Montgomery County police arrest suspect in thefts from vehicles in Germantown

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect they say was responsible for some of the thefts from vehicles between June 8 and June 14, 2024 in Germantown. Rami Moussa, 21, of Clarksburg is accused of thefts in the 19700 block of Germantown Road during that time period. Moussa has been charged with 3 counts of rogue and vagabond, 6 counts of attempted rogue and vagabond, two thefts of credit cards, and possession of burglary tools. He was ordered held without bond by Judge Eric John Nee. A trial is scheduled for August 1 in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.

Walnut Hill Shopping Center makeover nearly complete (Photos)

The cosmetic upgrades at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg are entering the home stretch. New facades and logo signage for storefronts are the most obvious updates. Resurfacing and restriping of the center's parking lot is underway. The updated appearance was a requirement by Aldi to agree to become the property's new anchor retail tenant. Still to come are new monument and wayfaring signage, and the eventual construction of a Sheetz convenience store and mega gas station.

Montgomery County McDonald's now offering $5 meal deal

McDonald's restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area began a new promotion for these inflationary times yesterday. A $5 Meal Deal is now being offered for the summer season. The meal includes your choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich, a small fries, a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, and a small soft drink of your choice. According to the McDonald's app, you can also choose a Hot n Spicy McChicken, as well. In addition to Montgomery County and the D.C. suburbs, the deal will also be available at participating McDonald's restaurants in the Baltimore region and on the Eastern Shore.

“We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get,” McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said in a statement Tuesday. “Value has always been part of our DNA. We’re focused on living up to that legacy and offering delicious, affordable options customers can enjoy any time they walk through our doors, go through our drive thru or place an order through our app.”

Amazon Fresh Shady Grove Road store opening in reversal of plans by retail giant (Photos)

Amazon will open its Amazon Fresh grocery store at 15790 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg after all, according to signage posted at the property. This saga began when I broke the story about Amazon leasing the space way back on September 1, 2020. The retail giant completed the interior fit-out of the store by the late summer of 2022, and spent months installing its Just Walk Out system electronics. It then postponed the grand opening to 2023, only to abruptly remove all signage from the building in April of 2023. Many other Amazon Fresh stores - some of them fully-constructed like the Shady Grove location - were also "paused" or canceled around the same time.

But after 14 months of abandonment of the project, Amazon suddenly posted help wanted ads for the Shady Grove Road store at the start of this month. Was this a glitch in Amazon's job site? On June 5, I emailed all three leasing representatives for 270 Center to ask if Amazon had reversed its decision. All three declined to reply to my inquiries. 

The secret can no longer be contained, however. On Sunday, a large banner was posted on the blank storefront with the familiar Amazon logo. Inside the store, more Amazon signage is visible. Parking space reservation signs for curbside pickup and Amazon Flex drivers are massed in the store's vestibule. And self-checkout machines are not only in place, but are activated with lit screens. 

Amazon's decision to go forward with the store is a triple win for the community. It will greatly increase foot traffic to 270 Center and its other tenants, a benefit the property owner has had to wait for nearly four years to realize. Second, Amazon Fresh delivery will now be extended to parts of the area where it has been unavailable. Finally, along with the new Aldi at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center, south Gaithersburg, Derwood, and upper Rockville residents will now have two grocery stores whose business models are centered around competitive pricing. Aldi is expected to open in July; Amazon has not announced the opening date for the Amazon Fresh as of this writing.

Aldi opening in July at Walnut Hill in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Construction has accelerated in the final phase at the Aldi grocery store opening soon at 737 S. Frederick Avenue at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg. The store, which is the center's new anchor tenant, is now expected to open on July 24, 2024, according to Google. Signage is up on the storefront, and checkout counters and shelving are in place inside. Operating hours have been posted on the door. This Aldi is likely to draw many customers from communities like King Farm and Upper Rock in Rockville, as well as from Derwood, as it will be more convenient than the 1501 Rockville Pike location.

StretchLab "coming soon" to Gaithersburg

The aggressive expansion of StretchLab continues in Montgomery County. A Gaithersburg location at 113 Market Street at Kentlands Market Square is the newest location planned for the one-on-one stretching studio. The chain's "flexologists" will guide you toward your health and fitness goals. A downtown Bethesda location was announced last week, an existing location has been open for some time at Chevy Chase Lake, and others are in the works. When the Gaithersburg location opens, look for it between Kentlands Dentistry and Bath & Floor Stiles.

Losing to Virginia on another factory, is Montgomery County in the hunt for IKEA manufacturing site?

Montgomery County and Maryland were beaten in the economic development game again by Virginia yesterday. Will they be players in the next big manufacturing competition, for an IKEA factory on American soil? Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's office announced Tuesday that his state had won the competition for a 400,000-square-foot Condair Group AG manufacturing facility. The press release indicated that Virginia and South Carolina were the two finalists. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported this past weekend that IKEA is scouting for factory locations in the United States, due to increasing disruptions in international shipping lanes.

Virginia could already have a [LÖVBACKEN table] leg up in the IKEA race, as the Swedish furniture giant previously operated its only U.S. factory in Danville, Virginia from 2008 to 2019. It ultimately closed that plant, shipping its 300 jobs back to Europe. Montgomery County has plenty of room for an IKEA plant in the I-270 corridor, where there is also potential direct rail access to the CSX Metropolitan Subdivision for domestic or port shipping purposes. Of course, Baltimore, Hagerstown and Cumberland are among the struggling Maryland cities that could use an IKEA plant to help revive their once-mighty industrial areas.

There's no indication of Montgomery County or Maryland having been in the hunt for the Condair plant. The $57.2 million investment by Condair in Chesterfield County, Virginia will create 180 good-paying industrial jobs with full benefits. Instead of Condair products being exported out of the Port of Baltimore, they'll be headed out of Richmond Marine Terminal in Virginia, according to the press release.

"When an international brand like Condair makes the decision to locate in Virginia, the positive ripple-effects of economic investment, job creation and cargo growth are felt throughout the Commonwealth," Virginia Port Authority CEO Stephen A. Edwards said in a statement. "The Port of Virginia will be among the beneficiaries of Condair’s location in Chesterfield County, which is not far from Richmond Marine Terminal. We are ready to collaborate with Condair to help it leverage the assets of this port — America’s most modern gateway — to ensure it has access to world markets." 

"Virginia is the perfect location for the international company Condair to establish its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility," Youngkin said in a statement Tuesday. "We applaud the 21st century manufacturing jobs that this project will bring to Chesterfield County."

Signage installed at Prime IV in Gaithersburg

The sign is up at Prime IV, opening soon at 117 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Prime IV offers IV hydration and vitamin drips, injections, oxygen treatment and massage chairs. Various levels of membership up to VIP status will be available. Prime IV is expanding to several new locations in Montgomery County; their first, that is already open, is in downtown Bethesda.

Village Center Beer & Wine broken into in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Village Center Beer & Wine at 9991 Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village on May 28, 2024. The burglary was reported in the "early morning" hours. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the store. An unspecified amount of merchandise was stolen. 

Police describe the suspect only as a male of undetermined age. If you have any information about this incident or suspect, you are asked to call police at (301) 279-8000.

Local UFCW unions endorse Alsobrooks in Maryland U.S. Senate race, Trump embraces critic Hogan

Three local United Food & Commercial Workers unions endorsed Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) in the race for Ben Cardin's Maryland U.S. Senate seat yesterday. UFCW Local 400, UFCW Local 27, and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO represent over 30,000 members who are registered voters in Maryland. Those members work in a wide variety of fields, including grocery stores, retail, health care, food processing, meatpacking, chemical processing, cannabis, and gaming, as well as in the public sector. UFCW Local 1994 represents many Montgomery County government employees, for example.

UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne

“Angela Alsobrooks is a champion for working families, and a relentless advocate for justice and equity,” UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne said in a statement Thursday. “Her commitment to the people of Maryland and her proven track record of leadership make her the ideal candidate for the U.S. Senate. I am proud to endorse Angela Alsobrooks, confident that she will fight tirelessly for our rights and our future.”

Alsobrooks receiving the endorsement of
local 1199 SEIU union in February

The choice of labor to support Alsobrooks is not necessarily a surprising development in the general election contest, which pits the Prince George's leader against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in a statewide election that may determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Alsobrooks has already garnered many union endorsements in the race, including several local SEIU unions, and the Amalgamated Transit Union. Thursday's endorsements give her the backing of 13 labor organizations, based upon the list on her campaign website.

Former Gov. Larry Hogan receiving endorsement
of Ocean City and Worcester County firefighters in
Ocean City

Hogan has received six union endorsements himself, many representing first responders in the state. Among those supporting the Republican are the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.), the nation’s oldest maritime labor union representing officers of the United States Merchant Marines, Ocean City Career Firefighter Paramedics Association IAFF Local 4269, Worcester County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4916, the International Union of Police Associations, the State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance (SLEOLA), and the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 333. The latter represents more than 2,000 maritime workers at the busy Port of Baltimore.

One endorsement Hogan didn't necessarily expect was that of President Donald Trump, whom the former governor has heavily criticized for years. But he got it anyway Thursday, only a week after Trump surrogates declared Hogan's Senate hopes dead, after the Marylander asked his fellow Americans to respect the verdict in Trump's New York trial. 

Trump's habit of embracing even his harshest critics at the drop of a hat can be seen by some as shrewd, and by others as nonsensical. But Trump's transactional relationship style has served him well for decades in business and politics, making his endorsement of Hogan not entirely shocking. On balance, the Trump nod may even help Hogan, if "Lockdown Larry"-averse MAGA voters end up begrudgingly following their leader's directive.

Photos courtesy Alsobrooks for Senate, UFCW Local 1994, Hogan for Maryland, Inc.

Germantown's Roberto Clemente MS students among top 3 winners in MCDOT "Paint the Plow" contest

Top winners from Westland MS in Bethesda

This winter, Montgomery County residents may see one or more of the County snowplows decorated by Montgomery County Public Schools students during the County Department of Transportation's "Paint the Plow" contest. Teams from 16 middle schools in the MCPS system participated. MCDOT provided the snowplows and paint materials, and each team had four days to name and decorate their plow. The plows were displayed at MCDOT's annual Truck Day on June 1, and attendees voted for the top three winning plows.

Redland MS in Derwood

Bethesda's Westland Middle School team won the top prize of $500 for its Road Runner "Beep Beep" and Pokemon Squirtle design. Redland Middle School in Derwood took second, with a prize of $300, for their team's Snoopy-inspired "Scoopy" plow. Coming in third for $200 was the team from Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown, who went full zombie with their plow's Zombinator theme.

Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown

“The annual Truck Day and Paint the Plow contest lets us showcase the vital role public works employees play in contributing to and enhancing our quality of life,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin said in a statement. “Public works employees are on the front lines during emergency conditions, including winter weather events, and these snowplows will serve as a reminder of the valuable work they do.” 

County Executive Marc Elrich

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praised the student winners and the County's public works employees, including snowplow drivers. “I want to thank MCPS and the participating students and teachers for helping us recognize the hard work and dedication of our public works employees. From keeping our streets clear of snow and ice, paving our roads and collecting yard debris, to maintaining our vital sanitary and storm sewer systems, their efforts keep our County safe, clean and thriving.” 

Mason's Lobster Rolls "coming soon" in Gaithersburg

"Coming soon" signage has been posted at the future Gaithersburg location of Mason's Lobster Rolls. It will be located at 201 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront, near Chipotle. Mason's offers Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls. They have several Washington, D.C. locations, as well as one at National Harbor in gorgeous Prince George's County. 

NIST begins joint research on Secure Digital ID for public benefits

The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg has embarked on a collaborative project to adapt NIST's digital identity guidelines to the administration of public benefits programs. These include programs that help beneficiaries pay for food, housing, medical and other living expenses. The initiative gained momentum due to large-scale fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic benefits.

NIST is teaming up with the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University, and the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, on the project. The partners are attempting to balance security concerns with potential impacts on privacy, "due process," and "potential biases in systems that disproportionately impact communities of color and marginalized groups."

"To improve benefits delivery to the U.S. public, it is vital that agencies balance access and security," Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio said in a statement this morning. "Different populations have different needs, barriers and circumstances that must be considered, and this collaboration will bring together a diverse set of communities to do just that."

Clarksburg home burglarized

Montgomery County police are investigating the break-in at a home in Clarksburg on May 29, 2024. The burglary occurred sometime between 10:20 AM and 11:48 AM that morning, detectives say. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry. However, to this point, nothing has been identified as having been taken. Police describe the suspect as a Black male around 20-years-of-age.

D1 Seafood Buffet opening in Germantown

A new buffet restaurant is coming to the Germantown Town Center. D1 Seafood Buffet has leased the building that was most-recently home to Sushi Legend at 19961 Century Boulevard. Construction is expected to commence soon. 

D1 plans to largely retain the existing kitchen, restrooms, full bar and dining area from Sushi Legend, but an existing counter space will be converted into a large buffet bar area, so the construction should be much quicker than a full interior fit-out would take. This is a prime location for a tenant who can make it work, diagonally across from the Regal Cinemas, and right by the Germantown Transit Center.

Free donuts at Dunkin' Donuts in upper Montgomery County this Friday, June 7

National Donut Day is this Friday, June 7, 2024. That means free donuts at your local Dunkin' Donuts in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Damascus, Clarksburg, Montgomery Village, and Poolesville. Get a free donut with the purchase of any beverage, including the limited-time drinks of summer 2024 like the Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee or the Vanilla Frosted Donut Iced Coffee Signature Latte. 

Dunkin' Donuts has also teamed up with Scrub Daddy to create two Dunkin' Donuts-themed sponges. The Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy sponges come as a set for $9.98 plus shipping. They can be ordered online. 

Photos courtesy Dunkin' Donuts

Armed carjacking in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking in Germantown late Monday night, June 3, 2024. The carjacking was reported at a gas station in the 19400 block of Walter Johnson Road at 11:48 PM Monday.