More than a month after its highly anticipated grand opening on National Ice Cream Day, July 20th, Yala Greek Ice Cream in Georgetown (3143 N St. NW) continues to see a remarkable phenomenon: long lines stretching down the block. While initial opening-day buzz is expected for any new eatery, the sustained popularity of this new establishment speaks to something more profound than a passing trend.
Silver Spring families are invited to join the Kennedy Cluster schools for a fun-filled Block Party (Fiesta del Barrio) on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10:00am to 12:00pm at John F. Kennedy High School, located at 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) 5th District officers and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services (MCFRS) were dispatched around 2:38 a.m. to the 19500 block of Amaranth Drive in Germantown for a call initially reported as a shooting. (more…)
Updated to reflect that the incident occurred in an unincorporated area of Gaithersburg, .3 mile outside of Montgomery Village (originally reported as Montgomery Village)
Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) 6th District officers and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services (MCFRS) were dispatched early Sunday for a reported shooting in the 9000 block of Centerway Road in Gaithersburg. (more…)
The Triumph Trek at the Rio is the ultimate celebration of strength, recovery and hope — and everyone is invited.
On Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation and Adventist HealthCare Home Care Services will gather at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg for an untimed walk-or-wheel around the accessible lakeside path. This is not a race. Scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and every pace are welcome, and no one finishes last.
In a swift and coordinated response by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), a juvenile suspect was apprehended following an attempted arson incident in Downtown Silver Spring. Commander Jason Cokinos reported the arrest via social media at 10:53pm on the evening of the incident.
On Saturday, August 30th, a fire engulfed a two-story home on the 2300 block of Cranberry Terrace in Aspen Hill. According to updates from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS), the call for assistance came in at 6:19 p.m., when flames were already visible on the first and second floors of the residence. Fortunately, no occupants were present at the time of the fire.
Silver Spring’s beloved Quarry House Tavern has earned a spot on Eater DC’s list of “Great Places For Live Music and Food in D.C.” Though there are many great establishments that offer live music in Maryland and Montgomery County, Quarry House stands out as the only Maryland establishment to be recognized on the list.
On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, Metrorail will open at 6 a.m. and close at midnight, operating on regular Sunday schedules at all stations. Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule. MetroAccess customers may make a reservation to travel on the holiday; however, subscription trips will be canceled.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded around 4 p.m. Friday, August 29, to a single-family house fire in the 8500 block of Churchill Downs Road in Laytonsville. (more…)
The whimsical world of Ink & Riddle, a unique art supply, stationery, and game store with a “Hobbit’s book fair” aesthetic, is set to close its doors at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets after two years in business. The store, known for its cozy, nature-themed atmosphere, recently announced the closure on social media, inviting customers to a final sale.
Seneca Valley High School, located at 19401 Crystal Rock Dr. in Germantown, MD, is the largest public high school in the state of Maryland. The school first opened its doors in 1974 in its original building. It was constructed on land that formerly belonged to renowned baseball player Walter Johnson, who purchased it in 1935 and resided there with his family until his passing in 1946. Before the opening of Northwest High School in 1998, Seneca Valley was Germantown’s only high school. By 2025, Seneca Valley ranked 16th among the largest high schools in Maryland by enrollment.