The sign is up at Koi Sushi, opening soon at 201 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Here's a sneak peek at the interior design, and at all pages of the restaurant menu. Koi Sushi will be located next to Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls. Stay tuned for an opening date.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Update on Koi Sushi in Gaithersburg (Photos + Menu)
Monday, January 26, 2026
Police nab suspect as knife-wielding peeping Tom stalks Derwood, Gaithersburg
Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in a series of peeping Tom incidents in Gaithersburg and Derwood. Steven Jarezz Adams, 32, of Silver Spring has been charged with indecent exposure, trespassing, first-degree assault and related charges. For over a month, authorities say, he stalked families, exposed himself, and even jabbed a knife at a resident who confronted him. He is being held without bond at the County jail.
Here's how events unfolded, according to the timeline released by detectives:
It started on Christmas Eve—December 24, 2025, around 3:46 a.m. A woman inside her home in the 8300 block of McCullough Lane in Gaithersburg looked toward her sliding glass door and saw Adams exposing himself right there, staring in at her. He fled into the night, leaving her shaken.
Then, on January 7, 2026, he struck twice in the same area. At about 6:40 p.m., another woman in the 8300 block of McCullough Lane spotted a shadow at her window. She pulled back the blinds—and there was Adams. He took off when confronted.
Later that same night, around 10:30 p.m., a neighbor in the 17700 block of Silkcotton Way saw Adams shining a flashlight through the sliding glass door of a home, peering inside before vanishing.
The escalation came on January 15, 2026, about 7:05 p.m. A man in the 8300 block of McCullough Lane got a motion alert from his patio security camera. He went outside to check—and confronted Adams face-to-face. That's when Adams allegedly pulled a knife and swung it at the victim before running off. This wasn't just voyeurism anymore. This was a dangerous assault.
Investigators dug in. They identified Adams as the suspect and discovered he had a prior arrest for peeping tom incidents back in 2022. With that history staring them in the face, detectives secured an arrest warrant.
The takedown came on January 20, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. Detectives spotted Adams heading to the rear of a multi-level apartment complex in the 8000 block of Gramercy Boulevard in Derwood. Using the department's Air Support Unit drone, they watched from a safe distance as Adams moved from window to window and door to door, looking in and exposing himself again.
When officers from the 1st, 5th, and 6th District Special Assignment Teams moved in to make the arrest, Adams bolted. But it was a short chase. They caught him, cuffed him, and took him straight to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
Police believe Steven Jarezz Adams has violated others who haven't come forward. Take a look at his photo. Does this man look familiar? Did you see him lurking around your neighborhood?
If you were a victim of indecent exposure by this man, or have any information that could assist detectives, you are asked to call police at 240-773-5770, or visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Shocking dinnertime shooting at McDonald's in Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg City police are investigating a shooting that took place at the McDonald's restaurant at 465 N. Frederick Avenue last night, January 19, 2026. Officers from the City and Montgomery County police responded to a report of a shooting there at 7:08 PM Monday. They found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. He was transported to a local hospital, where his injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.
Police refer to there being multiple suspects in the shooting, who fled the scene and remain at large. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Gaithersburg Police Department Investigative Section at 301-258-6400. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Gaithersburg Tip Line at 301-330-4471.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
NIST AI center in Gaithersburg seeks input on securing AI agents
The era of AI is shifting from models that simply "chat" to agents that "act." As we move toward systems capable of planning, executing tasks, and interacting with the real world autonomously, a critical question emerges: How do we keep these agents secure? To answer this, the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) at NIST in Gaithersburg has issued a Request for Information (RFI). This is a call to action for the tech community to help shape the security standards for the next generation of AI.
Unlike traditional AI, agentic systems don't just provide information; they take actions. They can navigate software environments, manage files, or even interact with physical infrastructure. While this autonomy promises a massive leap in productivity, it also introduces a new "attack surface" that goes beyond traditional software vulnerabilities.
The RFI highlights that while agents share some common risks with standard software (like memory leaks or authentication bugs), they also face unique AI-driven threats:
Indirect Prompt Injection: Where an agent processes data from the web or an email that contains hidden instructions, tricking the agent into performing unauthorized actions.
Data Poisoning: Using insecure or manipulated models that have been "trained" to behave maliciously under specific conditions.
Alignment Risks: "Specification gaming," where a model achieves its goal in a way that is technically correct, but is at the same time harmful or dangerous to the computer network or software system it is working within.
NIST is looking for data and insights across several topics:
Threat Landscape: How do agent-specific threats evolve over time?
Development Best Practices: How can we build security into the agent's "brain" from day one?
Cybersecurity Gaps: Where do current security protocols fall short when applied to autonomous agents?
Measurement & Monitoring: How do we quantify the "safety" of an agent before it's deployed?
Guardrails: What interventions can limit an agent’s access to sensitive environments?
The responses NIST receives from industry leaders, researchers, and developers will directly inform voluntary guidelines and best practices used by organizations worldwide. As these systems become integrated into national security and public safety infrastructure, establishing a baseline for "what good looks like" is essential. "The security challenges not only hinder adoption today but may also pose risks for public safety and national security as AI agent systems become more widely deployed," NIST/CAISI warned in a press release announcing the RFI this week.
If you are a developer, security researcher, or deployer of AI systems, NIST wants your case studies, actionable recommendations, and technical insights. The submission deadline is March 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. To submit any materials in response to this RFI, go to www.regulations.gov and search for docket no. NIST-2025-0035.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Kentlands Market Square seeks permission for larger signage from Gaithersburg
Kentlands Market Square has filed an application with the City of Gaithersburg requesting an amendment to its August 2020 site plan approval for signage at the property. Kimco Realty, Inc., the property owner, is seeking permission to enlarge wall signs bearing the development name beyond the dimensions allowed under City code. If approved, the wall signage could increase beyond the existing zoning allowance of 13.5-square-feet to 40 SF.
The Gaithersburg Planning Commission will review the request at its January 21, 2026 meeting at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the amendment.
Monday, January 5, 2026
New lakefront apartments proposed for Rio in Gaithersburg
The Mayor and Council of Gaithersburg will hold a public hearing tonight, January 5, 2026, on the proposal to build up to 500 apartment units at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg at 7:30 PM. Under the plan, new residential buildings would be constructed on the other side of the development's lake, between the boardwalk and I-270. Public comment submitted to the City has been trending negative toward the proposal. One factor not helping win public support is the generic architecture being shown at this stage, which resembles numerous other recent apartment buildings in many places in our region (what do you call those tacky facade "frames" that are on virtually every new building these days?), and does not mesh well with the existing structures on the opposite side of the lake.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Hobby Lobby begins hiring for Gaithersburg store
Hobby Lobby's first Montgomery County store is currently under construction at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center. Now the big box crafts retailer has begun hiring employees for this location. An ad posted on X seeks a Retail Co-Manager for the store, which sits on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. "Join our team and let your creativity flourish in Gaithersburg, MD," the Christmas-sweater-themed post says. "Are you ready for the opportunity to thrive as a manager?"
Monday, December 22, 2025
Sheetz construction begins at Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg
Construction of the second Sheetz location in Gaithersburg is getting underway at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 733 S. Frederick Avenue. The area of the parking lot where the convenience store and mega gas station will be built has been fenced off. Heavy equipment is beginning to tear up the asphalt. Sheetz previously announced that its first Gaithersburg store at 751 Progress Way was doing excellent business, so it's not surprising that the company is moving expeditiously to get a second store up and running.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen opening in Gaithersburg
Here's a positive "Florida Man" news report: Chef Rachid Eido is expanding his Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen franchise to Maryland. It will be at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg, at 212 Boardwalk Place. That's next to IT'SUGAR. Eido is actually a native of Beirut, where he learned the art of authentic Lebanese cooking, with the flavors, aromatic spices, and warm hospitality it is known for.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
MCPS leases final space at former Leidos site in Gaithersburg
Matan Companies has announced that its 44-acre life science and industrial campus fronting I-270 in Gaithersburg, which consists of two 198,000-square-foot Class A buildings at 700 and 750 Progress Way, is now 100% leased. The final piece was the recent execution of a 161,500 SF lease with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), which has leased 161,500 square feet at 700 Progress Way. MCPS joins existing tenants AstraZeneca (198,000 SF full-building lease at 700 Progress Way, signed December 2023) and Daikin Comfort Technologies Distribution, Inc. (36,145 SF at 750 Progress Way, signed May 2024). Matan's announcement did not specify what MCPS plans to use the space for, or the annual cost of the lease to Montgomery County taxpayers.
“We are extremely proud to have delivered and fully leased this state-of-the-art campus,” Matan Companies Director of Leasing James Matan said in a statement. “The diversity of best-in-class occupants—AstraZeneca in life sciences, Daikin in advanced HVAC distribution, and now Montgomery County Public Schools—demonstrates the incredible flexibility and strategic location of these assets along the I-270 corridor.”
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Two Story Chimney Ciderworks to close in Gaithersburg
Two Story Chimney Ciderworks at 7115 Damascus Road in Gaithersburg will permanently close before Christmas, the distillery announced on social media. "We have been so blessed to be a part of this community and so many people’s lives," the post said. "The friendships and bonds will always be cherished. It is time we trade the early morning markets and late night tasting rooms in for time with our family. Our last day will be December 21. Stop in before the end of the year and share some stories and memories."
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Sixty Vines seeks permission to add retractable screens to pergola at Downtown Crown
Sixty Vines, the new restaurant at 212 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, is seeking permission from the City of Gaithersburg to add retractable screens to its outdoor dining pergola structure. The retractable vinyl curtains will utilize the MagnaTrack Vinyl Screen System. Those screens will be black in color, and will not count as increasing the building footprint under City regulations. Sixty Vines' application will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its meeting tonight, December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the application.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Lakeforest Transit Center to be relocated and redeveloped at former Gaithersburg mall property
There's a new development in the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site in Gaithersburg. A ceremony was held yesterday to kick off the first phase of a newly-announced partnership to relocate and redevelop the Lakeforest Transit Center. Transit is key to transforming the former community hub into a vibrant, mixed-use development, especially with no new highways or rail service planned for the massive housing and commercial growth that will occur.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, and County Councilmembers, including Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, and Laurie-Anne Sayles, joined Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin, WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments Principal Kevin Rogers, and other community leaders to celebrate the milestone.
The redevelopment is a joint effort between Montgomery County and WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments. WRS is set to redevelop the nearly 100-acre site into a dynamic mixed-use community featuring residential housing, entertainment, shopping, and public gathering spaces.
“Lakeforest Mall was a place where people came together for decades, and this redevelopment gives us a chance to reimagine this site,” Elrich said Monday. “Transportation, housing, and economic development are connected, and this project reflects that.”
The now-closed Lakeforest Mall holds a special place in the community, having served as the County's largest mall for a time and a well-known gathering spot for 45 years since its opening in 1978. Greed on the part of the mall's final owner, and chronic failure by County leaders to address violent crime and gang activity at the mall resulted in the disgraceful demolition of the once-luxurious shopping mecca now underway at the site.
The first phase of the agreement focuses on site preparation for the new transit center. WRS will prepare nearly two acres of land, which includes filling in a drainage pond and grading the site to make it build-ready. This initial phase is expected to take about one year.
Following the completion of site preparation, MCDOT will purchase the land from WRS and commence construction on the new transit center itself.
The new transit center will continue to serve the eight existing Ride On bus routes currently using the Lakeforest Transit Center. Crucially, it is also being designed with scalability to accommodate the future MD 355 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor. "The new transit center will support the nearly 2,000 riders per day who rely on the current Lakeforest Transit Center, as well as create capacity to accommodate the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit corridor along MD 355 and any future developments," Conklin said.
Monday, November 24, 2025
Walnut Hill Shopping Center to add drive-thru Chipotle
Next year, you could be picking up a Chipotle burrito without even getting out of your car in Gaithersburg. The Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue will be adding a Chipotle restaurant on the North Westland Drive side of the property. A bank building will be demolished to clear the way for the restaurant, which will have a drive-thru. The drive-thru will be only for online pickup orders, and is called a Chipotlane. There is at least one other Chipotlane in Montgomery County, at the Briggs Chaney Chipotle at 13801 Outlet Drive.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Andy's Pizza opens in Gaithersburg
Andy's Pizza has opened at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Andy's serves New York-style pizza in whole pies, or by the slice, and is quite an upgrade from previous tenant MOD Pizza. It is a double win to be able to order by the slice, with such high-quality pizzas. Next up for Andy's: a Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Update on Andy's Pizza in Gaithersburg (Photos)
Signage has been installed at Andy's Pizza, opening soon at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. More art has been added to the interior walls of the pizzeria. Furniture has been set up on the outdoor patio. Andy's Pizza will be opening here, and at a second Bethesda location in Westfield Montgomery Mall.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Bobby Furniture closing in Gaithersburg
2025 has been a bad year for some furniture stores in Montgomery County. One of the biggest regional names, Marlo Furniture, closed its Rockville showroom. Now Bobby Furniture has announced it will be closing its store at 317 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg. A closing sale is underway at all three of its Montgomery County locations, including the two that aren't closing, in Montgomery Village and Germantown. However, the company is not specifying the percentage you'll be saving over the regular price, so you may want to call ahead if you have a specific piece of furniture in mind, to inquire about the price and avoid making a long trip that ends in disappointment.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Mattress Warehouse construction begins in Gaithersburg
Wow, what a juxtaposition! Construction has begun on the former Buca di Beppo building at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. According to the property leasing map, the building is being subdivided into two spaces. One half will hold the upscale New York-based Tatte Bakery & Cafe. The other half will go to Mattress Warehouse. The signing of Tatte Bakery & Cafe was first reported by The MoCo Show.
Friday, October 24, 2025
Walnut Hill Shopping Center adding Ionna EV chargers (Photos)
The Walnut Hill Shopping Center is adding electric vehicle charging stations to its parking lot at 733 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. And not just any EV chargers. These are Ionna charging stations, part of a nationwide network of 30,000 being created as we speak. The North Carolina firm is a partnership of seven international auto manufacturing companies, including BMW and Toyota. Ionna chargers offer fast-charging, essential to creating a viable network to support mass adoption of EVs.
Of course, an even more-effective way of doing that would be to allow $8000 Chinese EVs to be sold in America, but did Joe Biden do that? Nope. That's what you would do if time was running out and a global climate catastrophe was upon us, right? $8000 Chinese EVs that are superior to the ridiculously expensive EVs made in America and elsewhere, not releasing gas from the strategic petroleum reserves, building high-speed rail, and mandating work-from-home for federal employees. Wait, Biden did the exact opposite of those things. "How dare you!" - Greta Thunberg. Heckuva job, Brownie!
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Tea Spa Wellness relocates in Gaithersburg
Tea Spa Wellness has successfully relocated in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg. It has completed its move from 209 Market Street W. to 621 Center Point Way at Kentlands Market Square. Tea Spa Wellness offers massages, facials, and healing rituals inspired by "tea culture and natural balance."
"At Tea Spa, our mission is to create a haven of peace where everyone can find moments of deep serenity," Tea Spa CEO Cathy Shao says. "My journey through nursing school revealed the incredible power of professional massage therapy, inspiring me to share this healing art with a broader audience, which led to the birth of Tea Spa. In the last decade, my path as an energy healer has strengthened my belief in the link between inner peace and mindful living. As the caretaker of Tea Spa, I am dedicated to assembling a team of service providers who embody generosity, tranquility, and vibrant positivity. With each healing touch, we strive to make the world a better place, one person at a time."














































