Assault at bus stop in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a bus stop yesterday afternoon, April 25, 2025. The assault was reported at a bus stop in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive (MD 355). It occurred at 3:15 PM Friday. In other exciting bus stop news, just 27 minutes before the assault call, Rockville City police had located a fugitive from another Maryland county at a bus stop in the 300 block of W. Montgomery Avenue.

Final 3 days for Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

If you want to go on one last shopping spree at Forever 21 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, you'd better hurry. There are only three days left to shop. As you can see from the photos here, inventory is being snapped up at 60-80% off. Shelves near the front door that held store fixtures for sale are bare. Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy, and all of its stores nationwide are expected to close by May 1, 2025.

Brandy Melville opens in Rockville

Brandy Melville has opened at Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike. The women's fast fashion boutique is located at 11804 Grand Park Avenue. Brandy Melville was founded in Italy, but gained success after taking inspiration from California designs rather than Italian fashions. The label's target audience is comprised of teens and young adults.

Another reason for Brandy Melville's popularity is that their pricing is very reasonable. They're still looking for full-time and weekend employees, if you are seeking a retail fashion position. Scan the QR code pictured in the bottom photo below.

Rockville Trader Joe's construction update (Photos)

Most of the Rockville grocery store excitement at the moment is focused on the June 25 opening of Wegmans on Rockville Pike. But those living closer to "The Square," a.k.a. Rockville Town Square, are eagerly awaiting the opening of Trader Joe's at 225 N. Washington Street. This is one of 21 new Trader Joe's stores opening nationwide this year. Three will be in the Washington, D.C. area, including this one, which will take the place of former grocery tenant Dawson's Market.

Virginia added more than twice as many jobs as Maryland in March

The economic development broken record played the same tune yet again in the Washington, D.C. region last month. Virginia destroyed Maryland in job creation once again, adding more than twice as many jobs in March 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Maryland added 2,300 jobs, while Virginia added 5,900 jobs. 

March's job creation numbers show Virginia's economy remained far stronger than moribund Maryland's in a month where both states were impacted by federal job cuts. The total number of actual federal positions lost remains murky, as legal injunctions or orders to rehire workers have followed many of the "DOGE" layoffs.

"This job growth reflects businesses hiring as Virginians continue to find opportunities," Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. "Virginia has jobs, and we’re committed to strengthening the business environment so that everyone can find a path to success right here in the Commonwealth."

Rockville environmental cleanup is no laughing matter

Threats to the local ecosystem aren't exactly comedy material. But when Montgomery County satirical publication Montgonion branched out into civic activism recently, it found some readers were having a hard time taking it seriously. After tackling a litter problem in Glenmont, the Montgonion staff turned its attention to the 15100 block of Southlawn Lane in Rockville. Their efforts resulted in several departments of Montgomery County government taking action to remove illegally-parked or abandoned vehicles, and trash. The street is adjacent to parkland and a tributary of Rock Creek.

Montgomery County has also asked a cement company located there to have its trucks line up within its property, rather than idling on the public road. The County will also be assessing environmental impacts on the nearby stream. 

After posting about their success, the Montgonion staff was alarmed that many readers thought the story was yet another satirical yarn. They want you to know the story is true, and that they are ready to investigate any other problem areas you know about in Rockville and Montgomery County. Now about that WSSC free automobile undercarriage wash in Aspen Hill...ok, that one might not be true. Or is it? We are talking about the WSSC here, after all.

Photo courtesy Montgonion

Ace Hardware opening new store in Rockville

Ace Hardware is opening a new location in Rockville. It will be at 835 Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. That was most recently home to Gold's Gym, so it is a sizeable space. When it opens, this will be the only Ace Hardware store in Rockville.