Rockville Archives - Page 219 of 366

Green Paint Installation Now Complete on Old Georgetown Rd Bike Lanes

Published April 28, 2023 at 2:22PM

Roadwork is now complete on MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) as MDOT SHA crews have finished the installation of the green paint on the MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) bike lanes. Last October the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) announced that it started a project to significantly improve safety for bicyclists and motorists on nearly two miles of MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) in North Bethesda. The changes on MD 187, between south of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Nicholson Lane, converted one travel lane in each direction in order to add buffered bicycle lanes and the installation of flex posts to outline the new bicycle lanes.

The addition of the bike lanes has been met with mixed reviews with a petition opposing the bike lanes receiving over 8,000 signatures and a petition created in response, supporting the bike lanes, receiving over 2,000 signatures. A rally was also held, in January, in support of the Old Georgetown Rd safety improvements. Featured photo courtesy of the ‘Support the SHA redesign of Old Georgetown Road’ petition.

Robert Frost Middle School Wins Maryland/DC Science Bowl Regional Championship, Currently Competing in National Finals

By Patrick Herron

Published April 28, 2023 at 9:07AM

Led by team captain Meghna Singh, members Cody Gao, Lucas Kim, Zoe Gorbachev, and Kiran Oliver remained undefeated throughout the morning’s round-robin style competition before advancing to the final round. After an intense final round, Frost defeated Takoma Park Middle School, sending them home with second place, while Herbert Hoover Middle School placed in third.

“As the defending champion, there were a lot of expectations for us to live up to, and I’m glad we didn’t disappoint.” said Meghna Singh. “This year was really special because it was the first time we had competed in person after COVID.”

Virtual Forum Coming for Rockville Landlords and Tenants

By MCS Staff

Published April 27, 2023 at 4:08PM | Updated April 27, 2023 at 4:47PM

Landlords and tenants can attend a virtual Landlord-Tenant Informational Webinar from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 24. The webinar aims to provide the City of Rockville’s rental community with valuable insights into policies and procedures of the Rental Facilities and Landlord-Tenant Relations code, and steps to obtain assistance from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Topics to be covered include an introduction to housing and community development housing programs staff, services available through landlord and tenant affairs and the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit rental program, the role of the Landlord-Tenant Affairs Commission, FAQs, and resources for landlords and tenants. Attendees can register ahead of time via WebEx at bit.ly/landlord_tenant_webinar_2023. For more landlord and tenant resources, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/259/Landlord-Tenant-Complaints.

RASA, A Fast-Casual Indian Restaurant, Officially Opens Today in Rockville

By MCS Staff

Published April 27, 2023 at 8:51AM | Updated April 27, 2023 at 4:13PM

In November we let you know that RASA, a fast-casual Indian restaurant with four locations in DC and Virginia, would be taking over the recently-closed Slapfish location at 12033 Rockville Pike in the Montrose Crossing shopping center. After a community day for charity on Wednesday, RASA officially opens its Rockville location today (Thursday, April 27th) at 10:30am.

The restaurant, founded by Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman (combined to create the name, RASA), opened its first location in Navy Yard in 2017 before opening a location in Mt. Vernon Triangle in 2020, Crystal City in 2021, and Fairfax this past summer. The menu offers seven chef-curated bowls under the “We Got You” portion of the menu, that includes their signature bowls like the “Tikka Chance on Me”, “Open Sesame”, “Eat Your Veggies”, “Home Cooking”, “Goa Your Own Way”, “Aloo Need is Love”, and “Caul on Me” or the “You Got It” portion of their menu that allows customers to “DIY” and design their own bowl using the assembly line format of a base, main, sauce, veggies, toppings, and chutneys/dressings. The full menu can be seen here.

Intellian to Invest $100 Million to Develop Satellite Communication Technologies in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 3:58PM

Per Montgomery County: Intellian Technologies, a leading global provider of multi-constellation, feature-rich, future-proof satellite user terminals and communications solutions, announced this week that it will invest $100 million into the research and development of satellite communication technologies. The announcement was made at the official opening of its Advanced Development Center (ADC) in Rockville.

Intellian’s role within the satellite communications industry has become increasingly essential in the past 20 years. Its gateways land traffic from communication satellites, with Intellian’s user terminals empowering consumer connectivity to the satellite networks. ADC is Intellian’s first and only U.S.-based research and development center, hosting a number of top industry talent for the product development of phased array antennas and user terminals. Growing to a team of more than 70 by the end of 2023, the investment will boost economic growth and foster innovation within Maryland and in Montgomery County.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 40-Year-Old That was Last Heard From in November

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 2:51PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Cold Case Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Robert Alexander Jeffers, a missing 44-year-old man. Jeffers was last heard from on Tuesday, November 4, 2022. He may be in the Baltimore, MD or York, PA areas. He is approximately 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. It is unknown what he was last seen wearing. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Robert Alexander Jeffers is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

Construction Begins at Dunkin’ in Traville Gateway

By MCS Staff

Published April 26, 2023 at 2:39PM

In December, we let you know that Dunkin’ is continuing its massive expansion across the country and in MoCo, with an upcoming location coming to the Traville Village Center in Rockville. We then learned that it will be taking over 1,500 SF in the back half of the building that was previously home to Capital One Bank building at 9761 Traville Gateway Drive (rendering available below). Construction recently began on the location that will also have a drive-thru.1,700 SF on the front side of the building is still available to lease.

Since Inspire Brands acquired Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins in late 2020 for $11.3 billion, the company has been opening in former bank locations that allow for easy installation of a drive-thru window. Dunkin has also aimed for non-traditional development that includes opening in airports and on college campuses, including the University of Maryland. Featured photo by Ted Pescado

Vehicle Driven Into Papa John’s in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2023 at 9:07AM

An SUV was driven into Papa John’s at College Plaza in Rockville (near Montgomery College Rockville) on Tuesday, April 25 around 10pm. There were no serious injuries and a building inspector was notified. Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer reminds residents that “Papa John’s delivers and there is no need to drive-in for carry out.” We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “(~10p 4/25) 15100blk Frederick Av, near College Parkway, Rockville, collision, vehicle into bldg, @mcfrs RS703 & others responded, building inspector notified @MCFRSNews”

MCFRS Respond to Truck Fire on I-270 Tuesday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2023 at 1:56PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire on northbound I-270 (prior to Exit 6A MD 28 W Montgomery Ave) on Tuesday, April 25 around 12pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the vehicle involved was semi-trailer truck that was packed full of paper products. MCFRS units pulled pallets out from the truck and extinguished the smoldering debris. WTOP reports that cleanup is ongoing as of 1:30pm. Drivers should expect residual delays. We will post an update when additional information is available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “(~1245p) NB I270 @ Exit 6A, local lanes Between Falls Road & Rt28, Rockville, Semi tractor trailer packed full of paper products. Smoldering. @mcfrs Units beginning to pull pallets out & extinguishing. Extended operations, some lanes blocked”

Hinode to Close Permanently in May After 31 Years

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2023 at 11:39AM

Hinode Japanese Restaurant (134 Congressional Ln in Rockville), a local family-owned restaurant that has been serving traditional Japanese cuisine in Montgomery County since 1992, is closing permanently next month.

The restaurant, well known for its sushi buffet, posted a notice stating the following on its website earlier this week, “We do not serve alcoholic beverage effective on May 1st, 2023. Restaurant is planning to close permanently as of May 15, 2023. We really appreciate your patronage for last 25 years. Thank you.” The notice has since been removed from the website, but a call to the restaurant this morning confirmed the closure, with a representative stating that Hinode would close after Mother’s Day.

So What Else?, A Non-Profit That Serves 150,000 Meals Per Week to Those in Need, Finds New Home After Being Forced to Leave Lakeforest

By MCS Staff

Published April 24, 2023 at 5:59PM

In January, So What Else received the devastating news that its lease at Lakeforest Mall was being terminated due to the recent purchase of the space for redevelopment. The Rockville-based non-profit operated its food pantry out of Lakeforest, but was required to vacate by March 31st. They’ve now moved their pantry headquarters to a new location at 4924 Wyaconda Rd in North Bethesda to continue serving 150,000 meals a week without disruption. So What Else? mentions that this move comes with a 1300% rent increase and will be holding a “Forced to Move Fundraiser”’in May.

So What Else’s mission is “to improve the lives of children and families living in underserved communities in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area by providing food security, access to basic necessities, and high-quality out-of-school time programs in literacy, athletics, and the visual and performing arts while inspiring young people to give back to the community by creating volunteer opportunities for individuals of all ages.” So What Else’s new distribution schedule, starting May 1st, can be seen below.