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

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Christine Mowat, a missing 49-year-old.https://t.co/RPKaHK0bKS pic.twitter.com/0Fa7Ek3pKK


The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Sean Smith Jr., a missing 14-year-old from Germantown. Smith was last seen on August 1, 2023, in the 19300 block of Crystal Rock Dr. in Germantown. He is 6’1″, 150 lbs, with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, carrying a blue and black backpack

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


EchoStar, the parent company of Germantown-based broadband satellite services provider Hughes, and Dish Network have signed an all-stock merger agreement with the goal of establishing a global connectivity provider to businesses, governments and consumers. The boards of directors at both companies unanimously approved the deal and all parties expect to complete the transaction by the end of 2023, according to a joint statement released Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Dish Network shareholders will own 69 percent of the combined firm and EchoStar shareholders will hold the remaining 31 percent. Charles Egren, co-founder and chairman of the two companies, will serve as executive chairman of the merged entity upon the deal’s closure, while EchoStar President and CEO Hamid Akhavan will lead the future organization to be headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.


There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Walmart (20910 Frederick Rd) in Germantown on Friday, August 25 at 7am with the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) to mark the completion of recent renovations at the location.  According to the GGCC, “Join us for Walmart Supercenter’s ribbon cutting and unveiling of its new store remodel at the Germantown location! The $7 million remodel includes a new floor plan, parking lot project, new merchandise, food online grocery delivery , and 60 new associate hires. Walmart’s Germantown location currently employees nearly 500 people and is celebrating 20 years of being part of the community.”

Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings is also scheduled to open inside the Germantown Walmart soon, though no opening date has been announced. Charleys is taking over the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.


At approximately 11:22 p.m., Montgomery Counry Police responded to the 12700 block of Sesame Seed Court for the report of a shooting.

According to police, the preliminary investigation has revealed that shots were fired near the location and one of the rounds struck the foot of a 12 year old female who was inside her residence. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. No suspects in custody. The scene is secured.


At approximately 12:31am early Friday morning, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) investigated an odor that caused respiratory irritation to persons working in the building at 20200 Observation Drive at Montgomery College in Germantown.

According to Assistant Chief James Carpenter, the MCFRS Hazmat team investigated and found that chemicals were accidentally mixed that caused the reactions, and worked to ventilate the structure. Six adult patients were evaluated on the scene with mild respiratory irritation, with five of the adult adult patients eventually transported to the the local emergency room for evaluation of non-life-the injuries.


Gold’s Gym will be holding a Grand Opening celebration for its new Germantown location at 12922 Middlebrook Rd. The gym opened earlier this month in the former location of DSW in the Germantown Commons shopping center, next to the recently closed Bed Bath & Beyond. The celebration will feature over $10K in giveaways and will take place on Tuesday, August 15th from 10am until 7pm.

Per Gold’s Gym: “Join us from 10AM-7PM to celebrate our brand new gym location by experiencing group exercise classes, free giveaways, special membership offers, fitness competitions, Therabody recovery clinic, free food, live dj and more — Presented by Celsius! Attend to enter for a chance to win a 1 year FREE membership!


The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old. Fernanda Azevedo De Silva was last seen on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m., on Bronco Ct. in Germantown Silva is 5 feet, 120 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.

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


In February, we let you know that Hope Grows Child Development Center selected the Fox Chapel Shopping Center as the children’s daycare and educational facility’s third location in Montgomery County– taking over part of the space that was home to Gold’s Gym, prior to its move a couple miles away. Now we know that they’ve pulled a permit valued at $1.4 million and are ready to begin construction at the space, courtesy of Maryland Newsletters.

Founded and owned by Salema Horn, the group signed a lease with Fox Chapel, LLC for 10,803 square feet of space within the 115,000 square foot neighborhood shopping center positioned at 19721 North Frederick Road in Germantown. Hope Grows Child Development Center offers a range of programming for children ranging from infant to school age including before and after school daycare. The center focuses on providing a nurturing and educational environment with an emphasis on intellect and social development and maintaining an atmosphere that promotes respect for diversity, mutual trust and personal and social responsibility. The educational philosophy is guided by the standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and parents are recognized as an integral component of their child’s ongoing education.


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