Orange Pocket opening at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Orange Pocket is coming to Gaithersburg later this summer. The Asian variety store chain has leased a space at 30 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront. Specializing in products imported from, or inspired by, Japan and South Korea, you might expect this to be a China-based chain like competitors who have recently arrived in Montgomery County. But Orange Pocket is actually based in Texas, like many other smart companies these days.

What does "Orange Pocket" mean? The company only describes it as "a small space packed with big finds." Those finds include blind boxes, Labubu toys, anime figurines, plush toys, sought-after Japanese and South Korean cosmetics and beauty products, house and kitchen wares, stationary, pet products, and Asian snacks. Customers can also pass the time playing the claw and Bandai Gashapon machines. Orange Pocket is currently promising an August opening.

Pepco tells Maryland customers, "It's not us"

 The most recent two U.S. presidents have had to get used to having their likeness slapped onto gas pumps via "I did that!" stickers, when their policy decisions have led to rising gas prices. Less eager to take credit for exploding electricity bills is Pepco, which is once again taking pains to inform customers that government is indeed the problem. "Higher energy bills can be challenging, and we want you to understand what's driving those changes," the Exelon-owned utility explained in a message to ratepayers with this month's bill. And explain they do, but not as extensively as they should, requiring us to employ the Annapolis Anger Translator (AAT) for full disclosure.

First culprit on the list is the regional grid operator PJM. Pepco notes that PJM "is increasing electricity supply prices for our area. Pepco does not generate electricity or set these prices — we pass these charges through directly to customers with no markup. These increases are due to factors such as higher demand and tight energy supply."

Using the AAT, we can expand on this to learn that the actual electricity rates paid by consumers in Maryland are set by the Maryland Public Service Commission, a body appointed by...whoops!...the governor of Maryland, and approved by the Democratic-controlled Maryland State Senate. 

Why is there a "tight energy supply?" Perhaps because Maryland elected officials forced the closure of 8 power plants across the state. As a result, Maryland itself can no longer generate enough power to supply the demands of residents and businesses, and is now forced to import electricity from out-of-state at inflated boardwalk prices.

Pepco also highlights the EmPOWER MD surcharge that appears on your monthly bill. Like many other "sneak taxes," elected officials hope that you will assume these taxes, fees, and surcharges are being levied by the service provider, not your corrupt leaders. The reality is that this surcharge was levied by the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. It is a Karl Marxian Communist initiative of the highest order. Your hard-earned money goes into a slush fund used to pay for "green" upgrades to poor people's homes. From each according to his abilities...well, you get the idea.

Not mentioned is the latest hoax: data centers, the latest pass-the-buck punching bag for politicians trying to divert public attention from their direct role in the affordability crisis. No, data centers in Maryland are not the reason your Pepco bill keeps going up. It's a boogeyman far more familiar to you: your unfriendly neighborhood elected official. The call is indeed coming from inside the house.

Police respond to assault at school in Clarksburg

Montgomery County police were called to a school in Clarksburg yesterday afternoon, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a school in the 23900 block of Burdette Forest Road at 5:12 PM Wednesday. Little Bennett Elementary School is located at 23930 Burdette Forest Road.

Shooting in Damascus

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a shooting in Damascus last night. The shooting was reported in the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Road at 10:33 PM. That is a notoriously high-crime area of Damascus, and home to a cluster of Section 8 housing. Officers responding to the scene found a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Police have not provided an update on his condition as of this writing.

Squatter evicted from Gaithersburg apartment

A squatter was discovered inside a vacant apartment in Gaithersburg last Friday, June 12, 2026. The squatter was found inside an apartment in the 800 block of Clopper Road at 5:00 PM. When confronted, the suspect fled the building.

Strong-arm robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg Saturday night, June 13, 2026. The assault and robbery were reported on Rio Boulevard at 10:08 PM Saturday. 

Austrian life sciences firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Austrian life sciences firm Ringana has made the United States the target of its next international expansion push, but first it needed a U.S. corporate headquarters to operate from. It has found the perfect location, and you won't be surprised to hear it is not in Montgomery County, or even within the state of Maryland. You also won't be surprised to learn that Virginia is once again the winner in this latest corporate HQ sweepstakes. That's right: 435 jobs are on the way from the Österreich to 2797 Frontage Road NW in Roanoke, Virginia. The former Johnson & Johnson site will not only house corporate offices, but also a manufacturing facility and a distribution center.

The deal was apparently secured when Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger invited Ringana corporate leadership to meet with her personally this past February. In contrast, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has failed to turn his supposedly-massive Rolodex of Wall Street, Hamptons, and Martha's Vineyard business contacts into a single major corporate headquarters win. After an awkward few months dominated by divisive partisan politics, Spanberger seems to have found the blueprint left behind by her Democratic predecessors, who have typically been as successful in attracting corporate headquarters as their Republican counterparts.

“RINGANA’s decision to establish its first U.S. facility in Virginia underscores the Commonwealth’s reputation as a welcoming, premier destination for international investment,” Spanberger said in a statement. “With our world-class workforce, strong apprenticeship and career training programs, and unwavering commitment to supporting global companies in a global marketplace, Virginia offers the ideal environment for businesses to grow and succeed in the United States. We are excited to welcome RINGANA to Roanoke and look forward to the hundreds of career opportunities this partnership will create for Virginians.”

We should take note of the site chosen by Ringana. Look how close it is to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, which has connecting flights to Dulles International Airport. Also nearby is Interstate 81, a major freight trucking route connecting Tennessee and Canada. Once again, Virginia tax advantages join with infrastructure to hand Maryland and Montgomery County yet another economic development loss. MoCo and Maryland elected officials will tell you with clownish pride that "we don't do highways," and that they will never allow construction of the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area.

Now before we get too carried away, I don't want to overhype Ringana. We should be focused on major corporations, especially on aerospace, biotech, defense, and technology firms. Ringana is not a Fortune 500 company. But it has enjoyed $245 million in annual revenue, and 30% year-over-year revenue growth. It will be investing $85 million in Virginia and its people and communities. The Roanoke Regional Partnership is already working to connect local businesses that can provide services to Ringana with the company's leadership.

Beggars can't be choosers. Montgomery County and Maryland once again are left holding their nearly-empty begging cups.