Howard County police say a 27-year-old Ellicott City woman who was reported missing on January 2 was found deceased with stab wounds inside a Columbia apartment, and her ex-boyfriend is now wanted on murder charges.
Montgomery County Public Schools students and staff will return to school on Monday, January 5, 2026, following winter break. As the new year gets underway, several key MCPS calendar dates in January and February are important for families, students, and staff to keep in mind, including holidays, non-instructional days, and an early release.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
Montgomery County police continue to investigate the homicide of an 18-year-old Gaithersburg man, Taeyon Malachi Prather, whose body was found Friday evening in a parking lot near Damascus.
The City of Rockville is reminding residents and businesses that, effective January 1, many retailers are no longer permitted to use plastic carryout bags after the Mayor and Council adopted Montgomery County Bring Your Own Bag Law.
Blackbird Health has expanded into Maryland with a new pediatric mental health clinic in Gaithersburg, bringing additional behavioral health resources to children, teens, young adults, and families throughout Montgomery County.
Located at 555 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 250, the clinic offers comprehensive pediatric mental health services, including ADHD and autism evaluations, neuropsychological testing, therapy, psychiatry, and medication management.
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The Triumph Trek at the Rio is the ultimate celebration of strength, recovery and hope — and everyone is invited.
On Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation and Adventist HealthCare Home Care Services will gather at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg for an untimed walk-or-wheel around the accessible lakeside path. This is not a race. Scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and every pace are welcome, and no one finishes last.
Montgomery County Police 6th District officers responded Sunday at approximately 10:55 a.m. to the 18200 block of Flower Hill Way following a report of a stabbing. (more…)
Below is an updated look at the latest retail and dining changes coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, including new restaurants, specialty shops, and brand relocations. (more…)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced in September that the state plans to close the Maryland Correctional Institution at Jessup, a medium security prison in Anne Arundel County, by June 30, 2026, citing aging infrastructure, high maintenance costs, and a shift toward more sustainable correctional operations.
As Ted’s Montana Grill prepares to permanently close its only Maryland location, the Gaithersburg restaurant has seen a surge of diners eager to get in one last visit, resulting in lengthy waits throughout the weekend.
Several Montgomery County restaurants are closing out the year with major recognition after dishes from four local spots were named to Washingtonian Magazine’s year-end list of “Favorite Dishes of the Year in the DC Area.”
Viral cheesesteak spot 5th & Steaks is expanding in Maryland, with the popular Philly-inspired concept set to open its second location in Glen Burnie (Anne Arundel County), expanding its service area beyond the wildy popular first location in Catonsville (Baltimore County).
Montgomery County Police 5th District Special Assignment Team officers carried out a search warrant on Friday in the Crystal Rock area of Germantown following several days of surveillance related to suspected drug activity, according to police.