Germantown

Naz’s Halal (13025 Wisteria Drive) in Germantown has announced it will be giving away free food from 12-2pm at its grand opening this Saturday, May 14. The restaurant is located in the former site of the Water Factory, near Planet Fitness. Naz’s menu includes rice platters, sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, and more.

In December we told you Naz’s would expanding to Germantown, Rockville (1040 Rockville Pike), Takoma Park (7653 New Hampshire Ave) and White Oak (11209 New Hampshire Ave). We will post opening information for those locations as soon as it becomes available.


Germantown

A 16-year-old and a 21-year-old are dead after a shooting that occurred Wednesday, May 11 in Germantown. Montgomery County Police responded to reports of a shooting on the 19600 block of Crystal Rock Drive around 4:10pm.

No information regarding suspects or a motive has been released. This is an active homicide investigation and Montgomery County Police are expected to release more information today. Crystal Rock Drive was closed for several hours after the incident occurred between Route 118 and Middlebrook Road as part of the investigation.


Germantown

Update: Anaya Tillie-Santos has been located safe and unharmed.

Tillie-Santos is 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and carrying a black bag.  Police and family are concerned for her welfare.


Germantown

Representatives from Naz’s Halal (13025 Wisteria Drive) in Germantown have told us that the restaurant will be opening on May 14. Naz’s offers rice platters, sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, and more, and is located in the former site of the Water Factory, near Planet Fitness. In December we told you Naz’s would expanding to Germantown, Rockville (1040 Rockville Pike), Takoma Park (7653 New Hampshire Ave) and White Oak (11209 New Hampshire Ave). We will post opening information for those locations as soon as it becomes available.

The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. That location opened in August 2020 and has become a local favorite with late night hours, remaining open until 2am Sunday through Thursday and 4am on Friday and Saturday. Since the Burtonsville opening, Naz’s Halal has expanded to California and Rhode Island.   Five additional Maryland restaurants will be opening in the upcoming year. Those will be located in Baltimore, Bowie, Denton, Ellicott City, and Waldorf.


Germantown

Dr. James Ryan, the the oral surgeon accused of second-degree murder for the death of his girlfriend earlier this year, was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday.  According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, now that Ryan has been indicted, motions and a trial date will be scheduled next week. Ryan was arrested on March 22 and charged in connection with the death his of 25-year-old girlfriend, Sarah Harris.

Ryan is accused of providing controlled substances, including Propofol, ketamine, diazepam, and midazolam to Harris, who died from a drug overdose on January 26. In addition to second-degree murder, Ryan’s charges also include reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled or dangerous substance with the intent to sell or distribute. Ryan is an oral surgeon who owns a practice on Observation Drive in Germantown. If convicted of all charges, Ryan could face 78 years in prison.


Germantown

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division, identified 15-year-old Malik Hney of Kensington and 14-year-old Justin Acosta from Germantown, as suspects and obtained warrants for their arrests. Hney and Acosta were arrested on May 3.

During the course of the investigation, Major Crimes detectives discovered evidence connecting 16-year-old Malachi Hney of Kensington to the April 22 homicide, and he was arrested on Thursday, May 5.


Germantown

Dog Haus announced today that the company has executed a development agreement with local franchisees Faizan and Adila Khan to to open 15 new Dog Haus locations over the next five years. Cities listed include Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, Frederick and Germantown.  No specific information has been released on dates and locations. Faizan Khan currently franchises three MoCo Dog Haus locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Silver Spring.

“We’re thrilled to see Faizan and Adila parlay their success with Dog Haus into expanding throughout the entire state of Maryland,” said Dog Haus Director of Franchise Development Erik Hartung in a press release. “Faizan has been a highly accomplished franchisee with Dog Haus by entering the restaurant industry with an incredibly unique, effective business strategy. We can’t wait to see this growth unfold and bring our one-of-a-kind creations to more markets throughout this great state!”


Germantown

At approximately 10:50 p.m. on April 22, Montgomery County Police – 5th District officers responded to the 19500 block of Gunners Branch Road for the report of a shooting that just occurred.

Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim, later identified as 20-year-old Taon Lamont Cline of Frederick, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately engaged in lifesaving efforts until Montgomery County Fire Rescue arrived on scene. Cline was pronounced deceased on the scene.


Germantown

There will be a food distribution event today, May 3, at Germantown Elementary School (19110 Liberty Mill Rd) from 2-3PM. Please remain in your vehicle while food is being delivered.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week. Learn more at blackrockcenter.org 


Germantown

The number of vendors varies from 50 to 150 depending on the weather. Since the markets are outdoors, weather always plays a part in the activity, but the markets are only canceled for heavy steady rain or high winds. The markets are held on the first Saturday of the month – April though November – and the cold dark early mornings of the first and last months require heavy coats, gloves and flashlights. In the summer months a rogue thunderstorm can send vendors racing to cover their goods with tarps and to seek shelter in their cars, only to pop out again like prairie dogs from their holes when the sun comes out. But that isall part of the adventure.

Vendors are charged $25 for a 10’ x10’ space and must set up before 7am and pack up at 1pm. After the overhead of insurance, port-a-john, signage and security, all the proceeds go to three local non-profit organizations – the Germantown Historical Society, the Button Farm Living History Program, and a Boy Scout Troop. The Germantown Historical Society began the Flea Markets in 1993 to raise funds. There were only about two dozen vendors at that first market


Germantown

The “Rally to Protect our Neighborhoods” will take place Saturday, April 30 from 12-2pm at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The event will be hosted by Councilmember Craig Rice (District 2), Councilmember Sidney Katz (District 3) and Greg Wims of the Upcounty Regional Services Center.

The event is being run in conjunction with the ‘Justice for Jai’lyn Rally’, in honor of 17-year-old Jai’lyn Jones, who was murdered in Germantown back in January. Jai’lyn was a Germantown resident and a senior at Northwest High School.  His body was found brutally stabbed and mutilated.  As of today, no arrests have been made and the case remains active.


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