White Oak Bowling Lanes at 11207 New Hampshire Ave, which opened in 1959, has announced plans to reopen after the business closed due to flooding and a subsequent dispute with the building’s landlord back in September 2021. The bowling alley is hoping to be opened by September 1, 2023 and will have new lanes, approaches, and pin decks. White Oak Bowling Lanes released the following message on February 27:


After a little bit of a wait for eager diners, Naz’s Halal has let us know that they hope to open next month at 11209 New Hampshire Ave in White Oak, the former location of White Oak Dry Cleaners. The restaurant could open as early as the first week of March, but has a couple things left to do before that can happen. Naz’s Halal offers rice platters, sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, and more.

The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. That location opened in August 2020 and has become a local favorite with late night hours. The restaurant has since opened locations in Rockville and Germantown with an additional MoCo location planned for Takoma Park (7653 New Hampshire Ave).


Ceylon House (4009 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville), a first-of-its-kind cannabis lounge in Maryland, will hold its grand opening next Saturday, March 4.  Ceylon House describes itself as an inclusive space for cannabis enthusiasts that is inspired by the tea houses in Sri Lanka. According to its website, “Only Registered Maryland Medical Patients that are older than 21 are allowed to enter for open lounge consumption and public events. Please bring with you your Patient ID number, Government-issued photo ID, and medical cannabis in its original packaging with your patient label still attached.”  Ceylon House does not sell cannabis, but there is a dispensary located directly across from the lounge.

The entry fee for two hours of lounge use is $25. Ceylon House does not serve food or beverages, but vending machines are accesible and customers are able to bring their own food into the lounge. Alcohol and tobacco consumption is prohibited.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a commercial robbery of the Dollar City Plus store in the 10110 block of New Hampshire Ave. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the two male suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.  On Thursday, February 16, 2023, 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial robbery that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives has determined that at approximately 3:40 p.m., the two male suspects entered the store and approached an employee who was working behind the counter. The suspects then implied that they had a weapon and demanded money. One of the suspects went behind the counter and removed an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register. Both suspects then left the scene.  Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained a physical description of the suspects.


The suspect is described as a Black male, thin build, approximately 18 to 20-years-old, 5-feet, 10-inches to six-feet tall, with short black hair. He was carrying a white backpack with black trim and wearing a black ski mask, black coat with fur around the hood black jeans and black shoes.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old from the Fairland area of Silver Spring.  Belinda Garcia-Bonilla was last seen on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., in the 14300 block of Fairdale Rd.

Garcia-Bonilla is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. She has brown eyes and shoulder length hair that is dyed blonde. It is unknown what she was last seen wearing. She was also carrying a red and blue backpack and a separate pink backpack.  Police and family are concerned for her welfare.


The victim had been removed from the bus when officers arrived, and the officers attempted life-saving-measures until Montgomery County Fire Rescue arrived. Justice T’Ziyan Elliott was pronounced dead on scene. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Elliott, of Silver Spring, was seated in the back of the bus when the suspect boarded the bus and confronted Elliott. Words were exchanged, the suspect pulled out a handgun, shot Elliott and ran from the bus.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire around 3pm on Sunday afternoon in Burtonsville.  According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, firefighters responded to the report of a boat on fire in the rear of a garage in the 15500 block of Santini Rd. The fire was knocked down and there was no extension. The garage contained one boat and one RV motorhome. One civilian was evaluated for injury. The cause of the fire has not been released. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Santini Road, fire/smoke showing upon arrival, (Bass) boat on fire in rear of garage, no extension to garage, fire knocked down, otherwise garage contains a boat & RV motorhome, 1 civilian injury MCFRS_EMIHS evaluating”


Montgomery County Police and Metro Transit Police responded to a fatal shooting on board a Metro Transit bus in White Oak on Friday evening. According to police, “ At approximately 7:45 p.m., MCPD 3rd District officers responded to the 14300 block of Lockwood Drive where an adult male had been shot inside of the bus.

Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded and provided life-saving measures, but the victim died on scene.  The suspect exited the bus and ran from the location.  Preliminarily, it appears that there was an altercation between the suspect and the victim and there is no threat to the community.


We previously let you know that Barra Brava Cevicheria Peruana is “coming soon” to the location that was previously home to Old Hickory Grill at 15420 Old Columbia Pike B in Burtonsville. Signage is now up at the restaurant. Barra Brava opened its first location at 15921 N Frederick Rd in Rockville in October of 2017.  The restaurant hopes to open in a few months.

The menu consists of seafood entrees, a variety of ceviches, non-seafood entrees like lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and more. We’ll have a specific opening timeframe/date in the coming months. Photos of some of the dishes available at the Rockville location can be seen below:


Per MCPD: A 21-year-old Berwyn Heights, MD man is facing multiple weapons charges after being arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. On Saturday, February 11, at approximately 6:05 p.m., a Montgomery County Department of Police 3rd District patrol officer identified a stolen vehicle traveling southbound on Columbia Pike at Tech Road.  The officer radioed for assistance and once back-up arrived, attempted to make a traffic stop.

The driver of the 2009 Kia Spectra, later identified as Shaquan Demetrius Evans, fled southbound on RT 29 and became stuck in traffic at a red light on SB New Hampshire Ave. at Schindler Drive.   Evans attempted to drive between the stopped vehicles hitting two cars, causing minor damage.  The occupants in the two vehicles did not sustain any injuries. Evans bailed out of the Kia and ran into a nearby residential neighborhood.  Another 3D officer found Evans hiding in a back yard. Evans again ran, with officers following. After a brief chase, officers apprehended Evans a few houses away in the 10800 block of New Hampshire Ave. K9 officers located a Glock 29 10mm handgun in the backyard where Evans was hiding.


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