Cedar Fair (owner of Kings Dominion) and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, announced today that the two companies will be merging. The combined company will operate a portfolio of 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and 9 resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. According to a press release, “the combined company, with a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $8 billion based on both companies’ debt and equity values as of October 31, 2023, will be a leading amusement park operator in the highly competitive leisure space with an expanded and diversified footprint, a more robust operating model and a strong revenue and cash flow generation profile.” The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2024
Silver Branch Brewing has announced its opening a second location in Old Town Warrenton, Virginia. According to the brewery, the new facility will allow them to brew a wider selection of beer and increase production on core beers. Silver Branch Brewing opened at 8401 Colesville Rd #150 in Silver Spring in 2019. Additional information below courtesy of Silver Branch:
Silver Branch Brewing Companyannounced today they will open a second taproom and biergarten in Old Town Warrenton, Virginia. Silver Branch Warrenton Station will expand our ability to brew a greater variety of beers and bring our brand of hospitality and taproom experience to Virginia.
The second location will allow Silver Branch to brew more taproom-only beers in a variety of styles, and enable the company to increase production of our popular flagship brands. Between the two brewing locations, the team can achieve their goal of offering 18 to 24 rotating taps at each place, with a diverse selection of styles from the four major brewing cultures: Central Europe, British Isles, the Americas, and Belgium.
This growth will also open new opportunities to connect with guests and consumers in Virginia.
Opening Fall 2023 in the former Wort Hog Brewing location at 41 Beckham Street, Silver Branch Warrenton Station will bring the company’s passion for brewing traditional styles and modern favorites together with the history and charm of downtown Warrenton.
Silver Branch’s Fauquier County brewery will offer a diverse food menu and full bar with cocktails and wine to pair with their award-winning craft beer.
The company will produce a full calendar of European-inspired community festivals, including Oktoberfest, Kölschfest and Starkbierzeit, as well as creating local events in Warrenton, such as trivia night and First Friday specials.
Co-Founders Christian Layke and Brett Robison grew up in Vienna and Great Falls respectively and are excited to join Virginia’s craft beer community.
“Bringing beer into the commonwealth has been a central part of our vision for a long time,” says Layke.
Robison says, “For us, beer is more than a liquid, it’s a welcoming social experience that’s essential to our ethos.”
Before opening, Silver Branch Brewing is inviting enthusiastic beer lovers from Fauquier County and surrounding areas to join their team. Applications are open on indeed.com.
The company is also seeking opportunities to join community events. Organizers are encouraged to contact [email protected]
For updates, follow @silverbranchus on Instagram or Facebook and visit silverbranchbrewing.com.
Earlier today, White’s Ferry owner Chuck Kuhn released a statement saying that Rockland Farm, the Virginia landing site for the ferry, had rejected a $1.1 million dollar offer to purchase the Virginia site. In the statement, Kuhn also announced his intentions to sell the ferry to Montgomery County; “We have run out of options and will now seek to sell the ferry land and operations to Montgomery County so it can work to invoke eminent domain and acquire the Virginia landing site.”
Rockland Farm tells us, “the reason that Rockland Farm turned down the $1.1 M combined offer from Loudoun County, Montgomery County, and Mr. Kuhn is that we will not accept a flat fee for our Virginia landing.” Rockland Farm has stated on several occasions that it was requesting $.50 per vehicle. “All that it would have taken to get the ferry open would be to increase the fee by 50 cents per ride for the use of our landing, but Mr. Kuhn said no.”
Full statement from Rockland Farm below:
“Mr. Kuhn’s willingness to sell the Maryland ferry assets to Montgomery County is good news. If the price is disclosed, Rockland Farm will consider buying the ferry assets for the same price and will bring in an independent ferry operator to get a ferry up and running again without further ado.
The reason that Rockland Farm turned down the $1.1 M combined offer from Loudoun County, Montgomery County, and Mr. Kuhn is that we will not accept a flat fee for our Virginia landing. We favor a volume-based fee that varies with the amount of traffic encroaching upon our land and will work with either county to accomplish that.
We have also located a nationally based company that will work with both sides to get a ferry up and running again and operate it. However, Mr. Kuhn has refused to work with this company and has told them that he intends to be the ferry operator.
Rockland Farm has also made an offer to both Montgomery and Loudoun Counties for a permanent easement on our Virginia landing in exchange for a volume-based fee. Our offer is still on the table.
Finally, we are willing to work with Loudoun and Montgomery Counties to explore realigning our landing, acquiring a vessel, putting in a maintenance facility and operating the ferry from Virginia using an independent operator”.
Around this time last year, President Biden talked about relocating the FBI headquarters to the suburbs from its current Pennsylvania Avenue location in DC. This past September, the GSA officially announced the new sight selection process for the new headquarters.
Currently, Maryland has two proposed locations for the FBI headquarters in PG county and Virginia has one Springfield location as a contender. The competition between Maryland and Virginia picked up this past week when the Maryland governor, lieutenant governor, Prince George’s County Executive, and Democrats in Congress all signed a letter for President Biden. The letter argues that the proposed Maryland locations “has the potential to be a shining example of the integrity of your executive orders” relating to racial equity and opportunities that he signed on his first day in office.
“The economic disparity between Prince George’s County and other jurisdictions in the National Capital Region did not materialize overnight. It is the result of a systemic imbalance in decision making over time about the sitting of federal offices….”
Virginia leaders countered the argument by saying that brining bringing federal facilities to Springfield is in line with the president’s stance on considering racial equity. Maryland then rebutted the augment by stating that stating diversity is not the same as equity, pointing out that Fairfax County overall is 64% white while Prince George’s is a majority-minority county.
During the heat of the rapid-fire between states, on March 9th, Maryland governor Wes Moore (D) challenged Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) to a game of basketball where the winner gets the new FBI HQ, and Gov Yongkin accepted with a reply tweet saying “game on!”
There is no official word as to whether or not a game would actually take place but it definitely lightened up the mood with a friendly Twitter exchange.
Game on! https://t.co/7lkZyB5Jmt pic.twitter.com/iIGyFoWWjA
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) March 9, 2023
On Wednesday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Ian, which is expected to start impacting parts of DC, Maryland, and Virginia on Friday evening. According to a press release, the State of Emergency “allows the Commonwealth to mobilize resources and equipment needed for response and recovery efforts. Virginians should be prepared for the potential of severe rainfall, flooding, wind damage, tornadoes, and other storm-related impacts.” The full text of Executive Order 22 is available here.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan tweeted that he is continuing to monitor Hurricane Ian for any potential impact on the state and “in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request, an incident management team consisting of personnel from Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties has deployed to the State of Florida.”
Per the Maryland Department of Emergency Management:
- The situation is fast-moving and continues to develop; you can stay informed by signing up for MdReady/MdListo. Signing up is easy: text MdReady (or MdListo for Spanish texts) to 211-MD1 (211-631).
- Ian will bring periods of light to moderate rain Friday night through Sunday as well as the risk of inland flooding and flash flooding.
- Periods of gale-force winds are possible at times through Monday, mainly for ocean beaches and south of Drum Point/Cobb Point MD on the Chesapeake/Potomac:
- Be careful around standing water, particularly while driving. It can be difficult to tell how deep it is at first glance. Flash flooding can be quick and dangerous. If you receive a flood watch, warning, or suspect flooding is happening, immediately head to higher ground.
- Create or update your family’s emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, and medical supplies. Learn more about kits here: bit.ly/-kits Have a family plan for what to do in the event of a disaster and/or evacuation.
- Keep following Maryland Department of Emergency Management, MdReady/Listo, and your local news for more information on Hurricane Ian.
We continue to monitor Hurricane Ian for any potential impact on the state.
In response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request, an incident management team consisting of personnel from Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties has deployed to the State of Florida. https://t.co/gmZ7m6fSN2
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) September 28, 2022
On Tuesday, former Washington Commander safety Deshazor Everett plead guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving in the collision that resulted in the death of his girlfriend, Olivia Peters. The crash occurred on December 23, 2021 on Gum Spring Road near Ticonderoga Road in Loudoun County, VA. According to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, Everett was driving his 2010 Nissan GT-R more than double the speed limit at the time of the incident. Peters was taken to StoneSprings Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Peters, 29, was a 2010 graduate of Good Counsel in Olney and a native of Rockville, MD, where she lived until moving to Las Vegas, NV.
Everett was released by the Commanders in March and is currently a free agent. He is due back in court in September and could face up to a year in jail.
December 24, 2021:
Per the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office:
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Thursday night on Gum Spring Road.
The driver of a 2010 Nissan GT-R was traveling north on Gum Spring Road near Ticonderoga Road when around 9:15 p.m. the vehicle left the right side of roadway, struck several trees, and rolled over.
The passenger, Olivia S. Peters, 29, of Las Vegas, Nevada was taken to StoneSprings Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
The driver was taken to Reston Hospital Center where he is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Witnesses to the crash who have not already spoken with law enforcement are asked to contact Investigator M. Lotz of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-777-1021.
FOX5 reports that a suspect wanted in connection with a Germantown shooting fired shots at a Montgomery County Police officer this morning before initiating a pursuit that ended in Virginia after the suspect crashed their vehicle.
The following is a brief summary of events regarding the incident, courtesy of MCPD:
At 9:24 a.m., the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center received multiple calls for a man with a gun and shots fired, in the 11300 block of Hawks Ridge Terrace in Germantown.
5th District officers arrived on scene and the suspect fled. When the suspect fired at a Montgomery County Police officer, a pursuit was initiated, and several police jurisdictions were notified that the suspect was headed towards VA.
The pursuit ended in Fairfax, VA after the suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed. No officers were injured during this incident.
This is a developing story and we will post an update when more information becomes available.
Per MCPD:
For Immediate Release: Monday, May 23, 2022
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Vice and Intelligence Unit (V&I) have arrested and charged 38-year-old Joshua Taber, of Virginia for charges related to impersonating a police officer.
On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, The V&I Unit were conducting surveillance at the Rockville Hotel, located at 3 Research Court, when detectives observed a black Chevrolet Tahoe that appeared to be an unmarked police vehicle. To ensure that they were not hindering another police investigation, detectives contacted the hotel to determine who the vehicle belonged to.
During their investigation, detectives determined that the vehicle was registered to Taber who identified himself as an “agent” when he checked into the hotel. He displayed what hotel staff believed to be law enforcement identification and stated that his “government issued vehicle” needed to be parked in front of the hotel. Through further investigation, it was determined that Taber was not an “agent” and falsely identified himself as such.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Taber’s hotel room which revealed, multiple ID cards with the title “Special Agent” and multiple firearms. A search warrant for Taber’s vehicle was also obtained and revealed multiple firearms, to include a privately manufactured firearm, also referred to as a ghost gun. The search also revealed various pieces of police paraphernalia, a ballistic vest, multiple holsters, magazines and ammunition. Taber has been charged with impersonating a police officer and multiple firearms related charges.
Dogfish Head Alehouse announced that it will be closing its Falls Church, VA location at 6220 Leesburg Pike in the Seven Corners Shopping Center. The restaurant says it was unable to come to terms with the property owner when it came time to renew its lease. The last day of service will be on May 15.
The Dogfish Alehouse locations at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg and 13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy in Fairfax, VA will remain open.
The Gaithersburg Alehouse has been a premiere destination for craft beer drinkers in Montgomery County since 2005 and is located in the building that was formerly home to Pat & Mike’s, Il Castillo, and Diamond Grille/Gentleman Jim’s.
Below you’ll see an early 90’s photo of Pat & Mike’s and a recent photo of Dogfish.
Dogfish Head Alehouse posted the following message on their Facebook page on April 15:
A private ambulance was carjacked by a man around 2:45am this morning near Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville.
The ambulance was stolen in the 14900 block of Broshchart Road, according to Montgomery County Police.
NBC4 reports that the ambulance was chased by police down I-270, onto I-495 and over the American Legion Bridge into Virginia. The chase ended on Route 110 near the Pentagon in Arlington when the ambulance was stopped and the suspect was arrested by Virginia State Police.
The identity of the suspect, who is going to extradited to Montgomery County, has not been released.
The right lane of I-495 South (Beltway Outer Loop) will be closed above the Dulles Toll Road (Virginia 267), from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24 to 5AM Monday, Sept. 27 for bridge joint work, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Additionally, crews will close a 2nd right lane nightly this weekend starting at 11PM. Crews are scheduled to reopen the 2nd lane from the right Saturday and Sunday Mornings at 7AM. 1 right lane will remain closed all weekend. All exit ramps will remain open.
Crews will be working on the joints in the bridges carrying Beltway Outer Loop traffic over the Dulles Toll Road. Though large portions of the Beltway were rebuilt as part of the I-495 Express Lanes project, these bridges were not. These bridges were built in the 1960s.
Tysons: On Fri 9/24-Sun 9/26, plan for nightly double lane closures on I-495 SB (Outer Loop) over the @Dulles_Toll_Rd for bridge work. The I-495 SB right lane will be closed all weekend. More info: https://t.co/YjukJbmgRM pic.twitter.com/mVhUtZSuns
— VDOT Northern VA 😷 (@VaDOTNOVA) September 23, 2021
