Maryland silica factory closing, production relocating to South Carolina

There goes another one. Evonik Corporation will close its Maryland factory in Havre de Grace, and relocate its production of silica to South Carolina. The closure will eliminate 34 jobs, according to a filing the chemical firm submitted to the state on Wednesday. While the company explains its strategic move with buzzphrases like "economies of scale," there are several obvious reasons why the grass appears much greener in the Palmetto State if you are running a business enterprise.

Industrial electricity rates in South Carolina are 22% less than in Maryland. This is largely due to the forced closure of eight power plants by Maryland elected officials, who have also mandated the purchase of ever-increasing amounts of "clean power," such as solar or wind. In addition, the state has socked energy utility customers with an EmPOWER Maryland fee, that funds a Marxist program that subsidizes the purchase of energy efficient equipment by lower income customers. The end result is that Maryland now imports the majority of its electricity from out-of-state, naturally at greater cost than it had been provided from those shuttered in-state plants. Not to mention that Maryland ratepayers are now receiving record-high monthly power bills.

Maryland's corporate tax rate is 8.25%. South Carolina's is 5%. Doh!

Last year, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Democratic-controlled legislature established a 3% tech tax. By comparison, IT consulting, custom coding, and systems design are not taxed in South Carolina.

Finally, Maryland’s average annual pay for chemical engineers is approximately $121,012 to $140,708. In Charleston, the average is roughly $93,975 to $128,000, according to Indeed.com.

Heckuva job, Brownie!

Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale blasts Wes Moore's floundering Key Bridge rebuild

"I heard a noise, it's that close to me," Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale recalled of the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore two years ago today. The Republican businessman and Charm City resident's home was within earshot of the catastrophe that unfolded on March 26, 2024. Two years later, progress on the construction of a replacement bridge has stalled as the cost of the project ballooned fivefold under the administration of Governor Wes Moore (D). Running afoul of federal funding guidelines, and Moore's relentless personal attacks on President Donald Trump, have led to the possibility that former president Joe Biden's vow to pick up 100% of the tab is now in serious jeopardy. Hale scheduled a press conference within sight of the bridge yesterday to excoriate Moore for the lack of progress, 24 hours ahead of the predictable Moore media blitz.

"It's a bridge that I've used pretty much all of my life," Hale told reporters Wednesday. "I'm from around here. This is my house right here," he added, gesturing toward his home. The neighborhood around the former bridge connection "is hurting, because it takes forever to go from here to over there," Hale said.

Hale argued the floundering rebuild is "emblematic of a governor that's really not paying attention to this whatsoever. He'll smile and say that he is, but he's not. And what you see is anger on both sides of the bridge, all around [Anne Arundel and Baltimore] County and just, the citizens here are extremely upset and don't like the idea that we're not getting this done. There's no end in sight for this thing to be done."

"We are a ship without a rudder," Hale charged of Moore's leadership of the state, saying the current governor's attention is largely consumed by his quest for the presidency in 2029. He announced that in lieu of a workable solution from the Moore administration, "I have a plan."

"I'm going to have the bureaucrats involved, the engineers, and the construction companies involved in this whole process, and see what they can do," Hale said. "And if they don't have a reasonable explanation, they're not going to last long in my administration." He suggested the state turn to Maryland-based firms that do similar work around the world to rebuild the bridge, saying he knows they are qualified because he has hired many of them for his own projects. "I've talked to a bunch of people, and they're standing by, ready to do it."

Hale cited the outflow of residents and wealth from Maryland to other states in recent years. Voters are "now telling me, 'If you don't win, we're moving,'" Hale recounted. A recent poll found that over 60% of Maryland residents are either in the process of leaving the state, or are considering a move. "We can't continue to have this happen," Hale said.

"We don't have economic development. We don't have job creation. We are the worst in the nation for job creation," Hale explained, noting that as a private sector businessman, he has created tens of thousands of jobs. By "every metric you can think of, we're failing," Hale said. "I don't intend to fail. I intend to make things better. Help is on the way."

Teen stabbed at Safeway in Rockville

A teenage boy was stabbed multiple times outside of the Safeway grocery store at 403 Redland Boulevard in the King Farm Village Center in Rockville last night, March 25, 2026. The shocking crime took place just after 8:30 PM during a peak shopping time. Montgomery County and Rockville City police both responded to the incident, in which the juvenile victim was hospitalized with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. One suspect has been arrested, County police say, but they have not provided a description of the suspect in custody, nor of a second potential suspect they are still looking for. Eyewitnesses have stated there were at least six teens in the gathering outside the store that led to the altercation.

Pickpocket strikes in parking lot in Rockville

Watch your wallet! Montgomery County police responded to a report of a pickpocket in a parking lot in Rockville on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The theft was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive at 1:10 PM Saturday. Remember to carry your wallet in a front pocket, if possible.

Rockville man killed in rollover accident on Norbeck Road

A Rockville resident was one of two passengers killed when the gray 2025 BMW M8 they were riding in on eastbound Norbeck Road flipped over and wound up in a drainage ditch. Montgomery County police are investigating why the driver crossed the center median and lost control of the vehicle at 3:09 AM on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The BMW struck a curb and a pedestrian signal post, flipped over, and skidded upside-down through the intersection with E. Gude Drive. It continued forward, striking another curb, another pedestrian signal post, and several trees before landing in the drainage trench alongside Norbeck Road. The BMW's onboard computer alerted 911 to the crash.

Alexander J. Medrano Cangalaya, 24, of Rockville and Abraham D. Huracaya Del Aguila, 24, of Silver Spring were pronounced dead at the scene. The unnamed driver of the BMW was pulled from the vehicle by Rockville City police officers, and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

County police say their investigation is ongoing, and may take several months to complete. They are welcoming any eyewitness information or details that might assist them. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Cycle Gear opening March 25 in Rockville

Cycle Gear will open for the first time on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 1500 Rockville Pike, according to a sign posted in the window. As you can see, the shelves and displays inside are just about fully stocked. Cycle Gear is America's largest retailer of motorcycle gear, apparel, parts, and accessories. The opening date was first reported by The MoCo Show. Here's a sneak peek inside:

Assault reported in wooded area in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault in a wooded area yesterday afternoon, March 21, 2026. The assault was reported at 1:32 PM Saturday in the 2400 block of McCormick Road. However, the actual incident appears to have taken place a day earlier at 5:00 PM. Glenora Park is directly adjacent to McCormick Road.