NIST begins joint research on Secure Digital ID for public benefits

The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg has embarked on a collaborative project to adapt NIST's digital identity guidelines to the administration of public benefits programs. These include programs that help beneficiaries pay for food, housing, medical and other living expenses. The initiative gained momentum due to large-scale fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic benefits.

NIST is teaming up with the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University, and the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, on the project. The partners are attempting to balance security concerns with potential impacts on privacy, "due process," and "potential biases in systems that disproportionately impact communities of color and marginalized groups."

"To improve benefits delivery to the U.S. public, it is vital that agencies balance access and security," Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio said in a statement this morning. "Different populations have different needs, barriers and circumstances that must be considered, and this collaboration will bring together a diverse set of communities to do just that."

Clarksburg home burglarized

Montgomery County police are investigating the break-in at a home in Clarksburg on May 29, 2024. The burglary occurred sometime between 10:20 AM and 11:48 AM that morning, detectives say. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry. However, to this point, nothing has been identified as having been taken. Police describe the suspect as a Black male around 20-years-of-age.

D1 Seafood Buffet opening in Germantown

A new buffet restaurant is coming to the Germantown Town Center. D1 Seafood Buffet has leased the building that was most-recently home to Sushi Legend at 19961 Century Boulevard. Construction is expected to commence soon. 

D1 plans to largely retain the existing kitchen, restrooms, full bar and dining area from Sushi Legend, but an existing counter space will be converted into a large buffet bar area, so the construction should be much quicker than a full interior fit-out would take. This is a prime location for a tenant who can make it work, diagonally across from the Regal Cinemas, and right by the Germantown Transit Center.

Free donuts at Dunkin' Donuts in upper Montgomery County this Friday, June 7

National Donut Day is this Friday, June 7, 2024. That means free donuts at your local Dunkin' Donuts in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Damascus, Clarksburg, Montgomery Village, and Poolesville. Get a free donut with the purchase of any beverage, including the limited-time drinks of summer 2024 like the Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee or the Vanilla Frosted Donut Iced Coffee Signature Latte. 

Dunkin' Donuts has also teamed up with Scrub Daddy to create two Dunkin' Donuts-themed sponges. The Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy sponges come as a set for $9.98 plus shipping. They can be ordered online. 

Photos courtesy Dunkin' Donuts

Armed carjacking in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking in Germantown late Monday night, June 3, 2024. The carjacking was reported at a gas station in the 19400 block of Walter Johnson Road at 11:48 PM Monday.

Assault at pool in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police were called to an apartment complex in Montgomery Village Saturday afternoon, June 1, 2024, after someone reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The incident was reported at a pool at an apartment property in the 9300 block of Willow Creek Drive at 3:00 PM. That appears to be at The Verandahs Apartment Homes development.

Potomac Cookie opens in Gaithersburg

Potomac Cookie is now open at 109-A Market Street at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Flavors will change every week. It's only two blocks away from Crumbl Cookies, so a serious cookie showdown is underway. Beverages include lattes, cappucino, espresso, matcha, hot chocolate, hot tea, and cool "refreshers" for summer.