Wheaton

Dollar Tree is coming to 2321 University Blvd W in Wheaton, the former site of CVS (next to Max’s). CVS closed this location back in December 2019.  No opening date has been announced for the store, but signage was just installed this week.  Dollar Tree has undergone several big changes over the past year.  In January, the company raised the price of all items in its stores from $1 to $1.25.  At the time, Dollar Tree said the higher prices were not a result of inflation, but rather to allow the company to offer a wider range of merchandise. In April the chain added “Dollar Tree Plus” sections to area stores, with items priced $3 and $5.  The higher priced items include cookware, headphones, chargers, and t-shirts (Baby Yoda, Lilo & Stich, etc.)  similar to those found at FiveBelow.

Photos of the store’s progress below courtesy of @toniosito_ on Instagram.  Dollar Tree has additional MoCo locations in Damascus, Derwood, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Montgomery Village, Rockville, and Silver Spring.


Restaurant

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire at Copper Canyon Grill (928 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring) this morning, July 12,  around 8:45am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer,  the fire was located in the duct work of the restaurant and there was smoke coming from the roof of the building, above the kitchen. Around 85 firefighters responded to the scene and there are no reported injuries.

The restaurant is currently closed and we will post an update on the status of its reopening when it becomes available. There is reported to be extensive damage ($350k to >$500k) to the Copper Canyon Kitchen, according to MCFRS Battalion Chief Jason Blake.


Silver Spring

Throughout the course of the investigation, probable cause was obtained to identify Gipson as the suspect who burglarized the Whole Foods Market on Wayne Ave., Cava on Fenton St., Potbelly on Ellsworth Dr. and Chipotle on Fenton St.  The investigation has determined that Gipson forced entry into these businesses and stole an undisclosed amount of money and property.

Detectives applied for and obtained two arrest warrants, charging Gipson with several counts of burglary related charges. On June 28, 2022, Gipson was arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. Gipson was released on a $5,000 bond.


Restaurants

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire at Copper Canyon Grill (928 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring) this morning, July 12,  around 8:45am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer,  the fire was located in the duct work of the restaurant and there was smoke coming from the roof of the building, above the kitchen.  Around 65 firefighters have responded to the scene.

All northbound lanes of Georgia Ave (MD-97) are closed at Wayne Ave due to fire department activity. Drivers should expect significant delays and seek an alternate route. We will post an update when more information becomes available.


Germantown

There will be a food distribution event today, July 12, at Germantown Elementary School (19110 Liberty Mill Rd) from 2-3PM. Please remain in your vehicle while food is being delivered.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week. Learn more at blackrockcenter.org 


Rockville

At approximately 9:45 p.m., Rockville City and Montgomery County Police 1st District officers responded to the Shell Gas Station on Gaither Rd for an armed robbery. The Investigation determined that two suspects entered the store and pointed their guns at the store employee and announced the robbery. Both suspects went behind the counter and removed a large amount of vape pens and tobacco products from the shelves. No cash was taken during the robbery. Both suspects then left the location on foot.

The first suspect is described as a Black male with a thin build, wearing a distinctive black hoody with white smiley faces on it. He wore a black ski mask, black pants, black shoes and carried a black sling backpack.


Beyond MoCo

On Wednesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law the Medical Marijuana Self-Certification Emergency Amendment Act of 2022. The new law allows D.C. residents over the age of 21 to self-prescribe medical marijuana, allowing them to enter and purchase marijuana at dispensaries without the need for a doctor’s recommendation for a medical marijuana card.

Following the signing of the law, Mayor Bowser released the following statement:


Gaithersburg

A Montgomery County Police vehicle was involved in a collision on N. Frederick Ave. and Chestnut St. (in the area of Gaitherstowne Plaza) in Gaithersburg Monday night, July 11, around 10pm.  According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, it appears a car was driving the wrong direction and struck the police vehicle.

 


Maryland

“Our administration’s commitment to environmental stewardship has included making record investments in Chesapeake Bay restoration, and fully funding the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund,” said Governor Hogan. “Each of these projects plays a critical role in improving the quality of the bay and making our ecosystem more resilient.”

Grants are made possible with funding through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, which targets the most cost-efficient and effective non-point source pollution reduction projects. The projects awarded this funding round will benefit local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay by removing more than 41,083 pounds of nitrogen, 4,332 pounds of phosphorus, and 7,967 tons of suspended solids.


MoCo Government

The Council will meet on Tuesday, July 12 at 1 p.m. The meeting will begin with two proclamations. The first, presented by Councilmembers Jawando and Rice, will recognize the Teacher of the Year. The second, presented by Council President Albornoz and County Executive Elrich, will recognize the Maryland Israel Development Center.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.


MoCo Government

Like New York, Maryland has a proper-cause requirement for wear-and-carry handgun licenses. Gov. Larry Hogan, in response to Bruen, instructed the Maryland State Police not to enforce the proper-cause element of the Maryland law. As a result of the Supreme Court ruling and Governor Hogan’s order to the Maryland State Police, more individuals in Maryland likely will carry firearms, regardless of whether the individuals have any good or substantial reason to carry them.

The goal of this bill is to reduce gun violence in Montgomery County.