IPIC Theaters has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to pursue a court supervised sale of its assets in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The luxury dine in theater and restaurant chain said it will continue operating during the process while it seeks buyers and works to maximize value for creditors. As part of the filing, the company issued WARN notices to employees, meaning it cannot guarantee employment beyond the notice period.

According to a representative at the IPIC theater at 11830 Grand Park Avenue in North Bethesda’s Pike and Rose, the location is expected to close by April 28 if a buyer is not found. The theater opened in 2014 and has been a longtime anchor entertainment venue at the Pike and Rose development. Company officials said they expect to have enough liquidity to continue operating locations during the restructuring and sale process.

An update from Del. Anne Kaiser indicates that legislation aimed at preventing an extension of the Montgomery County Public Schools calendar has cleared a major hurdle in Annapolis.

Earlier this week, the Maryland House of Delegates voted unanimously in favor of legislation that would allow Montgomery County to avoid extending the school year by an additional week to make up for weather-related closures. The measure now moves to the Maryland State Senate, where it must pass in identical form before it can be sent to the Governor for consideration.

According to Kaiser, the bill was amended to be treated as emergency legislation. If signed into law, it would take effect immediately and apply to the current school year. She emphasized that under the legislation, the previously announced extension of the school year to June [26] would no longer be necessary.

The bill has already received preliminary support from all nine state senators representing Montgomery County. The next step is a public hearing in the Senate’s Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, which includes several legislators who represent Montgomery County and nearby areas.

As previously reported, the legislation would allow the Montgomery County Board of Education to meet state requirements by operating schools for either a minimum number of instructional days or a minimum number of instructional hours, rather than being required to satisfy both. MCPS has stated that it already meets the state’s instructional hour requirement, which would eliminate the need to add days to the calendar if the bill becomes law.

The legislation was introduced after the Maryland State Department of Education denied MCPS’ request for a waiver following multiple snow-related closures earlier this winter, prompting the district to add an extra day to the end of the school year.

Emergency crews responded to a serious two-vehicle crash with entrapment Thursday night at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Route 108 in Olney.

According to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer, the collision was reported around 9:20pm and involved multiple patients. Fire and rescue personnel evaluated seven people at the scene, including several patients with traumatic injuries.

The crash led to lane closures in the area as crews worked to assist those involved and manage the scene. Motorists were advised to expect delays while emergency operations were underway.

No additional details on the cause of the crash or the conditions of the patients were immediately available.

Carmen’s Italian Ice is celebrating a major milestone this year, marking 25 years of serving a beloved taste of summer that has become a tradition for families across Montgomery County.

On Monday, Carmen’s Italian Ice shared the news on social media with a message that perfectly captured the moment: “Has it really been 25 years? I never could’ve imagined! Thank you!” To celebrate, Carmen’s is turning the anniversary into a yearlong event. On the 25th of every month, customers can enjoy 25 percent off all menu items. The kickoff celebration takes place this Wednesday at the Rockville location. As part of the fun, names of the day Marshall and Ryder are invited to stop by for a free gelati. There is also seasonal excitement ahead, with the Olney location opening March 8.

Founded in 2001, Carmen’s began with the simple goal of introducing homemade, gourmet Italian ice to the Washington DC area. Owner Jason Mandler, a native of Parsippany, New Jersey, brought inspiration from Philadelphia and South Jersey, where Italian ice has long been a neighborhood staple. What started as a single shop in Rockville quickly grew into a local favorite, known for personal service, fun events, and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back year after year.

Carmen’s is best known for its Italian ice and frozen custard, offering more than 60 flavors of Italian ice alongside fresh frozen custard. The most popular menu item is the gelati, which layers Italian ice with creamy custard. The menu also includes specialty shakes and freezes, from thick custard-based milkshakes to lighter blends that mix Italian ice and custard with a liquid base. Over time, the offerings have expanded, but the focus on house-made quality has remained unchanged.

That consistency, paired with a strong sense of community, has helped Carmen’s thrive for a quarter century. Whether someone stops in for a morning coffee or an evening treat, the shops have become places where regulars gather and new faces quickly feel like part of the neighborhood.

Today, Carmen’s Italian Ice operates five locations across Montgomery County:

• Rockville, MD 1115 Nelson Street Rockville, MD 20850, 301-545-1154

• Olney, MD 3233 Spartan Road, Olney, MD 20832, 240-390-3164

• Kensington, MD, 309 Kensington Parkway, Kensington, MD 20895, 301-235-9860

• The Kentlands, Gaithersburg, 130 Market Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, 240-477-8017

• Clarksburg, MD, 23329 Frederick Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871, 240-913-8555