Bethesda

Westwood Pet Center (then located at 5428 Westbard Ave.) closed last summer after 42 years in Bethesda when owner David Griffin decided it was time for retirement, citing the COVID-19 pandemic reducing store traffic and the redevelopment of Westwood Shopping Center as reasons that helped him make the decision. A few months later, the shop announced a return– this time at The Shops at Sumner Rd (4611-N Sangamore Rd). It will be operated by David’s daughter, Anna Griffin, and will open in the new location on Saturday, August 20th.

“Despite our amazing run at Westwood Shopping Center, we were presented with a relocation opportunity, true to our Bethesda roots, that we simply could not refuse.” Anna tells us. She was born and raised in Gaithersburg , and is a 2005 graduate of Watkins Mill High School. She went on to Salisbury University where she received a nursing degree and worked as an RN at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda before permanently transitioning to the pet industry in 2018.


Restaurants

Last December we let you know that Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins would be coming to 115 University Blvd W, in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring. The location is now open, according to an employee of the store.

The new location has taken over the former home of Chevy Chase Bank and has a drive-thru like the most recent Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins in MoCo (located in the Rock Grove Center on 355/Shady Grove Rd.) and the upcoming Cloverly location, which is just a Dunkin’.


MoCo Police

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old girl from North Bethesda.

Isana Porter was last seen on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at approximately 11:20 p.m. in the 5800 block of Inman Park Circle. Porter is approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo on her right middle finger.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Manager Gail Lucas will be the guest on the Montgomery al Día radio show at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, to discuss use and occupancy (U and O) certificates for business owners with radio show host Lorna Virgilí. The show can be heard live at Radio América 900 AM.

According to Ms. Lucas, every commercial business in Montgomery County must have a valid U and O certificate issued by DPS. The certificates document that the building, space or suite occupied by the business meets the code requirements (electrical, fire and mechanical and zoning) for that use. The certificates do not expire unless the use of the space changes. Ms. Lucas will address why it is important to get a copy of the current use and occupancy certificate before a business space turns over.


Crime

Nesredin Esleiman of Silver Spring is described as “a devoted Muslim family man, loved by his community, friends and family.” According to a GoFundMe started to raise money for his family, the Montgomery County man was working as an Uber driver when he was shot and killed on Wednesday, August 10, in what police describes as an attempted robbery. Mr. Esleiman has left behind a wife and three children.

Full report on the arrest of the suspect, per Prince George’s County Police: Homicide Unit detectives arrested and charged 21-year-old Kiayon Strowbridge of Temple Hills in connection with the fatal shooting of 55- year-old Nesredin Esleiman of Silver Spring. 


MoCo Government

The Montgomery County Board of Elections certified the 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election on Saturday, August 13, 2022.  A petition has been filed for a recount of all votes cast in the contest for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the office of Montgomery County Executive.  The petitioner has requested a manual recount of all voted paper ballots (Maryland State Board of Elections Recount Guide ).

Montgomery County Board of Elections will commence recount on Friday August 19, 2022, at the Germantown Community Recreation Center (Gym), 18905 Kingsview Rd, Germantown, MD 20874. The recount will be conducted from 09:30 AM to 7:00 PM daily until completed.


MoCo Government

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and other representatives from the County Government who help lead the County’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts hosted their weekly, virtual media briefing at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The full video can be seen below (begins at 10:06)