Montgomery County's newest parking lot is in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Montgomery County's newest parking lot is in Gaithersburg. An empty lot at the southwest corner of N. Frederick Avenue (MD 355) and Dalamar Street has just been paved over with asphalt. It appears to connect to the Megamart Supermarket parking lot next door at 33 Dalamar Street. More parking - don't tell the County Council!

ABC 7 to air Charlie Kirk tribute during Jimmy Kimmel timeslot Sept. 19

Local ABC affiliate WJLA Channel 7 will air a one-hour tribute to Charlie Kirk during what would ordinarily be Jimmy Kimmel's late night time slot in the Washington, D.C. market this Friday night, September 19, 2025. ABC 7 is owned by Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group, which along with rival broadcast firm Nexstar Media Group, successfully pressured the Disney-owned ABC network to suspend Kimmel indefinitely yesterday. Kimmel was suspended for making false statements about the assassination of Kirk, who was fatally shot during a Turning Point USA college event in Utah last week.

Kimmel has long been a pugnacious and vitriolic critic of President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, devoting many minutes of his program to attacks on both nightly. But he has never faced any serious consequences until now, and parent company Disney seemed quite content with Kimmel's shift from a late night comedy show to a hardcore political broadcast that trashed half of his potential viewing audience. What changed? 

Nexstar hopes to successfully pull off a merger with Tysons-based Tegna, which would bring more local TV stations into its nationwide portfolio, including local CBS affiliate WUSA 9. Disney and Sinclair may also have potential tie-ups down the road, which would similarly need the approval of a Trump or future GOP administration. As a result, this time they had to show some action on Kimmel's controversial remarks. 

Whether Kimmel will actually be canceled by ABC remains to be seen, but his return would certainly risk the ire of Trump. Disney will have to decide if defending the declining career of Kimmel would be worth potentially-major financial consequences for the entertainment giant in the future. Kimmel's ratings have plunged 11% as of the last reporting period, dropping him to third place in his time slot.

The ABC 7 Kirk tribute will be only one of the local events remembering the slain TPUSA founder this weekend. A candlelight prayer vigil for Kirk in Montgomery County is set for this Saturday night in Rockville.

Photo courtesy Salem Media Group

Construction begins on Bartaco in Rockville

Construction has begun on Bartaco at 11886 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose. Walls have been erected on both sides of the storefront, suggesting that the exterior configuration of the facades may be altered for the new restaurant. Yes, Bartaco is yet another taco joint opening in Rockville, replacing another taco joint in this same space. But the chain's focus on smaller soft tacos and hybrid coastal decor of Southern California and South America have been a big hit so far in new developments like Reston Town Center, the Mosaic District in Fairfax County, and The Wharf in Washington, D.C.

Spirit Halloween haunting Congressional Plaza in Rockville

Spirit Halloween is returning to Rockville for 2025, and wisely, once again on Rockville Pike. Their store will have more visibility this year compared to last, as it will be at 1683 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. That's the former Buy Buy Baby space. According to the Spirit Halloween website, the store has not opened yet, although merchandise is visible inside; "Opens September" is the current message as of this writing.

Charlie Kirk vigil to be held in Rockville on September 20

A vigil will be held for Charlie Kirk in Montgomery County this coming Saturday, September 20, 2025. The event will be held in Rockville at the Courthouse Square park, located at the corner of E. Jefferson Street and W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville Town Center, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Saturday. There will be tributes to Kirk, prayers, and speakers. Kirk, the founder of the conservative political organization Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at the launch of TPUSA's latest college campus tour in Utah.

Slurp Noodle House "coming soon" to Rockville

Slurp Noodle House is coming soon to Rockville, according to signage posted at its future storefront. The ramen and dumpling restaurant will be located at the corner of Halpine Road and Chapman Avenue, on the ground level of the Milton apartments at Twinbrook Quarter. Contrary to Western table manners, slurping one's noodles is a sign of enjoying your meal in Japan, and is therefore encouraged. And from a practical standpoint, the practice also cools down the ramen. 

Tesla Supercharger station planned for Germantown

A new Tesla Supercharger station is in the works for Germantown. It will be located at the Shops at Seneca Meadows at 20600 Seneca Meadows Parkway. The charging spaces will be located in the ground level of the parking garage at the shopping center, which is best known for its anchor tenant, Wegmans. Twelve charging spaces are expected to be furnished at this Supercharger station.