Maryland silica factory closing, production relocating to South Carolina

There goes another one. Evonik Corporation will close its Maryland factory in Havre de Grace, and relocate its production of silica to South Carolina. The closure will eliminate 34 jobs, according to a filing the chemical firm submitted to the state on Wednesday. While the company explains its strategic move with buzzphrases like "economies of scale," there are several obvious reasons why the grass appears much greener in the Palmetto State if you are running a business enterprise.

Industrial electricity rates in South Carolina are 22% less than in Maryland. This is largely due to the forced closure of eight power plants by Maryland elected officials, who have also mandated the purchase of ever-increasing amounts of "clean power," such as solar or wind. In addition, the state has socked energy utility customers with an EmPOWER Maryland fee, that funds a Marxist program that subsidizes the purchase of energy efficient equipment by lower income customers. The end result is that Maryland now imports the majority of its electricity from out-of-state, naturally at greater cost than it had been provided from those shuttered in-state plants. Not to mention that Maryland ratepayers are now receiving record-high monthly power bills.

Maryland's corporate tax rate is 8.25%. South Carolina's is 5%. Doh!

Last year, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Democratic-controlled legislature established a 3% tech tax. By comparison, IT consulting, custom coding, and systems design are not taxed in South Carolina.

Finally, Maryland’s average annual pay for chemical engineers is approximately $121,012 to $140,708. In Charleston, the average is roughly $93,975 to $128,000, according to Indeed.com.

Heckuva job, Brownie!

Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale blasts Wes Moore's floundering Key Bridge rebuild

"I heard a noise, it's that close to me," Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale recalled of the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore two years ago today. The Republican businessman and Charm City resident's home was within earshot of the catastrophe that unfolded on March 26, 2024. Two years later, progress on the construction of a replacement bridge has stalled as the cost of the project ballooned fivefold under the administration of Governor Wes Moore (D). Running afoul of federal funding guidelines, and Moore's relentless personal attacks on President Donald Trump, have led to the possibility that former president Joe Biden's vow to pick up 100% of the tab is now in serious jeopardy. Hale scheduled a press conference within sight of the bridge yesterday to excoriate Moore for the lack of progress, 24 hours ahead of the predictable Moore media blitz.

"It's a bridge that I've used pretty much all of my life," Hale told reporters Wednesday. "I'm from around here. This is my house right here," he added, gesturing toward his home. The neighborhood around the former bridge connection "is hurting, because it takes forever to go from here to over there," Hale said.

Hale argued the floundering rebuild is "emblematic of a governor that's really not paying attention to this whatsoever. He'll smile and say that he is, but he's not. And what you see is anger on both sides of the bridge, all around [Anne Arundel and Baltimore] County and just, the citizens here are extremely upset and don't like the idea that we're not getting this done. There's no end in sight for this thing to be done."

"We are a ship without a rudder," Hale charged of Moore's leadership of the state, saying the current governor's attention is largely consumed by his quest for the presidency in 2029. He announced that in lieu of a workable solution from the Moore administration, "I have a plan."

"I'm going to have the bureaucrats involved, the engineers, and the construction companies involved in this whole process, and see what they can do," Hale said. "And if they don't have a reasonable explanation, they're not going to last long in my administration." He suggested the state turn to Maryland-based firms that do similar work around the world to rebuild the bridge, saying he knows they are qualified because he has hired many of them for his own projects. "I've talked to a bunch of people, and they're standing by, ready to do it." 

Hale cited the outflow of residents and wealth from Maryland to other states in recent years. Voters are "now telling me, 'If you don't win, we're moving,'" Hale recounted. A recent poll found that over 60% of Maryland residents are either in the process of leaving the state, or are considering a move. "We can't continue to have this happen," Hale said.

"We don't have economic development. We don't have job creation. We are the worst in the nation for job creation," Hale explained, noting that as a private sector businessman, he has created tens of thousands of jobs. By "every metric you can think of, we're failing," Hale said. "I don't intend to fail. I intend to make things better. Help is on the way."

Teen stabbed aboard bus in Germantown

A teenage boy was stabbed during an altercation that began on a bus in Germantown Tuesday night, March 24, 2026. The 14-year-old victim was involved in an argument aboard the bus with a group of juveniles known to him that turned violent. He suffered a single stab wound, and managed to walk to a nearby grocery store, where he called 911 at 8:13 PM. The boy was transported to a local hospital, where police say his wound was determined to be non-life-threatening. 

Montgomery County police officers combed the nearby area, and located the alleged knife-wielding assailant. The 16-year-old suspect was arrested. Police say they are continuing to investigate the incident, but that there is no further danger to the community.

Police officer shoots alleged gunman who fired at cops in Montgomery Village

A Montgomery County police officer shot an alleged gunman who police say fired two shots at officers first in Montgomery Village yesterday, March 24, 2026. The officers were proactively patrolling in the high crime area of Lost Knife Circle Tuesday afternoon. While in the vicinity of Montgomery Village Plaza on Contour Road, they observed suspicious activity, and approached an adult male suspect to investigate. The suspect took off running, and attempted to seek refuge in an apartment complex on Lost Knife.

As officers turned a corner at the complex in pursuit, the suspect allegedly fired two shots at them. One County officer returned fire, striking the suspect. They provided first aid to the suspect, who was then transported to a local hospital in stable condition. He is expected to survive. 

Officers recovered a handgun at the scene. No injuries were reported beyond the suspect. The officer who fired the shots has been placed on administrative leave, and the Major Crimes Division is conducting the investigation into the shooting. Police said this is an active and ongoing investigation, and that the suspect’s identity and charges will be released when they become available.

Armed robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg yesterday, March 23, 2026. The robbery was reported on Grand Corner Avenue at 12:30 PM. According to police, the victim was approached by two suspects who brandished a firearm and demanded his headphones. The victim complied, and the suspects fled on foot.

Police describe the suspects only as two juveniles. It was not explained how they managed to evade the many surveillance cameras in the vicinity. Another shocking daylight violent crime, a disturbing new trend in Montgomery County.

Quincy's Golf & Social opens in Gaithersburg

Quincy's Golf & Social is now open at 245 Kentlands Boulevard in Gaithersburg. The restaurant offers golf simulators and employs the Trackman system. Customers have posted positive reviews online, earning the restaurant a 4.7 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews, and 5 stars out of 5 on Yelp. Beyond providing a dining and entertainment experience year-round, it's also a great place to tee off when the weather is not optimal for the real thing. 

Update on Sheetz construction at Walnut Hill Shopping Center (Photos)

Construction on the second Sheetz convenience store and mega gas station in the MD 355 corridor is advancing quickly at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 733 S. Frederick Avenue. The familiar building design and roofline are now visible. There's an interesting Sheetz Site Safety sign I have included a picture of below. It looks like the store could be open by summer at this point.