Rockville barrack of Maryland State Police participates in crackdown on "superspeeders"

The Maryland State Police have concluded a crackdown on "superspeeders," drivers traveling at excessive speeds whom the agency says have been growing in number during the pandemic. On a designated day last Tuesday, troopers from the Rockville barrack on Montrose Road joined colleagues from the College Park and Forestville barracks in targeting speeders on I-495. 

By the end of the six-month initiative that concluded Tuesday, troopers had issued 875 citations, 803 warnings, 6 Move Over citiations (for failing to either sufficiently slow down, or change lanes when passing an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder), 41 Move Over warnings, and 43 safety equipment repair orders. They also made 8 arrests on outstanding warrants, and an additional 11 arrests for possession of controlled substances.

On Tuesday, troopers issued 149 citations, 155 warnings, and 34 safety equipment repair orders. They made 1 criminal arrest, and 3 arrests on outstanding warrants.

Funding for the coordinated operation was provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office. The stated goal is to reduce crashes on interstate highways in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. According to statistics released by the Rockville barrack, crashes are trending downward in recent years. Troopers based in Rockville responded to 1921 crashes in 2018, 1749 crashes in 2019, and 1121 crashes in 2020.

Lagos Bar & Grill, Mercat Bar de Tapas coming to Rockville Town Square

Rockville Town Square is adding two more restaurants. Lagos Bar & Grill will take over the Bar Louie space at 150 Gibbs Street. Mercat Bar de Tapas has leased 101-C Gibbs Street down the block. That's a space that has suffered heavy turnover in the last decade, including former tenants Gumbo Ya Ya, Ev & Maddy's and Lab Cafe.

Rockville Wegmans update (Photos)

The retail buildings on the site of the future Rockville Wegmans grocery store have been leveled at the corner of Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. You can see the vacant Fuddruckers restaurant all the way from that corner now, which wasn't possible before. The parking lot that surrounded the stores is still intact. Wegmans will be the anchor retail tenant of B.F. Saul's Twinbrook Corner development here.

Armed robbery in Rockville parking lot

City of Rockville police responded to a report of an armed robbery in a parking lot in the Twinbrook area early Monday morning. The robbery was reported at a commercial parking lot in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 12:46 AM. According to crime data, the weapon employed in the robbery was not a firearm.

Montgomery County executive appears maskless in Montgomery College classroom

Montgomery County has been under an indoor mask order for several weeks. When County Executive Marc Elrich (D) was caught on camera without a mask in a classroom at Montgomery College on Monday, his critics pounced, calling it hypocrisy. Elrich was attending a "5G Bootcamp" at the community college with Congressman David Trone (D - 6th District).

Trone posted several photos of the event on Twitter. In all but one, Elrich is wearing a mask. But in the maskless photo, everyone but Elrich in the classroom is wearing a mask. "Rules for thee, and not for me," tweeted @justhefactsmo1, sharing Trone's tweet. "What's the ticket for doing this in the grocery store? $500?" asked @jensreesman.

Rockville construction update: Melina Greek restaurant (Photos)

The interior of Melina, the new Greek restaurant in the ground floor of the 909 Rose office building on Rockville Pike at Pike & Rose, is beginning to resemble an actual dining room. White finishes with brown accents currently dominate the space, and light fixtures have been installed. Melina is the latest venture from the creators of the local CAVA restaurant empire, and is expected to debut this fall.

Rockville Amazon Fresh grocery store construction update (Photos)

The future Amazon Fresh grocery store at the 270 Center on Shady Grove Road is now beginning to display some of the brand's trademark architectural details. For example, the vertical green lines on the edge of the canopy on the storefront have been applied. The roofline with large central panel is also visible. We're also getting a better look at those proprietary front windows across the front facade.