Grocery stores take aim at antiquated Montgomery County liquor laws again

Several grocery chains in Montgomery County are once again enlisting customers in the struggle to overturn the antiquated liquor laws that prevent them from selling beer and wine in Maryland. Signage paid for by the Consumer Freedom Coalition prompts customers to contact their legislators in Annapolis to support bills that would allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine, but not liquor. However, once again, the machine is prevailing in the state capital, and those bills appear unlikely to pass during this session.

The effort had the support of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who was eager to back a popular cause to distract from the new taxes and fees in the FY-2026 state budget, but was opposed by powerful Democrats on committees that first had to approve the bills to move them to the floor for a wider vote. Harris Teeter was the loudest advocate for the change during the administration of previous Governor Larry Hogan, but the campaign stalled when the pandemic hit, and liquor law changes became focused on assisting bars and restaurants by allowing take-out cocktails, for example. Safeway has joined Harris Teeter in the 2025 push for the bills. Yet neither major corporation has been able to influence enough Maryland Democrats to sign on to supermarket sales, and those same Democrats have yet to pay a price at the ballot box for their continued defiance of the popular will on the matter.

Two-time burglars arrested in Germantown

Two Germantown men who allegedly broke into a credit union on St. Patrick's Day did not have the luck of the Irish when they tried to break into an apartment building later that night. Montgomery County police say the two suspects forced their way into the Skypoint Federal Credit Union office at 19785 Crystal Rock Drive at Crystal Rock Place in the early morning hours of March 17, 2025. They allegedly took unspecified property from inside the office, and fled.

Later that night, at 9:01 PM, police allege the same two men attempted to burglarize the nearby Pinnacle at Town Center apartments at 19860 Century Boulevard. Instead of the pot of gold, they found Montgomery's Finest, who took them into custody.

Anthony Lamont Jackson, 28, has been charged with two felony counts of 2nd-degree burglary, four misdemeanor counts of 4th-degree burglary, and felony 2nd-degree assault of a law enforcement officer. He posted $2000 bond, and was released on March 25. 

Nelson Mifogmi-Tchuomeni, 25, was also arrested. However, that name returns no results in Maryland court records.

Police investigate distribution of obscene material in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police were called to investigate an incident involving the distribution of obscene material in Montgomery Village early Wednesday afternoon, March 26, 2025. The incident was reported in the 19300 block of Watkins Mill Road at 12:00 PM. No further information is available at this time.

Strong-arm robbery in Clarksburg

It's getting rough out there in Clarksburg. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in a quiet, residential neighborhood there on March 12, 2025. The adult female victim was in the vicinity of the intersection of Knoll Crest Court and Pine Needle Drive at 11:30 AM that morning, when she was approached by a teenage male suspect. The teenager assaulted the victim, and stole property from her.

Police describe the suspect only as a Black male in his "teens." If you have any information that can assist detectives in closing this case, call (301) 279-8000.

Watkins Cabinet Co. closes in Dickerson, property for sale

Watkins Cabinet Company has closed at 18001 Sellman Road in Dickerson, after 73 years in business. Its 14,884-square-foot factory and warehouse facility has been put on the market for sale. This is a prime 1.43-acre property for an industrial/manufacturing use, as it is right on the CSX Metropolitan Subdivision tracks, part of a major freight and Amtrak route between Washington, D.C. and Chicago. That creates the opportunity for direct freight rail shipping across the nation, or to ports in Baltimore and Norfolk. 

I have suggested for many years that Montgomery County sit down with CSX and try to create attractive industrial sites alongside the railroad. This could be for the manufacture of anything from furniture to pharmaceuticals to drones. In exchange for the new freight business, CSX might then cooperate for the additional track that has been sought for use by MARC commuter rail on this line. According to the online sale listing, the asking price for the Watkins Cabinet property is $2,000,000. If Montgomery County is serious about getting the third track, these are the types of opportunities they should be investigating in partnership with CSX. Even without a third track, moribund Montgomery County needs the business and high-wage job growth.

Wilbur Watkins founded Watkins Cabinet Company in 1952. It remained family-owned for all 73 years. You might have a Watkins cabinet, vanity, bar, or bookcase in your home right now, if you live in the Washington, D.C. region.

Photos courtesy Brian Jamison Real Estate

MCPS teacher removed from classroom over mistreatment of hijab-wearing student

Montgomery County Public Schools has removed a teacher from a classroom at Cabin Branch Elementary School at 14129 Dunlin Street in Clarksburg, and ordered that he have no further contact with a student he is alleged to have mistreated. The 8-year-old American Muslim student reported that she was harassed, humiliated, threatened, and intimidated by the teacher, primarily over her hijab. She was allegedly given harsher penalties than her classmates, was denied drinking water and bathroom access, and was told to remove her hijab. 

Her father, who is a U.S. military veteran, told the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that her alleged mistreatment - which led to anxiety and panic attacks at school - was "profoundly disheartening." He welcomed yesterday's actions by MCPS toward resolving the issue.

“It means everything to my family that my daughter can now feel safe in class," the student's father said in a statement. "This situation caused us a lot of stress and worry as parents, my daughter was afraid to go to school before. She’s young, she was struggling with what the teacher did. No one’s kid should have to deal with this kind of situation from their teachers, no matter their religion. Our family knows we can count on CAIR for support through these situations. CAIR has had our back, their help has given my family peace of mind.” 

“We applaud this family’s courage in coming forward for their daughter’s sake and we acknowledge Montgomery County Public Schools for taking swift action to address this complaint,” CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said in a statement Monday afternoon. “CAIR encourages all school districts to routinely provide comprehensive cultural competency and anti-discrimination trainings for all of their educators. It’s essential that they’re accountable to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students, regardless of their background.” 

Assault at Montgomery College in Germantown

Montgomery County police were called to the Germantown campus of Montgomery College last Thursday, March 20, 2025. Someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault on the campus, which is located at 20200 Observation Drive. The assault was reported at 12:00 PM Thursday.