The Farragut Flasher strikes in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a flasher in the Twinbrook Forest area on May 8, 2025. The female victim was in the 1600 block of Farragut Avenue at 2:40 PM when an unknown suspect exposed his privates to her. He fled in a black SUV. Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male in his 30s, with long hair and wearing an orange shirt. He spoke only Spanish, police say. If you can identify this suspect, call police at 240-314-8900.

Maryland credit rating downgraded by Moody's, losing coveted AAA rating

Maryland's cost to borrow money will soar after credit agency Moody's downgraded the state's credit rating from the coveted AAA to Aa1 today. Moody's ratings system charitably denotes Aa1 as being a "high quality" investment, as opposed to AAA's recognition of a "highest-quality" investment. In practice, however, the lower grade means you - the taxpayer - will pay a higher rate of interest when Maryland issues bonds to pay for infrastructure projects, for example.

The rating downgrade was first reported by Maryland Matters, which noted that today's change ends a remarkable streak of the state holding a AAA rating from Moody's since 1973. That success was sustained under Democratic and Republican governors alike. Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) attempted to deflect blame to Donald Trump in a rant on X this afternoon, despite frittering away a $5.5 billion budget surplus left to him by previous governor Larry Hogan (R). 

Maryland has been hamstrung by the fiscally-deadly combination of out-of-control spending, the flight of the rich and retirees to lower-tax states, and a failure to lure any major corporate headquarters to the state this century. Yet, Moore and the Maryland General Assembly have continued to support the controversial Blueprint for Education, a state teacher's union-driven boondoggle every rational budget expert warned could lead to fiscal disaster down the road.

Our state is now closer to that disastrous destination with today's credit downgrade. Maryland was already barely able to close a budget deficit this year. What will it do next year, now that borrowing money will cost significantly more, and its economy remains moribund?

UNIQLO sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO has stayed on-schedule with the interior fit-out of its newest store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and as a result, will meet the promised "Spring 2025" opening timeframe. The Japanese casual apparel boutique will open on Friday, May 23, 2025, the chain announced on Instagram yesterday. UNIQLO has two existing locations in Montgomery County, at Pike & Rose in Rockville, and in downtown Silver Spring. The company's origin in Japan was initially inspired by The GAP's business model, but UNIQLO evolved into its own original concept, best known for its partnerships with high-profile brands and designers while keeping prices reasonable.

Fork & Kitchen opening in Rockville

Fork & Kitchen is coming soon to Rockville. The restaurant will be located at 150 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square, according to a liquor license notice posted there. That fairly large space was most memorably home to Bar Louie. Fork & Kitchen does not appear to have a website or social media presence yet, but it does have a liquor license hearing scheduled for June 5 at 10:30 AM.

McDonald's opening prototype store design in Rockville (Photos)

The new McDonald's at 11710 Rockville Pike in Rockville will be the third of the company's prototype store design that focuses entirely on drive-thru and takeout orders, and entirely dispenses with indoor dining. Two previous variations on the "On-the-Go" store model have opened in Forth Worth, Texas in 2022, and in Los Angeles in 2024. The Rockville store will have two drive-thru lanes outside. But inside, there is only a small lobby with touchscreen kiosks for ordering purposes. Orders are placed via the kiosks, or in advance using the McDonald's app. Instead of a wide counter with multiple cashier stations, there is only a small window cut out of the kitchen wall, where a crew member will hand out your order when it is ready, using the pickup number you received when placing the order.

This new store model solves many problems at once. It streamlines ordering, and gets pickup and delivery orders out faster. Fewer employees are needed to operate the restaurant. And the issue of loitering is virtually eliminated, since there is no place to "hang out" inside the building. While bulletproof glass would be necessary to fully "crime-proof" the restaurant, it would be more difficult for robbers and other criminals to gain direct access to the employees than at a traditional McDonald's store.

The new McDonald's was already expected to be an improvement over the nearby location that closed last year, simply because this one will have drive-thru service. But the opening will be even more exciting now that the interior construction reveals that this is a rare and new McDonald's store design that few around the country have experienced yet, and the performance of which will influence future McDonald's store designs around the country.

Subway nears opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a sneak peek behind the curtain of the new Subway in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As you can see, it looks like it's not far from opening at this point. They've even plugged in the illuminated "S" logo. Still needed is the installation of the menu screens. Along with Subway's return on Rockville Pike, this area of Montgomery County is witnessing a true Renaissance of Sandwich Artists.

Fake U.S. Marshal scams Rockville resident

An imposter posing as a U.S. Marshal swindled a Rockville resident on April 30, 2025, Rockville City police report. At 4:00 PM that afternoon, police say, an individual claiming to be a U.S. Marshal contacted a resident of the 700 block of King Farm Boulevard. The fake marshal told the female victim that one of her accounts had been compromised, and directed her to purchase gift cards from three businesses. She was told to furnish information from the cards to the marshal in order to recoup the stolen funds. Obviously, the laughably-cockamamie story was a scam.

According to the (real) U.S. Marshals Service, this is a nationwide fraud scheme that has been carried out since January. “The U.S. Marshals would never ask for a credit, debit or gift card number or banking routing numbers, or ask for funds to be wired for any purpose," U.S. Marshal Gary Grimes said. "If the caller is urging you to provide this type of information or any other personal or financial information, hang up and report the call to the Marshals and the Federal Trade Commission. You can even report to both agencies anonymously.”

Photo courtesy U.S. Marshals Service