Signage installed at Gina's Cucina Siciliana in Gaithersburg

Permanent signage is up at Gina's Cucina Siciliana at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Located at 640 Center Point Way, the restaurant is expected to open before the end of the year. The windows are still covered, so we can't yet see the status of the interior fit-out. When it opens, Gina's will feature the cuisines of the Agrigento and Messina regions of Sicily.

Gaithersburg man fatally shot in Rockville

A Gaithersburg man was fatally shot in the Town Center area of Rockville eaarly yesterday morning, November 4, 2026, according to Montgomery County police. Rockville City police and County Fire and Rescue Service personnel were originally dispatched to the 200 block of N. Washington Street at 12:25 AM Wednesday, after a report of a person laying in the street near Trader Joe's was received. When first responders arrived at the scene, however, they discovered the man suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite lifesaving efforts, he tragically passed away at the scene.

Homicide detectives have identified the victim as Richard Ulysses Hernandez, 33, of Gaithersburg. His body was transported to the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the cause of death was determined to be homicide. Any suspect(s) in the case remain at large. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this homicide to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimesolversmcmd.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous, and information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of $250 to $10,000.

Armed robbery in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Germantown late Saturday night, October 31, 2026. The robbery was reported in the 11800 block of Summer Oak Drive at 11:40 PM. That is in a townhome community across from Roberto Clemente Middle School.

Assault at drugstore in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a drugstore in Montgomery Village yesterday morning, October 29, 2026. The assault was reported at a drugstore in the 19100 block of Montgomery Village Avenue at 10:21 AM Thursday. There is a CVS Pharmacy at 19100 Montgomery Village Avenue.

Germantown dry cleaners to become Goodwill Drop-off center

A vacant dry cleaning space at Middlebrook Square in Germantown is being taken over by Goodwill Industries. Romance Dry Cleaners closed last year at 11500 Middlebrook Road after decades of service. The non-profit plans to convert the space into a donation drop-off center. Construction is expected to begin by winter.

Aerospace firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for 2nd headquarters

Colorado-based defense and aerospace firm Auria, following the model of Amazon with its HQ2, sought a location to establish a new East Coast corporate headquarters. You will be absolutely shocked to learn that the company came to the same conclusion as Amazon, and has chosen Fairfax County over Montgomery County. Auria announced it will open its HQ2 at 2000 Edmund Halley Drive in Reston. The headquarters will also contain research, development, and system integration facilities, which will enhance testing and product demonstration capabilities. Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Council will have to again save their ribbon cutting scissors for the next convenience store opening.

"We are proud to welcome Auria’s East Coast headquarters to Fairfax," Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said in a statement yesterday. She said the company's decision "reflects confidence in our business environment, strategic location, and our continued support of innovative aerospace and defense companies."

We could talk about the lower taxes and business-friendly environment of Northern Virginia compared to Montgomery County, which has the highest total tax and fee burden in the entire region. But let's look again at the critical factor of access to Dulles International Airport, essential for any serious international businessperson. The site chosen by Auria is an 8 minute drive away from Dulles. Montgomery County still lacks direct access to Dulles, thanks to the Montgomery County Council canceling the long-planned Potomac River crossing of I-370 to Route 28 in the Dulles area. Doh!

Indecent exposure at apartment complex in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of indecent exposure at an apartment complex this past Friday morning, October 23, 2026. The incident was reported in the 400 block of Allied Place at 8:45 AM. Police were called to a garage on the premises to investigate.