Top News: Body Hidden In Wall, Restaurant Weeks, New Toll Rates

MARYLAND — Top news stories from Maryland Patches the past week included a suspended police officer who is accused of hiding his stepson's body in a wall; Restaurant Weeks are under way or about to start in a couple counties; the top prize of $400,000 was given out in the state's vaccination lottery promotion; and a pastor who had heart attack while swimming was saved by alert lifeguards.

Public comments are being taken on toll rates tied to Gov. Hogan's traffic plan; mobile home park tenants sued a landlord for monthly water fees of $1,000 a month; the cicadas are gone but they left behind a stain on trees; and the latest in an increasing number of antisemitic vandalism cases was reported at a Jewish cemetery were also among the big stories this week.

Here are some of the biggest stories of the week:

Toll Rate Up For Debate In Hogan's Traffic Plan: Public Hearing

The Maryland Department of Transportation is seeking public input on the range of toll rates for Phase 1 South: American Legion Bridge I-270 to I-370 in a series of public hearings scheduled for next week. The tolls would be for new high occupancy traffic lanes and are part of Gov. Larry Hogan's plan to reduce traffic in the DMV.

Landlord Sued: Tenants Say They Are Charged Illegal Water Fees

Residents of a mobile home park sued their landlord Wednesday, saying they are charged illegal water fees, with some totaling $1,000 each month, more than the cost of their rent.

Meet $400K Winner In MD COVID Vaccination Lottery

After weeks of prize drawings for some of the Maryland residents who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, a Baltimore city man was picked July 4 to receive the $400,000 grand prize in the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion.

Suspended Cop Accused Of Hiding Stepson's Body In Wall: Report

Prosecutors accused a suspended Baltimore Police Department officer of hiding his stepson's body in a wall after a custody dispute, The Baltimore Sun reported Thursday. The boy was identified as 15-year-old Dasan Jones.

Lifeguards Save Pastor After Heart Attack In Pool: Officials

Prince George's County lifeguards saved a Washington, D.C. preacher's life after he had a heart attack in the pool.

'Savor Bethesda' Restaurant Week 2021 Running July 8 to July 18

Bethesda's Restaurant Week is back beginning July 8 and running through July 18. "Savor Bethesda" and support local downtown eateries by eating in-restaurant or getting takeout.

• List Of Venues Taking Part In Howard Co. Summer Restaurant Weeks

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More headlines from Maryland Patches include:

• Van With 5 Children Inside Stolen From Giant Food In Glen Burnie
• Antisemitic Vandalism Appears At Baltimore Cemetery: Report
• Popular Ice Cream Parlor Opens Second Annapolis Location
• Aberdeen Man Charged In Bel Air Teen's Death: Sheriff's Office
• Marijuana Caught At BWI, Officials Remind It's Still Illegal: CBP
• Jerami Grant Represents Bowie In Tokyo Olympics
• Delta Variant Spreads As MD Outpaces Most States In Vaccinations
• How Maryland Ranks For Overall Child Well-Being
• School Enrollment Drops In Maryland; Pandemic Likely Cause
• Sharkfest Comes To MD Museum, Exhibit Will Feature Live Predators
• Maryland Says Goodbye To Cicadas, Welcomes Brown Tree Branches
• Vaccine Scholarship: $1M Tuition Announced For Immunized Students
• Boating In MD: Hogan Announces Millions To Improve Water Access
• Arrest Warrant Scam Uses State Police Barrack Phone Number

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