Per MCPD: A 31-year-old Silver Spring man died after he was hit by a vehicle on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.   At approximately 4:12 a.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to New Hampshire Avenue near Chalmers Road for the report of a collision involving a pedestrian.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation has determined that the driver of a white 2020 Ford Transit Van was traveling southbound on New Hampshire Avenue, when he struck a pedestrian, later identified as Evan Heath Hesekiel, who was crossing southbound New Hampshire Avenue, north of Chalmers Road. The driver remained on scene.


White Oak Duckpin Lanes at 11207 New Hampshire Ave, which opened in 1959, has announced it will reopen on Saturday, September 30. The bowling alley has been closed since September 2021 due to flooding and a subsequent dispute with the building’s landlord. According to a post on its Facebook page, “The long anticipated return of the white oak duckpin lanes will be September 30 at 10:00 am. (If nothing crazy happens!!!). Keep a look out…we are planning some prizes and have more updates to roll out!!! Please share and get the word out!!!”

A GoFundMe created for the business in December, 2021 has raised over $27,000.  White Oak Lanes announced it would be returning back in February of this year: “As you are probably aware, White Oak Lanes experienced a really bad flooding incident back in September of 2021. This incident caused substantial damage to our lanes. Even though we are going to be sad to see the old lanes leave, we will definitely be excited to see the new lanes when they are completed! When you come back, White Oak will have new lanes, approaches, and pin decks! Hope everyone is as excited about that as we are!”


A replacement for Pho Hung & Grill at 11225 New Hampshire Ave. has signed on at the White Oak Shipping Center. Pho Hung & Grill closed over a year ago at the shopping center after a run of approximately 15 years (it opened in 2007). Danny Rubin of WashUrban tells us that they have signed Valle De Sula, a Honduran restaurant specializing in Central American cuisine, to the shopping center.

Some of the dishes that will be available at Valle De Sula include, baleadas, carne asada, sopa de mariscos, desayunos, flautas, pupusas, enchiladas, tacos dorados, chuleta con tajadas, sopa modongo, yuca con chicharron, pastelitos, sopa de res, pescado con tajadas, and more. The restaurant is currently building out and hopes to open in the coming weeks.


This article has been updated to include updated plans for the Downtown Silver Spring location.

Chick Fil A on Tech Rd. in the Calverton/Fairland/White Oak area (technically Silver Spring) has temporarily closed for renovations. The store closed on Thursday at 2pm and will reopen in 8-10 weeks (approximately two months).


Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) has launched a unique, three-pronged approach to neighborhood revitalization by combining State and County funding, along with a financial commitment from local businesses and property owners, to kick-off a community improvement initiative in White Oak.

The White Oak Façade Improvement Initiative is public-private partnership that will combine an estimated $3.7 million to enhance and modernize an aging commercial area along a stretch of Lockwood Drive at New Hampshire Avenue. The goal of the project is to make highly visible improvements that will address physical and economic decline in the area to attract more consumers and foster economic growth.


Jolloff Etcetera recently opened at 11237 New Hampshire Avenue, which was the longtime home of Hunan Manor (there for 20 years by most recent ownership group) until it closed permanently in February 2022. The restaurant is located in the White Oak Shopping Center near Dollar City and Montgomery County liquor store.

Jolloff Etcetera offers Nigerian cuisine and opened its first location in nearby Hyattsville, MD (Prince George’s County). The menu offers a variety of Nigerian cuisine, including Jolloff rice, grilled fish, fried rice, multiple soups, and more. Featured photo courtesy of Jolloff Etcetera.


Other local winners last week included $10,000 scratch-off tickets sold at Giant (46 Bureau Drive) in Gaithersburg and at Shady Grove Beer & Wine (15904 Shady Grove Rd) in Gaithersburg. Full list of winners across the state of Maryland below, courtesy of MD Lottery:

“No one hit the Mega Millions jackpot over the weekend, boosting the game’s top prize to $1.55 billion, but six players in Maryland won $10,000 each in the game in the past week, one each in Annapolis, Edgewater, Frederick, Leonardtown, Ocean City and Silver Spring. The $1.55 billion jackpot is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever, and the third largest U.S. jackpot. The biggest Lottery wins in the past week, however, were four prizes between $100,000 and $500,000 on scratch-off tickets purchased in Adelphi, Cumberland, Perry Hall and Pikesville.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at the Enclave Apartments (11235 Oak Leaf Dr,) near Columbia Pike in White Oak on Sunday morning, August 8. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located on the 19th floor of the 20-story building. Firefighters rescued two people who were both transported to the hospital with life-threating injuries.

We will post an update when addition information becomes available. Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Enclave Apt, Oakleaf Dr, 20-sty Apt bldg, fire on 19th floor, fire is out, @mcfrs FFs located 2 patients in fire Apt, both assisted by FFs, @MCFRS_EMIHS  transported 2 adults, both Pri1 trauma, both w/ life-threatening injuries”


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a two-car collision on Sunday, August 6 in White Oak. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred  at the intersection of Columbia Pike (Rt29) and Burnt Mills Ave and involved a rollover and two people trapped. All occupants have been extricated and three adult patients were transported with non-life threatening injuries.

Some lanes are currently blocked. We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Per mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Columbia Pike/Rt29 & Burnt Mils- 2 car collision, with 2 people trapped. Everybody extricated, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 3 adult patients, all pri 3, NLT. Some lanes blocked”


Torrey Moore, the man accused of murdering his 8-month pregnant girlfriend, Denise Middleton, and a gas station clerk, Ayalew Wondimu, in White Oak last December was found competent to stand trial, according to a report by MyMCMedia. Moore was previously ruled not competent to stand trial. The trial for the murder of Wondimu begins April 8, 2024. Trial begins May 8 for the murder of Middleton and her unborn baby boy. The chilling details of what occurred last year can be seen below in the Statement of Charges, per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney:

“On 12/8/22 at 3:00 PM, Montgomery County Police responded to a convenience store at the Shell Gas station located at 11150 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Ayalew Wondimu, a black male with date of birth of 11/6/61, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation revealed the victim was working inside the store, behind the register when he was shot. Wondimu was pronounced deceased on the scene.


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