Rockville robbers demand coat at knifepoint

Armed robbers in Rockville demanded a man's coat in broad daylight on December 6, 2024, Rockville City police say. When he refused to take it off and hand it to them, they pulled out a kitchen knife to make their point. The two suspects approached the victim as he was at work cleaning outdoors in the 300 block of Hungerford Drive at 9:00 AM, in the busy Rockville Town Center area. 

Having threatened the victim with the knife, the suspects were successful in obtaining the victim's coat, wallet, and additional outerwear he had been wearing at the time. Police describe Suspect #1 as a Black male, tall with a muscular build, and wearing a black Nike hat, blue coat, and brown pants. Suspect #2 is described as a Black male "significantly shorter” than his partner, wearing a ski mask, brown sweater, white shirt, and brown pants. If you can identify either of these suspects, call police at 240-314-8900.

Virginia named State of the Year by Business Facilities magazine

Our neighbor across the Potomac is ending 2024 on another economic development high note. Business Facilities magazine has just named Virginia "State of the Year." This is the third time the Old Dominion has taken home the prize since the magazine introduced the honor in 2007. Of course, it's little surprise that Virginia was named the winner, as it is one of the primary destinations of corporate headquarters relocations in America. Maryland? Dead last. Montgomery County hasn't attracted a single major corporate headquarters in over a quarter century, and the statewide record looks just as bad.

"Virginia is a prime location for businesses of all varieties, and this honor from Business Facilities underscores the work we’ve been doing since day one to make Virginia the best place for business investment and job creation," Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. "The Commonwealth has experienced record job growth from companies that are drawn by our best-in-class talent, infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. I am thrilled that Virginia has earned this recognition from a leading source for site selection experts."

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin wraps up
another year of the Old Dominion cleaning
Maryland's clock at economic development

"From advanced manufacturing to data centers to professional services, Virginia is attracting companies across industries with its business-friendly environment and programs to support the distinct needs of those businesses," Business Facilities Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove said. Earlier this year, CNBC named Virginia America's top state for business. Maryland came in 31st out of 50 on that list. Ouch.

Youngkin has proposed a number of tax cuts for Virginia residents in 2025. Maryland residents are facing yet more tax hikes, as its moribund economy has depressed revenues, while legislators in Annapolis have continued to spend wildly. 

"Let's take a victory lap on
Montgomery County's bike lanes!"

With no good news to share, and the potential loss of the Washington Commanders and future FBI headquarters looming, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been reduced to creating distractions by endorsing the legalization of beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Residents have been demanding that for decades, and have been stiff-armed by their representatives in Annapolis every step of the way over those years. While desperation and embarrassment have led to the topic suddenly being revived by their governor and party leader, a number of powerful Democrats in Annapolis went on the record last week to suggest they will block such a move in the upcoming legislative session.

Photos courtesy Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Dirty Dough opens today in Rockville

Signage is up and lit at Dirty Dough at 36-B Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. The new cookie bakery is opening today, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Enjoy "super-stuffed" soft cookies with fillings and toppings, as well as milkshakes and ice cream. Operating hours for the shop will be 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Maryland to open new I-95 Express Toll Lanes ahead of holiday travel

The Maryland Transportation Authority announced that it will open a new stretch of Express Toll Lanes on northbound I-95 tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A variable toll charged to drivers who use the lanes will provide a way around traffic congestion, which is expected to be heavy around next week's Christmas and Chanukah holidays. The new Express Toll Lanes run for 6.5 miles along the northbound side of the interstate between White Marsh Boulevard (MD 43) and Mountain Road (MD 152).

Completed Express Toll Lanes all the way to MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway), along with new ramps connecting I-695 to the northbound ETL, are expected to open to traffic by the end of 2027. The first section of ETL opened in 2014. MDTA recommends obtaining an E-ZPass, to save up to 77% over toll charges you might otherwise receive via Pay-by-Plate or video tolling.

“The northbound I-95 Express Toll Lanes extension project provides travelers with a more reliable travel experience while easing congestion on our highways,” MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a statement. “Through innovation and safety, this project represents our commitment to modernize Maryland’s infrastructure and enhance mobility options.”

Rockville church vandal sentenced

A Rockville man pled guilty last Friday to three charges related to vandalism at Faith United Methodist Church earlier this year. The repeated acts of vandalism took place between May 25 and September 6 at the church, which is located at 6810 Montrose Road in Rockville. Under a plea agreement reached with the Montgomery County State's Attorney's office, Joshua Delaney received a suspended jail sentence of one year and five months. 

Because the church asked Montgomery County District Court Judge John C. Moffett to not send Delaney to jail, Moffett instead issued a sentence of three years' probation, 40 hours of community service, and $711 in restitution to the church. The judge also issued protective orders barring Delaney from contacting the church, or trespassing on the church property. Moffett additionally imposed a therapy requirement.

If Delaney meets the other terms of his sentence, his probation will become unsupervised. According to Maryland court records, he pled guilty to malicious destruction of property valued under $1000, race/religious harassment and antagonism toward a religious institution, and theft of property worth less than $100. 

The Faith UMC Church Council announced this morning that it will donate the $711 in restitution it receives from Delaney to Rainbow Place Shelter in Rockville, in support of its work to open a shelter for unhoused LGBTQ youth. Faith UMC celebrated 60 years of worship in Rockville this past September.

Photo courtesy Faith UMC

Rockville delivery driver declares, "I hate the Pope," before assaulting resident

A Rockville delivery driver allegedly made a special delivery of anti-Catholic hate and violence at an apartment building on December 8, 2024. The driver entered a residential building in the 200 block of Monroe Street at 2:01 PM that afternoon. Upon seeing a photograph of the Pope, he allegedly vandalized the photo, and declared, "I hate the Pope." The driver then shoved a cart into a resident of the building, Rockville City police say.

Police describe the suspect as a Black male of 20 to 29 years of age, 6'3" in height, and with an athletic build. He was wearing a black "hair cap," black headphones, a short-sleeved vest, black pants, and light-colored shoes with dark soles. If you can identify the delivery driver, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Rockville property adjacent to I-270 to be auctioned off

A high-visibility 2.09 acres of land in Rockville, directly wrapped around by an I-270 off-ramp, will be auctioned off in 29 days. The site is best suited for office or corporate use by a tenant who wants their brand logo seen by the 206,882 vehicles that pass by it each day. If you are familiar with using the exit to Redland Boulevard in King Farm, this is the wooded area to your right as you make the curve, with the Sheraton hotel being on your left. 

One question not immediately addressed by the auction listing is where the ingress and egress location(s) for the site will be. If there is no existing easement with property to the south of the parcel, vehicles entering and exiting would have to use the ramp, which is one-way only. That would also present a safety challenge, with traffic rounding a bend that often exceeds the posted speed for the off-ramp. Depending on the structures built, that could remain a blind curve for those exiting I-270. The ingress/egress issues might also limit the site's utility as a small distribution center, or for any business involving high levels of vehicular traffic.

Photos courtesy Transwestern