Armed carjacking in Silver Spring

Armed carjackings continue to be a routine phenomenon in Silver Spring, and countywide. The latest was reported Monday night, January 7, 2022. Montgomery County police responded to the incident in the 8100 block of Fenton Street at 6:32 PM, according to crime data.

I Love Wheaton event scheduled for Sunday, February 13

Celebrate your love for Wheaton a day before Valentine's Day this Sunday, February 13, 2022 at the I Love Wheaton event, sponsored by the Wheaton Urban District and the Montgomery County Department of Recreation. It will take place between noon and 4:00 PM Sunday on the Marian Fryer Town Plaza at 2424 Reedie Drive, right by the Wheaton Metro station.

Activities for the whole family will include ice skating, cupcake and cookie decorating, piping hot chocolate, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon art and lawn games. There will be outdoor heat lamps, a fire pit, and a DJ supplying musical entertainment. 

All activities will be outdoors. The sponsors are recommending - but not requiring - masks for all attendees. There is no charge for the event.

Multiple crimes cited in Montgomery Hills traffic stop

An apparent Montgomery County police traffic stop in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring on February 3, 2022, led to potential charges on several offenses. According to crime data, the incident in the 9600 block of Georgia Avenue at 4:50 PM that afternoon ultimately involved the following offenses: indecent exposure at an unspecified government building, 2nd-degree assault, DUI, resisting officers, and obstructing a criminal investigation. This is just south of the Capital Beltway interchange.

Solaire 8200 Dixon construction update in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

The lights are on but nobody's home at the tallest building in Silver Spring. Washington Property Company's Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment tower has taken on a nearly-finished appearance from the outside, as fit-out of the 403 residential units inside is underway. The 26-story building will also feature a ground-level food hall, and a 27th level pool and fitness suite. Delivery is anticipated for mid-2022.

Rita's Italian Ice in Aspen Hill for sale

The Rita's Italian Ice at 13621 Georgia Avenue in the wonderful Aspen Manor shopping center in Aspen Hill is for sale. It is located on a leased pad site in the center's parking lot. The asking price is $265,000, according to the online listing. That is a reduction in price, the listing notes. The listing says it opened in 2008, but my recollection is that it was 2005. 

Guavaberry opening in downtown Silver Spring

Guavaberry, a Dominican restaurant, will open at 8417 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring later this year, according to a banner posted on the front of the building. This is the former home of The Greek Place, which recently closed. Nearly as big news, though, is that the letter E dropped off the Greek Place sign, and is nowhere to be found. It was hanging down a few weeks ago, but this apparently it for the fifth letter of the alphabet.

Silver Spring firm wins approval for solar farm atop abandoned coal mine in Western Maryland

Competitive Power Ventures, a Silver Spring-based solar energy partnership operating in nine states, has received approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission to construct a solar farm atop the abandoned Vindex-Arch Coal mine near Kitzmiller in Garrett County. The 200 MWdc Backbone Solar Farm will cover 1,170 acres of land on the coal mining site, and will generate enough electricity to power 30,000 Maryland homes.

While it will not provide the long-term job numbers the mine did while operating, the solar farm project will create 150 temporary construction jobs. It will also generate up to $2.7 million in annual tax revenue for Garrett County, a significant boost in a region that has been losing many industrial jobs. In addition, CPV is providing support for the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation. 

Construction of the Backbone solar farm is expected to commence as soon as permits are issued this year. “This project provides an array of economic and environmental benefits to the region and offers a host of opportunities for local businesses to benefit,” Jennifer Walsh, Executive Director of The Greater Cumberland Committee, said in a statement Monday. CPV is headquartered in the Metro Plaza building at 8403 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring.

Solar farm rendering courtesy CPV