Author: Patrick Herron

Gaithersburg

Coming Soon Signage Up at Site of MoCo’s First Wawa

By Patrick Herron

Coming soon signage for Wawa is up at 405 S Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg. The convenience store/gas station will be located at the site of the old Becraft Antiques on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School. We first let you know the news of Wawa’s Gaithersburg location in May of 2019.  Since then, the first MoCo Royal Farms was announced, constructed, and opened, and construction on MoCo’s first Sheetz is expected to be completed this summer. Construction on a second Sheetz in MoCo is expected to begin in 2024.  Photos of WaWa’s construction progress, or lack there of, can be seen below:

History: On December 1st, 2021, Wawa was granted approval for its final site plan of a new 5,060 square foot retail building and associated automobile filling station (gas station) by the City of Gaithersburg’s Planning Commission.This came after public opposition to the site led to the development being stalled after a group of 14 community members filed an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The opponents of the site had stated that the Wawa does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas. In April of 2021, Judge Donald Beachley struck down the appeal, clearing the way for development to begin.

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MoCo Pride

Rockville Pride Takes Place June 24th

By Patrick Herron

Per the City of Rockville: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. The commemorative month also recognizes the impact LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history—locally, nationally, and internationally. The City of Rockville has issued proclamations declaring LGBTQ+ Pride Month since June 2017.

The event is free and open to all ages, and will feature:

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MDLottery

MoCo Resident Wins $50,000 at Rockville Convenience Store

By Patrick Herron

Moments later, that “wrong” instant ticket – the $20 $50,000 Cash game – would become his best purchase ever. Chastising himself for his carelessness, the player returned to his car to scratch off his instant game. “When I saw the prize, I couldn’t believe it. ‘This can’t be true,’ I thought.”

The $50,000 Cash scratch-off went on sale in late December. The instant ticket is unusual in the 160 top prizes it had to offer when it debuted. This latest $50,000 winner, purchased from Metro Coffee Convenience at 202 Park Road in Rockville, leaves 107 top prizes available. In addition, 118 second-tier prizes worth $5,000 also remain unclaimed. For selling this top-prize winning instant ticket, the Montgomery County business will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery.

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MCPD

Update: Teenage Girl Shot, Three Vehicles Hit by Bullets Friday Night

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting on Friday, June 2, 2023, in the 11400 block of Stewart Lane in White Oak. According to MCPD, “At approximately 9:58 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. 

Officers located a teenage female with an apparent gunshot wound to her body and provided life-saving measures until Montgomery County Fire Rescue arrived.  The victim was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. 

Officers located shell casings in the parking lot. Approximately three vehicles were hit by bullets.  No additional injuries have been reported at this time.  
The suspects have not been apprehended. 

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Beyond MoCo

New 126,000 SF Indoor Water Park Opens This Month in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, MD, will open on June 14, 2023, according to the indoor water park’s website. Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be the company’s 20th resort in North America, and their largest. It will offer 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 57,000 square-foot entertainment center, and 12,000 square-feet of conference space. Perryville is about 70 miles and a little less than an hour and a half away from most parts of MoCo.

Per Great Wolf Lodge: Careening down slides, jumping over waves, floating down a lazy river, and getting drenched by a thousand gallons of water cascading from a giant tipping bucket are a few of the water-filled adventures families will discover at the all-new Great Wolf Lodge Maryland. The indoor water park is the marquee attraction at Great Wolf Lodge, and the water park planned for the company’s Maryland resort will be the largest Great Wolf Lodge has ever built. The water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will offer more than 128,000 square feet of enclosed fun with slides, pools and water play for all ages, and a cozy 84-degree temperature year-round.

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Gaithersburg

Contents of Gaithersburg Boston Market Up For Auction

By Patrick Herron

The contents of the recently closed Boston Market at 494 N Frederick Ave Unit B in Gaithersburg Square are currently up for auction through Capital Online Auctions. Items include kitchen equipment, signage, furniture, fixtures, and POS computers. Capital Online will also be auctioning the contents of Lakeforest Mall later this month.

Last January we reported that Boston Market would be opening a new Rockville Pike location, according to signage that was put up at the old Katsu Go location in Towne Plaza (the shopping center that’s home to Navy Federal Credit Union and PM Pediatrics) at 12238 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852. In December, we spoke with a klnb representative who told us that Boston Market signed a lease, but had pulled out of the space. The restaurant previously had a location just a couple miles away– on Randolph Road in Loehmann’s Plaza. That location closed back in February of 2019 and has since been replaced by Toosso.

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Maryland

Governor Moore Proclaims National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Per the Stars of Maryland (6.2.23): Governor Wes Moore today proclaimed ​ June 2, 2023, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Maryland. The proclamation encourages all Marylanders to support community efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives. Protecting the public safety of all Marylanders is among Governor Moore’s highest responsibilities.

“By this time tomorrow, another two Marylanders will have died from gun violence, and here in Maryland, we’ve had enough of these senseless, preventable tragedies,” said Gov. Moore. “This year we passed common-sense legislation that will ensure you can’t bring a gun into a preschool, a hospital, or a government office—that if you have a mental illness and have a history of violent behavior, you cannot get your hands on a gun. This is what we have to do in order to keep our communities safe and I’m committed to seeing this through here in Maryland.”

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Crime

Juvenile Hospitalized After Shooting Friday Night

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County  Police responded to a shooting Friday night in White Oak. According to MCPD, “At approximately 9:58  p.m., MCPD responded to the 11400 block of Stewart Lane for the report of a shooting.  An juvenile victim has been transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries at this time.  There are no suspects in custody. ”

 

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Uncategorized

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. to Perform at Montgomery Mall on Saturday, June 3

By Patrick Herron

Per Westfield Montgomery: Westfield Montgomery is committed to creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive for all. On Saturday, June 3 at 1pm, celebrate LGBTQ+ month with a complimentary performance by Potomac Fever, a captivating 17-voice a cappella by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, in the mall’s center court on the lower level. Potomac Fever’s performances embody their dedication to promoting social justice and celebrating diversity through music. The 45-minute performance will feature a mix of classic hits and contemporary tunes. No tickets are required and the event is free and open to all.

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Uncategorized

Summer Reading Challenge! Starts at Montgomery County Public Libraries on Saturday, June 17, with Theme of ‘All Together Now’

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) Summer Reading Challenge! will begin on Saturday, June 17, at the Rockville Memorial Library with a theme of All Together Now. The slogan represents kindness, friendship and unity.  Children and teens are invited to sign up for the Challenge online or at any MCPL branch. Pre-registration is now open.

The Summer Reading Challenge! runs through Aug. 31. It is sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc., and the Washington Nationals baseball team.

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MCDOT

Montgomery County Department of Transportation Unveils ‘Ride with Pride Bus’ to Celebrate June as Pride Month

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Wrapped with the Intersex Progress Pride Flag, adorned with Ride with Pride messaging and neon lights to stand out at night, the bus is dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ+ voices, culture and civil rights. In addition to the Pride Bus, all MCDOT buses will have #RidewithPride poster displays on board in June, with a QR code that will direct to a web page with information about the historical and cultural significance of the LGBTQ+ community.

Riders hoping to catch the Pride Bus can check the MCDOT #RidewithPride page for a general schedule. Look for photos of the Ride On #RidewithPride bus in motion on the MCDOT social media channels or by following the #RideWithPride hashtag. Riders are encouraged to post and share their bus photos in support.

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