Top Headlines: Post Office Parking, Burglary Ring, Mega Gas Stations and More

With more than a dozen websites across Montgomery County, Patch brings you news from every corner of our community. Catch up on headlines you may have missed this week, including the latest on a burglary ring in Germantown, the uproar over 'mega' gas stations and a parking 'crisis' at the new Bethesda post office.

Van Hollen Blasts Parking 'Crisis' At New Bethesda Post Office

BETHESDA-- A new Bethesda post office has opened on Wisconsin Avenue, but the United States Postal Service is coming under fire for opening the location before securing parking. In a June 19 letter, U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen (D) blasted the lack of parking and called for a new location. Read more on Bethesda Patch.

GAITHERSBURG -- An application to rezone 62.83 acres of land from the Montgomery County Fairgrounds property was unanimously approved by Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz and the city council. .

WHEATON -- Nearly 30 people testified at Tuesday’s public hearing on a rule change that would place greater restrictions on where "mega" gas stations can be built in Montgomery County. Almost everyone who testified before the Montgomery County Council mentioned Costco, which is at the center of this controversial legislation.

Judge Doubles Bail for Alleged Burglary Spree Ringleader

GERMANTOWN — A Montgomery County District Court judge has doubled the bail for the alleged leader of a Germantown burglary ring. Bail for Marcus Antonio Lee was increased from $25,000 to $50,000, at 100 percent full-cash, under Judge Patricia Mitchell’s ruling Thursday during a bond review hearing. Lee, 20, no fixed address, is charged with orchestrating more than 20 burglaries, thefts and car thefts in Germantown since April. The full story is on .

CHEVY CHASE -- Barton Rubenstein, a neuroscientist-turned-sculptor of stainless steel (he designed the sculpture outside of Somerset Elementary School), will be taking a 30-foot-high artwork to a sculpture park in Ohio next month.

COLESVILLE -- Restrictions in Montgomery County's recruitment and hiring  block some people with significant disabilities form being eligible for county positions, Councilmember Phil Andrews argued this week. Along with County Executive Isiah Leggett, he urged the county council to add a charter amendment to the November ballot. If voters agreed, it would allow for a "special hiring authority" to recuit people with disabilities. .

BURTONSVILLE -- A once-thriving shopping center in Burtonsville is down to just nine businesses--out of a potential 28 spaces for lease. Residents have watched customers leave--with businesses following--after the center's anchor, Giant grocery store, moved across the street. .

ROCKVILLE -- The City of Rockville is paying a law firm up to $90,000 to investigate former city employees’ claims of harassment and discrimination by supervisors, according to a contract obtained by one of the former employees through the Maryland Public Information Act.