Rockville construction update: Ansel Apartments (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress of the Ansel Apartments in Rockville Town Center. This is between E. Middle Lane and "Regal Row," on the former public parking lot site outside the Regal Cinemas. Duball, LLC is the developer, and Bozzuto will be the property manager. Delivery of Ansel is anticipated in the fall of 2021.

Assault at Rockville nursing home

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at a Rockville nursing home yesterday afternoon. The second-degree assault was reported at a nursing home in the 9700 block of Medical Center Drive around 1:51 PM Sunday.

Assault at Rockville bus stop

City of Rockville police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a bus stop yesterday afternoon. The victim reported being assaulted at a bus stop on Taft Street around 2:41 PM.

Sign installed at Boardroom Salon for Men in Rockville

Permanent signage has been installed at the future Boardroom Salon for Men location at Montrose Crossing on Rockville Pike. Boardroom is located between Slapfish and Five Guys at the retail center. The Texas-based chain is promising "the ultimate grooming experience for men."

Car stolen in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car in Rockville early yesterday morning. The vehicle was reported stolen from a commercial parking lot in the 11800 block of Coakley Circle around 3:00 AM.

Rockville Roy Rogers now offering drive-up ordering service

The only negative thing about the Roy Rogers at 718 Rockville Pike is that the restaurant oddly doesn't have a drive-thru. In the new abnormal where fast food chains are vacuuming in big bucks via their drive-thrus, this presented a major obstacle for restaurants like this Roy's location. Like many businesses, they have now adapted to prosper in this challenging situation. A new drive-up ordering service is now available for those who'd like a Double-R-Bar-Burger and holster of fries, but who don't feel safe going into an enclosed restaurant right now.

Assault reported at Twinbrook Library parking lot in Rockville

City of Rockville police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the parking lot of the Twinbrook Library at 202 Meadow Hall Drive yesterday afternoon. The assault was reported around 4:21 PM, according to crime data.

Rockville car dealership construction wrapping up

Construction of the new dealership facility at Ourisman Mazda/VW at 801 Rockville Pike is wrapping up, as the auto retailer becomes the latest on Rockville Pike to replace its showroom. In fact, just since these photos were taken, the first cars have been moved into the showroom. Like some of the competitors, the new building has higher ceilings, and a more modern design.

Strong-arm rape reported at Rockville nursing home

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm rape at a nursing home yesterday morning. The sexual assault was reported at a nursing home in the 1200 block of Potomac Valley Road around 8:57 AM, according to crime data.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery Sunday morning. The robbery was reported at an office building in the 15200 block of Shady Grove Road around 9:23 AM, according to crime data.

Call Your Mother Deli coming to Rockville

Call Your Mother will open its first bricks-and-mortar location in Montgomery County in the spring of 2021. The deli will be located at 11807 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose. That space was previously home to Lucky Brand.

“We were drawn to Pike & Rose’s unassuming charm,” Call Your Mother co-owner and founder Andrew Dana said Tuesday. The small deli chain that launched in 2018 has previously ventured into Montgomery County via farm markets and their trolley parked at 8804 Old Georgetown Road near Suburban Hospital.

Photo courtesy Call Your Mother 

Brookie Girl Bath + Body Care opens at Montgomery Mall

Brookie Girl Bath + Body Care has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Products carried include soaps, bath bombs, scrubs and body butters. They're launching with a buy-one-get-one-50%-off sale. Find Brookie Girl on Level 1 next to Sunglass Hut.

Rockville man killed in Silver Spring crash

A Rockville man was killed in an auto accident in the Layhill area of Silver Spring early Sunday morning, Montgomery County police announced. Stefano Jorge Fernandes, 23, was traveling west on Norbeck Road in his 2006 Mazda6 around 1:08 AM, when it left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle collided with several trees in the vicinity of Whitehaven Road, police said, and Fernandes was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) continues to investigate this collision. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at 240-773-6620.

TKK Fried Chicken coming to Rockville

TKK Fried Chicken is coming to Rockville. Two years ago, the Taiwanese fried chicken chain teamed up with Kung Fu Tea to open a joint restaurant in New York City. Now they will do the same at some Kung Fu Tea locations in our region, including the Kung Fu Tea at 11802 Rockville Pike at Pike & Rose. TKK has been around since 1974 in Taiwan, but will be a new flavor to many in our area as they now expand their presence in the United States.

TKK's signature flavor is a single layer of breading fried in soybean oil, with your choice of Original, Crispy Mild or Crispy Spicy coating. All of their chicken at their American restaurants is hormone-free, and raised on American farms. It is delivered fresh, not frozen, and marinated for 24 hours before being fried. 

Pickpocket strikes at Rockville grocery store

City of Rockville police responded to a pickpocket incident at a grocery store in King Farm Wednesday evening. The pickpocket struck at a store in the 400 block of Redland Boulevard around 5:30 PM. There is a Safeway store on that block.

Christmas trees being installed at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Christmas trees are being installed for 2020 at Rockville Town Square. One was erected last night by Peter Chang on Maryland Avenue, although it may be in for further trimming. It was not yet lit up. Another tree was in the earliest stages of construction at the town square itself.

Armed robbery, strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Rockville police responded to the reports of two robberies in the city on Sunday, November 15, 2020. An armed robbery was reported in the 2200 block of Stanley Avenue in the Twinbrook area around 8:45 that evening. Crime data indicates a gun was the weapon used in the robbery. Later that night, a strong-arm robbery was reported in the 1800 block of E. Jefferson Street around 10:45 PM. 

Elite Jewelers, See's Candies open at Montgomery Mall

See's Candies and Elite Jewelers have opened just in time for Black Friday and holiday shopping at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Yes - the mall will be open on Black Friday, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Elite Jewelers will be hosting a Grand Opening with special guest Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier this Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM. You can pose for a photo with her, and get her autograph, as well as have a chance to win part of a total giveaway of more than 10 carats of diamond jewelry, tour the store and spin the prize wheel. Reserve your autographed photo on their website.

See's is on Level 1 next to Forever 21, and Elite Jewelers can be found next to Pandora on Level 2. 

Chase Bank plans new Rockville branch

Chase Bank, which is rapidly expanding in the Washington, D.C. region, is planning another Montgomery County branch at 460 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The branch will feature a drive-thru. If approved by the City of Rockville, it will replace the existing Maxim Supermarket building.

Holidays lighting up at Pike & Rose in Rockville

Holiday lights and decorations are popping up around Pike & Rose in Rockville. The most prominent so far is the giant Christmas tree in Rose Park. A menorah is on display, as well.

Hogan orders all Maryland restaurants, bars to close at 10 PM, new restrictions on retail, hospital visits, sporting events, places of worship

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced additional restrictions on businesses and activities this afternoon, as the coronavirus pandemic worsens in the state and around the world. Effective Friday at 5:00 PM, Hogan has ordered all restaurants and bars statewide to close at 10:00 PM nightly. None will be allowed to open between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. 

Hogan also ordered most hospital visits to be suspended with some exceptions, and nursing home visitors will be limited to compassionate care visitors, who have to be tested 72 hours before visiting. The governor also banned all attendance at professional and collegiate sporting events, just weeks after fans were allowed to return to stadiums in the state.

Under the new restrictions, all retail stores and places of worship must reduce capacity to 50%. Hogan urged any students returning from college, or who plan to be around elderly relatives for Thanksgiving, to get tested for Covid-19 first. 

The governor asked hospitals to postpone any elective procedures or treatments where possible. He said hospitalizations are up 100% since November 1. The number of patients in ICU beds is the highest since June 2020. Maryland's Health Department is issuing an order to allow hospitals that are full, or nearing capacity, to transfer patients to other hospitals.

"We are in a war right now, and the virus is winning," Hogan said. "Now more than ever, I am pleading with the people of our state to stand together a while longer to help us battle this surging virus.”

Rockville deer hunt to close parts of Civic Center Park

A managed deer hunt will temporarily close parts of Rockville's Civic Center Park at times over the next three months. The City of Rockville is launching a pilot archery deer-culling program in response to increased vehicular collisions with deer, and concerns about Lyme disease.

Parts of Civic Center Park and Croydon Creek Nature Center will be closed November 21-29, December 19-27, and January 9-16. The City says a survey showed Rockville parks currently host an average of 130-160 deer per square mile, while a healthy deer population is around 20 deer per square mile. 

Indecent exposure in Rockville

City of Rockville police responded to an incident of indecent exposure in the Twinbrook area of Rockville last Thursday morning, November 12, 2020. The incident was reported to have taken place on the street in the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road, a commercial area, around 8:30 AM.