Armed robbery in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Germantown yesterday afternoon, December 30, 2025. The robbery took place in the 19900 block of Century Boulevard at 3:07 PM Tuesday. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery.

Samsung Biologics acquires GSK manufacturing facility in Montgomery County

 

Some rare good news out of Annapolis about the rare bright spot in the moribund Montgomery County economy: biotech. Samsung Biologics has just acquired the GlaxoSmithKline manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced yesterday. GSK had announced earlier this year that it would be moving its vaccine research and development operations from that Rockville facility to Massachusetts. Samsung's acquisition will keep more than 500 existing jobs at the site, and add an unspecified number of additional jobs as Samsung adds potential production lines for other local biotech firms in the future.

Moore was hands-on in recruiting the South Korean firm. He personally met with Samsung Biologics executives earlier this year during an international trade and investment mission to Japan and South Korea to promote economic growth and workforce development. 

“We are thrilled that Samsung Biologics has selected Maryland for their first U.S. manufacturing facility, a testament to our state’s leadership in life sciences, our highly-skilled workforce and the commitment of our private and public sector to advance patient health around the globe,” Moore said in a statement Monday. “During our Asia trade mission, we were excited to share with Samsung Biologics executives the many reasons why Maryland is an ideal foothold from which the company can execute its long-term strategy to expand in the U.S. market.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who has targeted life sciences in his efforts to attract high-wage jobs to the County, joined Moore in celebrating the win yesterday. “The acquisition of GSK’s Rockville manufacturing campus by Samsung Biologics represents a significant achievement for Montgomery County,” Elrich said in the statement released by Moore's office. “This $280 million investment brings the world's largest contract drug manufacturer to Montgomery County, ensuring U.S.-based manufacturing continues, safeguarding over 500 current jobs, and setting the stage for further growth as Samsung boosts production capacity. It serves as a robust endorsement of the ecosystem we have cultivated, which is founded on talent, diversity, and enduring partnerships. We proudly welcome Samsung Biologics to Montgomery County, Maryland, and anticipate their contribution in enhancing our economy, workforce, and status as a global life sciences hub.”

Hobby Lobby begins hiring for Gaithersburg store

 

Hobby Lobby's first Montgomery County store is currently under construction at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center. Now the big box crafts retailer has begun hiring employees for this location. An ad posted on X seeks a Retail Co-Manager for the store, which sits on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. "Join our team and let your creativity flourish in Gaithersburg, MD," the Christmas-sweater-themed post says. "Are you ready for the opportunity to thrive as a manager?"

Strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village early on Christmas Eve. The assault and robbery were reported in the 9600 block of Nature Trail at 1:15 AM Wednesday. That is in a recently-constructed townhome development.

Update on Koi Sushi in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress inside and outside of Koi Sushi, opening soon at 201 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The window coverings have been removed, and the interior fit-out appears complete. Decor and decorative light fixtures are in place. It was slow-going for over a year, but it looks like the restaurant could realistically open shortly after the start of the new year.

Quincy's Golf & Social "coming soon" to Gaithersburg

"Coming soon" signage has been posted above the future storefront of Quincy's Golf & Social in Gaithersburg. It will be located at 245 Kentlands Boulevard. Golf simulators and a PGA Tour Pro Shop will be among the amenities at this latest venture by the Quincy's chain. 

Sheetz construction begins at Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg

Construction of the second Sheetz location in Gaithersburg is getting underway at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 733 S. Frederick Avenue. The area of the parking lot where the convenience store and mega gas station will be built has been fenced off. Heavy equipment is beginning to tear up the asphalt. Sheetz previously announced that its first Gaithersburg store at 751 Progress Way was doing excellent business, so it's not surprising that the company is moving expeditiously to get a second store up and running.

Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen opening in Gaithersburg

Here's a positive "Florida Man" news report: Chef Rachid Eido is expanding his Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen franchise to Maryland. It will be at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg, at 212 Boardwalk Place. That's next to IT'SUGAR. Eido is actually a native of Beirut, where he learned the art of authentic Lebanese cooking, with the flavors, aromatic spices, and warm hospitality it is known for.

Italian aerospace firm chooses Virginia for rocket motor manufacturing facility

 

Were Maryland and Montgomery County even courting global aerospace firm Avio S.p.A in its search for a site to build a $500 million solid rocket motor manufacturing facility? We may never know. But we do know that the Italian firm has selected Virginia as the winner for the high-tech factory. The 860,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility will produce solid rocket motors for defense tactical and strategic propulsion, as well as commercial space propulsion sectors. 

“I want to thank Avio USA for choosing Virginia,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. “Today’s announcement marks another exciting milestone for our aerospace and defense industry. Avio USA’s decision to build a new rocket motor manufacturing facility here is both an important investment in America’s national security infrastructure and underscores Avio USA’s confidence in Virginia.”

“Avio looks forward to establishing on U.S. soil a solid rocket motor production facility to contribute in strengthening the U.S. industrial base by providing decades of experience in engineering and manufacturing,” Avio S.p.A. CEO Giulio Ranzo said. “In particular, we are thankful for the Commonwealth and local governments’ warm welcome for our project and count on their future support for effective execution.” 

Does Maryland and its counties extend a warm welcome to aerospace firms? Not in this century. The County Council tried to run the last remaining big aerospace firm - Lockheed Martin - out of the county not once, but twice, with radical legislation that made us look like idiots after the bills received national news coverage. "We don't need the Lockheed headquarters," former Councilmember Nancy Floreen declared in the summer of 2010. 

It's no surprise that the County has failed to attract a single major new corporate headquarters in over 25 years. Or that, thanks to the highest personal and corporate tax and fee burden in the Mid-Atlantic region, Montgomery County and Maryland have effectively been in a recession for much of this century. MoCo's crime rate has risen faster and higher than its business and job growth rates as a result. Once the economic engine of the region, Montgomery County is now at or near the bottom across every major economic benchmark tracked by the federal government. Heckuva job, Brownie!

January 1 plastic bag ban looms over Montgomery County

 

The Montgomery County Council is known for doing little beyond raising taxes and the cost of doing business, and banning stuff. Councilmembers were able to do all three in their highest-profile ban of the 2025 legislative session, that of plastic bags. The ban takes effect on January 1, 2026, and impacted businesses across the county are now trying to prepare their customers to buy paper bags (remember how paper bags were causing deforestation, so we were told to use plastic?!) or reusable bags, or - ew! - reuse dirty reusable bags teeming with e coli, salmonella, and God knows what else. Ironically, Safeway, whose customer alert signage is pictured here, got its start as the Sanitary Grocery Company.

MCPS leases final space at former Leidos site in Gaithersburg

Matan Companies has announced that its 44-acre life science and industrial campus fronting I-270 in Gaithersburg, which consists of two 198,000-square-foot Class A buildings at 700 and 750 Progress Way, is now 100% leased. The final piece was the recent execution of a 161,500 SF lease with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), which has leased 161,500 square feet at 700 Progress Way. MCPS joins existing tenants AstraZeneca (198,000 SF full-building lease at 700 Progress Way, signed December 2023) and Daikin Comfort Technologies Distribution, Inc. (36,145 SF at 750 Progress Way, signed May 2024). Matan's announcement did not specify what MCPS plans to use the space for, or the annual cost of the lease to Montgomery County taxpayers.

“We are extremely proud to have delivered and fully leased this state-of-the-art campus,” Matan Companies Director of Leasing James Matan said in a statement. “The diversity of best-in-class occupants—AstraZeneca in life sciences, Daikin in advanced HVAC distribution, and now Montgomery County Public Schools—demonstrates the incredible flexibility and strategic location of these assets along the I-270 corridor.”

Strong-arm robbery in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Germantown last Friday morning, December 12, 2025. The robbery and assault were reported in the 12600 block of Wisteria Drive at 11:00 AM Friday. They took place along the street in a commercial area.

Burglary spree in Poolesville

One burglar went on a broad daylight burglary spree in a residential neighborhood in Poolesville on December 1, 2025. According to Montgomery County police, the burglar was successful in obtaining entry to three homes in the Stoney Springs neighborhood between 12:13 PM and 2:00 PM that afternoon. One home entered was in the 17600 block of Cobb Avenue, and the other two were in the 20200 block of McNamara Road. Police describe the suspect only as a White male of unknown age.

Assault reported at Montgomery Village Middle School

Montgomery County police were summoned to Montgomery Village Middle School at 19300 Watkins Mill Road in Montgomery Village this past Monday, December 8, 2025. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the school at 1:20 PM that afternoon.

Assault at 7-Eleven in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a 7-Eleven in Germantown last night, December 9, 2025. The assault was reported at the 7-Eleven at 12861 Clopper Road at 6:03 PM Tuesday. 

Starbucks adds Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles to menu

Check out what's new at Starbucks for the holiday season. Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles are starting to pop up on menus at Starbucks locations across Montgomery County in recent days. Three bite-size Belgian waffles are shaken in a Cinnamon Dolce Shake Shake Topping, and served warm and golden brown. The waffles are available all day long, not just for breakfast.

Assault at Gaithersburg bar

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a bar near the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg early Sunday morning, December 7, 2025. The assault was reported at a bar in the 8000 block of Snouffer School Road at 2:44 PM Sunday. Police did not identify the name of the establishment.

Aggravated assault in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in Montgomery Village on November 27, 2025. The assault was reported in the 9100 block of Rothbury Drive at 6:58 PM. Police say the two victims were confronted by a male suspect displaying a weapon. He allegedly proceeded to assault them and fled.

Police describe the suspect only as a Hispanic male of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Two Story Chimney Ciderworks to close in Gaithersburg

 

Two Story Chimney Ciderworks at 7115 Damascus Road in Gaithersburg will permanently close before Christmas, the distillery announced on social media. "We have been so blessed to be a part of this community and so many people’s lives," the post said. "The friendships and bonds will always be cherished. It is time we trade the early morning markets and late night tasting rooms in for time with our family. Our last day will be December 21. Stop in before the end of the year and share some stories and memories."

Sixty Vines seeks permission to add retractable screens to pergola

Sixty Vines, the new restaurant at 212 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, is seeking permission from the City of Gaithersburg to add retractable screens to its outdoor dining pergola structure. The retractable vinyl curtains will utilize the MagnaTrack Vinyl Screen System. Those screens will be black in color, and will not count as increasing the building footprint under City regulations. Sixty Vines' application will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its meeting tonight, December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the application.

Fatal single-vehicle crash claims life of Germantown man in Damascus

A tragic single-vehicle collision in Damascus early Sunday morning has resulted in the death of a 27-year-old Germantown resident. At approximately 4:05 a.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District officers and Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Ridge Road and Kings Valley Road following reports of a crash.

Upon arrival, responders located a gray 2013 Honda Civic coupe that had suffered a catastrophic crash. The vehicle had left the roadway, struck a fire hydrant, hit an embankment, and overturned.

The driver, identified as Bilcher Ronaldino Huinil Lopez, the sole occupant of the car, was ejected from the vehicle and found in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation into the crash suggests the Honda was traveling southbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle. Authorities have indicated that evidence found at the scene suggests that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the fatal collision.

The investigation is currently being led by the Collision Reconstruction Unit of the Montgomery County Police Department. Due to the complex nature of reconstructing the events, it may take several weeks or longer for the investigation to be completed.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information regarding the incident to come forward. Please contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit directly at 240-773-6620.

Aggravated assault in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in Montgomery Village on the evening of November 19, 2025. According to police, the victim was in the 19200 block of Watkins Mill Road at 7:52 PM. That is just south of the Montgomery Village Center. Two suspects assaulted the adult male victim.

Police describe the suspects only as two Black males, aged 25-30. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.