Wheaton Library/Recreation Center opens...then closes!

MoCo officials celebrated Sunday,

but "facilities issue" shutters

brand new building a day later

Update: Montgomery County says the library will now open at 12:30 PM this afternoon.

Montgomery County officials celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the new Wheaton Library and Recreation Center at 11701 Georgia Avenue on Sunday. A day later, the County announced the brand-new building would be closed today, Monday, September 9, 2019, due to "a facilities issue." The library parking lot was filled with contractor vehicles Monday morning. Strangely, the library page itself is not providing the same alert as the Recreation Department Twitter account.

Stay tuned as more information about the cause of the closure becomes available.

This mysterious new development wasn't the only glitch this opening week. Amidst officials patting themselves on the back, actual residents were disappointed to find that promised services were not going to be available this week.

Residents had been told that the popular Senior Fit and Bone Builders programs would return when the library opened. But Senior Fit is not on the program as of the grand opening. In response to resident complaints, Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley said that the issues with Senior Fit returning are "timing and communication" with the service provider, but that the program will return at some point.

Wheaton resident Kimblyn Persaud noted that County officials had also promised a nutrition lunch program, which also failed to materialize upon the facility's opening. Riley said the County hopes to hold "feedback" sessions to determine what programs of this nature to add. Persaud pointed out that the County already knows that a large number of Wheaton residents would qualify and benefit from such a program.

Burtonsville Islamic Center burglarized, police release surveillance video of suspect

Montgomery County police are looking for a man they accuse of burglarizing the Idara Jaferia Islamic Center located at 3140 Spencerville Road in Burtonsville on August 12, around 7:45 PM. The man entered the facility by placing a ladder up to an open second floor window. He then allegedly pried open a safe and stole an unspecified amount of currency, detectives say.

Police have now released surveillance video of the suspect, in the hopes that the public can help identify and capture him.

Anyone who recognizes this suspect or has information about this burglary is asked to contact the 3rd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6870.  To be eligible for a reward, tipsters may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or enter a tip online. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment of the suspects.  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Purple Line work to begin on Piney Branch Rd. in Long Branch September 11

Purple Line work is scheduled to begin on Piney Branch Road, between Flower Avenue and University Boulevard, on or about September 11, 2019. Crews will be out on Piney Branch 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, according to Purple Line Transit Partners. Watch for temporary lane closures on Piney Branch during this time.

Silver Spring construction update: The Fenton (Photos)

The Fenton Silver Spring Apartments, located at 8240 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring, are now scheduled to begin pre-leasing very soon. One and two-bedroom units will start in the $1600s.

Takoma Park homeowners could pay higher stormwater fees

Many residents of Takoma Park could end up paying higher stormwater fees to the City, if the Mayor and Council change the way those fees are determined for residential property owners. Currently, all homeowners in Takoma Park pay the same rate. But the Mayor and Council will discuss changing that method to a "stepped fee" at their September 11, 2019 meeting. Under that formula, homeowners' fees would be determined by the amount of impervious surface on their property.

Festival Salvadoreñisimo 2019 September 15

Tickets are now available for the Festival Salvadoreñisimo 2019, which is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, beginning at 10:00 AM at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds at 501 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg. Hector Acosta ‘El Torito” Marito Rivera y su Grupo Bravo, Orquesta Casino, La Tenchis Celiber, Grupo La Maquina de El Salvador, Jhosse Lora Jr. and many other artists will perform live.

You can buy tickets online.

Las entradas ya están disponibles para el Festival Salvadoreñisimo 2019, que está programado para el domingo 15 de septiembre, a partir de las 10:00 a.m.en el recinto ferial del condado de Montgomery en 501 Perry Parkway en Gaithersburg. Héctor Acosta ‘El Torito” Marito Rivera y su Grupo Bravo, Orquesta Casino, La Tenchis Celiber, Grupo La Maquina de El Salvador, Jhosse Lora Jr. y muchos otros artistas actuarán en vivo.

Puedes comprar boletos en línea.

Renovation planned for downtown Silver Spring Safeway

The Safeway store at 909 Thayer Avenue in downtown Silver Spring is starting to show its age. But not for long. Safeway is planning a $100,000 renovation of the store, to update both the exterior and interior. They're also going to renovate the parking deck.