Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fatal collision involving a single motorcycle on Thursday, August 10.  According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision occurred on NB I270 between Route 27 and Route 121, on the ramp to Exit 18, around 7:30pm.

According to police, via FOX 5’s Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) on Twitter, “Shortly after 7:30 p.m. this evening, troopers from the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack responded to northbound I-270 to MD 121 for the report of a motor vehicle crash involving a single motorcycle. Preliminary investigation reveals a Motorcycle was traveling on the ramp from N/B I-270 when for unknown reasons, traveled off the roadway and struck a guardrail. The operator and sole occupant on the Motorcycle, who has not been identified, was pronounced deceased on the scene by emergency medical services personnel. All lanes have since reopened. The cause of the crash is under investigation.” We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


The Montgomery County Planning Department will hold a community kickoff meeting for the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan at Clarksburg Neighborhood Park (22501 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871) on Wednesday, July 26th, starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the indoor building near the entrance to the park.

The Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan will examine undeveloped areas—specifically, the eastern side of I-270 within the I-270 corridor—that have largely remained unchanged in the last 30 years. Alongside extensive local input and in-depth conversations with residents, business owners, and the tech and life sciences communities, Montgomery Planning staff will evaluate the plan area’s trends and conditions before developing recommendations for realizing a thriving Clarksburg that works for the future of both its residents and the surrounding county.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 25-year-old Jerald McCalla, of Clarksburg, with auto theft related charges.

In July 2023, detectives from the Auto Crime Enforcement Section began an investigation into a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT that was stolen in May 2023 through fraudulent means from a car dealership in Farmington, Missouri.  During the investigation, detectives identified McCalla as the suspect.


In a proposal from earlier this summer, Clarksburg Town Center is looking for approval on limited amendments that would put the upcoming development in “a position to attract additional tenants and multifamily residents sufficient to support development of this final phase of Clarksburg Town Center.” The subject amendments to the Project Plan, Preliminary Plan and Site Plan propose construction of 179 multifamily units in three buildings along the east side of Clarksburg Square Road, and approximately 99,200 sq. ft. of retail/commercial space, including a grocery store of approximately 55,000 sq. ft.

At a Clarksburg community meeting on the future of the Clarksburg Town Center (CTC) last December, it was revealed in updated plans that the hope was for construction to begin in 2024 and be completed in “one fell swoop”. It was also announced that a grocery anchor, Weis, has signed a letter of intent to open up a new store at the CTC.


In honor of National Ice Cream Day (Sunday, July 16th), I wanted to share my current 15 favorite ice cream spots in MoCo. I say current because this list often changes with places moving in and out of my rotation. While I love just about every ice cream place there is, I’m choosing the 15 that appeal to me the most right now. I’m also including places that offer “frozen treats” because I consider it all in the ice cream family. If there’s a place not listed, it’s just not currently in my top 15, which is likely to look different than yours (I’m only one person and can only eat so much ice cream, so there are also likely places I haven’t been to yet 😊). The list you’ll see below is accurate as of July 16th, 2023:

15. Sprinkles (Potomac): A Potomac Village staple since the late 80s, I first tried Sprinkles at some point in the 90s. It’s a bit out of the way in terms of things I’ve done in general so I haven’t been lately, but I enjoy it when I go.


Per MCPD: A 24-year-old Clarksburg man has died following a traffic collision that occurred on Sunday, July 9, 2023. At approximately 6:13 p.m., 5th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Frederick Rd. at Milestone Manor Ln., for the report of a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle.

Preliminarily, Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) detectives have determined that the operator of a black 2021 Yamaha MT09 motorcycle was traveling southbound on Frederick Rd. approaching the intersection at Milestone Manor Ln. when for reasons still under investigation, he struck a left turning white 2017 Toyota Prius. The driver of the Prius and a passenger were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The motorcyclist has been identified as Elijah Isaiah Shand Thweatt, of Clarksburg. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773-6620.


The Jolly Shows Carnival will be at the Clarksburg Outlets (22705 Clarksburg Road Clarksburg, MD 20871) from July 12-16. There will be over 30 attractions, including carnival rides, games, and food wagons. According to their website, “We are a new generation of carnival operators who strive to be more progressive and professional. We realize that we must produce a premium product for our customer’s hard earned money. We won’t forget our proud traditions, but we are committed to overcoming the stigmas which have hindered our industry for far too long.” Tickets can be purchased here.

The carnival will be open weekdays 5-11pm, Saturday 1-11pm, and Sunday 3-11pm. Ride tickets cost $1.75 each and unlimited ride wristbands between $25-30.


Baked Potato House, featuring “delicious stuffed potatoes”, is now open in the Clarksburg Premium Outlets, taking over the space that was previously home to Day & Night Cereal Bar. The cereal bar cleared out of the space in May and is expected to open in a new location sometime this summer.

Menu items at Baked Potato House include a “build your own” stuffed potato with toppings such as cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, gyro meat, broccoli, olives, sweet corn, and a variety of sauces, a selection of specialty baked potatoes, ice cream, and lemonade. The menu also features “wet burgers,” an Istanbul-style street burger that has been marinated in a special tomato sauce.


Per MCPD: Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Patrol officers have arrested and charged 21-year-old Lawrence Xavier Harrison, of Gaithersburg, and two juvenile males with auto theft related charges, following a traffic stop that occurred on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

At approximately 1:11 a.m., officers were patrolling the area of Frederick Rd. and Rosecrest Dr. (Clarksburg) when they observed a white Hyundai traveling northbound on Frederick Rd. with its headlights off and at a high rate of speed.  Officers followed the Hyundai, and determined that the Hyundai had been reported stolen. Officers observed the Hyundai make a U-Turn and fail to stop at a red traffic light. The Hyundai then got on northbound I-270 Highway. Officers activated their lights and sirens and attempted to pull over the Hyundai on I-270, but the driver of the Hyundai failed to stop and continued traveling a high rate of speed, committing several traffic infractions.


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