Rita's Italian Ice for sale in Derwood

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard at 7211 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood is available for sale. The shop shares a building with Ledo Pizza across the street from the Red Mill Shops. It has walk-up window sales, and outdoor seating. 

The asking price is $260,000, according to the sale listing. Inventory is not included in the sale price. Rita's opened here in 2017, and remains open for business.

Emergent BioSolutions to lay off employees, shutter Rockville facility

Emergent BioSolutions of Gaithersburg will lay off 154 workers, and shutter its Rockville manufacturing facility, the company announced as part of a restructuring. It will also eliminate some vacant positions, in an attempt to save $80 million. The biotech firm will scale back its goals to focus on its core businesses: medical countermeasures and NARCAN Nasal Spray. 

"Decisions like these are never easy as they have real impact on many of our dedicated colleagues," Emergent CEO Joe Papa said in a statement. "We are committed to providing resources to those affected as they transition to new opportunities." Emergent will concentrate its operations at sites in Winnipeg, Canada, and Lansing, Michigan.

Assault in Rockville Town Center area

Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the Rockville Town Center area late Friday afternoon, May 10, 2024. Officers were called to the 300 block of N. Washington Street at 5:13 PM Friday. A weapon other than a firearm was utilized in the assault.

"Do not enter with mask," warns business at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

"Do not enter with mask," a sign warns patrons at Perfume World in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A hand-drawn illustration next to the message depicts a full-face ski mask. The City of Philadelphia passed a ban on ski masks in many public places, with some exceptions, last year. Many jurisdictions across the country have a form of ski mask ban, while others have considered passing one amid a persistent spike in retail and violent crime since 2020. A few, including New York City and Washington, D.C., have repealed existing ski mask bans during that same time period.

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville Metro station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at the Rockville Metro station late Thursday afternoon, May 9, 2024. The robbery was reported at the station at 5:05 PM Thursday. A report that an arrest was made in this case is not yet confirmed as of this writing. An update on this story will be published as soon as that information becomes available.

Wallet snatched from diner's hand at Rockville restaurant

A diner attempting to pay for his meal at a Rockville restaurant suddenly had his wallet snatched right out of his hand, Rockville City police say. The victim took out his wallet at a restaurant in the 400 block of Hungerford Drive (MD 355) at 11:25 AM on April 30, 2024. A male suspect grabbed the wallet, and fled on foot. Police describe the suspect as a slim, Black male, 5'5" in height, approximately 25 years of age, and wearing all-black clothing. If you have any information regarding the suspect or this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Jinlan Dumplings opening in Rockville

Jinlan Dumplings is coming soon to White Flint Station at 11620-A Rockville Pike. Chef and cooking instructor Jinlan Wenhua is a fixture at many farmer's markets across the region, where she has been selling her authentic Chinese dumplings made with fresh ingredients from local farmers. Now, like many chefs who have gained popularity with food trucks or farm market sales, she is opening an actual restaurant.

The 1,325-square-foot space will seat about 20 diners. It will be open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. A mid-June opening is anticipated, but stay tuned for an official opening date.

Photo courtesy Jinlan Wenhua