Montgomery County Board of Elections votes to not follow anyone on social media

Montgomery County Board of Elections
President David A. Naimon

The Montgomery County Board of Elections voted unanimously yesterday to not follow anyone on social media, part of a new social media policy the board passed via that vote. While the board encourages residents, voters and political candidates to follow its accounts on social media, commissioners decided that its own accounts should not follow anyone, and should not "like" social media posts. The board said it made the policy change to emphasize its commitment to free and fair elections, and equal treatment of all candidates and ballot question debates. 

“As a non-partisan organization, the Board must ensure that all candidates, political parties and voters are treated fairly and that no candidate or supporter or opponent of a ballot question receives or is perceived to receive preferential treatment,” Board President David A. Naimon said in a statement after the vote. “The mission of the Board is simple - - free, fair, and transparent elections for all candidates and voters.”

For official information about the 2024 elections, including how to register to vote and/or volunteer to serve as an election worker, follow the Montgomery County Board of Elections on X at @777vote (https://twitter.com/777vote), on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/777vote/, or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/777vote/. Information also continues to be available on the BOE website at www.777vote.org, and by phone at 240-777-8500.

Police called after assault at Rockville restaurant

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in Rockville Sunday afternoon, after an individual was allegedly the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 9900 blovk of Key West Avenue at 4:54 PM Sunday, November 19, 2023. That is at the Shady Grove Professional Center at Key West and Darnestown Road.

Menorah display stolen outside CVS Pharmacy at Cabin John Village

The Chanukah portion of the outdoor holiday decor at CVS Pharmacy at 7955 Tuckerman Lane at Cabin John Village in Potomac was stolen sometime between Saturday night, November 18, 2023 and Sunday morning, November 19. A reader forwarded these before-and-after photos, which show the inflatable menorah gone on Sunday. The Christmas-themed inflatables remained untouched. A torah scroll holder was recently ripped off of a resident's door in the Congressional Plaza area of Rockville. Like this area of Potomac on the border with Rockville, that is also a community with a large Jewish population.

Holiday festivities get underway at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

The holiday shopping season is officially underway at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Live performances, celebrity guests and holiday sale offers greeted shoppers at the popular retail center yesterday, as mall owner Westfield held a special holiday launch event six days before Black Friday. The Jingle Lounge is now open, with special beverages and a place to relax between stores, or while you're waiting for someone else to finish shopping. A special wine bar at the lounge hosted by Windridge Vineyards will be open again today, November 19, 2023.  

The Jingle Lounge

One of Santa's elves
caught on camera

Abe Lincoln from the
Racing Presidents of the
Washington Nationals

In this age of high crime, you can
trust Honest Abe to carry your
shopping bags to the car

He always was a little more cautious
after Fort Stevens...

Wine bar today only!

Police investigate alleged weapon possession at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville

Rockville City police were called to Richard Montgomery High School at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive yesterday morning to investigate a report of illegal possession of a weapon. Officers responded to the campus at 7:00 AM Friday, November 17, 2023. 

Choice Hotels logo signage installed at future headquarters in Rockville

The glowing logo of hospitality giant Choice Hotels is now shining from atop the new office tower nearing completion at Pike & Rose, at 915 Meeting Street along Rockville Pike. Choice will be relocating its corporate headquarters down the Pike from its current location by the Rockville Metro station. 

915 Meeting Street is on-schedule for a Q4 2023 delivery at the Federal Realty development. Another Montgomery County corporate headquarters in Gaithersburg, Sodexho, has also been lured to the new 266,000-square-foot trophy office tower. Choice represents many brands familiar to travelers, from Quality Inn and Radisson to Cambria Suites and EconoLodge.

Mimi's Handmade Ice Cream now open at Federal Plaza in Rockville

Mimi's Handmade Ice Cream has opened at 12274-E Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza. The shop offers handmade ice cream, sorbet and sherbet. Asian, German and Italian-inspired flavors are found on the menu, alongside standard favorites. Operating hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.