Burtonsville Burger King renovations update (Photos)

Renovations on the Burger King restaurant at 15703 Columbia Pike at Burtonsville Crossing continue at a snail's pace. What were frameworks in my last update now are facades that have been painted. You can see that the drive-thru has been upgraded with dual lanes. Can't wait to get a Whopper when it's all done. Don't go to bed before the King!

Insomnia Cookies opens in Silver Spring

Insomnia Cookies has opened at 8455 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring, in the ground floor of the Central apartments. The bakery has already picked up a couple of five-star reviews on Google. Insomnia Cookies promises to provide - or deliver directly to your door - fresh, warm cookies until 3:00 AM. Check out their limited-time-only flavor Spellbound Sugar, and their Friendsgiving cookie pack that just might make you the most popular host or guest at your Friendsgiving feast!

Violent home invasion in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying two suspects in a violent home invasion in the Colesville Farm Estates neighborhood in Silver Spring. Police say that the owner of a home in the 800 block of Orchard Way was attempting to leave his residence in the early morning hours of November 12, 2025. He was not aware that two male suspects were waiting on his porch. The two began striking the victim in the head, dragged him back into the house, and demanded money. He complied, and the two assailants fled. The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

Police describe the two suspects only as two Black males of unknown age. Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 

Homicide in Fairland area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a homicide in the Fairland area of Silver Spring. At 9:06 PM Wednesday night, November 19, 2025, K-9 officers were canvassing the 13800 block of Aston Manor Drive, in relation to a nearby shooting case. They discovered the body of Jadyn Mekhi Brown, 20, of Silver Spring. They noticed he appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Brown was declared dead at the scene.

Police personnel had been in that area since 7:54 PM, when they had been dispatched to investigate a report of a shooting in the vicinity of Aston Manor Drive. Officers located a shooting victim in the 3400 block of Robey Terrace. The adult male victim was able to tell police that he had been shot on Aston Manor Drive, and had run to Robey Terrace, where 911 was called. He was transported to a local hospital. Police did not specify his condition, but characterized him as being alert and conscious.

Homicide detectives have not yet definitively connected the two cases. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed in connection with either the shooting or the homicide.

Anyone with information about possible suspect(s) or these incidents is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Submit a tip online by visiting the Crime Solvers website and selecting the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

Inventa Towers is first Silver Spring building to earn WiredScore Platinum status

Inventa Towers at 1 Inventa Place in downtown Silver Spring has become the first building in town to earn Platinum status from WiredScore. Only seven other properties in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia have achieved Platinum status. Inventa Towers earned a 93 out of 100 score in total, as well as a perfect score for connectivity. Property manager American Real Estate Partners credits the towers' multiple high-speed fiber providers, redundant entry points, protected cabling systems, and mobile-ready infrastructure - designed to ensure continuous uptime and secure, seamless collaboration among workstations - for the achievement.

"Achieving WiredScore Platinum underscores our commitment to creating enduring value for our tenants, clients, and communities by positioning them for the future of business," Paul Schulman, Principal & Chief Operating Officer at American Real Estate Partners, said in a statement this morning. "This is a significant achievement for American Real Estate Partners," John Meko, Vice-President, North America, WiredScore, said. "Their commitment to delivering a tech-first environment means that they are creating a space where tenant experience will be significantly enhanced through solid digital infrastructure. This achievement also highlights how AREP is leveraging technology not just for performance, but to elevate wellness, sustainability, and connectivity as core elements of the modern workplace."

These type of recognitions can be critical in setting an office property apart in a very tough office market like we are experiencing today. AREP deserves credit for maintaining the property - formerly the headquarters of Discovery Communications, which moved its Silver Spring operations to Tennessee - as office towers, rather than taking the easy and profitable way out with a residential conversion or demolition. The building is now positioned to take advantage of future upturns in Montgomery County's moribund economy, if the right people are elected to office in 2026. When we are able to attract high-wage jobs, we must have places ready to put them. It's critical that downtown Silver Spring continue to be a job center as well as a great place to live or dine, and not just a bedroom community as downtown Bethesda is on course to becoming.

Man jumped by gang of 4 robbers in Long Branch area of Silver Spring

We have the Gang of Eight in Congress, but in Long Branch, a man was jumped by the Gang of Four on November 8, 2025. Montgomery County police say the adult male victim was in the 300 block of Domer Avenue at 9:04 PM that night when he was surrounded by four adult male suspects. They proceeded to physically assault the victim, and stole property from him.

Police describe the suspects only as four Hispanic males, ages 20 to 29. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Apartment burglarized in Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a burglary that occurred in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring early Sunday morning, November 16, 2025. The burglary was reported at an apartment building in the 3300 block of Teagarden Circle at 3:02 AM Sunday. That is at the Centre at Silver Spring Apartments. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the unit.

Police called after assault at restaurant in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in downtown Silver Spring on October 27, 2025, after two people reported being victims of an aggravated assault there. The two adult victims were at Matchbox at 919 Ellsworth Drive at Downtown Silver Spring at 4:42 PM, when they were confronted by an adult male suspect. He displayed an unspecified weapon, and assaulted them.

Police describe the suspect only as a Black male, 20-30 years of age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Church burglarized in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a burglary at a church in Silver Spring. The burglary occurred at Clifton Park Baptist Church at 8818 Piney Branch Road during the early morning hours of October 29, 2025. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the building. They determined property had been taken from inside.

Police say they have no descriptions of any suspects at this time. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Cocaine bust at grocery store in Aspen Hill

Another alleged shoplifter was allegedly also in possession of cocaine, Montgomery County police officers found in Aspen Hill late Wednesday afternoon, November 12, 2025. Police were called to the Aspen Hill Shopping Center to investigate a shoplifting incident at the Giant grocery store at 13781 Connecticut Avenue at 5:35 PM Wednesday. The suspect was found to have cocaine on their person. A similar cocaine-shoplifting bust took place last Friday in Wheaton.

Insomnia Cookies update in Silver Spring (Photos)

The window coverings have come down at Insomnia Cookies at 8455 Fenton Street at the Central apartments. It looks like the bakery could be opening any day now. The menu screens are already activated. One gives a tutorial on how to order various counts of cookies. The main selling point here is late night hours.

Sunshine Smiles to relocate in Silver Spring in 2026

Sunshine Smiles Dental Care will make a short move in the summer of 2026. The dental clinic is currently located at 923 Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring. Next summer, it will move over to 8404 Georgia Avenue. Drs. Mike Horng and Roberto Aleman offer dental services in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.

Dollar Tree now open in White Oak

Dollar Tree's new White Oak store is now open at 11130 New Hampshire Avenue. Operating hours of the new store are 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Sundays. Dollar Tree's building was formerly home to Montgomery County's last Office Depot store until 2023. The 10,770-square-foot retail space was also once home to a W. Bell & Co. store. 

Montgomery County police out in force in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

Montgomery County police were out in force in downtown Silver Spring over the past weekend. Several police cruisers were parked around the busy, high-traffic areas of town. These included Downtown Silver Spring, Ellsworth Place mall, and Veterans Plaza. 

North Star setting up for 55th Christmas tree season on Grubb Road

 

Elves have been spotted making preliminary preparations for the 55th year of North Star Christmas Trees in Chevy Chase. They'll be returning to their spot of recent years at 2550 East-West Highway Service Road at Grubb Road in Chevy Chase. You may recall them being on the "Green Mile" along Wisconsin Avenue in the past, but they've found this Chevy Chase location is the sweet spot to draw customers from both Bethesda and the greater downtown Silver Spring areas. North Star says it will be opening for business on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year - Thanksgiving Eve, you might say.

The company is also hiring staff. See the contact information in the photo above. These are tough times in Montgomery County, and across the nation. By the way, these are new photographs; North Star is still displaying their 50th Anniversary banner at the site.

Cocaine bust at Wheaton electronics store

A shoplifting call turned into a contraband haul for Montgomery's Finest at an electronics store in Wheaton early Friday afternoon, November 7, 2025. Officers were called to a store in the 10900 block of Georgia Avenue at 12:12 PM Friday. There is a Best Buy store on that block. The alleged shoplifter was also found to have cocaine and a concealed weapon on their person.

Assault in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in downtown Silver Spring last night. The assault was reported in the 900 block of Bonifant Street at 8:07 PM Friday. It took place in a commercial parking lot.

Assault at pharmacy in Kensington

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a pharmacy in Kensington yesterday, November 6, 2025. The assault was reported at a pharmacy in the 3700 block of University Boulevard W. at 7:57 PM Thursday. There are two pharmacies on that block, and police have not yet identified at which one the incident took place.

MCDOT to unveil sidewalk and safety plans for Glen Haven ES and Sligo MS walksheds

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is inviting the community to an in-person public meeting to review and provide feedback on proposed new sidewalk construction and safety enhancements near Glen Haven Elementary School in Wheaton and Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring. MCDOT will present concept plans for these vital infrastructure improvements as part of a countywide initiative focused on identifying safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to school. The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria at Glen Haven Elementary School, which is located at 10900 Inwood Avenue in Wheaton.

MCDOT has already completed walkability studies for both schools, evaluating existing conditions and identifying needed improvements within each school’s walkshed. These studies are the basis for the proposed plans, which are geared toward significantly boosting safety and accessibility for young pedestrians and cyclists.

The presentation will cover concept plans for the following key improvements:

New Sidewalk Construction

| Bucknell Drive | Between Evans Drive and Windham Lane |

| Glenhaven Drive | Between Dennis Avenue and Gridley Lane |

| Grandlin Road | Between Dennis Avenue and Gridley Lane |

| Plyers Mill Road | Between Georgia Avenue and Glenhaven Drive |

| Republic Road | Between Dunkirk Drive and Huntley Place |

| Windham Lane | Between Inwood Avenue and Sligo Creek Trail |

Pedestrian Safety Enhancements

Dennis Avenue: Installation of curb extensions at several locations between Amherst Avenue and Julep Avenue. These permanent structures are designed to slow turning movements, and will replace the existing temporary flex posts, providing a more robust safety measure.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you can still provide feedback by email: Send comments to walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov or by phone at 240-777-2170.

Submit all feedback by 6 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2025.

White Oak Tobacco Zone burglarized

Criminals just can't seem to leave Montgomery County's smoke shops in peace. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at White Oak Tobacco Zone at 13456 New Hampshire Avenue in the early morning hours of October 22, 2025. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the store. They determined merchandise had been stolen from inside the business.

Police describe the suspects only as 5 Black males of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Self-storage facility burglarized in Takoma Park

Takoma Park City police responded to a report of a burglary at a self-storage facility Sunday night, November 2, 2025. The burglary was reported at a facility in the 1300 block of Holton Lane at 7:49 PM. Public Storage is located on that block of Holton. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the business.

Police investigating shots-fired incident in Glenmont

Montgomery County police are investigating a shots-fired incident that took place in the vicinity of the Glenmont Shopping Center on October 23, 2025. At 3:14 PM, police received a report of gunfire being discharged in that area. Police describe the suspect only as a Black male of unknown age. If you have any information that can assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Hot Spot opening in downtown Silver Spring

A new hot spot is on the way in downtown Silver Spring. It's called...Hot Spot, and it will be located at 8073 Georgia Avenue. Dimmples Kettles recently closed there, and before that, it was home to Lotus Cafe. The West African restaurant will have outdoor seating, and will also offer catering services. Hot Spot's operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM, seven days a week.

Momiji Sushi to open in downtown Silver Spring

Momiji Sushi is coming soon to downtown Silver Spring. It will be located in the former Cubano's space at 1201 Fidler Lane. The full service restaurant will serve sushi rolls alongside other Asian dishes from multiple countries. Operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM seven days a week.