Spirit Halloween haunting soon in Rockville

Spirit Halloween temporary banner signage has been attached to the front of the former Bed Bath & Beyond store at 1519 Rockville Pike, at the Congressional North shopping center. The windows are still covered, hiding whatever ghoulish merchandise is being stocked on the pop-up costume and decor shop's displays. Of course, the vacant big box store was likely already haunted by some ghosts of its own, perhaps by spectral versions of the Big Blue coupons that many experts claimed were the demise of the chain's retail operations. A developer would like to put the empty building out of its misery by tearing it down, but not before at least one more scare by Spirit Halloween this fall!

Indecent exposure at Rockville Library

Rockville City police responded to a report of indecent exposure Sunday afternoon, September 8, 2024. The incident was reported at the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. Police were called at 2:40 PM Sunday.

Montgomery County's last Bowl America becomes a Bowlero

The last Bowl America bowling alley at 1101 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg has become a Bowlero. It's the end of an era, as the bowling centers "where thousands cheer" fade into history with a final crash of the pins. A permanent Bowlero logo has been attached to the exterior of the building, but the sign out front has simply been covered with a Bowlero drape for now. "New name, same epic fun," the company said in announcing the change. The bowling alley was renovated before reopening as Bowlero.

Bowlero has largely cornered the market on bowling in the region. The global company started as Bowlmor in New York in 1997. An original Bowl America on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda was acquired by Bowlmor, and then became a Bowlero when the brand changed its name in 2014. The AMF Bowling on Shady Grove Road is a Bowlero today, as a result of Bowlmor's 2013 acquisition of AMF. If you're still looking for the Bowl America experience in 2024, locations remain in Northern Virginia in Alexandria, Bull Run, Burke, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Woodbridge.

First Wegmans signage installed in Rockville

The first permanent signage for the future Wegmans grocery store has been installed at the Twinbrook Quarter development at 1600 Rockville Pike. It is at the entrance to the development's public parking garage on the new Festival Street. The garage lies beneath the Wegmans, a Class-A office building, and The Milton apartments. Wegmans itself is not expected to open until next year at the Saul Centers development, while the office space and apartments are now being marketed for lease.

Festival Street looking west toward
Rockville Pike and Congressional Plaza

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Larry Hogan's 100th tour stop is Montgomery County

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Larry Hogan (R) notched the 100th stop on his Strong Independent Leadership tour in Montgomery County yesterday. His choice for the campaign milestone was Silver Spring. Hogan attended the Saints Constantine & Helen Church Greek Fest at 721 Norwood Road. "We enjoyed some great food and had the chance to meet so many members of our Greek community," Hogan tweeted last night. 

The former Maryland governor ended last week with a strong endorsement by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, after a Gonzales poll showed his Democratic opponent Angela Alsobrooks moving 5 points ahead of him following a well-received speech at the Democratic National Convention last month. Hogan is leading Alsobrooks by ten points among independent voters, the poll showed, and eleven percent of those surveyed told pollsters that they are still undecided on the race.

Photos courtesy Hogan for Maryland, Inc.

Rockville police looking for knife-wielding man "wearing only brown pants"

Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in finding a man who tried to stab an acquaintance during a dispute on August 27, 2024. The suspect and the potential victim were arguing about borrowing a cell phone in the 800 block of Rockville Pike at 11:55 AM. Police say the suspect then produced a knife and unsuccessfully attempted to stab the intended victim. 

The suspect is described by police as a Black male, 50 to 59 years of age, "possibly named 'John,' [and] wearing only brown pants." If you can identify this suspect, or have any information about this incident, call police at 240-314-8900.

Dispute about public urination leads to assault in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault in the 800 block of Rockville Pike on August 26, 2024. Police say two suspects got into an argument about public urination with employees of a business on that block around 7:31 PM. The two suspects allegedly proceeded to assault the employees, and fled.

Police describe one of the suspects as a Black male, 20 to 29 years of age, with a medium build. He is approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds. The suspect has brown eyes and "black dreads." No description of the second suspect has been released. If you can identify either suspect, or have any information about this incident, call police at 240-314-8900.