Lush temporarily closed at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Lush is temporarily closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The cruelty-free cosmetics boutique is in the process of relocating inside the mall, according to a sign posted on the door. It seems like another round of post-holiday-season musical chairs is underway at the mall. Swarovski is among the tenants swapping spaces.

2 the 9s boutique to replace Stuart Weitzman at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

2 the 9s is opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fashion boutique will fill the recently-vacated Stuart Weitzman space on Level 2. Window shoppers are already getting a look at some of the styles that will be on sale when it opens. There doesn't appear to be any information or social media pages for the boutique online yet.

Swarovski to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Prepare to "rediscover the wonder of crystal." Swarovski is opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Apparently, Minte has closed, and the Austrian glass jewelry and decor giant is going to replace it. Look for Swarovski when it opens on Level 2 between UNTUCKit and the new mural.

City of Rockville announces change in trash collection schedule for Presidents Day today

The City of Rockville announced a change in trash collection plans for today, February 20, 2023. There will be no trash or recycling collection today, Presidents Day. All collections will slide forward one day this week. So if your collection day is today, it moves to tomorrow, Tuesday, February 21, for this week.

This was a late change in schedule made by Montgomery County's Division of Solid Waste Services, the City said in a statement. "This is a change to what was previously reported in [the City's official newsletter] 'Rockville Reports' and on other city communication channels," the statement concluded.

Rockville delivery driver robbed at gunpoint

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the Fallsgrove area yesterday afternoon, February 18, 2023. A delivery driver was stopped in the 700 block of Fallsgrove Drive near the Thomas Farm Community Center at 4:00 PM. Two male suspects in their late teens or early twenties approached the driver and displayed a handgun. They demanded cash, and the delivery driver complied.

The suspects fled on foot, and the victim was not injured, police say. No physical description of the two suspects was given by police, but they were wearing all-black clothing. Anyone with information about this incident, or about the suspects, is asked to call RCPD Criminal Investigations detectives at 240-314-8938.

Maryland "closely monitoring" air quality after toxic East Palestine, Ohio train derailment

Maryland Department of the Environment
air quality monitoring station

More than a few Maryland residents have been wondering if the toxic chemicals released into waterways and the air from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment might have any environmental or health impacts here. The Maryland Department of the Environment has been "closely monitoring the situation," MDE spokesperson Jay Apperson said Friday evening. Department officials have been focused on impacts from the air, as Apperson said the runoff into the Ohio River will not affect Maryland waterways.

There has been speculation online that pollution such as airborne particulates or acid rain caused by the derailment, and by the controversial clean-up effort of toxic substances from the train cars, could impact neighboring states. Some satellite images shared on social media depicting a plume cloud from the controlled burn-off of chemicals at the crash site showed it passing over Western Maryland at times. 

But Apperson said the state has so far found nothing of concern within our borders. MDE's air quality monitoring station in Garrett County "shows no effect on levels of gas or particulate matter" as of last night, he reported. "The department will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation," Apperson added.

Photo courtesy MDE

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken sets opening date in Rockville

The wait is about to come to an end at Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken at 16248 Frederick Road in Rockville. Rise will open at 7:00 AM this coming Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:00 AM. A grand opening event will be held later on, in March. Rise is located in the new Rock Grove Shopping Center.