El Tejano Restaurant II opening soon in Wheaton

El Tejano Restaurant II is opening soon at 2646 University Boulevard W. in Wheaton. It is taking over the former Cam Ranh Bay Pho & Grill/Gourmet Inspirations space. That will allow for a spacious 8259-square-foot Latin American restaurant. Operating hours are anticipated to be 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM on Fridays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM on Saturdays, and 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM on Sundays.

Purple Line detour for Pershing Dr. in Silver Spring to begin March 24

Access to Pershing Drive from Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring will be blocked for about a month, beginning on or about March 24, 2025, the Maryland Transit Administration announced. The closure is necessary to complete track installation for the future Purple Line light rail system. During the closure, trash trucks and vehicles using private parking will have access from Wayne Avenue. Delivery trucks will be directed to dedicated loading zones on Bonifant, and on Georgia Avenue.

Watch for flagmen, and be prepared to follow their directions during the closure. Work will proceed on weekdays, and weekends as needed. The Pershing-Bonifant closure is anticipated to last for about four weeks. Should inclement weather occur, the reopening could be postponed.

Argan moves corporate HQ from Montgomery County to Arlington, Virginia

Montgomery County has lost yet another corporate headquarters to Northern Virginia. Argan, Inc., announced yesterday that it has relocated its HQ from 1 Church Street in Rockville to Two Liberty Center in Arlington. The telecommunications and power industry service provider was founded in Rockville over two decades ago. Argan cited the new location's direct access to Dulles International Airport as one of the primary reasons for the move. The firm's stock price doubled, and surged 33% in two days at one point in 2024, and is up about $10 since then, to $104.05 as of this morning.

It's no surprise that Argan, like so many companies, is heading for greener pastures across the Potomac. Montgomery County and Maryland leaders have defiantly refused to construct the long-planned bridge across the river that would provide our own direct connection between the I-270 corridor and the Dulles area. Dulles is the only airport in the region that provides the frequency and variety of direct flights to global destinations demanded by international businesspeople. And let's fact it: Virginia's lower taxes, fewer regulations, and status as CNBC's "Top State for Business in America" certainly didn't hurt. 

Northern Virginia has other advantages for a firm that primarily deals with power plants and telecommunications infrastructure. Maryland leaders have forced the closure of 8 power plants since 2012 alone, and the state is now forced to import 40% of its electricity from out-of-state at higher prices to avoid rolling blackouts. 70% of internet traffic around the globe flows through data centers in Northern Virginia. And the Old Dominion has invested far more in highway, air transport, railroads, and ports than Maryland. It's no wonder Montgomery County has failed to attract a single new major corporate HQ in over 25 years.

"We are thrilled with the move to our new headquarters location in Arlington, Virginia," Argan CEO David Watson said in a statement. "We believe the location and layout will accommodate the Company’s continued growth, improve recruitment and retention of employees, and facilitate greater collaboration and a more productive overall work environment. The Washington metro area has a dynamic and robust economy with a quality workforce, and we look forward to leveraging our new location to enhance the experience of Argan’s current and future employees, partners and customers. The Company’s more than 22 years in Rockville, Maryland where Argan was founded, have been both meaningful and productive, and we look forward to continuing our success in our new home in Arlington."

Montgomery County police raid Silver Spring crack house, arrest 11

Montgomery County police recently received multiple complaints from residents about drug activity in the 12200 block of Selfridge Road in Silver Spring. In response, officers and specialized units raided a home on that block last Friday, March 7, 2025. The home is located near the two highway corridors of Veirs Mill Road and Randolph Road, and two busy shopping centers.

Officers found 30 people inside and outside of the house, and observed evidence of the drug activity neighbors had reported to them. Eleven of the thirty people were arrested. Seventeen outstanding arrest warrants were served.

One suspect was charged with felony possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. A second suspect was charged with a felony nuisance property violation. Two other individuals are facing misdemeanor possession charges.

After the raid, the Montgomery County Police Department issued a statement encouraging residents to report any similar concerns or activity in their neighborhoods. Anyone with information related to drug activity or other criminal concerns is encouraged to contact MCPD’s non-emergency line at 301-279-8000, or to submit an anonymous tip through http://www.p3tips.com/. 

Montgomery County minimum wage to increase by 50 cents on July 1, 2025

Montgomery County's minimum wage is set to increase on July 1, 2025, reflecting the region's inflation rate, as mandated by County law. The adjustments will see a 50-cent per hour increase across all employer sizes. Effective July 1st, large employers (those with 51 or more employees) will be required to pay a minimum wage of $17.65 per hour. Mid-size employers (11-50 employees) will see their minimum wage rise to $16 per hour, and small employers (10 or fewer employees) will be required to pay $15.50 per hour.

The wage increase is directly tied to the 2.9 percent rise in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area in 2024. This increase over the 2.8 percent seen in 2023 triggered the adjustment, which the County says ensures the local minimum wage maintains its purchasing power in the face of rising costs.

“Raising the minimum wage to account for inflation is an important step in ensuring that all Montgomery County workers can earn a fair wage that supports their well-being,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement. “As the cost of living continues to rise, this increase helps workers and families keep pace while also benefitting local businesses by putting more money back into our community. By indexing the minimum wage to inflation, we are providing a long-term solution that adjusts to economic conditions, making sure that working people are rewarded fairly for their contributions and that our local economy stays strong and resilient.”

County estimates state that this minimum wage increase will boost the income of those receiving the minimum wage by $1,040 this year. The minimum wage law was passed by the Montgomery County Council in 2017, and was spearheaded by Elrich, who was a Councilmember at that time.

Isaac's Poultry Market opens in Burtonsville

Isaac's Poultry Market is now open at 15785 Old Columbia Pike at Burtonsville Crossing in Burtonsville. While the first location opened in Gaithersburg, founder Rob Gresham actually grew up in Burtonsville, making this a homecoming for the former CAVA Director of Operations. That first Isaac's restaurant had barely opened when its chicken sandwich was named Best Sandwich by the Maryland Restaurant Association. 

Isaac's Poultry Market specializes in antibiotic and steroid-free roasted chicken, wings, chicken sandwiches, salads, and frozen custard. Everything is certified Halal. 90% of the menu is gluten free. The concept was developed by Gresham and his son during the pandemic lockdown. It was named by his son for Isaac Newton, who developed his theory of gravity while in quarantine during the Great Plague of 1665.

Police investigate Wheaton shooting

Montgomery County police detectives are seeking the public's help in their investigation of a shooting that took place in Wheaton earlier this year. In the early morning hours of January 18, patrons leaving Unplugged Restaurant & Sports Bar at 11305 Georgia Avenue allegedly became engaged in an altercation. At 2:40 AM, police received a report of a shooting around the corner from the restaurant, in the 2300 block of Price Avenue. 

Officers arriving at the scene determined that a vehicle had been hit by gunfire, but that there were no injuries. No suspects have been taken into custody, and detectives are asking for tips from the public to identify the shooter in the incident.

Anyone who can help identify the suspect, or has any other information about 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. Police are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of this suspect. Tipsters may remain anonymous.