Israeli defense firm chooses Virginia for U.S. headquarters

Israeli defense firm Smart Shooter has selected the location for its new U.S. headquarters, and - surprise! - it's Northern Virginia, not Montgomery County. The company, known for its rifle-mounted and hand-held fire control systems, chose Dulles Office Park in Herndon for its U.S. operations center. As you might surmise from the property name, the site is 5 minutes from Dulles International Airport, an essential amenity for international businesspeople. Montgomery County infamously lacks direct access to Dulles, by virtue of County elected officials cancelling the long-planned new Potomac River crossing from I-370 in Gaithersburg to Route 28 in the Dulles area. "I coulda been a contender!" Womp, womp.

Photo courtesy Fairfax County Economic Development Authority/Nikolai Roster

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival tickets now on sale

Tickets for the 2026 edition of the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival are now on sale. The festival will run from November 27 through New Year's Eve, with the exception of Christmas Day. Festival hours will be 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Advance ticket purchase is required for all Winter Lights Events, to control the flow of traffic and ensure a pleasant experience for all participants. Tickets are $15 Monday through Thursday, and $25 Friday through Sunday. Vehicles with 15 or more passengers will be required to pay $35. Tickets may sell out in advance. 

Assault at grocery store in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store Monday afternoon, October 19, 2026. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 800 block of Muddy Branch Road at 5:12 PM. That appears to be the Giant store at Muddy Branch Square. At least one individual was also accused of shoplifting and property damage in the same incident.

Assault at restaurant in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in Montgomery Village yesterday afternoon, after someone was allegedly assaulted there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 18300 block of Contour Road at 5:39 PM Monday. That is at the Montgomery Village Plaza shopping center.

Assault at hotel in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police were called to a hotel yesterday morning, after someone reported having been assaulted there. The assault took place at the Motel 6 at 497 Quince Orchard Road at 3:30 AM. It was reported to police at 7:44 AM. 

Pickpocket strikes at hotel in Germantown

Montgomery County police were called to a hotel in Germantown early Sunday morning, October 11, 2026, after a pickpocket incident was reported there. Officers were called to the Extended Stay America Suites at 20141 Century Boulevard at 1:32 AM. Watch your wallet: remember to carry your wallet in a front pocket when possible, and never leave it unattended at any time.

Farm for sale in Damascus

A 67-acre farm has hit the market for sale in Damascus. 25804 Bowman Acres Lane backs up to a forest buffer of Great Seneca Stream Valley Park. Offered "as is, where is, with all faults," the property is currently improved with a modern primary home built in 2005, but which needs work. There are also the original farmhouse, which needs restoration, and a split-level ranch home constructed in 1994. A pond and several outbuildings complete the portfolio.

The owner has stipulated that only pre-qualified buyers will be permitted to tour the property, so this is a serious-buyers-only situation. Located in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, the property can be subdivided into 11 lots, 8 of which already have approved percs from the County. That means that the owner has already gone through the rigorous and expensive process of testing the soil to determine that at least 8 homes could be built without contaminating the groundwater, and that the soil already has adequate drainage to support that development. The asking price for the farm is $4,000,000, according to the online sale listing.