MoCo Police

Detectives Investigate Jewelry Distraction Thefts That Target Older Victims of Asian and Indian Descent

By Patrick Herron

During these recent thefts, the suspects, in a vehicle, approached the victim, who was walking in the area. A female suspect placed imitation gold jewelry on the victim to distract him/her while removing the victim’s jewelry from his/her person. In many of the cases the female suspect hugged the victim while committing the theft. In some instances, the female suspect remained in the vehicle and committed the theft by calling the victim to the vehicle’s window.

These incidents have occurred in both residential and commercial areas during daylight hours. The suspects’ descriptions and their vehicles vary but investigators believe that there are multiple suspects working together.

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: NoVa Cookout Expected to Open By the End of The Summer

By MCS Staff

Back in May 2021, we let you know that fast food chain Cook Out is coming one step closer to us, as a new location was expected to open at 8502 Centreville Road in Manassas Park. The location, which was formerly home to a Roy Rogers, is now almost fully-staffed and expected to open by the end of the summer, a representative told us.

In 2020, the MoCo Show made the 60 mile trek down to Fredericksburg, VA to visit the areas closest Cook Out location. We left Gaithersburg, located in the approximate center of MoCo, at 6:14pm and arrived an hour and twenty minutes later, at 7:34pm. The Manassas Park location is a little over 30 miles from the center MoCo, about half the distance of Fredericksburg. There is a location in Salisbury, but that is further than both of Virginia locations mentioned.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Completes ‘High Road Economic Inclusion Framework for an Equitable Climate-Ready Economy’ Report Addressing Climate Change, Equity, Economic Development

By Patrick Herron

The analysis, conducted by Emerald Cities Collaborativeand its subcontractors, Inclusive Economics and Health Care Without Harm, focuses on the need to actively align the County workforce and small business ecosystems. It also recommends leveraging partnerships with large “anchor institutions” to advance climate action and economic inclusion.

“We can’t reach our climate change goals without addressing systemic inequities and we can’t build a robust and resilient economy without considering climate change,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “While climate change is no doubt an extraordinary threat to our very livelihood, it also presents an historic opportunity to boost our economic development and address racial economic disparities. We intend to seize that opportunity.”

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Potomac

Signage Up at The Scoop

By Patrick Herron

Permanent signage has been installed at The Scoop (7909 Tuckerman Ln, Potomac), the former Baskin-Robbins location in Cabin John Village. The creamery is being opened by Timothy and Mitch Ryoo, Potomac natives and Winston Churchill High School Graduates (2010 and 2006).  They are hoping to have The Scoop open by next weekend.

The Scoop will feature 24-30 permanent flavors and 8-10 seasonal options. All of the ice cream is made in house with natural ingredients, staying away from products like simple syrup.  The owners tell us they are working with local distributors and are in talks with local farms to purchase ingredients from. The Scoops plans to stay open later than their competitors (11pm) as they want to be known as a late-night dessert destination. The Scoop will offer ice cream cones, cups, and milkshakes, as well as Italian ice and dairy free ice cream. They also plan to eventually serve gelato.

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Derwood

Magruder High School Student Creates Ice Cream Business to Raise Money for the National Brain Tumor Society

By Patrick Herron

Lexi Suss, a rising senior at Magruder High School, recently started her own ice cream business to raise money for the National Brian Tumor Society. Lexi’s grandmother Jill Shultz passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, earlier this year.

“I love playing basketball but have found a new passion for making ice cream! My grandmother recently passed away in January from a glioblastoma. I recently donated 900 dollars, two months ago, to the National Brain Tumor Society from a popcorn fundraiser but decided to start my own small business just last month making my own ice cream with a variety of flavors! All profits are again going to be donated to the National Brain Tumor Society. Ice cream can be delivered locally in the DMV and also picked up.”

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Gaithersburg

Final Site Plan for MoCo’s First Sheetz Has Been Approved

By MCS Staff

Last week we let you know that Sheetz submitted a Final Site Plan for its first MoCo location. Today, Gaithersburg’s Office of Economic Development confirmed that the site plan has been approved. It will be located at 751 Progress Way, which is currently being constructed off of N. Frederick Rd (355) in Gaithersburg. Timing will depend on a lot of factors, but the convenience store/gas station could open as early as 2023.

The Triumvirate of Convenience is here. Final site plan approved.
Sheetz Freakz welcome. pic.twitter.com/7RYkZgS0AU

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MoCo Government

County Council Seeks Applicants for the Merit System Protection Board

By Patrick Herron

Letters of application must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7.

In additional to Ms. Chiles (Democrat), other members of the Board are Harriet Davidson (Democrat), and Barbara S. Fredericks (Unaffiliated). By law, no more than two of the three members of the Merit System Protection Board may be of the same political party. The appointee for this position may be Republican, Democrat, someone who declines to affiliate with a party, or a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.

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Gaithersburg

Development Plan Proposed For 72 Stacked Townhouses (With green Space) at Central Ave in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

One Central LLC has submitted a schematic development plan that proposes 72 stacked townhouse (2-over-2) units along with green amenity space in Gaithersburg. Per the plans submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, the Property is located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Central Avenue with South Frederick Avenue. Nearby and vicinal uses (on the north) include the Devol Funeral Home and surface parking lot; (on the west) South Frederick Avenue; (on the south) single family housing structures believed occupied by office/employment use;, and (on the east) Unity of Gaithersburg Church, Rockville Evangelical Church, and single family residential.

South Frederick Avenue in this location is a six lane divided highway with an additional turning lane at W. Deer Park Road. Nearby uses across South Frederick Avenue from the Property include the Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, Epworth United Methodist Church and preschool, large surface parking lots, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Crystal Community Church, the Deer Park Office Center and the Barkley Apartments. South of and within 1⁄4 mile of the Property are a variety of retail uses accessible via an existing sidewalk along South Frederick Avenue including the Walnut Hill Shopping Center and the former Weis Food Market, banking services and other retailers and restaurants.

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Burtonsville

Biryani Joint Has Taken Over Former Royal Indian Cuisine Space in Burtonsville

By MCS Staff

Biryani Joint is now open at 15504 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. A few weeks back, Biryani Joint took over the location that was formerly home to Royal Indian Cuisine, which closed after an approximate 7-year run earlier this summer.

Biryani Joint offers “30 exotic flavors of Biryanis”– a spiced mix of meat and rice, traditionally cooked over an open fire in a leather pot, that’s combined in different ways with a variety of components to create a number of unique flavor combinations. Also included on the menu are a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian traditional Indian soups and appetizers, entrees, and Inso-Chinese dishes, desserts, and drinks. Per the restaurant: “If you’re looking for an irresistible Indian meal, look no further than BiryaniJoint restaurant. We are known for delicious biryani dishes, which are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From chicken to shrimp, we have wide a variety of biryanis to choose from.the restaurant’s atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends.”

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MoCo History

Remembering Shakey’s Pizza Parlor

By Patrick Herron

Known for their pizza, mojo potatoes, and game rooms, Shakey’s Pizza Parlor is fondly remembered by many MoCo residents over the age of 30. The restaurant was popular with both children and adults as parents could drink pitchers of beer while the kids played Pac-Man or watched the chefs prepare pizza through their open kitchen.  As the first franchise pizza chain in the United States, the company expanded to as many as 500 stores worldwide at the height of it’s popularity. Shakey’s had multiple locations in Montgomery County in the 70’s and 80’s, including in Gaithersburg on Bureau Dr. and in Rockville on the pike.

The company was founded in 1954 by Sherwood “Shakey” Johnson and Ed Plummer in Sacramento, CA. According to wikipedia, Johnson’s nickname resulted from nerve damage following a bout of malaria during World War II. After multiple ownership changes in the 80’s, most of the U.S. locations were closed by the early 1990’s.  Currently you can only find Shakey’s in California (47 locations) and Washington state (2 locations). Who’s up for a road trip to the West Coast?

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Olney

Residents Asked to Shelter in Place on Olney Mill Road Due to Police Activity

By Patrick Herron

Update 10:22pm: The situation on Olney Mill Rd. has been resolved. The shelter in place has been lifted. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Montgomery County Police are asking residents in the area of 18600 Olney Mill Rd. in Olney to shelter in place as they attempt to take an adult male into custody. MCPD released the following information on Tuesday evening at 9:30pm:

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