Bei Bei the Panda, Bel Air Mural, Search for Spring: News Nearby

Patch has community sites across Maryland. Here are some of the top posts from the past 24 hours.

Bei Bei Plays, Crowds Keep Coming to National Zoo

The National Zoo continues to receive large crowds in response to the newest member of its marquee exhibit: Bei Bei, the giant panda cub.

A group of eighth-graders from California recently made the trip across the country especially to see Bei Bei and the other giant pandas. “I looked forward to seeing the pandas, that was the most exciting part,” said eighth-grader Oakley Pelton. >>>Read more.

New Mural Planned for Downtown Bel Air

A new mural is planned in Bel Air, and town officials are looking for a muralist to create it. The artwork will be located behind the Bel Air Armory. Town officials anticipate the piece will be completed in June and July. >>>Read more.

Saving Violet: Starved Mastiff Heals With Love, Food

From a starving, fearful bag of bones to a dog on the mend that now enjoys people and counter-surfing for unguarded tidbits, Violet the mastiff is on the road to recovery.

After the abused dog was found Feb. 8 wandering along a Clinton road, she was given the hopeful name Violet by rescuers. The 7-year-old dog’s caretakers reported a recent milestone on social media: Violet has reached 104 pounds. >>>Read more.

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• Police Issue Missing Person Alert for Spring
• Sam Ellis, Teen Driver in Crash That Killed 2 Wootton Graduates, Pleads Guilty
• Dave and Buster's Hiring 250 for Second Maryland Site
• Police Activity Clears Near White Marsh, Lanes Reopen
• Child-Care Provider Charged in 9-Month-Old's Homicide
• 2 Restaurants to Open in Owings Mills This Summer
• Multi-Million-Dollar Heroin Ring Member Receives Prison Term
• Howard County Educator Who Uses ‘Flipped Classrooms’ Named 2016 Teacher of the Year
• Traffic Alert: Sobriety Checkpoint Friday Night in County
• Wheaton Men Charged With Raping 12-Year-Old Girl
• Ret. Capt. Stanley M. Malm, 59, Former Annapolis Police Detective
• Montgomery Weekend: Molly Ringwald Sings, Library After Dark, Cirque Zuma Zuma
• ’Person of Interest’ in Criminal Investigation Wears Shirt Supporting Law Enforcement
• Two Suspected in Shoplifting at Victoria’s Secret: Photos
• Severna Park Osprey Cam Live at High School [Watch]