Report: Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against County’s Indoor Dining Ban

The county judge in a lawsuit fighting the recent indoor dining ban has agreed to dismiss the suit, according to a report in Bethesda Beat. Judge James Bonifant dismissed the case after the plaintiffs, which included the Restaurant Association of Maryland and more than 30 county restaurateurs, and the county agreed the lawsuit now was moot.

Detectives Seek Help Identifying Suspects in 21 Thefts from Vehicles

County detectives from the 3rd District Patrol Investigations Unit are asking for the public’s help to identify suspects in thefts from 21 vehicles in several garages in the Central Business District. Police released surveillance photos of three male suspects in the incidents, which all occurred on the same day in December.

Rec Department to Offer Limited Indoor, In-Person Activities

Montgomery County Recreation will offer a limited number of indoor, instructor-led sports and fitness activities at four community rec centers beginning Tuesday, Feb. 16, the department announced. The program, RecFit-Limited, is the first in-person recreation program offered at community recreation facilities since last March when the facilities closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council Approves Executive Order to Allow Limited Indoor Dining

The County Council yesterday approved by a 7–2 vote a revised executive order permitting indoor dining in area restaurants, with restrictions. Councilmembers Will Jawando (D-At Large) and Craig Rice (D-District 2) dissented, citing safety issues, the risk of continuing to spread the pandemic and public health experts’ advice against reopening restaurants.

Club Pilates Fitness Studio Opens on Thayer Avenue

Club Pilates, a national boutique fitness studio, is now open at 956 Thayer Ave., owner Misbah Shafi told the Source. Originally set to open in April 2020, “we were unable to open during Covid due to various reasons/delays…so we tried to wait it out as much as possible. But FINALLY we are open!” Shafi said in an email.