The Class 4A state championship lived up to its billing Friday night as top-ranked Quince Orchard edged Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School 26–21 at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Our own Damon Anderson was on the sideline providing live updates as the Cougars completed another championship season in dramatic fashion. Photos below by Phil Fabrizio.
Montgomery County and WSSC Water are urging residents and businesses to use salt sparingly during winter weather as part of the Salt-Wise campaign, which highlights the environmental and health impacts of over-salting and offers guidance for safe, efficient use.
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.
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) issued an advisory reaffirming that all newborns should receive the full hepatitis B vaccination series beginning at birth, a position it underscored after a federal vaccine committee voted to end the longstanding national recommendation for universal newborn hepatitis B immunization.
Montgomery County Police say 3rd District officers responded to a shooting late Friday night in the 14900 block of Saddle Creek Way in Burtonsville.
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.
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 Department (MCPD) 4th District officers responded Friday night to a stabbing in the 15400 block of Holly Grove Road in Cloverly. (more…)
Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) 2nd District officers responded Friday night to a reported non-contact shooting in the 7650 block of Westlake Terrace in Bethesda. (more…)
MCPS issued a statement Friday evening saying its decision to open under Code Green was based on weather data, road assessments, and input from transportation and facilities teams that showed only light snow with limited expected impact.
The Class 4A No. 1 Quince Orchard vs. Dr. Henry Wise is taking place right now (Friday, December 5th at 7:30pm at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD. Our very […]
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFR) responded to a collision at Oakmont Avenue and Railroad Street in Gaithersburg on Friday evening where a train struck a single vehicle, prompting a large fire and rescue response.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, train traffic is stopped in both directions and several lanes, including portions of Oakmont Avenue and Route 355, are blocked while crews evaluate occupants and secured the scene.
The Cheesecake Factory at 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington DC’s Friendship Heights neighborhood has announced that it will permanently close next month. According to Fox 5’s Allison Papson, the company stated that after extensive review it made the decision to discontinue operations at the Chevy Chase location, with the final day of service set for January 24, 2026.
UPDATE: Geoffrey Wayne Hawley has been located safe and unharmed. Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in […]