Top Maryland Headlines: MD on Gun Control, Marijuana Toke or Joke?, Fatal Fire

By Patch Staff

Maryland Senate Passes Gun Control Bill

Maryland senators voted Thursday night to approve an amended gun control bill rather than send the legislation to conference committee.

Mike Miller Wouldn't Mind A Toke

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said he supports medical marijuana for cancer patients. "I've got a fractured nerve in my tooth right now," Miller said. "I wouldn't mind a toke myself."

Cicadas Return: 17-year Cicadas to Overtake East Coast by the Millions

In May, cicadas in Maryland and along the Eastern seaboard will wake from their 17-year sleep.

First Lady Hosts Watkins Mill Students for Jackie Robinson Film Workshop

First Lady Michelle Obama and actor Harrison Ford were among participants in a panel discussion following a film screening for Watkins Mill students in Gaithersburg. “To be able to share this experience with students is probably one of the most meaningful experiences of my career," Watkins Mill principal Scott Murphy said.

A Lanham woman is facing robbery and assault charges after attempting to steal a purse from an 80-year-old woman and then biting the victim's husband and a Good Samaritan, who foiled the robbery.

Couple met at University of Maryland, built puppetry empire out of felt and ping-pong balls.

Countdown to Costco: When Will the Wheaton Store Open?

The Wheaton Costco will open next week at the Westfield Wheaton mall. Find out what day the store opens and see our countdown clock.

Man Dies From Silver Spring Apartment Fire

A 63-year-old man has died from severe burns sustained in an apartment building fire in Silver Spring Tuesday morning. The fire started inside of an apartment on the top floor with damages estimated at $400,000.

Huff To Withdraw Protest Buffer Bill

A bill restricting protests near schools in Baltimore County will not get a hearing or a vote later this month.

County Executive Ken Ulman's fiscal year 2014 capital budget includes several improvements to local schools.

8 Companies Bid On County Properties

Baltimore County officials announced late Friday that the county has received eight bids from groups interested in purchasing one of three properties placed on the market by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Franchot: Public Conversation on Towson University Sports Is Imperative

Gov. Martin O'Malley's announcement to fund two more years of baseball at Towson University calls into question the reasons behind the elimination of that sport and men's soccer, according to Comptroller Peter Franchot.

U.S. Seeks Accused Sex Trafficker's North Baltimore Properties

Federal law enforcement officials are seeking to seize five properties in North Baltimore owned by a woman accused of luring other women to work as prostitutes in the area, according to court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Dundalk Man Charged after Weekend Bar Fight

A Dundalk man has been charged with two counts of assault in a bar brawl over the weekend that sent five people to the hospital, police said.

Three to Shock Trauma After Truck Flips Over on I-70

In all, six people were taken to the hospital.

Post Critic Says Ale House Columbia 'Worth the Trip'

A Washington Post nightlife critic calls the Columbia bar impressive and "a fine showcase for Oliver Ales."

Ray Rice to Appear in Columbia April 11

Rice will appear at Wegmans Columbia to host a special fundraising event for two charities.

Wheaton Redevelopment: Different Site Considered for Park and Planning Headquarters

WHEATON—The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is still on track to move its headquarters from Silver Spring to downtown Wheaton, but perhaps not to the location previously proposed. Read more at Wheaton Patch.

Leggings-Clad Rockville Student Sent Home for Breaching Dress Code

ROCKVILLE—While leggings may seem like a ubiquitous fashion staple for suburban hipsters around Washington, they weren’t well received at a Rockville school on Wednesday. Read more at Rockville Patch.

White Knuckle Parenting: Surviving the White House Easter Egg Roll

We know huge events at the White House are going to be a nightmare, but still we enter the lottery and cross our fingers that we get to go. This is why.

Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco is Coming to Rockville

ROCKVILLE—Inauguration Day poet Richard Blanco will read his work at Rockville Memorial Library in May, county officials announced Thursday. The event is hosted by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County and the Latino Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender History Project. Read more at Rockville Patch.

Peak Cherry Blossom  Bloom Dates Revised...Again

The most recent prediction of when the pale pink blossoms will peak at the Tidal Basin is through Apri 10, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang reported. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

Choice Hotels Moves Into Rockville Headquarters Monday

On Monday, 400 employees will start their first day of work Choice Hotels International’s new headquarters in Rockville. "What you like, I picked," said President and CEO Stephen P. Joyce, jokingly, as he helped lead a tour of the new building on Thursday. 

Report: Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan Critiqued by Council Members

The Montgomery County Planning Department's recommendations for the Chevy Chase Lake sector came under criticism during the Montgomery County Council's first work session on the sector plan.

The 62-year-old was the executive director of the American School Counselor Association and the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

How Will the Silver Spring Purple Line Station Look? 

Renderings for the Silver Spring Transit Center Purple Line station released recently reveal a tube design to protect passengers from the elements when they're 85 feet above—the estimated height of that station. 

Report: Crime Rates At Lakeforest Mall Show Little Change 

Four to six serious incidents per year occur at the Gaithersburg mall, according to a report by The Gazette. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Police Make Arrests in 30 Fraud Cases at Montgomery Mall Nordstrom

Montgomery County police have arrested three Baltimore residents and are on the lookout for a fourth suspect they say were involved in a scheme to fraudulently return items to the Bethesda Nordstrom. One of the suspects may have used his knowledge as a former Georgia Nordstrom employee to aid in the plot, police said.

Potomac Man Gets Home Detention for Obstructing FBI Investigation

A Potomac man received six months of home detention as part of three years of probation for obstructing background investigations for a high-level security clearance.

New Restaurant Offers Indian and Nepalese Food in West Columbia

The restaurant opened March 15.

Former Jamaican Olympic Sprinter Sets Roots in Howard County

Sanjay Ayre won the silver medal as part of the Jamaican men's 4x400 sprint team, now he's starting a training business in Howard County and coaching at HCC.

Columbia Association Board Chooses Two of its Own for Symphony Woods Trust

The CA Board elected Gregg Schwind and Ed Coleman to serve on the board that will guide the development of Symphony Woods.

Tia's Makes Way for Medical Office Building

The old building will be razed and new structure will be built in its place.

Are Noise Complaints Against West Hyattsville Restaurant Exaggerated?

The overwhelming majority of noise complaints against Mi Patio are "unfounded" according to police logs.

Breaking & Entering Reported in University Park

The suspects took a flat-screen tv and an iPod sometime Friday morning, police reported.

Residents Speak Out Against Jey's Auto Acquisition

Several residents said they wanted council to give Jey Edward more time, but council says they've waited eight years.

Laurel Fire Investigation Widens to Seven Incidents

Authorities have expanded their investigation into a series of recent fires across Laurel and are now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, officials announced Thursday.

The struggling Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is set to join forces with the University of Maryland follwing a vote by the museum's board of trustees this week.

Final Two Superintendent Candidates Withdraw

One candidate withdrew earlier this week, and now two more have left the search process, leaving the future of the county schools uncertain.