Prime commercial properties for sale in Damascus

Two adjacent commercial properties in a high-visibility location are now available for sale in Damascus. 26323 and 26315-26317 Ridge Road (MD 27) are located near the intersection with Main Street in the downtown business district. There is a high volume of traffic passing daily from Montgomery County through Damascus, Mount Airy and Westminster, and even a fairly high number of semi-trucks from Pennsylvania. A drive-thru fast food restaurant could do quite well here. The asking price is only $800,000 for the whole thing, and we can say "only" because of the obscene price of real estate in Montgomery County these days. Land in a high-traffic spot in MoCo for just $800,000? A steal!

Montgomery County vineyard hit hard by late frost

The late frost earlier this week that impacted agricultural businesses across several states on the eastern seaboard did not spare Windridge Vineyards in Montgomery County. Windridge announced today that it "suffered one of the most devastating frost events that we have experienced in our history." Temperatures at the Darnestown vineyard dropped to 26 degrees at one point, and were below freezing for over four hours. Despite taking several high-tech measures to reduce the impact on vines, the crop sustained significant frost damage. 

Windridge prepared for such an event in advance. Not only in measures to combat the cold, but also for the worst case scenario. To the latter end, the vineyard will fall back on its inventory of library wines to continue to serve customers during the affected period. It does remind one just how precarious life was when our ancestors' food supply could be reduced by the whims of weather and nature. There were no grocery stores or food stamps; your crop was it for the season.

Thief ransacks cash register at Rio in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at a restaurant at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg yesterday morning, April 20, 2026. The burglary was reported at a restaurant in the 200 block of Boardwalk Place. It is believed to have occurred between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the restaurant. A cash register had been cleaned out.

Police have no suspect descriptions at this time. They did not explain how the suspect managed to evade multiple surveillance cameras during the incident. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call (301) 279-8000.

Sheetz construction advancing at Walnut Hill Shopping Center (Photos)

The convenience store building at the future Sheetz at 733 S. Frederick Avenue at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg is looking a lot closer to a finished product since my last update - at least on the outside. Brick and stone facade treatments are in place where Tyvek was previously. Gaping squares and rectangles are now filled with window glass and doors, the latter already sporting Sheetz logos. And construction is now underway on the canopy that will protect the gas pumps and those pumping them from the elements.

Clarksburg man arrested in Peeping Tom incident at Bethesda high school

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in a Peeping Tom incident at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. Students found a video camera in the control booth of the school's theater. Looking at the contents, they discovered videos filmed in the girls' changing room of the theater. James Mulhern III, 43, of Clarksburg was arrested, having allegedly been identified from video that showed him placing the camera in the changing room. Mulhern is a media services technician at the school. He has been charged with sex abuse of a minor. 

Police investigate hate speech at Seneca Valley HS in Germantown

Montgomery County police are investigating vandalism that allegedly included hate speech at Seneca Valley High School at 19401 Crystal Rock Drive in Germantown. Police were called to the school Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 2026, when the graffiti was discovered in a bathroom at 12:40 PM. Officers say that the graffiti they saw in the restroom included an anti-Semitic message. 

Strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village

When they lose the knife, they have to resort to bare hands. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we're heading back to one of the highest crime streets in Montgomery County, Lost Knife Road in Montgomery Village. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery there at 2:31 PM on March 29, 2026. Two suspects assaulted and stole property from the adult male victim.

Police describe the suspects only as a male and a female. If you have any information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.