Top Maryland Headlines: 'Pimp on the Pike' Gets 20 Years, Blogger Slain, Governor's Race Ignites

By Patch Staff

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown Kicks Off Gubernatorial Bid

In a speech highlighting his military and government service, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown announced in his home county of Prince George's Friday night that he is running for governor of Maryland in the November 2014 election.

Dan Bongino’s Home Burglarized Wednesday Night While Family Slept

A spokeswoman says computers, purses and a wallet were taken from the Severna Park home of Bongino, the former Secret Service agent who ran for U.S. Senate in 2012. 

Report: Anne Arundel County Top in State for Generating Tourism Money

The county saw a more than 7 percent increase in money from tourism between 2010 and 2011, according to a new report. 

Businesses Look to Marketplace Fairness Act to Help Restore Local Economy

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot stopped by Union Hardware, a 99-year-old hardware store in downtown Bethesda, on Thursday morning to show his support for legislation that would require online retailers to charge sales tax.

ICC Speed Limit Officially Increased to 60 MPH Over Weekend

Weather permitting, officials are changing posted limits.

Baltimore County Councilman Fails to Disclose Contracting Job 

Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski Sr. will file an amended ethics report that contains information about his contracting job. That comes two days after Patch reported that Olszewski, a four-term Dundalk Democrat, failed to disclose his job with Mason and Sons Contracting on reports covering 2011 and 2012.

Well-known Howard County Blogger Stabbed to Death

Howard County blogger Dennis Lane's 14-year-old daughter and her 19-year-old boyfriend have been charged with murder and conspiracy in Lane's death, according to police. Lane ran the Howard County blog Tale of Two Cities and co-hosted a Howard County Podcast "... And Then There's That." He died of multiple stab wounds, police said.

NSA Breaks Ground on Massive Computing Center
The agency said the 600,000-square-foot facility in Anne Arundel County will help in its mission to defend America against cyber attacks. 

Masked Bandits' ATM Heist Using Backhoe Goes Bad 

Three suspects removed an ATM from a bank wall in Potomac with the help of a backhoe, then fled the scene, leaving the ATM, and the cash, behind.

Man Sentenced to Life in 2011 Towson Town Center Murder

The hit on then 19-year-old Rodney Pridget was ordered by the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang, officials say. 

‘Pimp on the Pike’ Sentenced

The so-called "Pimp on the Pike" was sentenced to 20 years and six months, with 10 years suspended, for drug offenses and for running a prostitution ring out of a Rockville Pike hotel. 

Dalai Lama Charms and Counsels Crowd at University of Maryland

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama spoke to a packed house at the University of Maryland's Comcast Center, touching on everything from shared religious values to eschewing violence to his desire for global demilitarization.

Officer Relieved of Duty Following APG Super Pond Drowning

Cmdr. Michael Runkle, commanding officer of two Navy divers who drowned at Aberdeen Proving Ground in February, was relieved of his duties this week. In a release, Navy officials cited "a loss of confidence in his ability to command."

Could Prince George's Allow Liquor Sales on Sunday?

The Prince George's delegation is launching a work group this summer to determine how the liquor sales would be regulated.

UMD Agrees to Cafritz CSX Crossing

Developers have received the required right-of-way to satisfy one of the conditions of the Cafritz property's rezoning.

Community Mourns Death Of Reisterstown Volunteer Firefighter

More than 200 people lined Main Street near the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company to mourn the death of firefighter Gene Kirchner. Kirchner died May 2, more than a week after sustaining injuries during a fire less than one-half mile from the station where he began working as a teen.

Port Deposit Mayor: Partnership with Towson University Begins Town Renaissance

A joint research effort between the Cecil County town and Baltimore County university is benefiting more than the Northern map turtle.

Is Takoma Park Close to Hiring a New City Manager?

Acting city manager Suzanne Ludlow sat down with Patch to discuss the nine-month-long hiring process and her time holding down the post.

Mi Cocina to Open May 10 in Friendship Heights 

Upscale Tex-Mex chain Mi Cocina, which opened two decades ago in Dallas, is opening its latest location in The Collection at Chevy Chase, between Christian Dior and Bulgari.

Councilmembers Divided on Wheaton Redevelopment Approach

In considering options for Wheaton redevelopment and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission headquarters, members of the Montgomery County Council found themselves equally divided on how to move forward.

Rocker Launches Worldwide Art Tour in Annapolis

The drummer from the 1970s rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer performs music but you can also see his artwork at a local gallery through the month of May. 

Skylar Marion Donated Organs After Still Unsolved Hit-and-Run

It has been more than three weeks since a fatal hit-and-run in Pasadena took the life of 15-year-old Skylar Marion, and still there are no leads on who was driving the Ford Expedition that struck two teenagers and drove off.

Cape Resident Captures Beauty in Dancing Glass

Patch takes a tour of a Broadneck woman's glass studio—she says she's produced more than 2,000 mobiles priced from $30 into the hundreds.

Police Investigate Several Slade Employees Amid Sex Abuse Claims

Letters from Monsignor Slade Catholic School in Glen Burnie and the Archdiocese of Baltimore indicate police are investigating claims of sexual abuse by a former student. 

POLL: Best Candidate in 2014 County Executive Race

A few potential candidates have expressed interest in the 2014 race for Anne Arundel county executive, according to reports. 

Deli Returning to Ellicott City Main Street

Randy & Steve's The New General Store is continuing in the tradition of the Yates Market.

77-Year-Old Woman Fatally Struck at Aspen Hill Bus Stop

A 77-year-old woman was fatally struck by an SUV as she sat at a bus stop in Aspen Hill on Thursday, police said. 

Family of 6 Displaced By Town Home Fire in Montgomery Village

"A $20 smoke alarm probably saved their lives," says MCFR spokesperson. 

Ellicott City Student a Finalist in Short Story Contest

A Centennial High School senior’s story about an emotional conversation between a young woman and her ex-boyfriend is among those up for recognition.

Infant Injured in Howard County School Bus Accident

The 1-year-old was riding in an Acura when the vehicle collided with a Howard County school bus, police said.

Ellicott City Son Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder of Dad

The 28-year-old was mad that dad accused him of using his credit card, court officials said.

School Start Times and Crime - What's the Connection?

This advocate says we'll see less crime if we change school start times. What do you think?

Facial Hair Big Winner in Hyattsville Council Election

Four of six newly elected Hyattsville City Council members sport facial hair.

Hyattsville Election Results: Croslin Bests Hiles in Ward 2 Race

Lone incumbent seeking re-election to city council is defeated.

Election Turnout: 314 Votes Shy Of HdG Record

Havre de Grace held its annual municipal election on Tuesday. Check out the numbers.

Government Center Bidder Vanguard Shares Project Plans

Vanguard Retail Development reveals some of the details of its bid to buy and redevelop the North Point Government Center and surrounding park land. Dundalk residents are largely against the sale of the local open space.

12 Injured After Vehicle Rear-Ends MTA Bus

A car rear-ended an MTA bus that stopped to discharge passengers in Essex. Three people in the car were injured, as well as several bus passengers.

Former APG Employee Sentenced for Wire Fraud

A Middle River woman was convicted of wire fraud after using company credit cards to pay for personal expenses. She has been sentenced and order to pay more than $100,000 in restitution.

Police Identify Victims in Nottingham Double Stabbing

A Nottingham man was arrested and charged with allegedly stabbing his mother to death and possibly injuring his sister. 
 

Caregiver Accused of Assaulting Disabled Man at Timonium Group Home

A co-worker reported that he saw Nnamdi Adiegwu push the man and strike him with a kitchen spatula in a September 2012 attack.