UPDATE: The threat at Rockville High School has been determined not valid. Students, faculty, and staff are returning to the building.
Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 12:09pm on Monday, October 23:
“MCPD is now investigating a bomb threat at Rockville HS. Students, faculty, and staff have evacuated the building. Officers are looking into the validity of the report.”
MCPD announced at 11:23am that a bomb threat was also made against Blair High School (51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring). That incident is still being investigated. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
UPDATE: Officers are still searching Blair HS. #MCPD #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/9GgpZtcTHg
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 23, 2023
The City of Takoma Park Recreation Department will host its traditional Monster Bash on Saturday, October 28! Scheduled for the day’s event:
- The Kickoff for Monster Bash will be in the parking lot of Takoma Park Middle School from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. There will be a DJ and roving entertainment, Trunk-or-Treat and a magic show. (See below for information on our new Trunk-or-Treat component.)
- The Costume Contest and Parade will begin lining up at 2:00 PM and wind down Piney Branch Road to Philadelphia Ave., traveling all the way to Maple Ave in front of the Community Center.
- A local band will perform from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM along with announcing the Costume Contest winners, a selfie station, games and more roving entertainment.
Walking is encouraged due to limited parking. In order to hold the event and ensure patron safety, we will have the following road blockages:
- Piney Branch Road, from Takoma Park Middle School to Philadelphia Avenue, from about 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, there will be a rolling street closure. The roadway will reopen once all parade participants have cleared the roadway.
- The intersections of Chestnut Avenue/Grant Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue/Piney Branch Road, Philadelphia Avenue/Chestnut Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue/Holly Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue/Birch Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue/Cedar Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue/Old Philadelphia Avenue and will have rolling closures between 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm.
- Some residents will not be able to exit their neighborhoods while streets are closed for the parade (Hodges Lane, Chestnut Avenue, Holly Avenue, Darwin Avenue, and Grant Avenue) and during the culminating event on Maple (from Philadelphia to Lee)
- Once the parade concludes, all street closures on Philadelphia Avenue will be lifted.
- Maple Avenue from Philadelphia Avenue to Lee Avenue will be closed 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm through the event. Lee Avenue will still be open for vehicular traffic.
- Residents along Maple Avenue (Philadelphia Ave. to Lee Ave.) will not be able to exit along Maple through the event.
- Ahead of the event, detour signs will be placed on Maple Avenue and Piney Branch Road with expected closures and times.
- There will also be no parking signs in the Community Center back parking lot and along Maple Avenue between Philadelphia Avenue and Lee Avenue.
- Ride-On and Metro bus service (including Metro Access) will be interrupted on the aforementioned streets from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- In the event of inclement weather, the Monster Bash will be moved inside Takoma Park Middle School, and there will not be any road closures.
Detour signs will be posted and Police will be directing traffic at the main intersections. Ride On and Metrobus service will be interrupted on the aforementioned streets from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Maple Ave. will be closed from Philadelphia Ave. to Lee Ave for the duration of the event (inc. set up and clean up)
We are expecting to re-open the streets by 6:00 PM.
Ride On detours are updated here.
Metro Bus detours are update here.
In case of inclement weather:
- Call the Inclement Weather Line at 301-891-7101 ext. 5605.
- Check the City social media sites for updates
- All Monster Bash activities will take place at Takoma Park Middle School
- Street closures/detours will be lifted
The Montgomery County Planning Department has won a prestigious Award of Excellence in the Small Area Planning category for Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan by the American Planning Association (APA) County Planning Division and the National Association of County Planners.
Approved by the Montgomery County Council in April 2022, The Corridor Forward Plan conducted detailed analysis to deliver near-term and long-term transit recommendations focused on improving access to transit options as well as advancing the county’s equity, environmental, and economic development goals along the I-270 corridor.
“We are so honored to be recognized nationally by our planning peers for the cutting-edge Corridor Forward Plan,” said Montgomery Planning Acting Director Tanya Stern. “Our data-driven approach that also applied an equity lens during the planning process informed recommendations to deliver a transit vision that will benefit residents and visitors who travel along the I-270 corridor.” The Corridor Forward Plan was jointly led by staff from the Midcounty Planning Division and the Countywide Planning and Policy Division.
“This award recognizes how the plan was developed with forward-thinking technical expertise and a focus on equity to build consensus with the community on what could be possible for providing needed transit to connect the communities along this important corridor,” said Midcounty Planning Chief Carrie Sanders. “Corridor Forward provides the framework for equitable transit connections that promote a more sustainable future for communities along a vital county corridor,” said Countywide Planning and Policy Chief Jason Sartori. “This award recognizes the importance of these connections and the plan’s approach to ensuring they are achieved.” Read more about the awards.
According to the APA County Planning Division and the National Association of County Planners, The Corridor Forward Planincluded key elements making it worthy for the Award of Excellence category:
- The plan relies on detailed technical analysis but strives to communicate ideas in plain language. The executive summary of the plan was translated into frequently spoken languages in Montgomery County, and a two-page explainer document seeks to summarize the key recommendations of the plan.
- Corridor Forward aims to advance transit beyond talk and into action by developing a lasting, achievable transit vision for the I-270 corridor.
- The plan employs a scenario-planning approach to help decisionmakers understand the different purposes, benefits, constraints, and costs of various transit options; how components of different options can fit together to create a complementary transit network, and the potential order of implementation for the recommended network.
- The plan presents recommendations that improve transit access along the corridor as well as advance the county’s goals related to equity, environment, and economy.
About Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan
Corridor Forward proposes a near-term transit network and a long-term transit vision to expand transit access for communities along the I-270 corridor.
- Near-Term Transit Network: Implement the MD 355 and Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects. Then implement new dedicated bus lanes, referred to as the Corridor Connectors, to connect communities and employment centers along the I-270 corridor to the county’s primary transit lines, Metrorail and MARC Rail.
- Long-Term Transit Vision: Extend the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail Red Line to Germantown Town Center and complete enhancements to the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Brunswick Line.
The Corridor Forward Plan reimagines the previously master-planned Corridor Cities Transitway as the Corridor Connectors, a network of more buildable dedicated bus lanes, which connect I-270 corridor communities to the county’s existing and planned rapid transit network. The plan also includes supporting recommendations and regional opportunities, which seek to support the transit network and strengthen the potential to advance local and regional transit connectivity. Before approval, the County Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee refined recommendations to ensure the final plan best met the interests of the community. To create the plan, Montgomery Planning worked with state and county agencies, neighboring jurisdictions, county municipalities, advocacy groups, and community members to analyze and prioritize transit options to develop recommendations. Montgomery Planning also engaged community members about their needs and values related to transit through the Corridor Forward Plan’s Transit Values Questionnaire and Transit Stories campaign. The Corridor Forward Plan was a separate effort from the State of Maryland’s proposed New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan.
UPDATE: Blair HS has been cleared.
Students, faculty, and staff are returning to the building.
Montgomery County Police tweeted the following on Monday, October 23rd at 10:56am:
“MCPD is at Montgomery Blair HS investigating a reported bomb threat. The school is currently sheltering in place, while officers confirm the validity of the report. We will update as soon as information is available. #MCPD”
Bomb threats were made against Blair High School (51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring) on October 13th and 16th that were both determined to be not credible. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
MCPD is at Montgomery Blair HS investigating a reported bomb threat.
The school is currently sheltering in place, while officers confirm the validity of the report.
We will update as soon as information is available.#MCPD pic.twitter.com/lpq9Fvcxr4— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 23, 2023
Per MCDOT: “On Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a hybrid public meeting to discuss the latest progress of the Old Columbia Pike / Prosperity Drive Improvements project in White Oak. The on-site meeting will be held in the Community Lounge of the White Oak Community Recreation Center located at 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20904. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.
The Old Columbia Pike / Prosperity Drive Improvements project provides for a facility planning study to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities as they travel to nearby schools and facilities. The project will also address intersection safety, capacity and drainage issues within the project limits of Stewart Lane to Cherry Hill Road. Public input is encouraged and may influence the design of this project.
Online registration is required to attend virtually. On the morning of the meeting, an invitation to participate in this meeting will be emailed to registrants.
Prior to the meeting, the public is encouraged to review the project files on the project website.
Comments and questions may be submitted by email to [email protected] or via the online comment form. All information provided, including questions and comments, will become a matter of public record.
Interpreter services will be provided upon request, with five business days advance notice, by contacting Yasamin Esmaili by email at [email protected] or 240-777-7226.
Learn more about MCDOT’s engineering and construction projects by visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte.
For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.”
Fall is in full swing with cooler temperatures in the area, but Mother Nature has other plans later this week. Monday will be in line with recent weather, with a seasonable high in the low to mid 60s. Tuesday will start to get warmer with highs in the lower 70s and an abundance of sunshine, and Wednesday will likely reach the mid 70s with mostly sunny skies.
Then, summer attempts to make a return for a few days in late October. Thursday is expected to reach the low 80s, Friday is is expected to be about the same, and Saturday could even get to a couple degrees warmer– possibly reaching the mid 80s, before another day around 80 on Sunday, October 29th.
Temperatures will start to move closer to normal on Monday with highs in the upper 60s as a cold front begins to move in. Halloween is looking clear as of now, over a week away, with highs expected to reach the mid/upper 50s with a cool evening for the trick or treaters. The chillier temps are expected to bring us into November.
Featured photo courtesy of @DronifyDMV
Everyone has had their share of terrible experiences in MoCo parking lots, and while there are more than 25 “bad” parking lots, we’ve narrowed down a list (in no particular order) of what may be the worst based on our experiences and comments left by readers throughout the years.
Costco (Gaithersburg)
The original “Worst Parking Lots in MoCo” article was inspired by Fox 5’s Jim Lokay when he tweeted “What is the most lawless frontier in the DC region and why is it the parking lot at the Gaithersburg Costco?” The Gaithersburg location has the strangest layout and most people don’t use the underground portion of the lot.
Reader comment: “The Costco in Gaithersburg is the 7th circle of hell”
Woodmoor Shopping Center (Silver Spring)
One of the oldest shopping centers in MoCo can also be one of the most problematic. Though you can park in the back (it also gets full), we all hope for the best and try to make it into that front triangle parking lot. This shopping center features a Chipotle, CVS, and Starbucks.
Rio AMC (Gaithersburg)
Everyone’s favorite garage at Rio, most people prefer to try to find a spot at the very bottom of the lot so they can walk out by Guapo’s. Click here to see our “Where to Park (and where not to park) at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg” guide.
Norbeck Center (Rockville)
This center has several incredibly popular restaurants (Full On & Big Greek Café) and only a handful of parking spots. Full On has even devoted of a portion of their website (www.fulloncraft.com/parking/) to helping guests with the parking situation. “While there are only a few spots in front of Full On, the lot in front of White’s Hardware Store is public space. 46 spots are open to the public at all times. Follow the sidewalk that runs parallel to Norbeck Rd which takes you directly to our door!”
Reader comment: “Omg I was just at the norbeck parking lot for big Greek yesterday and I wanted to end it all. It is by far the most complicated parking lot. You HAVE to know how to drive to park there 
“
Chick-Fil-A (Germantown)
The traffic for this Chick-Fil-A’s drive thru on Century Blvd is so bad that it often times closes all lanes of the parking lot. This center also has a Carrabba’s, Panera, Taco Bell, Walgreen’s, and the Germantown Transit Center.
Reader comment: “Definitely Chick Filet and the Dutch Market in Germantown. I’d put them on a regional and national list, too! 
“
Wheaton Park
With H-Mart, the Dollar Store, and AutoZone all next to each other, it’s no surprise that this parking lot is one of the worst in the area. The lot is also known for its very narrow lanes.
Every Trader Joe’s
Federal Plaza in Rockville has been one of the busiest parking lots for as long as we can remember. Trader Joe’s doesn’t help. The same goes for every other Trader Joe’s location in the county. Some say they do it on purpose so that they can increase the amount of customers during their off-peak hours.
Fallsgrove (Rockville)
The biggest issue is getting in and getting out. When those lines start to form it seems like nobody knows who’s supposed to go? This shopping center includes Bethesda Bagels, Mama Lucia’s, Poyoteca, Safeway, and Starbuck’s. Fallsgrove is also across the street from Shady Grove Hospital.
Reader comment: “Fallsgrove is the worst. Funnel everyone in thru one spot and no one knows who goes first.”
Shady Grove Home Depot (Gaithersburg)
“Leaving Home Depot Gaithersburg #2550 off this list is a major oversight” was just one of the dozens of comments we received about the Home Depot at 15740 Shady Grove Rd when we posted the 2021 list.
Costco (Wheaton Plaza)
The Costco at Wheaton Mall opened in 2013 and the parking lot has been packed ever since. In addition to the normal craziness of a Costco lot there’s the added bonus of a shopping mall.
Gaithersburg Commuter Bus Stop/Park & Ride
Several readers mentioned the Park & Ride stop that’s located on West Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg, with one writing, “will take you a good 20 minutes to get out of the lot during rush hour.”
Olney Gardens
Olney Village Center and Fair Hill are also bad, but Olney Gardens is narrower and we think it squeaks out the victory of the Olney parking lots because if that. This shopping center includes Cava Mezze, Cafe Rio, and CVS.
Flagship Shopping Center (Rockville)
Flagship is located on Rockville Pike across from the Great Wall Supermarket. With restaurants like Pho 75, Thai Cuisine, and China Bistro, there’s good reason parking is always tight.
Gaithersburg Square
The revitalized shopping center now features Chipotle, Claire’s, CVS, Five Below, Marhsalls, Oak Barrel & Vine (Montgomery County Liquor), Panera, and &Pizza and is one of the busies in the county. Click here to see a list of businesses that are coming soon to the center.
Reader comment: “I agree 100% with Gaithersburg Square where Marshall’s is located as the worst. In a minute they will have to re-do that circle. It’s a complete mess trying to get around that.”
Montgomery Village Center
What was once considered a “dead” shopping center, this parking lot has seen a huge increase in traffic ever since Aldi opened up next to Big Lots in 2020. In the past year we’ve seen Hangry Joe’s, Kobe Japan, and Starbucks also open. Baskin Robbins and a laundromat are expected to open by the end of the year.
Leisure World (Silver Spring)
The closer to Giant you get, the better your chances of a bad experience. We try to park far away and get our steps in when we head to the Leisure World shopping center.
Germantown Square
You have to just park up by Dairy Queen and walk, but we always have high hopes and look for something better when we get there. Lots of spaces, but tends to get pretty full when you want to be there. The Lancaster Dutch Market and Outback Steakhouse are the main attractions in this center.
Cabin John Village (Potomac)
The addition of the fast-casuals on the one side allows traffic to hit you from every angle. Construction didn’t help things recently either. Never a fun time when it’s busy. This massive shopping center includes Colony Pizza, CVS, Dunkin, Giant, and Gregorio’s Italian Restaurant.
Firstfield Shopping Center (Gaithersburg)
The Starbucks drive-thru in this center is so busy that the line of cars often extends outside of the parking lot and on to the main road. The center also includes Einstein Bagels, Roaming Rooster, and Jimmy John’s.
Manhattan Pizza/Upcounty Beer & Wine (Clarksburg)
A very tight spot that makes it almost impossible to get in and out of. We suggest parking on the opposite end near the Subway. On a side note, definitely try the gelato at Manhattan!
Germantown Plaza
Whether it’s the people double parking to run into Little Caesars for pizza, or trying to find a place to park in the back alley for Planet Fitness, both sides of this shopping center are a mess.
Aspen Hill Shopping Center
There’s a lot going on so it could take a long time to get from one end to the other. Heading to McDonald’s? That’ll make it even worse. The shopping center include Chipotle, Giant, Panera, and Wingstop.
Lowe’s Parking lot (Kentlands)
The four way stop in the Kentlands is pretty bad, but it’s not a parking lot, so we’re gonna go with Lowe’s here. There can be 11 cars parked yet somehow 378 people are walking to and from the parking lot at all times. Shake Shack has also recently been added to area.
Wildwood Shopping Center (Bethesda)
The truck is to park in the back, but those can fill up too, and let’s be honest…we always think we’ll find something in the front. These short parking columns are the stuff nightmares are made of.
Every Whole Foods
Just like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods seem to bring out the worst in people in the parking lots. Silver Spring and River Rd. are our two least favorite parking lots, but the Kentlands and Rockville/N. Bethesda isn’t far behind.
Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
With over 34,000 Americans having died from gun violence this year and the country having experienced 24 billion-dollar climate disasters, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Safest States in America, with Maryland coming in Ranked 17th. The state’s lowest ranking comes in the “Personal and Residential Safety” category (27th) with the highest ranking coming in the “Workplace Safety” category (17th). In order to determine the most secure states, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 52 key metrics. The data set ranges from assaults per capita to the total loss amount from climate disasters per capita to the unemployment rate.
| Safest States in America | Least Safe States in America |
| 1. Vermont | 41. Missouri |
| 2. Maine | 42. Montana |
| 3. New Hampshire | 43. Colorado |
| 4. Utah | 44. Oklahoma |
| 5. Massachusetts | 45. Alabama |
| 6. Connecticut | 46. Florida |
| 7. Hawaii | 47. Texas |
| 8. Minnesota | 48. Arkansas |
| 9. Rhode Island | 49. Mississippi |
| 10. Wyoming | 50. Louisiana |
Key Stats
- Maryland is ranked 22nd in “Financial Safety” and 21st in “Road Safety.”
- Rhode Island has the fewest murders and non-negligent manslaughters per 100,000 residents, 1.46, which is 11 times fewer than in Louisiana, the most at 16.12.
- Idaho has the fewest thefts per 1,000 residents, 9.35, which is 3.7 times fewer than in Washington, the most at 34.43.
- New Jersey has the most law-enforcement employees per 100,000 residents, 541, which is 2.8 times more than in Washington, the fewest at 196.
- Delaware has the lowest share of high school students who were bullied online, 9.70 percent, which is 2.2 times lower than in New Hampshire, the highest at 21.80 percent.
To view the full report and your state rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/safest-states-to-live-in/4566
Over 50 Himalayan cats and kittens have been found in the Wheaton area, most of them near the Sligo Creek Trail or in Wheaton Regional Park since late August (some were also found in nearby neighborhoods). Citizens have been engaged in an active effort to search for these cats and kittens and report sightings. Yesterday, the Montgomery County Cat Coalition (MC C³) stated that more cats are still on the loose and continue to be found:
“Wheaton area residents, we need your help in locating any more of the dumped Himalayan cats that are still outdoors. Though many have been rescued, some of them are still out there and these cats continue to be found. Email [email protected], if you see one of these cats. We are grateful to Dr. Hannah Levy and her staff at Cozy Cats Vet: A Cat Practice for the initial exams and treatments.
Our MC C³ volunteers have been out nearly every day looking for additional cats in locations where they have been reported or locations from which others have already been rescued. We depend on the public reporting any new sightings.”
There is still no word on who released the cats in the area or why, with efforts concentrated on ensuring their safety. McPaw.org handled the adoptions for the Himalayan cats that were found.
