Rockville Historic District Commission to review demolition request for West End-area home

The owner of 101 Adclare Road in the West End area of Rockville, and Ambition Custom Homes, LLC of Clarksburg, have requested an evaluation of historical significance for the property by the Rockville Historic District Commission. They are seeking permission to demolish the existing home on the site to clear the way for a new one.

101 Adclare Road was built in 1951, but has been extensively modified in the decades since, including the additions of a porch and second story. A memo submitted with the application notes the many issues with the house, such as inadequate electrical and plumbing systems. The City has contacted the West End Community Association and historic preservation organization Peerless Rockville about the proposed demolition, and have not yet received any objections, according to the staff report.

The HDC will review the request at its September 15, 2022 meeting. City Preservation Planner Sheila Bashiri is recommending the commissioners find the property is not historic, as the home does not meet any of the criteria for historic designation.

Under Armour closes temporary Montgomery Mall Bethesda location as it prepares to move

The temporary location of Under Armour on Level 2 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has closed. Workers will now relocate the store back to its larger, original space on Level 1. The sporting goods retailer will reopen there on Friday, September 23, 2022.

Car stolen from Rockville home

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a home in the Manor Woods neighborhood of Rockville. The vehicle was taken from the driveway of a home in the 14700 block of Janice Drive, near Norbeck Road. It is believed the vehicle was taken sometime between 11:00 PM Tuesday and 6:15 AM yesterday.

Moon over Regal Cinemas Rockville as parent Cineworld files for bankruptcy (Photos)

The moon was out over the Regal Cinemas Rockville 13 cineplex last night, as Regal parent company Cineworld announced it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. This isn't the end for Regal and its British parent, as Cineworld stated that it intends to emerge from bankruptcy next year. But the company did announce that it will be seeking to renegotiate its existing leases for individual theater locations, which could mean some theater closures if landlords balk. Cineworld's CEO blamed pandemic theater lockdowns and reduced ticket sales for the financial problems of the cinema group, which is the second-largest in the world behind AMC Theatres.

Rockville "Goes Purple" for opioid addiction awareness: "Protect Them" art installation opens tonight

"Protect Them," a mobile shipping container art installation, has arrived at Rockville Town Square. It will open to the public tonight, September 8, 2022, from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. The exhibit will also be open from 2:00 - 5:00 PM on September 9, 10, 16 and 17, and on the evening of September 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Bethesda artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg created the exhibit after her research into patterns of drug addiction revealed that a lack of mental health support, childhood trauma and heightened environmental sensitivity were often consistent factors. The installation is constructed from the many items parents use to protect their children, such as child safety seats, bike helmets, or water wings, and questions what parents and our society are doing to keep children "psychologically safe?"

The installation is one of many events in the city this month, as "Rockville Goes Purple." The campaign is designed to raise awareness of opioid addiction, and will officially begin today at 4:30 PM with a speech by Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton at Rockville Town Square, followed by remarks by Firstenberg and Judge Karla Smith. VisArts will host a "Behind the Mask" art project on the town square stage afterward from 5:00 to 8:50 PM. Rockville City police responded to 35 reports of heroin or opioid overdoses in 2021, a 52% increase from 2020, and three reports of heroin or opioid possession, a 66% decrease. Look for the Empty Fix shipping container on the town square.

Indecent exposure in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of indecent exposure in the College Gardens neighborhood yesterday morning, September 6, 2022. The incident was reported in the 1600 block of Auburn Avenue.

Rockville stabbing homicide victim identified

Montgomery County police released the name of the adult male homicide victim in Saturday night's double stabbing in Rockville. Jonathan Lawrence Moore, 35, of Silver Spring was pronounced dead from a stab wound in the 800 block of Hungerford Drive Saturday night. Scorpio Alexander Standfield, 31, of no fixed address, has been charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and first-degree murder in connection with the incident. 

A second adult male victim was transported to a hospital with serious injuries; police have not provided an update on his health status as of this writing. He was able to provide a description of the assailant to police before he was taken away in the ambulance that facilitated the quick location and arrest of Standfield.