Montgomery County will host two free Independence Day fireworks displays this year, one on Saturday, July 1, and the other on Tuesday, July 4. The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.”


Ailing historic tree expected to come down later this summer.Montgomery Parks has postponed plans to remove the historic Linden White Oak tree until later this summer. The removal is on hold pending a Historic Area Work Permit.

The Linden Oak is estimated to be more than 300 years old. It is listed in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation for Montgomery County and is located at the intersection of Rockville Pike, Beach Drive and Grosvenor Lane.  


The married dad, who has a baby on the way, called his wife immediately to come check the instant ticket to confirm his win. He next shared the great news with his father. Both doubted the winner’s luck so they went to a Lottery retailer and got the top-prize win confirmed by the ticket scanner and the store cashier.

The lucky player, accompanied by his dad, claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore last week. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use the winnings for his growing family and will celebrate with a big family dinner. Also celebrating this huge win is the Lottery retailer that sold the winning instant ticket. Safeway #2753 located at 10541 Connecticut Avenue will receive a $300 bonus from the Lottery for selling the $30,000 top-prize winner. The Red Hot Cash instant ticket went on sale at the end of May with eight $30,000 top prizes. Seven top prizes remain. There are also 16 $1,000 prizes left along with over 806,000 prizes ranging from $3 to $500. The instant ticket joins a Hot family of games that went on sale May 22: a $1 Hot 7s, $2 Hot 7s Doubler$5 Hot 7s Tripler and $10 Hot 7s Multiplier scratch-off. A $20 Hot 777 ticket went on sale in April. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.


Marathon Deli, a staple of College Park and life at the University of Maryland for decades, has signed on to open a new location at the upcoming Kensington Crossing shopping center on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Plyers Mill Rd. Known for its specials, like its $6 gyros on Mondays, $6 steak and cheese on Tuesdays, and $6 chicken parm subs on Wednesdays, Marathon offers a variety of Greek specialities, subs, pizza, and more.

Construction began earlier this year at Kensington Crossing at 10619 Connecticut Avenue (at Plyers Mill Road). Since plans were approved, Kensington Crossing has also signed M&T Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings GO, and Mezeh for the upcoming shopping center. More about Marathon Deli below:


The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.” Mid-County Sparkles will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 with concerts by Ocho de Bastos and Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band. The only parking available on-site will be for individuals with disabilities. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m., from Westfield Wheaton, located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road. Event goers who park at Westfield Wheaton prior to 5:30 p.m. may be subject to towing by the property owner. Follow the directional signs for event parking and shuttles.


The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and Town of Poolesville will also hold its annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks on Tuesday, July 4th. “Join our community in celebrating our national patriotism at the Soccer Fields off of Hughes Road! There will be music, food, fireworks and fun! Gates open at 5 pm.”

So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Kensington/Wheaton, and Rockville:


Barbara is approximately 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown hair. She was last seen wearing glasses, a light green short sleeve blouse and dark cargo style pants. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Barbara Bend is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the 2nd District Investigative Section at (240) -773-6710.


Courtney Osbourne, a teacher at Newport Mill Middle School, was presented a $5,000 grant from Washington Gas as part of an Eco-Challenge grant from WUSA-9 and the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The funding will go toward creating a sustainable food garden and pollinator meditation garden with a composting section. The school will work with Silver Spring Impact to make the garden a reality. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps. Watch the video below:


A plan to replace the Einstein High School tennis courts with classroom portables does not seem to be a popular one for the Einstein community, as a petition against the plan, created two days ago, has already gained 600 signatures. The official Einstein High School football team twitter account has also asked MCPS about this move, “Day 1: Hey @MCPS why are you taking away facilities from our school and community for more portables? Putting portables on tennis courts? Please provide and explanation and cite your evidence as to how this is equitable to our students” The petition states the following:

“Plans are being made to replace the Einstein Tennis Courts with classroom portables. This would take away 3 courts and leave the Tennis Program to practice on just the 4 courts that belong to Newport Mill Middle School. This would leave 2 courts per team which would create cramped and unproductive practices. We also need all 7 courts for our games, and leaving the team with 4 would make our games last significantly longer.


Stella Point Grille is coming very soon to 3739 University Blvd in Kensington. Graham Gursky, joined in ownership with Stephen Lee, the principal owner of China Gourmet, have rebranded as Stella Point Grille and will offer what they call “elevated American bar fare.”

Gursky assured us that the food will be competitively priced, “We won’t be selling $20 chicken wings or $10 Miller Lites.” he said. Gursky also praised local Kensington restaurants Knowles Station and Talia’s Cuzina, telling us that there are great restaurants in Kensington but that he hopes to fill the void of something lacking in the area. Stella Point Grille will be a restaurant where you can enjoy a nice meal and is also a sports bar with 17 televisions ranging 55 to 85 inches. They’ll offer event nights like karaoke, trivia, etc. along with signature food specials created by Chef Leonel Merlos throughout most of the week.


The winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for Maryland’s 8th District is Olivia Ensign from the MCPS Visual Arts Center at Albert Einstein High School. Olivia’s piece is titled The Memory Quilt: Pieces of Myself.

“Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Now in its 42nd year, more than 650,000 high school students have participated since the competition’s inception in 1982.”


View More Stories