Police respond to assaults at 2 different Rockville office buildings

Rockville City police officers responded to 2nd-degree assaults reported at two different office buildings yesterday, January 16, 2024. Police were first called to a building in the unit block of Preserve Parkway at 10:00 AM Tuesday. A second assault was reported about three-and-a-half hours later, at an office building in the 15200 block of Shady Grove Road at 1:27 PM.

UPDATE - CANCELED: Democratic Maryland U.S. Senate candidates to meet voters January 20 in Rockville

UPDATE - January 20: The WDCMC has announced today's event is CANCELED due to MCPS closing all school facilities this weekend.

Democratic candidates for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat of the retiring Ben Cardin (D) are scheduled to meet voters this Saturday, January 20, 2024 in Rockville. The meet-and-greet event will be held in the cafeteria at Wootton High School at 2100 Wootton Parkway from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. It is being hosted by the Women's Democratic Club of Montgomery County. A round-robin format will place the candidates at tables in the room, and small groups of attendees will be led around to stop at each table over the course of the event.

Registration for the free event is available online. Democratic candidates in the race include Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Marcellus Crews, Juan Dominguez, Brian Frydenborg, Scottie J. Griffin, Steven Seuferer, U.S. Congressman David Trone, and Andrew Wildman. The event announcement does not indicate which candidates have confirmed their attendance.

Police investigate assault at Rockville recreation facility

Rockville City police were summoned to a recreation facility in the Lincoln Park area Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2024, after someone reported being the victim of an assault there. The incident was reported to police at 4:28 PM Saturday, at a facility in the 1000 block of Westmore Avenue. 

Mountain Dew Baja Blast returns to stores in Montgomery County

Mountain Dew Baja Blast, one of the greatest soft drinks of all time, is back on store shelves in Montgomery County. Seen here at Harris Teeter, the popular soda will be available year-round nationwide for the first time. Available at all times as a fountain drink at Taco Bell, Baja Blast has sporadically been sold in bottled form over the last decade. But PepsiCo is going big to celebrate the drink's 20th anniversary in 2024.

"MTN DEW BAJA BLAST has cemented its place as a fan-favorite flavor in pop culture and as a staple in countless Taco Bell orders, so we knew we had to celebrate its 20th anniversary in a big way," Mountain Dew Vice-President of Marketing JP Bittencourt said in a statement. "Nothing's better than giving fans what they've asked for, with a few additional surprises to keep the celebration going all year long. Thank you to all the BAJA BLAST lovers over the last 20 years. Because of you, everyone nationwide can now buy the beloved flavor in-stores and as always, at Taco Bell, all year long and earn rewards while doing so... that's a win-win."

Teazzi Tea Shop to open first DMV-area location in Bethesda

Teazzi Tea Shop, a Taiwanese tea chain, will open its first store in the Washington, D.C. region right here in Montgomery County, in downtown Bethesda. It will be at 4941 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Teazzi currently has 4 New York City-area shops, as well as locations in Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Sunnyvale (California), and Las Vegas. The company has franchisees gearing up to open in Seattle and San Gabriel (California), and in a second Boston location. 

Tea selections at Teazzi include Four Seasons Oolong, Golden Oolong, Amber Oolong, Deep Roast Oolong, Dark Roast Black Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea. Menu options include milk tea, fruit tea, floam, tea lattes, and Teazzi's signature (but optional) topping of oats. Construction on the Bethesda shop will commence in the coming weeks.

Photo courtesy Teazzi Tea Shop

Parte Haus opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus will be opening any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," Parte Haus offers an extensive inventory of party and balloon supplies. A logo sign has already been installed above their storefront. Look for Parte Haus on Level 1 of the mall next to Relax Station.

Rockville police seeking e-bike thief

Rockville City police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection with the theft of an e-bike in the Twinbrook area of the city. On January 4, 2024, the suspect entered Trek Bicycle at 5750 Fishers Lane at 7:57 PM. He allegedly proceeded to remove an e-bike from the store's window display, and fled the scene. Police describe the suspect as a Black male—33 to 37 years of age, with “facial hair” and wearing all-black clothing. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.