Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Thursday evening, June 2, 2022. The assault was reported at the mall at 6:07 PM. A suspect was also accused of shoplifting in the same incident. This is the third 2nd-degree assault reported at the mall in as many weeks.

Living on $3.7 million a year in Rockville, Maryland

Can you live on $3.7 million a year in Rockville? Brian Jung is doing it now. The successful YouTuber has a channel dedicated to videos on personal finance and cryptocurrency. His family came here from South Korea in the 1990s, one of many who have settled in a Rockville where the Asian community is now one of the economic engines of the city. CNBC took notice of Jung's acccomplishments, including his financial stake in Rockville Town Square's Gyuzo Japanese BBQ restaurant, in a new episode of its Make It: Millenial Money series.

Tobacco King opens in Rockville

Tobacco King has opened at 844-A Rockville Pike. The smoke shop offers tobacco, CBD, kratom, cigar, vaping and hookah products, supplies and accessories. There is a 20%-off grand opening promotion in effect. Tobacco King has locations throughout the region, but this is their first shop in Montgomery County.

Rockville Mayor & Council to consider new city branding contract - and the price has gone up

Rockville's 2012-2022 branding

Rockville's Mayor and Council will consider approving a contract with an out-of-state marketing firm to update the city's promotional branding at its meeting this coming Monday, June 6, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Last year, a city staff analysis determined that the city's decade-old stylized "R" logo and "Get into it" motto had "run its course." After a formal procurement process, Dallas-based media and marketing firm Medium Giant has emerged as the finalist. A contract for $147,925 will be presented to the Mayor and Council Monday night for their approval.

A staff report states that Medium Giant's proposal was found to provide the most value, and that the firm "shares the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values." It has demonstrated prior experience in developing branding for municipalities. Medium Giant understands that the public will be fully-engaged in the development of the rebranding, and it will "memorialize" the rebranding process on video. The company has been selected over Rockville-based Clark Concepts and Gaithersburg's GKA and TMAC Communications, among other firms from across the country.

Inflation has not left the rebranding process unscathed. Last year's staff report estimated that a citywide rebranding effort would cost city taxpayers $125,000, and $80,000 per year to implement. Monday's staff report acknowledges that Medium Giant's proposal price was not the lowest submitted to the city. But after an evaluation committee that included city staff, residents and two representatives of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. reviewed the proposal, it determined the $147,925 pricetag "to be reasonable based on the firm’s progressive approach and cutting-edge model of branding." 

Car stolen from Rockville parking garage

Montgomery County police officers were called to a parking garage in Rockville after a vehicle was reported stolen there early Tuesday morning, May 31, 2022. The vehicle was reported stolen from a residential parking garage in the 9300 block of Corporate Boulevard at 7:15 AM, according to crime data. It is believed the car was stolen sometime after 11:00 PM the night before.

Indecent exposure in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of indecent exposure early Tuesday evening, May 31, 2022. The incident was reported in the 600 block of Edmonston Drive at 6:14 PM, according to crime data.

Maryland governor candidate Kelly Schulz launches Law Enforcement for Kelly coalition

Republican Maryland governor candidate Kelly Schulz launched a Law Enforcement for Kelly campaign coalition yesterday. "No other candidate in the race has received such strong and explicit backing from law enforcement leaders like Kelly Schulz has," a statement issued by the campaign said. "With the backing of seven current sheriffs, law enforcement across the state know that Kelly Schulz is the only candidate who will take action to address violent crime and who will undoubtedly stand up for and support them."

Schulz's plan to address rising violent crime includes increased funding for hiring and training of additional police officers, and for their equipment. She would seek legislation to keep violent criminals behind bars, and create new penalties for those convicted of illegal gun crimes. 

The coalition will be steered by a committee made up of seven sheriffs from across Maryland:  Sheriffs Craig Robertson of Allegany County, Jim Fredericks of Anne Arundel County, Mike Evans of Calvert County, Jim DeWees of Carroll County, Jeffrey Gahler of Harford County, Gary Hoffman of Queen Anne’s County, and Tim Cameron of St. Mary’s County. "Kelly Schulz is just the lady who can get the job done," Gahler declared in a video released by the campaign. Additional law enforcement professionals are invited to join the coalition via an online form.

“For me it is simple: as governor I will treat members of law enforcement like heroes and criminals like criminals,” Schulz said in a statement. “I always have and always will stand firmly with the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to protect us. It is humbling to have earned the trust and support of so many of these heroes from across the state – they deserve a governor who has their back, and that’s what they’ll have when I’m elected.”