Serial Shooter, Giant Potato, Weeping Cadet: MD in May

Here are some of the top stories on Maryland Patches so far this May:

Washington Beltway Shootings: 4 Shot, 2 Killed in Mall and Grocery; Federal Officer in Custody

A federal officer was captured a day after police say he shot to death his estranged wife in Beltsville, and investigators said they "have reason to believe" the same man is connected to two fatal shootings earlier in the day at the Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Giant Foods in Silver Spring.

Giant Potato Stopped in Harford County on Cross-Country Tour

The Big Idaho Potato Truck made an appearance at Maryland House off Interstate 95.

Passersby Talk to Suicidal Man Rescued from Bay Bridge

Eastbound traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was halted while passersby and firefighters rescued a suicidal man.

Weeping West Point Cadet Captures Hearts, Calls Maryland Home

A gripping photo of West Point Cadet Alix Idrache—a Haitian immigrant to Maryland—tugs at hearts. When he graduated May 21 from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy, Idrache was overcome with emotion. Army photographer Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant captured the dream realized: a somber cadet in his gray uniform, standing at attention as tears ran down Idrache's face. The deeply personal reaction resonated with people worldwide, and has its roots in Maryland.

Frozen Meat and Chicken Products With Vegetables Recalled at Trader Joe's, Costco and More

The Listeria recall has expanded to 47 million pounds of meat and poultry products sold in Maryland and across the nation. Certain not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry products were recalled from Costco, Trader Joe's and other stores.

'Purple Drank' Mix Sends Middle School Students to Hospital

A homemade batch of “Purple Drank” – a mix of vodka, NyQuil and Jolly Ranchers – made popular by rappers sickened a half-dozen Montgomery County middle school students.

Bel Air Home to Most Overdoses in Harford: Sheriff

The numbers have changed again outside the Harford County Sheriff's Office, where officials have been tallying heroin overdoses in an effort to raise awareness about the drug that is taking lives countywide.

Photo Credit: Maryland Transportation Authority.