a car was stolen from a home on Bluebell Lane. Make sure your car doors are locked, and no valuables are left visible in the interior.

South County Regional Recreation & Aquatic Center construction update in Silver Spring (Photos)

Construction continues on the Elizabeth Square and South County Regional Recreation and Aquatic Center at 2nd Avenue and Apple Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. In addition to the latter public facility, the project includes the Elizabeth House III senior housing project, and the Elizabeth House IV all-ages apartment building, for a total of 907 new units on the site. 

Today, we're primarily looking at the recreation and aquatic center progress. The facility will include several pools for swimming, low-level diving, exercise and aquatic play, athletic training, and instruction. It will also host high school swim meets. A gymnasium, fitness and weight training spaces, movement and dance studios, multipurpose activity rooms, and public use space will be topped off with "social space" that will feature a culinary arts kitchen. Delivery is expected in Spring 2023.

Car stolen from home in Olney

A car was stolen from a home in Olney yesterday morning, December 19, 2021. The vehicle was reported stolen from a house in the 18300 block of Bluebell Lane at 7:08 AM, according to crime data. That is off of Bowie Mill Road.

More renovations ahead at The Chateau in Silver Spring

It seems like it wasn't that long ago that scaffolding was hanging down the side of The Chateau apartments at 9727 Mt. Pisgah Road in Silver Spring. Well, it will be time to do it again in the coming months. The building ownership is planning to rehabilitate the building facade and balconies in the near future.

Free Covid-19 booster shots this Saturday, December 18 at Wheaton Plaza

Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall will host a Super Saturday Boosterama this coming Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM just outside the food court on Level 2. The booster shots are free to those who are eligible (who have had two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccines). Eight $25 gift cards that can be used at mall retailers will be given away during the event.

Mattress Firm closes for renovations in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

Mattress Firm has temporarily closed for renovations at 8701 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. The store is directing customers to the chain's White Oak location at 11277 New Hampshire Avenue. A holiday shopping boon for the nearby Sleep Number store!

Dog Haus Biergarten opens in Silver Spring

Dog Haus Biergarten is now open at 933 Ellsworth Drive at Downtown Silver Spring. You can see the takeout window in these photos, which is very useful if you want to avoid going indoors, and convenient for delivery drivers. The restaurant is open 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday-Wednesday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Thursdays, 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM Friday-Saturday, and 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Sundays. Highly recommended!

Dominican Salon opening soon in downtown Silver Spring

Dominican Salon is opening soon at 946 Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The salon will offer nail and lash services. This is in the former United Desi Market space.

Armed robbery in Connecticut Avenue Park neighborhood of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the Connecticut Avenue Park neighborhood of Silver Spring on Wednesday afternoon, December 8, 2021. The robbery was reported to have taken place on the street outside a home in the 12400 block of Feldon Street at 3:13 PM, according to crime data. A firearm was the weapon used in the robbery.

Wheaton public parking fees to increase January 3, 2021

The Montgomery County Council is raising the cost of parking at County-owned garages and lots, and at parking meters, in Wheaton for 2022. Starting January 3, 2022, it will cost $1 per hour to park in public garages and parking lots, and $1.25 an hour at on-street parking meters. Beginning April 4, 2022, you'll have to feed the on-street meters between the hours of 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday-Saturday.

Be Right Burger, Willie T's Seafood Shack to open in Montgomery Hills

Be Right Burger and Willie T's Seafood Shack plan to open a shared location at 9326 Georgia Avenue, in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring, according to a sign posted in the window there. Be Right Burger - also known as brb - has a location at Dulles Airport, and serves several burgers including the California Burger with guacamole and the bacon-loaded Wild West Burger. Willie T's specialties include Gulf shrimp, grilled salmon and crab cakes. This space was previously home to Andy's Restaurant, and is next to Tropical Ice Cream.

Hook & Reel update at Wheaton Plaza (Photos)

Construction continues at Hook & Reel at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. Progress is being made, but it looks like it may be at least a few more weeks before it opens. This will be the Cajun seafood boil restaurant's second Montgomery County location; they already have one in Gaithersburg.

Proof of vaccination required for entry at AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring

Indoor mask requirements are back in effect in Montgomery County, but some businesses go further. AFI Silver Theatre is now requiring proof of vaccination from moviegoers, or a negative covid PCR test result. New York City and Los Angeles are among the municipalities that have previously mandated vaccines for movie theater patrons.

Most major cineplex chains have not instituted a vaccination requirement companywide, although some in the industry have argued that such mandates could boost box office receipts. Marcus Corporation has found a way to thread the needle, by offering special screenings for vaccinated patrons only at its Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern locations, but not requiring vaccination proof to enter the building.

Armed robbery at Takoma Park jewelry store

Takoma Park police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a Takoma Park jewelry store yesterday afternoon, December 2, 2021. The store in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue was robbed at gunpoint at 2:02 PM, according to crime data.

Utility project at Georgia and Bonifant in Silver Spring postponed

A Purple Line-related utility project at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring expected to begin December 5, 2021, has been postponed "until further notice," the Maryland Transit Administration said this morning. No reason for the postponement was given. The project involves water lines that flow beneath the intersection.

Free coffee for a year for first 100 customers at Burtonsville Dunkin' Donuts December 4 at 10 AM

The Dunkin' Donuts at 15640 Old Columbia Pike will celebrate its status as the first Next Generation Dunkin' store in Burtonsville with a grand-opening ceremony this Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 10:00 AM to noon. Starting at 10:00 AM, the store will give the first 100 customers in line a gift card for free coffee for one year. Even if you miss out on that, you will still be able to enjoy a free medium Hot or Iced Coffee (excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew and some additions such as dairy alternatives and espresso shots), in addition to live music with a DJ, a balloon artist, face painting, photos with Dunkin’ mascot Cuppy and free giveaways from the Dunkin’ prize wheel.   

At 11:00 AM, franchisees Ketan and Chetan Bhalani of the Jay Bhalani Network will host the store’s official ribbon cutting, and then present a check donation for $1,000 to support the Laurel Boys and Girls Club. This location is the first Maryland Dunkin' store for the Jay Bhalani Network.

Premium Pours tap system

Next generation features of the store include modern design and materials, the Premium Pours tap system, energy efficient appliances and lighting, and Dunkin' on Demand self-order kiosks. The 2300 square foot store employs 16 people, and also includes a Baskin Robbins.

 Photos courtesy Dunkin' Donuts

Motorcycle stolen in Takoma Park

Takoma Park police are investigating the theft of a motorcycle over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The motorcycle was reported stolen on Sunday, November 28, 2021 in the 7900 block of Flower Avenue. Police say the 2008 red Yamaha FZ1 with Maryland tag #472Y45 was stolen sometime between November 24 and 28. If you see the bike, or have any information about who stole it, you are asked to call Takoma Park police at 301-270-1100, and refer to case #210048254.

Wheaton Plaza packed for Black Friday

Holiday shoppers turned out in force for Black Friday at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. The parking lot and garages were filled to pre-pandemic levels the day after Thanksgiving. Santa Claus will continue to be in the Level 1 Macy's court through Christmas Eve, and you can RSVP online to schedule your visit. On December 11, there will be a live performance of Frozen I & II: The Musical in the same area. Due to pandemic crowding restrictions, space will be limited for the two performances, and an RSVP is necessary.