Self-storage unit burglarized in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at a self-storage facility in Gaithersburg yesterday afternoon. The burglary was reported at a self-storage complex in the 8500 block of Snouffer School Road at 2:55 PM Thursday. Police have not identified the specific business, but that appears to be the U-Haul Moving & Storage facility at 8501 Snouffer School Road. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry into at least one storage unit. They determined that items were stolen from the unit.

Road rage in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a road rage incident in Germantown yesterday morning, August 12, 2026. The incident was reported at the intersection of Father Hurley Boulevard and Waters Landing Drive between 10:00 and 10:30 AM Wednesday. According to police, amid a road rage dispute, one driver displayed a handgun to the other. No description of the suspect was released.

Aspen Dental, Jersey Mike's lease spaces at new strip mall in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg's newest strip mall has secured its first two tenants. Aspen Dental and Jersey Mike's have leased inline spaces at Matan Companies' Progress Way development at the intersection of Route 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue. The new strip mall structure is joining existing tenants Sheetz and Chick-Fil-A, which each have pad sites. Formerly home to IBM and Leidos, the property also has industrial buildings leased by AstraZeneca and Montgomery County Public Schools.

Car stolen from dealership in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car at an auto dealership in Gaithersburg on July 27, 2026. The vehicle was stolen sometime in the early morning hours from Mr. 301 Auto Sales at 8061 Snouffer School Road. No suspect descriptions, vehicle description, or surveillance camera images have been released in this case. If you have any information regarding this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Sleepy burglar arrested in Gaithersburg

A burglar broke into a business in Gaithersburg sometime overnight between Tuesday night and yesterday morning, only to fall asleep once inside. Workers discovered the sound sleeper at 9:53 AM inside a business in the 600 block of N. Frederick Avenue. They called police, who took the intruder into custody. Officers found no evidence that the burglar had pocketed anything while inside.

Taiwan's MedVoyage Global chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Is Northern Virginia tired of winning yet? No! And fortunately for them, Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials aren't tired of losing. Thus it is that the Taiwanese firm MedVoyage Global has chosen Virginia, not Maryland, for its U.S. headquarters. The MedVoyage HQ will be at 10300 Eaton Place, at the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) in Fairfax City. MedVoyage is a leading firm in the future of healthcare, using a low-Earth-orbit satellite network to deliver telehealth and pharmacy services to remote areas in 40 countries, to ships at sea, and to over 80 bricks-and-mortar medical centers across the globe, as well as connecting these remote customers with emergency response units.

Now MedVoyage is expanding into the North American healthcare market, and has chosen Northern Virginia as its base to scale up system and sales operations, as well as to navigate federal regulatory red tape. "Over the next two years, the company plans to scale its local workforce with systems engineers, clinical compliance specialists, and commercial sales executives," the Fairfax City Economic Development corporation said in a statement this morning. FCED added that this latest victory "further strengthens Fairfax City’s role within Northern Virginia’s innovation economy."

"Selecting Fairfax City for our U.S. headquarters is a foundational step in our global scaling strategy," MedVoyage Global CEO Nemo Teng said in a statement. "MEC Fairfax offers the ideal soft-landing environment and unparalleled access to the Northern Virginia tech ecosystem, placing us minutes away from critical federal and defense stakeholders such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Defense. This facility allows us to rapidly build strategic U.S. partnerships, access premier regional engineering talent, and deploy our emergency and maritime telehealth solutions across North America."

Anyone familiar with local geography will realize that Montgomery County is also in close proximity to these same federal and defense stakeholders. So, why does Northern Virginia keep winning, and Montgomery County keep losing?

You can look at the most obvious difference, which is the low tax environment of Virginia versus Montgomery County, which weighs down its residents and businesses with the highest total tax and fee burden in the region. But let's again go a step further, and see how once again Northern Virginia's superior infrastructure triumphs over Montgomery County's incomplete master plan highway system and poor airport access.

MedVoyage Global's new U.S. HQ will sit right beside an on-ramp to Interstate 66, and directly adjacent to U.S. Route 50. That will give MedVoyage a straight shot to Dulles International Airport via Route 50, or even faster with tolls via I-66. In contrast, Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials continue to block construction of the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing of I-370 from Gaithersburg to Dulles. 

As much as Northern Virginia enjoys winning, so do corporations that need to make something called profits. Winning is contagious. And winners like to have direct access to the only airport in the region with the frequency and variety of flights to international destinations that international businesspeople require to compete - Dulles International Airport. Thanks to our anti-business, Marxist "leadership," Montgomery County continues to lack that strategic advantage - by choice!!

In another delicious coincidence, did you know that Montgomery County's unfinished master plan highway system would have also extended I-66 access into Bethesda? The unbuilt Northwest Freeway, which would have paralleled Wisconsin Avenue through Bethesda, Friendship Heights and Tenleytown, would have crossed the Potomac on the also-unbuilt Three Sisters Bridge and (surprise!) also-unbuilt I-266 near Georgetown University. And you wonder where Montgomery County got all that land for tiny parks and big parking garages between Wisconsin Avenue and the Town of Chevy Chase!

By learning to love losing.

Assault at restaurant in Germantown

Two people were assaulted at a restaurant in Germantown yesterday, August 3, 2026. Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in the 12900 block of Middlebrook Road at 10:03 PM Monday. According to police, two people were arguing outside of the restaurant. A third individual approached and pepper sprayed them. The suspect was described by police only as "a man."

Indecent exposure at pool in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a pool in Germantown Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2026. The incident was reported at a pool in the 13600 block of Ale House Circle at 4:51 PM. That is a pool located within the Millstone at Kingsview apartment complex, off of Germantown Road.

Montgomery County Council seeks to remove neighborhood veto power on "benefit performances"

The Montgomery County Council is proposing to strip residents of their existing veto power over "benefit performances" staged in their residential neighborhoods. Currently, entities and organizations - with a few exceptions, such as fire departments and religious institutions - who propose to hold a live music event, carnival, festival, or other performance to raise charitable funds must obtain consent from 75% of residents whose homes are within 600 feet of the performance site. Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-11: Temporary Uses - Benefit Performances would entirely eliminate this veto authority from neighbors. If passed, the ZTA would merely require that those residents be notified that they are going to be treated to a benefit performance, whether they like it or not. The performances could last as long as 15 days(!!).

I would venture to say that few Montgomery County residents are even aware that they currently possess this veto authority, much less that the Council is conniving to relieve them of it. The move continues a trend for the Council - when they're not banning stuff or raising taxes, they're systematically removing residents' ability to express objection or input on controversial matters they want to ram through, from development and road diets to bike lanes, bus depots, landfills and jails. A public hearing on the ZTA is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

Potbelly closes at Gaithersburg Square

Potbelly has closed at 544 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. Signage has been ripped off the storefront, and the interior appears to have been cleared out. The sandwich chain is actually in an expansion mode of significant growth, only closing low performing stores. Once again, the anti-business policies of the Montgomery County Council - and the resulting moribund economy - claim another victim.

Fugitive alleged thieves found at Motel 6 in Gaithersburg

Two men accused of multiple thefts from vehicles in Bethesda were located at one of my favorite hotels in Montgomery County, the Motel 6 at 497 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg. Say what you will, but these two fellas have got great taste when it comes to lodging. Craig Pendergrass, 30, of Silver Spring and Antonio Gordon, 38, of Frederick may have been expecting Tom Bodett when they heard a knock on their door, but it turned out to be Montgomery's Finest. 

Police claim numerous stolen items, including electronics and other property linked to the Bethesda thefts, were found in their hotel room. Two firearms previously reported stolen in a separate Montgomery County case were also recovered. Pendergrass and Gordon were arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft: $1,500 to under $25,000, rogue and vagabond and related charges. They are being held without bond. 

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department 

Lil' Cakes & Creamery for sale in Gaithersburg

Lil' Cakes & Creamery at 488 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square is being offered for sale. The asking price is $300,000, according to the online sale listing. That includes $30,000 worth of equipment, but does not include inventory. The business is a franchised dessert shop featuring baked goods and ice cream. It opened here in 2019.

Watkins Mill Town Center: Promises made, promises broken

Montgomery County taxpayers, and early homebuyers, were sold a vision of the Watkins Mill Town Center shortly after the Montgomery County cartel seized a majority of the seats on the County Council in 2002. Over twenty years later - like the similarly promoted Clarksburg Town Center - the Watkins Mill Town Center remains an empty field. Nowhere to be found are the promised shops, restaurants, and movie theater with a special liquor license that predated the lobby bars that would pop up in County cinemas a decade later. And no Corridor Cities Transitway light rail connects Watkins Mill to the Shady Grove Metro station - or anything else for that matter.

Like Clarksburg, all of the highly-profitable residential housing was built at Watkins Mill. But the less profitable commercial construction and amenities? You're on your own, baby, the Council and City of Gaithersburg told residents. Hey, you got a mega gas station and Starbucks on the other side of the highway, so shut up and quit your complaining.

Taxpayers who picked up the tab for new services and classrooms will well remember that the developers involved helped get favored County and City officials elected. Their campaign signs were even erected on the property. They got elected, and prospered. The developers prospered. You, the taxpayer? Not so much. 

It follows the Montgomery County cartel model we've seen everywhere from Westbard to downtown Bethesda and White Oak. Developers and their planning and legislative puppets promise the world. They get their approvals. Then they take the money and run - for the hills, or for re-election. Amenities are deleted. Master plans ignored. Commercial land gets rezoned for more and more housing. 

Watkins Mill Town Center. Promises made. Promises broken.

Whip Clean Car Wash opens in Gaithersburg

Whip Clean Car Wash is now open at 391 Muddy Branch Road, at the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center in Gaithersburg. You can go through for a single wash at a la carte pricing, or sign up to save with a membership. The results have been impressive, based on the photos posted online by the first customers so far. Operating hours are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sundays.

Model homes open at Watkins Mill Station in Gaithersburg

Model homes are now open to tour at Pulte Homes' Watkins Mill Station development at 506 Parkview Avenue in Gaithersburg. The development features stacked 2-level townhome-style condos, which start at $584,990. When completed, the property will offer a Clubhouse with a fitness room, an outdoor swimming pool, a pavilion, a tot lot, and two pocket parks. What's most interesting is how close it is to the actual train station that inspired its name. You are literally steps away from the platform at the Metropolitan Grove MARC commuter rail station. This could be a real boon for the person who works in downtown Silver Spring, or near Union Station in Washington, D.C., or for train buffs who want a front row seat to the Amtrak, CSX, and MARC Brunswick Line trains passing through this station.

Gina's Cucina Siciliana opening in Gaithersburg

Gina's Cucina Siciliana is coming soon to Gaithersburg. A banner has been posted above the storefront formerly home to Cinco de Mayo at 640 Center Point Way at Kentlands Market Square. Yes, there was a real Gina, and her son is bringing her recipes and culinary inspirations all the way from Porto Empedocle to Montgomery County later this year. Look for Gina's right next to Andy's Pizza.

Arby's coming soon to Red Mill Shops

Derwood will soon "have the meats." Arby's has leased the building formerly home to McDonald's at 7200 Muncaster Mill Road at the Red Mill Shops shopping center. The McDonald's closed here this past March. It will be an ironic transformation, as an Arby's restaurant on Rockville Pike was recently converted into a McDonald's. Now Arby's will return the favor in Derwood.

Millie's Ice Cream opening in Gaithersburg

Millie's Ice Cream is coming soon to Gaithersburg. It will be located at 202 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown, next to El Güero Mexicano. Co-founder Chad Townsend, launched the Pittsburgh-based chain with the impulse purchase of a Paco-Jet™ machine. Flavors include standbys like Chad's Vanilla, and seasonal varieties like this summer's Root Beer Float. Today, the Paco-Jet has been replaced by their manufacturing facility at Homestead, Pennsylvania, that supplies all locations.

Maryland has 2nd-worst economy in America, CNBC finds

Maryland has the second-worst economy in the U.S., CNBC found in its 2026 Worst State Economies in America survey, the results of which were released today. "Economic growth and job growth nearly flatlined in Maryland over the past year," the cable TV business channel noted in its analysis. "[H]igh costs, unpredictable taxes, and growing regulatory burdens," are each a drag on the state's economy, as is an over-reliance on government jobs and federal funds. A new IT services tax walloped businesses, sending many firms packing for greener pastures in other states. Especially hard hit by the IT tax were government contractors, a painful irony in a state where little beyond government has been growing this century.

Some factors in CNBC's criteria certainly hit Maryland where it hurts. These included job growth, economic growth, and the number of major companies headquartered in the state. The first two "flatlined" over the last 12 months, in CNBC's own word, and Maryland hasn't attracted a single new major corporate headquarters this century. In fact, the story has been the number of companies leaving the state. "Budget situation" isn't a category any Maryland elected official would want to delve into publicly. Debt? Maryland and Montgomery County are both in deadly serious trouble on that front, as well.

"Small business survival rates?" Ho ho. The ubiquitous "Going Out of Business" and "Everything must go!!!" signs in Montgomery County storefront windows tell a most tragic story indeed.

"Maryland finds itself in a deep hole in 2026, with no easy way out of it," CNBC concluded. But the picture is even bleaker than the one painted by the already-stinging rebuke of a friendly, liberal news outlet. They didn't even mention the budget apocalypse currently forecast for the state in 2030. 

Can we continue to whistle past the graveyard, raising taxes and instituting new ones? Refusing for radical ideological reasons to construct the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area? Continuing to block completion of our master plan highway system? Keep on losing, and often hardly trying, in the corporate HQ relocation sweepstakes?

We could. And we just might end up topping CNBC's worst list in the future. It's one of the few things within easy reach for the buffoonish incompetents currently running Montgomery County and Maryland. After all, "We're number two - we try harder."

Signage installed at Orange Pocket in Gaithersburg

Signage has been installed above the future storefront of Orange Pocket at 30 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The Asian-themed variety store is expected to open next month at the Peterson Cos. property. Based in Texas, the chain carries 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. Claw games and Bandai Gashapon machines will provide additional diversions for shoppers.