Misplaced Tornado, Warehouse Shootings, Shiny Bookstore: Top News

MARYLAND — This week, some of the most-read stories on Maryland Patches included a casting call, workplace shooting, new bookstore and controversial weather alert. There were also pets rescued from Hurricane Florence and, elsewhere police probing reports of neighbors throwing questionable meat to dogs.

MD Mass Shooter: Victims Named, Motive Unclear

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — While the motive remains unclear about why a shooter opened fire Thursday at a Rite Aid warehouse in Perryman, killing and injuring several people, investigators have learned... Read more

Barnes & Noble Opening New Store In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — The new Barnes & Noble opening in Columbia Wednesday looks much different from most of the chain's 600-plus stores across the country... Read more

Tornado Warning Creates Panic, Confusion At UMD

COLLEGE PARK, MD — Monday's fierce storms spawned a tornado in the Richmond area, and initially there was panic at the University of Maryland as campus police tweeted a tornado warning... Read more

Report Of Razor In Meat To Harm Pets Investigated: Police

SEVERN, MD — Is someone trying to harm pets in the Severn area? A reader posted on a Patch Facebook page that someone put razors in meat to hurt animals, but nothing has been confirmed... Read more

100 Best Public Elementary Schools In Maryland 2019 List

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — While Maryland leaders have sparred over school start times and overall funding for school budgets, the state continues to have a reputation of supporting its public school... Read more

Towson Man Indicted In $364M National Ponzi Scheme

BALTIMORE, MD — A Towson resident is among three men indicted in an alleged Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of $364 million. He purchased multiple homes and more than two dozen luxury... Read more

Casting For Harriett Tubman Film Seeks Marylanders

CAMBRIDGE, MD — A film to be shown in museums on the life of escaped slave and abolitionist Harriett Tubman is casting local residents... Read more

Accused Serial Rapist Arrested In Germantown

GERMANTOWN, MD — Montgomery County Police Department's Major Crimes Division on Thursday arrested a 39-year-old man believed to be behind four rapes in the Germantown and Gaithersburg area... Read more

Ellicott City No. 4 On Money's 50 Top Places To Live

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Ellicott City is No. 4 among Money magazine's 50 Best Places to Live in 2018. Its diversity, school graduation rates and parks contributed to its ranking, according to Money... Read more

Jarrettsville Vet Rescues 'Hurricane Dogs' From North Carolina

JARRETTSVILLE, MD — A Harford County vet is among those providing relief from Florence... Read more

Police barricade the entrance to a Rite Aid Distribution Center where multiple people were killed and injured in a shooting on Sept. 20, 2018 in Aberdeen. A woman opened fire at the distribution center killing three and wounding several others. The suspect, in critical condition, was taken into custody. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)