2nd assault in 3 weeks reported at school in Rockville

Rockville City police returned to Julius West Middle School for the second time in three weeks to investigate another assault reported there. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the school on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The previous 2nd-degree assault was reported there on Friday, September 22. 

Tobacco Village opening on Rockville Pike

Tobacco Village is opening a new store at 1520 Rockville Pike. It is located in the Saul Centers-owned strip mall there, between Party City and Aras Jewelers. This was formerly home to Your Eyes Opticians. Tobacco Village has an existing location on New Hampshire Avenue in the White Oak Shopping Center. 

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Will Jawando gives auto workers "full support" as strike spreads to Maryland, Kentucky

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D - At-Large), a candidate for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat of the retiring Senator Ben Cardin (D), has issued a statement supporting auto workers as the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike expands to plants in Maryland and Kentucky. Workers at the Mack Trucks facility in Hagerstown, Maryland have walked off the job, and UAW members did the same at a key Ford truck manufacturing plant in Louisville, Kentucky yesterday. The strike is now in its fourth week, as America's three largest auto manufacturers continue to resist meeting union demands, despite earning massive profits through price gouging since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020.

"Maryland’s autoworkers are joining their brothers and sisters at the UAW and rejecting an unfair deal," Jawando said in his statement. "They have my full support, and I’m proud of their efforts. 

"We’re seeing what a strong labor movement looks like -- and what it can accomplish. From teachers to nurses, writers, custodians, and hotel employees, workers are showing the power of solidarity. They’ve secured better wages and benefits, protections against discrimination, and more.

"Labor and unions need our support, now more than ever. While CEOs are bringing in record profits, workers are feeling the pressure of rising costs and stagnant wages. Fixing that imbalance isn’t just good policy: it’s a moral need. 

"On the County Council, I’ve made economic justice a priority and fought for better wages and a fairer tax code. We need an advocate for those issues in the US Senate, and that’s why I’m in this race.

"I stand with the labor movement fighting for better conditions for working people. I think the rich have enough representation in our government."

"Put me in the ring," Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Robin Ficker says in first digital ad

Robin Ficker, a 2024 Republican candidate for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat of retiring Senator Ben Cardin (D), has released the first digital ad of his campaign. "Put me in the ring" features the former state legislator in the square circle, in scenes around the state, and showing off a few boxing moves at the end. Issues highlighted in the ad include failing schools, rising crime, and the fact that "good jobs are not coming to Maryland," as Governor Wes Moore (D) recently admitted in a speech in which he warned that the state does not currently have sufficient economic growth or revenue to support the agenda he would like to implement.

Ficker's ad also recalls his friendship with boxing legend Muhammed Ali, who taught him to "use my voice for good, and never give up." He offers his record of successful ballot questions to limit tax increases, and the number of terms Montgomery County elected officials can serve, as concrete examples of that. After castigating the establishment leaders of both major parties, Ficker concludes the ad by saying, "Put me in the ring, Maryland, and I'll be your champion."

By far the candidate with the most statewide name recognition to enter the GOP primary race to date, Ficker says the new ad will be the first in a series. "I served in the United States Army and the Maryland Legislature," the Boyds resident said in a statement. "I trained with Muhammed Ali. I marched for freedom with Dr. MLK Jr.. I’ve defended thousands of men, women, and children in court. I’ve been a small business owner, and Marylanders have cast 2.5 million votes for my referenda to term limit politicians and cap tax increases. People know me as a fighter. I am all Maryland, all the time. It’s time Maryland had a fighter in their corner in the United States Senate to restore logic to government. Put me in the ring, Maryland!"

Police called after assault at Rockville store

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a store Monday afternoon, October 9, 2023. The assault was reported at a store in the 1500 block of Rockville Pike at 3:50 PM Monday. 

Melashops misses opening date, Kay Jewelers gone dark at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Melashops has missed its expected October 1, 2023 opening date in its new space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The sign on display at the future store location has been changed from "Oct. 1" to now say, "Opening Soon." 

Meanwhile, Kay Jewelers has been closed for several weeks, raising questions about its future at the mall. Signage is still up outside the jewelry store's space, and the inside of the store is still intact, just with drapes covering the display cases. The mall is usually quick to wall-up vacant spaces, but it's highly unusual for a business to simply close for an extended period like this, and there is no sign to inform customers about the reason for the closure.

Flagship Express car wash opens in Rockville

Flagship Express has opened at 785 Hungerford Drive (MD 355) in Rockville. The original Flagship Car Wash here temporarily closed so that the company could convert the site into its new Flagship Express concept. Express locations offer exterior automatic washes on flat-belt conveyors, 3 unlimited levels of membership packages, and free vacuums, towels and compressed air. The old self-service bays here have been demolished to make way for the Express facilities. Flagship has two other locations in operation in Montgomery County: North Bethesda, and Germantown.