Last month, two groups of students from Burtonsville Elementary School participated in the Maryland State Destination Imagination Tournament at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Students worked hard during the year preparing for their performance and tournament challenge.

The Burtonsville Sharks, made up of fourth and fifth graders, won first place in their division and will head to Kansas City, Mo., later this month, for the Destination Imagination Globals’ competition. Team members are: Evan Fernandes, Eduardo Gutierrez, Carter Etienne, Nicolas Ostroff, Makenzie Mina, Askale Girma and Nathan Fernandes. Team managers are Alex Fernandes and Nichole Fernandes.


Non-profit organization Samaritan’s Feet, in partnership with Elevation Outreach, will be providing new socks and shoes to children in the White Oak Middle School community. Approximately 200 Sixth Grade Students and K-5th-grade students that attend OR will attend White Oak Middle School will have the opportunity to receive new sneakers and socks. 200 additional pairs of shoes for students that have not pre-registered will be available first come, first served!

This takes place today, Saturday, May 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at White Oak Middle School (12201 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20904). Volunteers will fit students for new shoes and socks. They will also provide a Hope Tote“, which is an orange drawstring book bag that also contains a Hope Note” with an encouraging message submitted by Samaritans Feet supporters. In addition, families can participate in fun activities at the event.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 20-year-old Kaleab Abebe Berhanu, of Baltimore, for the homicide that occurred on Sunday, April 9, 2023, in the 11800 block of Old Columbia Pike.

Berhanu is accused of killing 20-year-old Carlos Rashard Carter, of Silver Spring. Through the investigation, detectives developed Berhanu as the suspect.


Earlier this month, MCPS announced that vape detectors were in the process of being installed in the bathrooms of a “limited number of high schools.” Student journalists Hannah Lee, Claire Yu, and Avery Wang, of Richard Montgomery’s RM Tide newspaper, have reported that installations begin this week at six MCPS High Schools: John F. Kennedy, Northwood , Paint Branch, Quince Orchard, Richard Montgomery, and Walt Whitman. The detectors will remain until at least the end of the school year.

Per MCPS: “Vape detectors are in the process of being installed in the bathrooms of a limited number of high school schools. These detectors will help to identify any instances of vaping or smoking in the bathrooms, allowing us to take appropriate action to prevent harm to our students’ health and safety.”


The Greene Turtle in Burtonsville is saying THANK YOU to Teachers on Tuesday, May 2nd with a FREE Meal*! Greene Turtle Burtonsville is located at 15560 Old Columbia Pike. Details on the deal below:

*School Teachers who show a valid school issued Teacher ID will receive a free meal valued at up to $15. Valid Dine-In Only. Offer does not include beverages. Cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, Happy Hour or Greene Turtle Rewards.


Life shouldn’t be about views, likes, and shares, but this article will be as we take a look back at the upcoming restaurants that have created the most buzz on our website and associated social media accounts in the last two months. Today we’re going to highlight the five (in no particular order) that have generated the most buzz in terms of views, likes, and shares now that we’re in the midst of spring:

Charley Prime (Rio/Gaithersburg): Permanent signage is up at Charley Prime Foods, the new restaurant from Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks (Little Coco’s, El Chucho, Bar Charley, Quarry House Tavern) that will be replacing Tara Thai on the Rio Lakefront boardwalk at 9811 Washington Blvd in Gaithersburg. The restaurant is expected to open this spring.


EDENS announced today that TJ Maxx will be coming to the renovated Burtonsville Crossing shopping center in 2024.  TJ Maxx is a discount department store that sells clothing, shoes, jewelry, and home décor with over 1000 stores nationwide, including Montgomery County locations in Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Silver Spring. TJ Maxx joins Sprouts and  Domain Fitness & Performance as businesses confirmed for Burtonsville Crossing.

Per EDENS: Burtonsville Crossing is a redevelopment for EDENS. Perfectly nestled between Baltimore and Washington, DC, this redevelopment project ideally connects two major cities, making it accessible for consumers, from city-goers and Montgomery County residents alike.


EDENS held a community plaza groundbreaking event at Burtonsville Crossing on Friday, April 28. Among those in attendance were County Executive Marc Elrich, Council President Evan Glass, District 5 Councilmember Kristen Mink, and former NBA player Jason Miskiri. Miskiri is part of a group that will be opening Domain Fitness & Performance, a new fitness center that has signed on to open in the shopping center and will be located adjacent to Sprouts. Miskiri also owns several restaurants in Silver Spring, including the Angry Jerk, The Breakfast Club, and Society Restaurant & Lounge.

It was also announced that Sprouts is on track to open by the end of this year.  Sprouts was the first business to sign a lease for the renovated Burtonsville Crossing and this will be the chain’s first Montgomery County location. The grocer offers a wide selection of natural and organic foods, including fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items. A representative from EDENS also confirmed to us that TJ Maxx will be opening a location in the shopping center in 2024.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene of a crash that left at least one person trapped inside of a vehicle on southbound route 29 Old Columbia Pike, just before Fairland Rd, in Fairland around 10pm on Thursday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision involved two vehicles with four total patients being evaluated on the scene. One person was extricated after being trapped inside of one of the vehicles involved. Some lanes remain blocked as of 10:45pm.


EDENS will hold a community plaza groundbreaking on Friday, April 28 at noon. “Please join EDENS and special guests in celebration of our groundbreaking for the new community plaza area at Burtonsville Crossing, plus announcements and updates on our progress.” – EDENS. A new tenant has also signed on at the shopping center– Domain Fitness Center (additional information in the post below).

Construction began on the redevelopment of the Burtonsville Shopping Center a couple months back. Approximately 7,600 square feet of existing retail is in the process of being demolished with that retail square footage being turned into two new pad sites with drive- thrus. There will also be improvements to open space, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian circulation. Video of recent construction is available below, by Larry Jones of the Burtonsville, MD Facebook group.


Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a collision involving a Montgomery County Public Schools bus on Monday, April 24, around 9:30am in the 13000 block of Old Columbia Pike in Fairland.

Four children (initially reported as five) and the driver were on the bus at the time of the collision. According to MCPD, “one child was extricated from the bus, but everyone was transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries” The ages of the children have not yet been released. According to a report, the bus was traveling to Fairland Elementary School.


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