By Patch Staff
A robbery stuns Cartier shoppers on a quiet mid-morning, an investigation into a county police force and just one question: Which Maryland county has a lot of "excessive drinkers?" Headlines from 48 Patch sites across Maryland:
Gov. O'Malley Signs Law to Take Away Death Penalty, Politicians Move to Bring it Back
Maryland is now the 18th state to abolish the death penalty but a bipartisan group of elected officials says the threat of terrorism is an incentive to reverse that move.
Del. Ron George to Make Bid for Governor's Office
Del. Ron George, an Anne Arundel County Republican, says he plans to start campaigning in June for the 2014 race.
Columbia Native Jayson Blair Reflects on Resignation from New York Times
"I'm rebuilding my life and helping people with mental health problems," said Blair, who was caught up in a plagiarism scandal that shook the venerable New York Times a decade ago. "I never would have imagined I made as much progress as I have, but there's always going to be some regret about my actions."
Two Sue Commissioners Over Christian Prayer
Two Carroll County residents are suing the Board of Carroll County Commissioners in federal court to stop the commissioners from opening meetings with Christian prayers.
Group of Robbers Takes Over Cartier, Escapes with Loot
A group of masked robbers took control of the Cartier jewelry shop in Friendship Heights' tony shopping center, The Collection at Chevy Chase, smashing a display case, taking items and speeding off toward Washington, DC, in a vehicle with license plates from two different states.
Less than an hour after Cartier was robbed, the Gap store across the street was robbed by a suspect wielding a knife.
Andrew Suh: The Wheaton Police Officer Who Catches Bank Robbers
Shortly after a bank robbery in Wheaton, Officer Andrew Suh walked into a barber shop nearby and found the robbery suspect sitting in a barber chair covered in red paint from the dye pack that had exploded on him as he fled the bank.
Arts Council President, Treasurer Resign After Funds Discovered Missing
The Town of Riverdale Park gives annual donations of public money to the organization.
Couple's Slaying Rocks South Laurel; Disabled Daughter Found Unharmed
The bodies of a man and woman in their 40s were discovered Thursday at their apartment on Muirkirk Road.
2-Year-Old Pinned Under Tractor
Two-year-old Logan was helping his grandfather mow the lawn on April 21 when the unimaginable happened: The mower they were riding flipped over into a creek, trapping Logan under water.
Report: Carroll County No. 2 in MD for ‘Excessive Drinkers’
Carroll County ranked second among counties in Maryland for the percentage of people who reported being “excessive drinkers,” according to a report from WBAL.com.
Speed, Red Light Camera Tickets Down in Montgomery County
Revenue is down for automated traffic enforcement, even as police consider dozens of new locations, The Examiner newspaper reported.
Forbes: Howard County Among America's 10 Richest Counties
Howard County continues to rank highly among the the highest earning counties in the U.S.
Sheriff: Phone Scammers Say They Are Holding a Family Member Captive
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of suspicious telephone calls made to County residents.
‘Bittersweet:’ Longtime Toy Store in Downtown Ellicott City is Closing
Mumbles and Squeaks Toy Shoppe, an Ellicott City Main Street toy store for more than two decades, is closing its doors.
Neuman Brings Creates Task Force to Investigate Anne Arundel Police
The county executive is assembling a team of investigators from Montgomery and Harford counties to look into allegations about the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
Five Severna Park families have created a real-life version of the "Harry Potter" train for the American Visionary Art Museum's kinetic sculpture race through Baltimore.
Speed, Red Light Camera Tickets Down in Montgomery County
Revenue is down for automated traffic enforcement, even as police consider dozens of new locations, The Examiner newspaper reported.
Federal Bikeshare Grant Funds 200 Bikes in Rockville
Rockville's program is part of a pilot to increase access to biking for lower-income people, county officials said.
TV Show 'Tanked' Being Filmed at Westfield Annapolis
The mall's new cafe will feature two "big" fish tanks—along with new dining options.
Future of US Jet Force Displayed in Linthicum
Engineers and elected officials showcased the newest jet technology being introduced to the U.S. military.
Neuman Makes Case for $1.3B Budget in Anne Arundel
The budget includes a 3 percent raise for county employees—the first since 2010.
A Great Day for Severn's A.J. Francis
On the same day he signed with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, A.J. Francis proposed to his longtime girlfriend.
Should MARC Add Weekend Service?
An overwhelming number of Odenton-Severn readers said they supported the idea of adding weekend trains on the MARC Penn line.
County: Metro Can't Back Out of Silver Spring Transit Center
A 2008 agreement between Montgomery County and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is legally binding and prevents the transit agency from backing out of plans for Metro to operate the beleaguered Silver Spring Transit Center once it opens, county officials said Wednesday.
Council Takes Montgomery County Officials to Task on Transit Center Communication
A communication breakdown over the Silver Spring Transit Center led to harsh words for Montgomery County officials by County Council members Wednesday. Council members were upset that the county executive had not immediately shared a letter from Metro saying that it would not operate the transit center.
Police: Tipsters Say Potential Kidnapper, Van Seen 'From Here to West Virginia'
Gaithersburg police still hope to identify a suspect in the April 22 attempted kidnapping in the Washingtonian Woods neighborhood.
Gaithersburg Police: Suspicious Letter Came from Fake Canadian Business
Police and Montgomery County firefighters investigated the letter at Diamond Elementary.
Watkins Mill's Girls Lacrosse Team Honors Rockville's Michelle Miller
On a night normally reserved for the honor of the home team's senior class, Watkins Mill's girls lacrosse team honored a fallen member of the opposing team, too.
Report: No Legal Fee Coverage for Brickyard Farm Supporters
The group sought reimbursement for legal fees paid to argue that the lease of the Brickyard property from the school board to the county was not conducted with full public transparency.
Sluggish Economy, Disruptive Construction Force Zen Tara Tea Closure
Zen Tara Tea, a popular tea shop in downtown Bethesda, closes on May 26. The sluggish economy, disruptive construction near the shop and loss of nearby parking were cited as reasons for closing up shop.
Labor Activists, Council Members Protest Aspen Hill Walmart Plans
Opponents of plans to bring Walmart to Aspen Hill rallied Tuesday outside the Montgomery County Council building, where they presented a 2,000-signature petition.
Rockville Native Invited to Olympic Hockey Team Selection Camp
Haley Skarupa, 19, was selected to attend the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team Selection Camp, which will be held at Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY, this June.
Student School Board Members Says 'Students Are the Largest Stakeholders'
Justin Kim, 18, a junior at Poolesville High and a Gaithersburg native who will serve as student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education next year, wants to engage students more in school board decisions.
Stormwater Bill Veto Overridden by Anne Arundel County Council
Councilman Pete Smith changes his stance on the issue, allowing for a supermajority vote in the override.
Community Rallies Around Hyattsville Family After Tragedy Strikes
After Dustin Franco suffered a brain injury, neighbors, friends and family came together in a show of support.
Arguments Postponed in Cafritz Property Rezoning Appeal
Oral arguments in the case were set to be heard Thursday but have been rescheduled to a later date.
Paschall Nets Big Haul for Hyattsville Campaign
Unopposed Ward 3 Hyattsville City Council candidate stuns with big fundraising numbers in campaign finance documents.
Police: Teen Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of Bowie Man
Asheville Police arrested a 16-year-old boy in the fatal stabbing of a Bowie man in North Carolina.
Prince George's County Public Schools 'Teacher of the Year' from Capitol Heights School
Albert Lewis teaches language arts at Walker Mill Middle School.