According to Montgomery County Police, a 17-year-old Walter Johnson High School student has been arrested and charged as an adult for possession of a firearm. The student, who is a Bethesda resident, was arrested after a witness reported to school security that the student had a gun.  Montgomery County Public Schools security team members located the student, conducted a search and located a loaded 9 mm handgun.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., on Monday, October 23, 2023, Montgomery County Department of Police Community Engagement Officers were dispatched to the school, located in the 6400 block of Rock Spring Drive.  Based on the information provided and evidence of the gun, officers arrested the student.


Everyone has had their share of terrible experiences in MoCo parking lots, and while there are more than 25 “bad” parking lots, we’ve narrowed down a list (in no particular order) of what may be the worst based on our experiences and comments left by readers throughout the years.

Featured image courtesy of Google Maps. 


PacSun will close its only Montgomery County location by Thursday, October 26th, according to a store representative we spoke with this afternoon. We were told there are currently sales going on, but that inventory is going quick. The store has been in Montgomery Mall since the 90s, located on the lower level near Old Navy. PacSun still has a nearby location in Tysons Corner.

Per the store, “PacSun is dedicated to delivering an exclusive collection of the most relevant brands and styles to an inspired community. Founded in 1980 as Pacific Sunwear the PacSun brand has evolved well beyond beach wear. Today PacSun is a leading life style brand offering an exclusive collection of the most relevant brands and styles to a community of inspired youth. Built on youth culture and curated in Los Angeles. In our fleet of over 350 stores and PacSun.com you will find brands such as Vans, Kendall and Kylie, Brandy Melville, Adidas, and Fear of God Essentials, in addition to our PacSun brand. We are dedicated to be leaders in delivering high quality product, relevant retail experiences and unique digital content. As an organization we are inspired and led by the diversity of our customers and associates. We are committed to our responsibility in using our platform to drive change and take action on the issues important to our community. PacCares, was launched in 2020 which allows us to partner with charitable organizations that focus on mental health, female empowerment, and social injustice.


The Metro Transit Police Department is investigating a stabbing where one victim was critically injured Saturday evening.

Police and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department responded to a Metrobus stopped at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue NW & 34th Street NW around 5:45 Saturday evening. One man was transported to an area hospital with injuries believed to be critical, according to the Transit Police.


Two chefs with restaurants less than a mile away in Bethesda will be teaming up to create a Mexican/Indian fusion menu. Tacombi‘s chef Carmen Miranda is partnering with award winning and beloved DMV chef Ashish Alfred, as they each bring their own heritage to the table for a first-of-its-kind Mexico-meets-India collaboration. The mouthwatering Mexican and Indian fusion will be exclusively available at the Bethesda Tacombi taqueria (4749 Bethesda Ave) for a limited-time-only from October 26 through Thanksgiving.

In what Chef Alfred calls a “synergy of two different flavor profiles in two different cultures,” the brand new Chicken Tikka Masala Taco features garam masala, ginger, and butter chicken sauce, wrapped in a Vista Hermosa corn tortilla, finished with cotija cheese. This cross-cultural creation is another innovation from Tacombi, the Mexican taqueria known for its full-flavor tacos, cocktails and ice-cold beers, which operates 20 popular taquerias across the DMV, NYC and Miami metro areas. Drawing on rich culinary traditions from distinct regions of Mexico, Tacombi’s menu offers a variety of authentic full-flavor tacos alongside traditional Mexican bites complemented by ice-cold beers and cocktails.


Last November, we let you know that New York‘s Chip Citywill be opening its first Maryland location at the Shoppes of Bethesda, replacing Fancy Cakes By Leslie at 4939 Elm St. Fancy Cakes by Leslie closed in October 2022. A commercial permit was issued at the beginning of the summer for a $210,000 buildout at the location and now the opening date has been announced– Friday, November 3rd.

Five years ago, cookies were a side hustle for Theodore Gailas and Peter Phillips. Since then, they’ve opened over a dozen Chip City cookie shops in and around New York with plans to expand outside of the area. Chip City is expected to rapidly expand, with over 20 stores expected to open in 2023. According to Forbes, The rollout plan will be supported by the founder of fast casual restaurant Shake Shack, Danny Meyer, who recently invested $10 million in the cookies.


The 64-year-old found her Lottery luck waiting at Talbert’s Ice & Beverage Service, which is located at 5234 River Road in Bethesda. She frequently goes there to play her favorite Lottery games. The lucky lady told Lottery officials that she rarely checks her tickets soon after buying them. But on July 20, she received the free Pick 5 ticket for that evening’s drawing. She decided to check the ticket later to see if she won anything. The Montgomery County resident thought she had matched a few numbers, but was unsure. A scan of the ticket’s prize check area quickly confirmed the big win.

Although excited, the happy lady kept quiet upon learning of her $50,000 windfall. She plans to use her winnings to pay bills, donate to a charity of her choice and possibly take a vacation. She usually works temporary part-time jobs, which often consists of elder care. When she’s not working or playing Lottery games, the winner enjoys reading a good book.


Rowan, a piercing studio with all of its piercings performed by licensed nurses, is opening a new location in Bethesda. This will be the studios first Maryland location and already has over 30 locations open/coming soon in various states. They offer different styled of ear piercings including, hoops, studs, charms, threaders, cuffs, and others. Rowan will be moving into the space previously occupied by Roll by Goodyear at 4919 Elm St. in the Shoppes at Bethesda Row, according to Danny Rubin of WashUrban. An opening date is not yet available.

“All our piercings are performed by licensed Nurses only—as they should be. After all, piercing is a medical procedure. All our earrings are hypoallergenic. Meaning: premium metals only. Our jewelry is made of 14K solid gold, gold vermeil, gold plating over sterling silver, and sterling silver. Meet the Founder, Louisa Serene Schneider: “An experienced Board Member with a history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Asset Management, Equities, and Capital Markets. Louisa observed first-hand that products and services that were labeled “girly” weren’t paid much attention and especially, in the ear piercing industry the choices were limited to either an impersonal experience at the mall and tattoo parlors or an intimidating one at a doctor’s office. As a mom, she wanted only the best for her kids. Which began her search for a fun, celebratory and safe ear piercing experience for everyone that can also be affordable. And when Louisa didn’t find one she founded one. Welcome to Rowan, where we offer safe and celebratory piercings for all.


Italian women’s clothing line Calzedonia is coming to the lower level of Montgomery Mall, across from the LEGO store. Calzedonia specializes in leggings and swimsuits. We will provide an update when an opening date is announced.

Click here to see a list of additional retailers that have recently opened or are coming soon to Montgomery Mall.


Yelp’s “Yelp MD Burbs” released its list of “Top 25 Places to Eat in MD Burbs”  and 18 of the 25 restaurants on the list are in Montgomery County, including four of the top five. Yelp is a popular company that publishes crowd-sourced reviews about businesses with a major focus on restaurants. According to Yelp, “The MD Burbs knows how to eat, and these locally-loved spots are proof of that! We’re excited to announce the MD Burbs’ Top 25 Places to Eat (2023), backed by Yelp data and approved by taste buds everywhere!”

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