All potentially affected product has been removed from sale and destroyed. If you purchased or received any donations of Almond Windmill Cookies and/or Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies, please do not eat them. We urge you to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time] or send us an email.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary that occurred on May 30, 2023, at the News & Valet shop in the 1300 block of East West Hwy. in Silver Spring. Detectives have release photos of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

At approximately 8 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier.   The preliminary investigation by detectives has revealed that while the store was closed, between Friday, May 26, 2023 and Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the suspect broke the lower window of the store, with a rock, went inside and stole an undisclosed amount of merchandise.


Takoma Park’s National Night Out (NNO) event will take place on Tuesday, August 1st from 6pm-9pm at Piney Branch Elementary School (7510 Maple Ave). National Night Out is an annual event hosted by the police department to bring the community together as a whole to increase awareness in safety and crime prevention; to support locally-based businesses, groups, and organizations; and to strengthen relationships among the community members and between the community and local police department. The event will include:

Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps


Peri Peri Original & Kallisto Steakhouse is now open in the space that was previously home to Pollo Mex at 13436 New Hampshire Ave in the Colesville Center. Pollo Mex closed last summer after 12 years in the location. Items at Peri Peri Original include wings, coconut shrimp, flame-grilled chicken, pita sandwiches, wraps, smash burgers, and tacos.  Kallisto Steakhouse, a concept by the owners of Peri Peri Original, will be joining Peri Peri in the restaurant space, but items from its menu are currently unavailable.

Peri Peri Original is an international chain that has over ten locations in Virginia and Maryland, as well as an additional location coming to Rockville (location not yet available). “Peri Peri chicken is marinated for 24hrs in our unique Portuguese Peri Peri sauce flamed grilled for serving from the spice selection of your choice.” The first United States location was opened in 2018 in Alexandria, Virginia. Kallisto Steakhouse was launched in 2020 in Herndon, VA. “Impatient and unsatisfied from the unavailability of true steak parlors and appropriate cuts under Halal sector, company leaders took a daunting and brave step to take the reins in their hands and inaugurated the operations with the deep vision on providing excellence around the principles of 3Ps – people, process and product. Kallisto Steakhouse incepted with only one goal and that is to bring premium cut and best in class Halal Steaks to its loyal and respected steak connoisseurs, Kallisto Steak house company is proud of being a first mover in the steak industry while offering the unique products to its esteemed patrons. The founders bring deep enthusiasm towards ensuring the sophistication in ultimate product delivery to the end consumers with pride and excellence. Furthermore, finding passion and zeal in delivering mouthwatering steaks that are flavored and grilled to perfection to serve the perfect taste and fulfill the appetite.” 


Per MCPD: A male suspected of stabbing four people was shot and killed by a Montgomery County Police officer late Saturday morning.

At approximately 10:36 a.m., on Saturday, July 22, 2023, Montgomery County Department of Police 4th District officers were dispatched to the Unique Thrift Store, located in the 12200 block of Veirs Mill Road, after receiving multiple calls for a stabbing that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female suffering from apparent stab wounds.


Per Montgomery County Police: “MCPD 4th District officers are on scene of an officer involved shooting in the 4300 block of Havard Street. The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division has been notified and are enroute. The scene is secured and there is not a current threat to the community.”

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer tweeted that MCFRS “assisted injured persons (from assault) found in several nearby locations within close proximity, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported at least 4 patients to local hospitals.”


Lotus Cafe, located at 8077 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, will close permanently at the end of July, according to a representative from the restaurant. The restaurant has been serving the Silver Spring community for nearly 15 years and has garnered over 300 Yelp reviews and over 350 of Google reviews, earning 4 and 4.4 stars respectively. The restaurant has offered Vietnamese cuisine and is known for its outdoor patio in Silver Spring. There is no word on a possible replacement.

Featured photo courtesy of Lotus Cafe.


The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old. Carol Hernandez was last seen on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane in Hillandale/Silver Spring.  Hernandez is 5’2″, 145 lbs, with short black hair above the shoulders and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white tank top and blue jean shorts. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carol Hernandez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Michael McAuliffe has sentenced defendant, Aaron Jefferson, 28, of Washington D.C., to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised probation upon release, for a shooting on the 7900 Block of Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Judge McAuliffe issued the sentence on July 17th, 2023. On May 31, 2023, Jefferson pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and reckless endangerment for his role in the incident, which occurred on October 2, 2021. Investigators believe this shooting was the result of a rival gang dispute.

More than 40 rifle and handgun casings were recovered from the scene. Bullets struck a man in the hand and leg. That victim survived. Three commercial businesses and five vehicles were also hit by bullets. The investigation by Montgomery County Police showed that Jefferson was one of multiple individuals shooting handguns and a rifle. Jefferson was shot in the back and back of his neck. It’s believed he sustained his injuries as a result of the other shooters hitting him from behind. The search continues for additional suspects. Assistant State’s Attorney Thea Zumwalt prosecuted this case.”


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary that occurred on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Montgomery County Liquor and Wine store in the 11200 block of New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance video of the six suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

At approximately 5:49 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of burglary. The investigation by detectives has revealed that the six suspects arrived at the store in a black Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and a black BMW 5-Series sedan. The suspects forced entry into the store, stole an undisclosed amount of merchandise and left the scene in their vehicles.  Detectives reviewed the surveillance video of the store and obtained a description of the suspects.


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