Police investigate weapon, drug possession at Blake High School

Montgomery County police were called to James Hubert Blake High School at 300 Norwood Road in Cloverly last Thursday morning, June 5, 2025. Officers were summoned to the school at 8:00 AM. They were called to investigate alleged possession of an unspecified weapon, and possession of marijuana. Thanks to our pro-drug Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials, marijuana use has surged in Montgomery County Public Schools in recent years.

A candid and frank report in the Blake student newspaper last year noted an increase in marijuana use by Blake students, citing the legalization of marijuana for recreational use as having boosted its availability. "You’ll almost always catch a whiff of marijuana walking down certain halls," the article noted. "With the legalization of the drug, more and more students indulge for no other reason than because they can. Marijuana consumption has affected Blake in many ways; bathrooms get locked, hall passes are cut down, and students aren’t as focused and ready to learn more than usual."

You have to ask yourself why your elected officials want you - and your kids - zonked out on drugs. There aren't any answers to that question that would reflect well on our politicians. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Obra Pharmacy burglarized in Cloverly

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Obra Pharmacy at 15525 New Hampshire Avenue in Cloverly during the early morning hours of October 30, 2024. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the business. They determined that the burglar stole pharmaceuticals. Police describe the suspect only as a Black male of unknown age. If you have any information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Strong-arm robbery at Cloverly gas station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a gas station in Cloverly early yesterday morning, August 28, 2023. The robbery was reported at a gas station in th 15500 block of New Hampshire Avenue at 2:21 AM Monday. There is a Citgo station on that block of New Hampshire.

Dunkin' Donuts new Cloverly location to hold Grand Opening event today

The new Dunkin' Donuts store at 15509 New Hampshire Avenue in Cloverly is holding a Grand Opening event this morning. At 10:00 AM, the first 100 guests in line will receive free coffee for a year. From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, you can take a selfie with Dunkin' mascot Sprinkles, or take a chance at winning with the Dunkin' Prize Wheel. Jesse Luis of the local franchisee Luis Group will host a ribbon cutting alongside members of the community at 11:00 AM this morning.

If you haven't been to one of the new Dunkin' next-generation stores in Montgomery County, today is your chance at the Cloverly location. The 2,200 square-foot store will be open Monday through Saturday from 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and on Sundays from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It features Dunkin’s new restaurant design, including modern finishes, lighting and interior layout; the brand's new Premium Pours coffee tap system; a dedicated mobile pickup area, and environmental features that make it about 33% more energy-efficient than the standard Dunkin' restaurant model.

Best of all, there is a drive-thru! Indoor customers will enjoy free WiFi.

Dunkin' Donuts is coming to Cloverly

Dunkin' Donuts continues its rapid expansion in Montgomery County, and will also continue a new trend of converting former banks to Dunkin' stores. The newest location planned is at 15509 New Hampshire Avenue, in the Cloverly North shopping center in Silver Spring. This former bank space has a drive-thru, which hopefully will be put into use for donut-buying purposes in the not-so-distant future.

19-story cell tower proposed for Good Hope Road in Silver Spring

AT&T is proposing to construct and operate a 189' tall cell tower at 14860 Good Hope Road in Silver Spring. In addition to the tower, AT&T plans to also build a structure at ground level to house equipment, and an access road from Good Hope Road to the interior of the property. The property is a wooded lot between Briggs Chaney Road and Windmill Lane, and behind homes on Lear Lane and Goth Lane.

Good Hope Road sidewalk public hearing May 1

A public hearing will be held May 1, 2019 from 7:00-9:00 PM at Cloverly Elementary School at 800 Briggs Chaney Road regarding a proposed one-mile "sidepath" along Good Hope Road between Windmill Lane and Rainbow Drive. Also included in the project is a pedestrian bridge proposed near the intersection of Good Hope and Hopefield Road.

The sidepath will be eight feet wide, and include a buffer between it and the road. Montgomery County officials say the new path will better connect the Cloverly community with schools, places of worship, and the Good Hope Community Center.

Good Hope teen missing

A teenage resident of the Good Hope area of Silver Spring is missing, and Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in locating her. Crystal Chagala, 15, of the 1400 block of Farmcrest Way, has been reported as missing by her family. 

Chagala is described by detectives as a Latina, 4’08” tall, and weighing 110 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair.  Chagala was wearing a winter coat over a black shirt, black jeans, and black Vans tennis shoes when she was last seen, although police have not disclosed on what date that was.

Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Crystal Chagala is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400 or the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24 hours).

Cloverly ES substitute teacher arrested for inappropriate touching of student

Steven Katz

Montgomery County police have charged a substitute teacher at Cloverly Elementary School with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and 4th Degree Sexual Offense. Detectives say Steven Katz, 59, admitted inappropriately touching a male student at the school during their questioning of him. The student told his parent about the incident after school on that day, March 8. His parent notified the school, and the school called the police, Special Victims Investigation Unit detectives say.

Detectives are concerned that there may be more victims at the school, or elsewhere. They are requesting that parents of juveniles who may have had contact with Steven Katz talk to their children about any interaction with Katz, and contact SVID detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.

Patricia Fenati launches campaign for District 14 delegate

Patricia Fenati, a resident of Damascus, launched her campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates from District 14 last night at Argyle Country Club. District 14 covers the northeastern area of Montgomery County from Damascus to Burtonsville, and includes Calverton, Colesville, Cloverly, Fairland, Olney, Ashton, Sandy Spring, Brookeville and Laytonsville.

Fenati pledged to focus on ending gerrymandering of voting districts in the state and county, job creation, education, and the environment. She noted that the current district boundaries give some communities in District 14 very little say in the outcome of elections for County Council and the General Assembly. Fenati also supports the transportation plan proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan, which would greatly rely on private, rather than taxpayer, funds to accomplish.

No other Republicans have filed for the District 14 delegate race as of this morning. On the Democratic side, only three candidates have filed - Anne Kaiser, Eric Luedtke, and Pamela Queen.

Photo courtesy Patricia Fenati

New car wash for New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring

A new car wash is coming to the Spencerville/Cloverly area of Silver Spring after a two-year delay. The 912 SF car wash structure will be built on the site of an abandoned gas station at 16201 New Hampshire Avenue, where it meets Norbeck Road and Spencerville Road. It will be a fully-automatic car wash.

The 2015 plan also includes a 10-pump gas station, and a convenience store. Nearby communities include Hampshire Greens. A new left-turn lane was to be constructed on southbound New Hampshire Avenue, to facilitate access to the station.

10-pump gas station, car wash coming to Silver Spring (Photos)

A triangular site surrounded by New Hampshire Avenue, Old Spencerville Road and Spencerville Road in the Cloverly area of Silver Spring will be home to a new gas station. PMG is going to improve the abandoned gas station site with a new 10-pump gas station, car wash, and convenience store. The station and facilities will be significantly larger than the one that's sitting there today.

PMG will also construct a new left-turn lane on New Hampshire at Old Spencerville Road, to facilitate access to the station.

The Montgomery County Planning Board will consider the PMG application at its September 3 meeting. Planning staff is recommending approval with conditions.

3 ASPEN HILL DRUG ARRESTS, ANOTHER AT GLENMONT SHOPPING CTR., 2 TAKOMA PARK BURGLARIES - CRIME UPDATE

We have an epic crime report from last Friday here. Police were able to make 3 drug arrests in Aspen Hill, and another at the nearby Glenmont Shopping Center. Plus, the east county area of Cloverly makes its first appearance in a crime report on this blog.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on March 7, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 10500 block Georgia Avenue (near Evans Drive).

Weapons arrest. Georgia Avenue near Rampart Way (Wheaton).

Burglary. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road (Wheaton).

Theft. Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road (Wheaton).

Liquor arrest. Parking Lot 13 (Wheaton).

Liquor arrest. 8000 block Blair Mill Way (Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. Fenton Street at Cameron Street.

Theft. 8700 block Cameron Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Disorderly conduct. 2500 block Ennalls Avenue (Wheaton).

Theft. 8700 block Colesville Road (Silver Spring).

Disorderly conduct. Austin Grill (Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. 900 block Wayne Avenue.

Drug arrest. 12200 block Veirs Mill Road (Wheaton).

Liquor arrest. Mississippi Avenue at Piney Branch Road.

Drug arrest. 9800 block Colesville Road (near Beltway interchange).

Theft. 7500 block Maple Avenue (Takoma Park).

Drug arrest. Glenmont Shopping Center.

Burglary. 8200 block Piney Branch Road (near Dale Drive & La Casita).

Drug arrest. 4600 block Hallet Place (Aspen Hill).

Assault. Piney Branch Road at Dale Drive.

Drug arrest. 4400 block Independence Street (Aspen Hill).

Burglary. 7200 block Carroll Avenue (Takoma Park).

Liquor arrest. Flower Avenue at Piney Branch Road (Long Branch).

Burglary. 9500 block Seminole Street (near Franklin Ave./Long Branch).

Disorderly conduct. 500 block Domer Avenue (Long Branch).

Burglary. 6400 block New Hampshire Avenue (Takoma Park).

Drug arrest. Georgia Avenue at Bel Pre Road (Aspen Hill).

Theft. 11200 block New Hampshire Avenue (White Oak).

Theft. 1500 block November Circle (White Oak).

Drug arrest. 12400 block Columbia Pike (Calverton).

Vehicle burglary. 15400 block New Hampshire Avenue (Cloverly).