Montgomery County Executive candidate Reardon Sullivan releases new campaign ad

Reardon Sullivan, the Republican nominee for Montgomery County Executive, has released a new campaign ad. "Montgomery County has changed," he says as the ad begins. "We were once the premier county in the country, but now violent crime has skyrocketed in our neighborhoods and schools. Our police are not supported, and can't do their jobs." 

Sullivan accuses the County's public school system of "pushing radical social agendas," instead of "the real lessons our children need to learn." He notes the trend of businesses leaving the county or closing, and the financial impact of that on County revenues. Alluding to the disatisfaction of a majority of Democratic primary voters with the incumbent executive, Sullivan asks, "[D]o you really want another four years of Marc Elrich?"

The ad ends with an appeal for voters to make their choice based on the areas of agreement residents have about the future of the County, as opposed to on the basis of party labels. “Now voters have a clear choice to make in the General Election," Sullivan said in a statement announcing the video this morning, "and I ask all voters for their support and their vote so together we can put Montgomery County back on the right track.”

Rockville Dodge dealer sells out of Hemi V8 Chargers, Challengers as models enter their final year

Three weeks ago, Dodge announced it would be phasing out its gasoline-powered Charger and Challenger muscle cars after the 2023 model year. Hemi fans are apparently taking action now, to ensure they get one of the last cars that will be produced. DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Rockville at 755 Rockville Pike is now temporarily sold out of Hemi V8 versions of both vehicles, as of yesterday. Some V6 models are still in-stock, as you can see above, until the next V8s are delivered. After special versions of both cars are produced for 2023, the Charger and Challenger will be replaced with an electric sports car for the 2024 model year.

Rockville fatal stabbing suspect arrested

Montgomery County police announced they have arrested a suspect in the multiple stabbings that occurred last night on Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Two adult males were allegedly stabbed by the suspect, and one of them was pronounced dead. Scorpio Alexander Standfield, 31, of no fixed address, has been charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and first-degree murder. His bond status has not been divulged by police.

The incident began when Rockville City and Montgomery County police, and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service units, responded to a report of a stabbing in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive at 9:55 PM Saturday. Responders found an adult male suffering from a stab wound. The victim provided a description of the assailant, and was then transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Officers identified the suspect as Standfield, whom they found in the 900 block of Hungerford. Standfield possessed evidence linking him to the crime, detectives said, without identifying if that included the weapon used. While investigating the scene on those two blocks, officers noticed a second adult male sitting in a vehicle in the 800 block of Hungerford, who was also suffering from a stab wound. That second male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division are asking anyone who has information about this stabbing and homicide to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.   

Aggravated assault with gun in King Farm area of Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault involving a firearm in the King Farm neighborhood yesterday afternoon, September 2, 2022. The assault was reported in the 1600 block of Piccard Drive at 2:00 PM Friday. That is a residential street with townhomes on one side, and the Ingleside at King Farm retirement community on the other.

Rockville teardown leads to sale of $1 million+ new-construction home

A teardown project in Rockville has led to the sale of the resulting $1,099,000 new construction home. Located at 920 Grandin Avenue in the Janeta subdivision, the home features six bedrooms, and four-and-a-half baths. Is this a harbinger of the future entry price for this neighborhood of mostly-modest homes? Below is the house that was demolished to make way for the new home.

Maryland governor candidates Dan Cox, Wes Moore to square off in TV debate October 12

After declining several invitations to debate Republican Dan Cox, Democrat Wes Moore has accepted an invite extended to both Maryland gubernatorial candidates from WBAL and Maryland Public Television. The debate is scheduled to take place on October 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM. It will be broadcast live on WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5, WBAL-TV 11 in Baltimore, Maryland Public Television statewide, and on NBC4 in the Washington, D.C. area.

Unless Moore agrees to further debates, this will be a high pressure forum, particularly for Cox. With far less broadcast advertising money than Moore has at his disposal, this will be a key opportunity for Cox to speak to a substantial TV and radio audience of likely voters. Cox is also in a rare scenario where the current governor of his own party affiliation - Larry Hogan - is refusing to help him in any way, due to Hogan's ongoing feud with Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Cox over Hogan's choice of Kelly Schulz in the GOP primary. 

"I look forward to the opportunity this October to contrast my vision and values with Dan Cox’s far-right agenda,” Moore said in a statement. “I am glad Wes Moore has finally accepted an invitation to debate with me," Cox said in his own statement this morning. "So far, he has refused or declined to respond to several requests, including those from Morgan State University and the Maryland Federation of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association). I would like to thank MPT and WBAL for this opportunity. I look forward to letting the voters of Maryland see the candidates live, in person and unfiltered."

Rockville apartment fire displaces family

Rockville Volunteer Fire Department
personnel were among the first to respond 

A kitchen fire broke out in a second-floor unit at the Woodmont Park apartments at 1001 Rockville Pike in Rockville last night, around 10:30 PM. More than fifteen units from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service responded to the blaze. One family was displaced by the fire, MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said. Piringer said an "After the Fire" team will be touring the complex today to check smoke alarms, and provide fire safety tips to residents.