Rockville-based Choice Hotels acquires Radisson Hotels Americas

Rockville-based Choice Hotels announced today it has acquired the portfolio of Radisson Hotels Americas from the Radisson Hotel Group. The purchase price was $675,000,000, including the real estate value of three corporate-owned Radisson hotel properties.. Choice gains about 67,000 hotel rooms in the deal, with the biggest gains coming in the Midwest and on the West Coast. Hotel brands now under the ownership of Choice through the transaction include Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Radisson RED, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites and Radisson Collection.

"This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses, enhancing our guest offerings in the core upper-midscale hospitality segments, while extending our reach into the upper upscale and upscale full-service segments and in higher revenue geographic markets," Choice CEO Patrick Pacious said in a statement. "We are confident that guests and franchisees will significantly benefit by combining these two exceptional sets of brands."

Flood watch in effect for Montgomery County, most of Maryland, Washington, D.C., N. Virginia as severe weather approaches

Severe thunderstorms are expected to pass through the area this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch that will remain in effect until 11:00 PM tonight for Montgomery County, Prince George's County and most of Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Rainfall amounts of 2-4" are expected, in timeframes as little as one or two hours, leading to potential flash flooding. Isolated strong wind gusts are also expected.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued a statement this afternoon regarding the severe weather forecast. "More severe weather is expected to impact our state this afternoon and evening, including thunderstorms that could produce damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding," Hogan said. He urged residents to "please monitor local forecasts, exercise caution while traveling, and never drive through standing water."

Now is the time to charge your devices, and check the batteries in your flashlights. Bring objects that might fly away in from yards and balconies. Have a battery-powered radio to receive information in case of power outages. For Pepco customers, download the Pepco app to report power outages.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan calls for release of documents in FBI raid at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan yesterday called on the Biden administration to release documents related to Monday's FBI raid at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Hogan's statement raised some eyebrows, as he has been a leading Republican critic of Trump over the last several years. It came a little over two hours after a similar tweet by a newer critic of Trump, his own former Vice-President, Mike Pence. 

Pence and Hogan are both exploring runs for the White House in 2024, and positioning themselves as alternatives to Trump. But both men appeared to be competing for media attention yesterday with another potential 2024 rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had issued a far more muscular criticism of the raid on Twitter a day earlier.

"Even before yesterday’s events at Mar-a-Lago, America was already dangerously divided," Hogan said in his statement. “These are unprecedented circumstances that require unprecedented transparency and accountability from our government institutions. The American people deserve to know all the facts as soon as possible, and I call on the Biden administration to release—at a minimum—the documents authorizing the FBI search."

“If the federal government cannot ultimately provide overwhelming evidence that action was absolutely necessary, then it will only undermine faith in democracy and the rule of law, and further divide Americans.”

UPDATE: Rockville outdoor Movies in the Parks tonight, August 10: The Boss Baby CANCELED

Update - 12:58 PM: Tonight's movie has been canceled due to the forecast of severe weather

The City of Rockville's feature presentation tonight, Wednesday, August 10, for the 2022 Movies in the Parks series will be 2017's The Boss Baby. Showtime will be at dusk, approximately 8:00 PM, at Montrose Park at 451 Congressional Lane. The movie is free; bring your own chairs, blankets, food and (non-alcoholic, sorry!) beverages. If there is inclement weather, the movie is subject to cancelation, so check the forecast before leaving home.

Assault at Rockville apartment complex

Montgomery County police were called to an apartment complex in the Twinbrook area of Rockville Saturday night, after an individual reported being the victim of an aggravated assault. The assault was reported in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 13100 block of Twinbrook Parkway at 11:30 PM. The Halpine View apartments are located along that block.

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville hotel

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a hotel late Saturday night, August 6, 2022. The robbery was reported at the Red Roof Inn at 16001 Shady Grove Road at 11:45 PM. 

Trump-endorsed Maryland governor hopeful Dan Cox releases statement on FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago

Delegate Dan Cox, the Republican nominee for governor of Maryland, released a statement on yesterday's FBI raid of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. Trump has endorsed Cox in the race, and hosted him for a meeting at the estate earlier this summer. 

“[FBI Director Christopher] Wray, [President Joe] Biden, [Vice-President] Kamala [Harris] and [Attorney General Merrick] Garland are using their offices for their own political weaponization against Republicans, and our greatest President of the United States, who actually did what he said when elected and returned power to the people," Cox said. "Presidents have plenary powers to declassify and keep papers. This FBI raid of Trump’s home is nothing short of communist stasi police state tactics. It has no place in any civilization and never in America."

Cox also called on other GOP leaders in Maryland to speak out about the raid. "As the newly nominated leading top of the ticket of the Maryland Republican Party, I call on every Maryland Republican to make public statements tonight condemning the raid on President Trump’s home. This is not a time for silence."