Guapo’s has been bringing sizzling fajitas, salt-rimmed margaritas, and a lively Latin American spirit to the DC metro area for more than three decades, long enough to become part of the region’s dining DNA.
As the calendar turns toward late October, playoff positioning, rivalries, and bragging rights take center stage across Montgomery County. A few division titles could effectively be decided this weekend, while several teams fight for postseason seeding. Here’s your full slate of previews and predictions for Week 8.
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.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined 19 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing the Trump administration’s effort to reinstate a Department of Justice subpoena seeking gender-affirming care records from Boston Children’s Hospital. (more…)
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Mercedes Tinju, a missing 81-year-old. (more…)
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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Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!
Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.
Montgomery County’s Gbenga Akinnagbe Back in the Spotlight as Nurse Jackie Finds New Life on Netflix
Montgomery County native Gbenga Akinnagbe is once again drawing national attention as Nurse Jackie has climbed into Netflix’s Top 10. The Showtime series, which originally aired from 2009 to 2015, stars Edie Falco as a brilliant but deeply flawed nurse battling addiction. Akinnagbe joined the cast in seasons 3 and 4, portraying Kelly Slater, a fellow nurse at All Saints Hospital whose presence added new layers of tension and camaraderie to the series’ ensemble.
Ocean City officials have voted to permanently discontinue the town’s iconic Boardwalk Tram service, ending a decades-long tradition that transported visitors along the busy oceanfront strip each summer. The decision follows a months-long suspension of tram operations after a tragic August 2024 incident in which a 2-year-old boy was struck and killed by one of the trams near Dorchester Street.
Montgomery County Police (MCPD) are investigating a late-night shooting that occurred Tuesday in the 3500 block of Sheffield Manor Terrace in Silver Spring.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife Amy made a surprise visit to Butler’s Orchard in Germantown on Wednesday, delighting the local farm’s staff and fans alike.
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The regular season is heading into the home stretch, and with playoff positioning heating up, separation week has officially arrived. Some teams are flexing their dominance, others are finding their groove at just the right time and a few are fighting to remind everyone they belong in the conversation. Here’s how the county’s best stack up heading into Week 8:
The Best Buy Outlet in Bowie will permanently close its doors on November 1, 2025, according to a company representative. (more…)
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision at Lynbrook Drive and West Virginia Avenue in Bethesda after a driver suffered a medical emergency and crashed into a building. (more…)