Top Maryland News: New Law for Sex Offenders, Casinos Strike it Rich, Near Miss for Baby in Stroller

By Patch Staff

A roundup of recent stories from the 49 Patch sites around Maryland:

Revenue at State Casinos Rises in February

Maryland Live! in Anne Arundel County saw revenue rise from $35.9 million to $38.34 million. The state saw a 7.5 percent revenue gain at its three casinos.

Fort Meade Commander Addresses Sequestration at Town Hall

Col. Edward Rothstein spoke to stakeholders at the installation about the potential impact of deep budget cuts.

Report: More Issues with Silver Spring Transit Center

SILVER SPRING—One of Montgomery County's biggest projects, the Silver Spring Transit Center was already more than two years delayed and $80 million over budget when County Council members warned Tuesday that a to-be-released report would reveal even more structural issues with the three-tiered transit hub. Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

How Rockville ‘Beets’ the Snow

ROCKVILLE—What’s the secret to Rockville’s snow-melting rock salt? Beet juice. Steve Sokol, Rockville’s operations maintenance superintendent explains. Watch the video at Rockville Patch.

Naval Academy Students Participate in Ice Experiment

Five midshipmen will travel from Annapolis to Barrow, AK, to study changing sea ice levels during their spring break.

Credit Union Sends 381 Rubber Ducks to Sandy Hook

GERMANTOWN—Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union employees were inspired by a Connecticut police officer’s efforts to use the ducks to spread cheer. Read more at Germantown Patch.

Have a Gun? Police Will Give You $100 For It

Howard County police will hold a gun buyback program on March 16.

Court Strikes Down Portion of Sex Offender Registry Law

The Maryland Court of Appeals rules that people convicted of sex crimes prior to 2009 do not have to register with the state.

Hess Shutting Down Gas Stations

The Associated Press reports that the company will shift its focus on exploration and production instead of retail.

Obezags Move to Next Round of Top Mascot Contest

The Key School won for Maryland and will compete nationally to determine the top mascot among high schools. Voting for this round ends March 14.

County Seeks More Citizen Input on the Freedom Area Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan

A community meeting is scheduled for March 13.

Report: Eldersburg Ranks as 6th Highest Earning Town in Maryland

Find out how Eldersburg stacks up against other Maryland communities in terms of earning.

Dream Home Sykesville: 5500+ Square Foot Colonial

This week’s featured piece of high-end real estate in Sykesville is a 4-bedroom, 3-bath brick colonial located on 3+ acres of wooded property.

County Creates Online Form for Filing PIA Requests

Citizens now have access to an online form to file Public Information Act requests from the county.

Poll: At What Level Should Carroll County Fund Education in FY14?

Patch highlights the arguments for and against different funding levels. Weigh in on our poll or in comments to let us know how you want to see education funded.

Citizens Demand Full Funding of Education Budget at Commissioner's Forum

Hundreds turned out for the Carroll County Commissioner's forum at Carroll Community College Monday night.

Delegate Ready Sponsors Bill to Fight Mileage Tracking by State Government

Delegate Justin Ready presented a bill that would prohibit state and local governments from installing tracking devices on cars for the purpose of imposing a mileage tax.

Suicidal Woman Prompted Added Security at Silver Spring Schools

SILVER SPRING—A woman who barricaded herself inside a Silver Spring home with a gun Thursday afternoon caused two Silver Spring schools to enact a temporary security measure. Read more on Silver Spring Patch. 

Baby Uninjured When Car Hits Stroller On Arlington Road

BETHESDA—A 34-year-old Bethesda woman has been cited after police say she struck a baby stroller with her car while turning onto Arlington Road. A 3-month-old baby, who was riding in the stroller as his mother walked him across the road in a crosswalk, was uninjured. Some are calling for more safety measures near the intersection, close to Bethesda Elementary School. Read more on Bethesda Patch.

U.S. Justice Department Supports Photojournalist Lawsuit Against County

WHEATON—The U.S. Justice Department filed a supportive statement Monday in a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by a prominent photojournalist. Mannie Garcia is suing Montgomery County police and prosecutors over an incident that occurred in Wheaton in 2011. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

State Commission Supports Kensington Ethics Law

KENSINGTON—Kensington officials can continue to follow the town’s ethics code for elected officials, rather than the state law, after the Maryland State Ethics Commission decided that the town complied with the requirements to receive an exemption. Read more on Kensington Patch.

Wheaton Costco Gas Station Hearings Postponed

WHEATON—In the latest development for the controversial proposed Costco gas station in Wheaton, the special exception hearings have been postponed until after the Costco store opens in April. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Police Make Arrest In December Hit-and-Run Death in Gaithersburg

GAITHERSBURG—A 20-year-old Damascus man was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Residents Oppose Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan Backed by Planning Board

CHEVY CHASE—Nearly 40 people testified before the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday night about the plan recommended by the county planning board for the Chevy Chase Lake Sector. Many took issue with the size of the "Town Center" portion of the plan, particularly the number of square feet the board recommended be built before the Purple Line is constructed. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

Therapy Pups: Raising Puppies to Serve Those in Need [VIDEO]

GAITHERSBURG—They're called "man's best friend" and sometimes they offer much more than companionship to people with special needs. Ginseng is a 14-month old black lab training in Gaithersburg to lead a life of service. Watch the video on Gaithersburg Patch.

Rockville’s 2011 Election Problems Spur Changes for 2013

ROCKVILLE—Rockville's mayor and City Council reached a consensus but did not vote on policy changes on Monday regarding local elections, including one that would permit candidates to officially withdraw from city elections. Read more at Rockville Patch.

City Mulls Changes To Election Code

GAITHERSBURG—Gaithersburg's Board of Supervisors of Elections recommends changes to the definition of a political committee and financial reporting. Councilmember Jud Ashman said he anticipates a hotly contested public hearing. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

The 10-year veteran of the department said she has not received the promotions and pay raises she deserves.

The Howard County Library System's annual fundraiser netted tens of thousands of dollars.

This information is provided by the Howard County Police Department.

Report: Barnes & Noble Chairman Seeks To Buy Retail Stores

Leonard Riggio has made a bid to buy the store's retail assets, including the Ellicott City location.

It's Almost Tea Time in Ellicott City

Matcha Time Cafe wants to pour its first cup of tea no later than Memorial Day.

Five Arrests Made at Howard County DUI Checkpoint

Police say 3 were charged with driving under the influence.

Historic Chillum Giant to Close in April

One of the area's oldest supermarkets will be shutting down after nearly six decades in business.

Man Arrested for Trying to Use Car as Weapon

The Lanham man reportedly tried to slam his car into his wife's car on Greenbelt Road while she was fleeing from him.

Upper Marlboro Resident Gets Jail Time for Bank Fraud

Adeniyi "Niyi" Adebiyi, 28, got four years behind bars for the scheme.

Bowie Man Dies in Cement Truck Collision

Tyronski Johnson, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after his car collided with a cement truck on Landover Road on Monday.

Melford Amendment Clears Bowie City Council

The measure gives developers the ability to propose a mix of residential and retail development on the tract of land, and also increases the city's zoning authority over the property. 

Two-Alarm Fire Rips Through Oil Company in Laurel

A two-alarm fire swept through the Laurel Fuel Oil building Wednesday night, injuring one firefighter and causing up to $1 million in damage.

D.C. Man Arrested in 'Gang-Related' College Park Shooting

Authorities say a Washington, D.C. man was arrested last week and charged with fatally shooting 20-year-old David Esequel Avelar in College Park.

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