Holiday Makers Market at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg December 8-10

Rio Lakefront will host a Holiday Makers Market at 30 Grand Corner Avenue from December 8 through 10, 2023. The indoor market will be open from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on December 8, 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM  on December 9, and 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM on December 10. Handmade products that will make excellent and unique holiday gifts from more than 50 local artisans. The show is organized by Locally Crafted.

Wawa Gaithersburg signage, gas pumps installed ahead of December opening (Photos)

There are real "signs" of progress at the construction site of Montgomery County's first Wawa at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. The most visible to drivers passing on MD 355 is the roadside sign with the Wawa logo, and digital displays for gas prices. But the main logo sign is also now on the storefront of the convenience store, as well. Wawa-branded gas pumps have been installed, and safety bollards in line with the pumps. Above them is the Wawa logo signage for the gas station canopy. 

When will the Gaithersburg Wawa open? The chain's current target opening date is December 2023. There's still a not-insigniicant amount of paving and landscaping work to be done on the site. Let's see if they can get it done before the ball drops on New Year's Eve.

Land behind Burger King for sale in Germantown

Have it your way behind Burger King in Germantown. A 2.03 acre site, partially-developed with several commercial buildings, is now on the market for sale. The entire property, squeezed between Burger King and a residential street, could be redeveloped as commercial (grandfathered) or as an R-200-zoned residential site. According to the online listing, the asking price is $2.1 million.

Carmen's Italian Ice opens in Gaithersburg

Carmen's Italian Ice is now available in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg. Their newest location in Montgomery County is at 130 Market Street, at Kung Fu Tea. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week. Carmen's has existing locations in Rockville and Olney.

Carter's opens at Gaithersburg Square

Carter's has returned to Gaithersburg Square, at 520 N. Frederick Avenue. The children's clothing boutique temporarily closed at the shopping center a couple of years back, but apparently had a change of heart or fortune. Operating hours of the new store are 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays. Carter's was founded by William Carter in Needham, Massachusetts in 1865.

Montgomery County police arrest suspects in Montgomery Village shooting death

Osman Antonio Maldonado

Montgomery County police have arrested two suspects in relation to the November 10, 2023 shooting death of Gaithersburg resident Alan Garnica, 22. The homicide took place in the 18400 block of Lost Knife Circle. Kenes Yair Guevara, 19, and Osman Antonio Maldonado, 20, have both been charged with first-degree murder. Guevara is a resident of Gaithersburg; police did not identify the hometown of Maldonado. Both men remain in custody, awaiting bond hearings.

Kenes Yair Guevara

Montgomery County Board of Elections votes to not follow anyone on social media

Montgomery County Board of Elections
President David A. Naimon

The Montgomery County Board of Elections voted unanimously yesterday to not follow anyone on social media, part of a new social media policy the board passed via that vote. While the board encourages residents, voters and political candidates to follow its accounts on social media, commissioners decided that its own accounts should not follow anyone, and should not "like" social media posts. The board said it made the policy change to emphasize its commitment to free and fair elections, and equal treatment of all candidates and ballot question debates. 

“As a non-partisan organization, the Board must ensure that all candidates, political parties and voters are treated fairly and that no candidate or supporter or opponent of a ballot question receives or is perceived to receive preferential treatment,” Board President David A. Naimon said in a statement after the vote. “The mission of the Board is simple - - free, fair, and transparent elections for all candidates and voters.”

For official information about the 2024 elections, including how to register to vote and/or volunteer to serve as an election worker, follow the Montgomery County Board of Elections on X at @777vote (https://twitter.com/777vote), on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/777vote/, or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/777vote/. Information also continues to be available on the BOE website at www.777vote.org, and by phone at 240-777-8500.