Top Maryland News: 'Moorish Nation' Claims Empty Mansion, No. 1 Firefighter Job Open, Man Catapulted Off I-83

By Patch Staff

There were major resignations and announcements in state offices last week and Maryland Live! won big, among other stories. Get all the top news from across 48 Patch sites in Maryland. 

What is the 'Moorish Nation' and What is it Doing Squatting in a Bethesda Mansion?

The photo of a suspect in a burglary of a Bethesda mansion was released by police; another suspect told police that the house belongs to him because he is a member of the Moorish Nation.

State Fire Marshal Not Seeking 3rd Term, Job Open

William E. Barnard has been on the job since 2001, and will leave the post July 1. On that same day a new law goes into effect requiring smoke detectors on each floor of homes—a law Barnard spearheaded.

Arrest Made in Silver Spring Postal Worker Rape

A postal employee was raped while on her lunch break last month.

Crash Knocks Man Off I-83

A multi-car crash ejected a man off an elevated portion of Interstate 83 onto a grassy area surrounded by the Jones Falls River, about 25 feet below the highway. He lived.

Feds Seize Rockville Home Linked to Nigerian Corruption Scandal

Federal investigators said the Rockville home was purchased by a former Nigerian leader who used dirty money. 

PHOTOS: Ravens White House Visit

View photos of the Ravens visit to the White House posted on Instagram Wednesday.

Speaking of Ravens, Chris Johnson Turns Hardship Into Advocacy

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris Johnson lived through jail time and the murder of his sister. Now, he shares his story in hopes of inspiring others to choose a better path. 

O'Malley To Make School Board Appointments Next Week

The governor and Baltimore County executive confirm the names after a voicemail was mistakenly left on a former board member's answering machine.

Patapsco High Alum Shines on TV Dance Show

Jason Kidd, a 2011 graduate of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, wowed the judges when he auditioned for the TV reality show, "So You Think You Can Dance." Kidd earned a ticket to Las Vegas for the next level of competition.

Owners and caretakers at a farm in Severn denied they didn't properly care for . 

Republican Governor Hopeful Stops in Silver Spring

Harford County Executive David Craig had a message for Montgomery County as the Republican launched his campaign for governor this week.

Report: Sen. Rob Garagiola to Resign

Maryland Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Garagiola will step down from his District 15 seat Sept. 1. 

Report: Rockville Sued For Racial Discrimination

Lawsuit claims employees were mistreated because they were black.

Baltimore Fire Chief Stepping Down

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake made the announcement Friday afternoon.

New State's Attorney in Anne Arundel County

Anne Colt Leitess has been appointed as Anne Arundel County's new state's attorney, succeeding Frank Weathersbee whom Gov. Martin O'Malley selected last month to head the Maryland State Parole Commission.

United States Treasurer Rosie Rios visited Roberto Clemente Middle School, presenting it with plaster models of the 1973 Congressional Gold Medal honoring the achievements of the school’s namesake.

A sidewalk is planned by the Maryland State Highway Administration and designated bus lanes are being planned by Montgomery County - both on bumper-to-bumper Wisconsin Avenue. Councilman Roger Berliner says that the two projects can co-exist.

Planning Board Approves Glenmont Sector Plan

What could Glenmont look like in the next 20 years? The document approved by the Planning Board this week lays out a blueprint, of sorts.

Potomac Property Slated for Townhouse Development

The 5.24-acre property on Seven Locks Road—once slated for park land—received approval from the county planning board to be developed into 23 townhouses.

The bus was transporting students to Centennial Lane Elementary in Howard County when it struck a van, which then hit a passenger car.

Gaithersburg Giants Set To Open Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park

A six-figure sponsorship deal helped fund a significant makeover as the Gaithersburg Giants make their debut in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League.

Seoul Food DC Opens in Wheaton

Anna and Jon Goree no longer feel like they are dependent on the whim of the elements to sell their chicken bibimbap and ginger honey tea now that they’ve turned their food truck into a new restaurant. 

Gaithersburg Soup Kitchen Director Honored As 'Person of Character'

The Lord's Table has served more than 370,000 people in its 30-plus years and Mary Canapary has been the soup kitchen's executive director for all of them. 

Dundalk's Heritage Fair Named Among Nation's Best Celebrations

Dundalk's Heritage Fair could win $10,000 if voters choose it as America's best community celebration. The three-day festival is the only Maryland event among the top 20 finalists.

State Sen. Allan Kittleman to Launch Campaign for Howard County Executive

The West Friendship Republican announced he will launch his campaign for county executive on his Facebook page.

Ulman Says He's Committed to Howard County as He Begins Campaign for Lt. Governor

The County Executive said he's going to have to work "overtime" on his new second job.

Casino Table Games Revenue Doubles Across Maryland

The first full month of table games at Maryland Live! and the opening of the casino in Allegheny County boosted numbers. Slot revenue was also up.

Police Run Torch Through Harford County

Local law enforcement officials carried a torch 18 miles across Harford County this week in a demonstration of support for the Maryland Special Olympics.

Howard County Library System Named 2013 Library of the Year

The library system was given the award for its work educating area residents.

One Last Wag for 'Wordbones'

Friends and family remembered Dennis Lane, a local blogger who was killed in his Ellicott City home last month, at a ceremony at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

MTA Considers Cutting Columbia to Bethesda Bus Route

Local residents who use the weekday commuter bus route are concerned.

Supreme Court Affirms DNA Collection At Time of Arrest

Monday's ruling overturns a 2012 Maryland Court of Appeals Decision.

Bowie Man Found Guilty in Sex Abuse Case

Michael Brochu, 52, was found guilty on several charges related to the molestation of one young boy from the Bowie area. He will faces similar charges in two more cases this fall.

The council agreed with city planning staff that the proposal did not keep with the character of the neighborhood or follow the 2006 Master Plan.

Bowie Resident Selected as New School Board Chair

Segun Eubanks of Bowie officially replaced Verjeana Jacobs, also of Bowie, as school board chair on Saturday.

Judge Dismisses $5 Million Riverdale Park Speed Camera Lawsuit

A judge found the claims of three Maryland drivers to be without merit.

Open House Looks to Breathe New Life into Town Center

Thursday's tenant open house at the Riverdale Park Town Center is being hailed a success by developers and local officials.

Two Suffer Burns in Explosion at West Laurel Auto Body Shop

Authorities are investigating the cause of a Friday morning explosion at a West Laurel auto body shop that left two workers with serious burns.

Eleanor Roosevelt Grad Awarded $10k Scholarship

The money, from Northrop Grumman, is for students interested in STEM fields.