Gaithersburg Archives - Page 235 of 402

Watkins Mill High School Placed on Brief Shelter in Place Thursday

Published March 23, 2023 at 2:01PM

Watkins Mill High School at 10301 Apple Ridge Rd in Montgomery Village was placed on a brief shelter in place on Thursday afternoon after an incident involving a juvenile driver near the school. According to MCPD, “At approximately 12:06 p.m., an off-duty federal officer was picking up his child at a bus stop near Watkins Mill HS when he observed a car driving erratically and at a high rate of speed. The off-duty officer stopped the driver, a juvenile male.

Following the stop, several students in the area converged on the officer. He called for assistance and MCPD officers responded. The car was towed. Watkins Mill HS was placed on a brief shelter in place. The driver was cited for driving without a license.”

New Patio is Ready at Silver Diner Rio

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 1:38PM

Last November we reported on the deconstruction of Silver Diner’s outdoor patio in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront. At that time we were told the diner was planning on constructing a new outdoor patio that can remain open in any weather. You may have recently noticed that the outdoor patio is back with a nearly identical look to last year’s version. An employee told us that due to the patio being situated above water and the supports having to go beneath the water, the project proved to be too much so the original patio was brought back in time for diners to enjoy Spring and Summer dining outdoors.

Rockville-based Silver Diner, which opened its first restaurant in Montgomery County back in 1989, recently opened its first DC location at 1250 Half Street, SE (Ball Park/Navy Yard) on October 5th. Silver Diner co-founder/CEO Robert Giaimo and partner/executive chef Ype Von Hengst opened the first Silver Diner in Rockville in 1989. The duo visited over 500 diners across the country to prepare for the opening of Silver Diner, which was located in Mid-Pike Plaza, where Pike & Rose stands today. The Rockville location later moved to Federal Plaza, in the location that was previously home to Bennigan’s, where it remains today. The Rio location opened in August of 2019, taking over the space that was previously home to Cafe Deluxe and Hamburger Hamlet.

Detectives Continue to Investigate Turkey Foot Road Fatality; Victim’s Identity Released

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 12:09PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal single vehicle collision that occurred the morning of Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in the 14400 block of Turkey Foot Road. At approximately 12:27 a.m.,1st District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a traffic collision.

The investigation by detectives has determined that the driver of a gray 2017 Toyota 4Runner was traveling west in the 14400 block of Turkey Foot Road. For reasons that are still under investigation, the Toyota left the roadway and struck multiple trees, causing the vehicle to overturn. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The decedent has been identified as 48-year-old Mark Sampson, of Gaithersburg. This is an active and ongoing investigation.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 17-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 12:06PM

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 17-year-old from Montgomery Village. Lesly Hernandez Perez was last seen on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at approximately 7 a.m., in the 8300 block of Stedmall Ter.

Perez is approximately 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair and was last seen wearing a pink jacket, blue jeans and white shoes. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Phase 1 Plans for Shady Grove Innovation District Expected Soon

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 9:26AM

Plans for the Shady Grove Innovation District (“SGID”) are expected to be submitted soon to the City of Rockville. SGID has been described as a “world-class, amenity-rich, mixed-use district catering to the dynamic life science industry in the heart of the Shady Grove cluster in Rockville, Maryland.” The first phase of SGID will feature a brand new 137,000 RSF lab building and 315 luxury apartments set in a new, walkable urban environment. Phase 1 will be located at 15815 Shady Grove Road and Choke Cherry Rd. Future phases will include an additional 1M SF+ of new lab space in new buildings. Below you will see a photo of what Phase 1 is expected to look like. A rendering of the completed project can be seen in our featured photo, courtesy of SGID:

Additional information can be found on the SGID website.

Montgomery Potters Present Ceramics Exhibit Through June 4

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 7:35AM

Arts on the Green presents a ceramics exhibit featuring works by members of Montgomery Potters. The exhibit is on display through June 4, 2023. Meet the artists and view their works at a joint Artists Reception on Thursday, April 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at both the Arts Barn & Kentlands Mansion, where the Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association’s exhibition will be on display. The joint reception is open to all and free to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Masks & social distancing are encouraged, but not required.

Members of Montgomery Potters will also provide docent tours of the exhibit from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the Arts Barn’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 15. “We are so pleased to welcome the Montgomery Potters to the Arts Barn Gallery,” says Gallery Program Coordinator Jaree Donnelly. “Their work is terrific and varied in style, and we hope our patrons will enjoy perusing the pieces from this talented group of artists & choose to acquire something from the exhibit for their collection or to give as a wonderful, unique gift.”

Construction Begins at Red Door Escape Room in Rio

By MCS Staff

Published March 22, 2023 at 11:25PM

Earlier this year we let you know that Red Door Escape Room is coming to Rio. It will be occupying the 4,057 SF space at 125 Boardwalk Place that was recently home to Locally Crafted before it moved a bit down the street, and previously home to Ann Taylor (across from Potbelly). Construction has begun (photo below) and we anticipate the escape room to be open in the next couple of months, though an opening date or timeframe has not yet been provided.

Red Door Escape Room has locations in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Virginia with its most recent location opening in the Richmond area at the end of 2022. An opening date for the Rio location is not yet available. More About Red Door Escape Room:

Privai Spa Closes Kentlands Location

By MCS Staff

Published March 22, 2023 at 3:38PM

Privai Spa has closed its Kentlands location at 62 Market St, an associate from the Pike & Rose location confirmed (Pike & Rose location remains open). The 7,425 SF space, which is now listed as available for lease by Saul Centers, was previously home to Mynd Spa and Red Door Spa. The associate informed us that the location has been closed for “at least a couple weeks.”

In October 2021, Privai Spa announced the expansion of its brand the debut of Privai | Spa + Salon. At that time, the company announced they would open a Pike & Rose location followed by a Gaithersburg location at 62 Market St. in the Kentlands neighborhood. Per Privai, “Founded upon the belief that everyone deserves “spa in a bottle” skincare products that provide accessible luxury and rejuvenation, Christina Stratton and Ilana Alberico developed the Privai line following the success of their spa and wellness management company, Innovative Spa Management (ISM SPA). This next evolution of the Privai brand brings their passion about self-care and personalized wellness to life in order to better serve individuals’ body, mind, and sense of self.”

Montgomery County to Sponsor Seven Pit Stops During Washington Region’s Annual ‘Bike to Work Day’ on Friday, May 19

By Patrick Herron

Published March 22, 2023 at 12:13PM

Per Montgomery County: National Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday, May 19, and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will sponsor seven pit stops throughout the County as part of the Washington Region’s participation in the event. Registration for the free event is now open. The first 15,000 bicyclists to register and participate will get a free t-shirt and will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike.

“Today, we offer more bike paths, dedicated lanes, as well as opportunities to transport a bike on RideOn, MetroBus and Metrorail, than ever before,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Biking to your job or to run errands is a healthy form of transportation that does not produce pollution or add cars to the road. I encourage everyone to join us on Bike to Work Day and consider biking as a transportation alternative this summer.”

Police Investigating Fatal Collision That Occurred Early Wednesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Published March 22, 2023 at 10:39AM

Montgomery County Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred at approximately 12:27 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Darnestown. According to MCPD, “The preliminary investigation has revealed that the driver of a gray Toyota 4Runner was traveling west in the 14400 block of Turkey Foot Road. For reasons that are still under investigation, the Toyota left the roadway and struck multiple trees, causing the vehicle to overturn. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police, Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating this collision. A news release will be distributed once more information is available, including the name of the deceased following proper notification of next of kin.”

We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

MCFRS Respond to Fire at Gaithersburg Apartment Building

By Patrick Herron

Published March 22, 2023 at 10:28AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at the Streamside Apartments on the 300 blk of N. Summit Ave, near Girard St, in Gaithersburg around 9am on Tuesday, March 22. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the “small” fire was located on the 3rd floor of the building around a ceiling exhaust fan. The fire has been extinguished and there were no injuries reported. One family has likely been displaced. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – N Summit Avenue, three-story garden-style apartment, smoke on third floor, small fire in living room knocked down, occupant is out and OK”