Rockville rocked by earthquake overnight

A 2.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in Rockville overnight, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Maryland Geological Survey. The earthquake was recorded by MGS at 12:51 AM and four seconds, and was located 9.5 miles beneath the surface, the DNR reported. According to the MGS map, the epicenter of the earthquake was on the golf course of the Lakewood Country Club, and just south of Lakewood Elementary School.

No injuries have been reported so far, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer, but residents of Rockville reported feeling the ground shake, as did others in Montgomery County and even Northwest Washington, D.C. There haven't been reports of damage yet, but since many were asleep during the quake, we'll have to wait until properties can be inspected today.

The minor quake follows a significant one on the other side of the globe in Japan yesterday; with people watching footage of that earthquake around the world, tremors were already on the minds of many. But it was not as strong as the other quakes in the D.C. region since 2011.

Car crashes into Rockville apartment building

A driver left the roadway in the 700 block of Monroe Street in Rockville yesterday, December 31, 2023, crashing their vehicle into a tree and an apartment building. The accident occurred at 3:30 PM at the Parkside Landing apartments off of Cabin John Parkway. No one was injured, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. 

A City of Rockville building inspector was notified to assess any structural damage to the apartment building. The cause of the accident has not yet been announced by authorities.

Police respond to assault at Rockville department store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a Rockville department store Wednesday evening, December 27, 2023. The assault was reported at a store in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike at 8:37 PM. A suspect was also accused of disorderly conduct and trespassing in the same incident.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich touts his top 10 accomplishments of 2023

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) has released a year-end video promoting his top ten accomplishments of 2023. Among the ten are the passage of a rent stabilization bill, economic development wins orchestrated by his office that include the creation of an Institute for Health Computing in North Bethesda, record low unemployment, combating climate change, and free access to County-operated fitness centers. Elrich's office also compiled a statistical list of the executive's activities over the past 12 months. They calculated that Elrich attended over 300 community related events and gatherings throughout Montgomery County; over 100 legislative meetings, hearings, and events with federal, state, and County Council officials; and over 150 business visits and meetings related to Montgomery County economic development efforts. 

“By many measures, 2023 was a very good year for Montgomery County,” Elrich said in a statement Friday. “We saw several major economic wins while recording a historically low unemployment rate. Our County government retained its 'Triple-A' rating from all three credit rating agencies and increased our reserves of revenues upward to 17%, well beyond the 10% target. We also had historic levels of investment in education and affordable housing. However, this year was not without its challenges. Public safety concerns, juvenile crime and drug overdoses, as well a dramatic increase of hate incidents and fear in wake of war in the Middle East remain issues that we will have to continue to address in 2024.” 

Elrich recently told WAMU-FM that he intends to run for a third term in 2026. Term limits passed in 2016 restrict the executive and County Councilmembers to three consecutive terms. A petition effort to place a ballot question limiting the executive to only two consecutive terms is currently in progress, led by Elrich's 2022 Republican opponent, Reardon Sullivan.  

HEMIs make their final model year last stand at DARCARS in Rockville (Photos)

It's the end of an era at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 755 Rockville Pike in the Ritchie Center. Some of the final "last call" vehicles in the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300 lines are now on the premises. Parent company Stellantis has claimed these will be the final HEMI V8 models of these nameplates to ever be produced. In fact, the last HEMI car rolled off of the Brampton, Ontario assembly line only a few days ago. Earlier in the year, it was rare to see these models on the lot here.

Allcare primary and immediate care clinic opening in Rockville

Allcare, a primary and immediate care clinic, is opening a new Rockville location. It will be at 16260 Frederick Road, in the new Rock Grove shopping center. Allcare will be in the space next to Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken. Services will include urgent care, annual physicals, telehealth, weight management and STD testing.

The Good Feet store opens, Lane Bryant closes at Federal Plaza in Rockville

Out with the old and in with the new at one of the many busy shopping destinations in Montgomery County. The Good Feet Store is now open at 12274-D Rockville Pike. Exiting the shopping scene at Federal Plaza is Lane Bryant, which has closed permanently. The plus-size apparel chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, inititally closing 157 stores. This one survived, but is now getting the axe.