Restaurants

Popular Takoma Park restaurant Republic, located at 6939 Laurel Ave, has announced that it will be closing its doors on September 4th, after operating for a decade at the location. The full statement can be seen below:

The last 2 ½ years of the pandemic have been merciless, unforgiving, and ultimately a hardship from which we could not recover. At the same time, our lease is set to expire and we have been unable to come to an agreement with the landlord on how to move forward.


Bethesda

6:18pm Update: At 4:05 p.m., officers responded to the 5200 block of River Road for a cyclist struck. Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded and the adult female was pronounced dead on scene.

The female cyclist was hit by a flatbed truck. 
The driver of the truck has been located and is on scene. River Road between Ridgefield Road and Little Falls Parkway is closed during the investigation. One lane is open in each direction.


Maryland

Per The Office of Governor Hogan:

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement after the state’s Traffic Relief Plan received final approval from the Federal Highway Administration following a series of delays: “This is a major milestone for the most important transportation project for the National Capital Region in the last 50 years. With the Biden administration’s final approval, we are ready to move forward with this transformative project.”


Gaithersburg

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken is coming to 16248 Frederick Rd in Gaithersburg, in the recently renovated Rock Grove Center on the corner of 355 and Shady Grove Rd. The center is also home to Minerva Indian Cuisine, Qdoba, and the recently relocated Dunkin Donuts. The North Carolina-based biscuit chain is known for their buttermilk-brined chicken and currently has Maryland locations in Columbia and Towson.  Menu items include biscuit sandwiches, biscuits & gravy,  fried chicken strips, and donuts. The restaurant is expected to open this fall.

Press Release: Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken, the nation’s fastest-growing biscuits and fried chicken restaurant is building on the success of its Columbia and Towson eateries with a third Maryland location set to open in Gaithersburg, Maryland in fall 2022.   The new store, located at 16248 Frederick Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 is the third location for father and son franchisees Francis & Christopher Kirley.


Event

Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,


Bethesda

Update: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a 2-alarm fire at the Grosvenor House Apartments located at 10101 Grosvenor Pl. around 12:30pm on Thursday, August 25. The building was evacuated and the fire was controlled by the building’s sprinkler system. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, there was an electrical fire inside of the utility closets on the 9th and 10th floor of the building which caused heavy smoke conditions on the upper levels of the 18-story building. The fire originated in an “electric busway where two sections of busway join and was most likely caused by a significant arc which blew through metal housing of busway.”

Floors 8,9 & 10 of the north wing are uninhabitable and residents from around 30 apartments have been displaced.  Around 85 firefighter responded to the scene and there no injuries reported. Damages are estimated be $800K, which includes $750K in structure and $50K contents.


MoCo

Five Montgomery County bakeries have been voted in to WTOP’s 2022 ‘Best Bakery’ list. WTOP readers and listeners nominated a number of local businesses in D.C., Maryland and Virginia that serve baked goods. Out of hundreds of restaurants and eateries, Arlington’s Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe was voted the favorite, but 50% of the list consists of bakeries that have at least one MoCo location.

Coming in at #2 was Silver Spring’s Kosher Pastry Oven (1372 Lamberton Drive). Georgetown Cupcake, which has a location at Bethesda Row, came in 4th. Sunflower Bakery, which has both locations in MoCo (North Bethesda and Rockville), came in at #5. Woodmoor Pastry Shop at 10127 Colesville Rd in Silver Spring was ranked 7th, and The Pretzel Bakery, which recently opened a location in Cabin John Village (Potomac) was ranked 9th.


Health

Montgomery County Public schools sent out the following community message from MCPS Medical Officer Patricia Kapunan, M.D. on Thursday, August 25:

Vaccines are an important way to lower individual risk of severe complications from COVID-19 infection. A high vaccine coverage rate helps reduce the overall burden of COVID-19 on the school community and helps keep learning going, as individuals with milder symptoms will miss fewer school or work days. We continue to strongly recommend students receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for which they are eligible. At this time, COVID-19 vaccination is required for staff unless approved for a medical exemption. We will continue to provide opportunities for students, staff and family members to receive COVID-19 vaccines atafter-school and weekend events.


Bethesda

Malia’s Kitchen will be holding the grand opening of its new Montgomery Mall food court location on Thursday, September 1. Malia’s is taking over the space that was previously occupied by Lazzaro’s Authentic Italian Deli and Big Al’s Sub Shop. Malia’s Kitchen serves soul food and seafood, which they describe as the best “homemade” down home cooking in the DMV. Items on their menu includes crab cakes, fried chicken, fried fish, and BBQ.


Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks announces Labor Day operating hours, including extending its Open Parkways through Tuesday, September 6, at 7 a.m. for the holiday weekend.     

Open Parkways Schedule  The Open Parkways schedule will be extended for the holiday until 7 a.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Portions of Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists for exercise and recreation.


Crime

Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Leaders Renew Commitment to Fight Violent Crime Together

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland (8/24/22): – At a press conference earlier today, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron, joined by federal, state, and local partners announced that his office is devoting more federal resources than ever before to fight violent crime in Maryland.  These resources have been made possible by an unprecedented level of state funding to support these efforts.  Partners at today’s announcement included: