Man who threatened Rockville cannabis dispensary headed to federal prison

A Seattle man who police say phoned in homicidal threats to a Rockville cannabis dispensary on September 11, 2021, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. Joey George, 37, admitted calling multiple businesses nationwide and threatening to kill African-American and Latino people. He made the admission as part of a plea agreement in the case of his telephone threats to the Tops Market in Buffalo two months after a mass shooting took place there. 

George's threatening calls to the unidentified Rockville marijuana dispensary caused the business to temporarily close and hire security. The dispensary owners estimated their financial loss to be more than $50,000, the United States Department of Justice said in a statement. George has agreed to make financial restitution to the dispensary, and to the other businesses that he threatened around the country.

Derwood Wendy's renovation update (Photos)

You can see some significant cosmetic changes on the exterior of the Wendy's at 15807 Frederick Road in Derwood now. The restaurant is temporarily closed for a major renovation project. There are now long, black strips along the top area of the facade on the side of the building. Tyvek covers the center of that area, above the side entrance.

Where there was a stone facade cover at the front corner, you can see red peeking out from underneath a Reynobond covering. Construction materials are laid out in the parking area. While you are waiting for the Wendy's of the Future here, the Rockville Wendy's at 808 Rockville Pike is open and ready to take your Baconator and Chocolate Frosty order.

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken opening in Rockville

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken is opening soon at 16248 Frederick Road in Rockville, in the new Rock Grove shopping center. Signage was just installed over the future restaurant's storefront. Rise was founded in Durham, North Carolina in 2012. It has since expanded to 17 restaurants in North Carolina, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

It sounds like Rise will check many boxes for diners. They have tenderized, buttermilk-brined fried chicken sandwiches, and creative donuts. Their buttermilk cheddar biscuits should appeal to Red Lobster fans, but with the bonus of fillings that range from bacon or sausage to fried green tomatoes or fried chicken. Rise has a signature side dish of Cheddar Tots. And who could resist a Cheerwine donut?

There is no waitstaff at Rise, just a "swift service line," their website notes. The chain was named one of the Top 100 Movers and Shakers last year by FastCasual.com. Rockville diners will even be able to judge who has the better donut at Rock Grove on the premises, Rise or Dunkin'?

Police called after assault at grocery store in Rockville

Rockville City police were called to a grocery store in the Rockville Town Center area yesterday morning, after an individual reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a store in the 200 block of N. Washington Street at 10:20 AM Friday, December 16, 2022. A suspect was accused of shoplifting at the store, as well. Dawson's Market is located on that block.

Downtown Brews to open in Rockville

Downtown Brews will be opening soon at 5751-E Fishers Lane in The Alaire apartment building in Rockville. The shop will sell beer, wine and coffee. It will be open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM seven days a week. This space was formerly home to Downtown Beer and Wine.

Car stolen from parking lot in Rockville

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a parking lot in Rockville on Tuesday, December 14, 2022. The vehicle was stolen from a commercial parking lot in the 5600 block of Fishers Lane. It is believed the vehicle was taken sometime between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM.

Rockville Sport & Health rebranding as Onelife Fitness

The Rockville location of Sport & Health is being rebranded as Onelife Fitness. Located at 11594 Old Georgetown Road at Pike & Rose, the gym is one of eight Sport & Health clubs still operating under that name. Corporate owner U.S. Fitness Holdings, LLC is now bringing those locations into the Onelife Fitness portfolio all of its other clubs operate under. The signage hasn't been changed yet here, but a banner has been placed out front to announce the change.