Weird Maryland: Stolen Meatball Fight, False Hostage Report, Casino Flap, Beyonce's Bday

A roundup of unusual stories from the week in Maryland.

280 Job Openings Across Maryland

See who's hiring in Maryland Patch towns.

GOOD NEWS! Top 'Burbs for Education, #DC2024 Bid, Feral Cat Rescued + Ray Lewis Forever

Plus, teachers honored, restaurant sales to charity, MD Food Bank drive + volunteer hall of fame were among this week's best news.

ICYMI: Oprah Loves Baltimore, Pants-Dropping Trooper, First Day of Schools Pics, ALS Ice Bucket Videos + NFL Wrong on Ray Rice

Plus, defacing Art Modell's grave, and are we in for another bad winter? Our top Maryland Patch posts for the month of August.

Hot Car Deaths: Should Government Mandate Technology?

After a deadly summer of children left in hot cars, a mother is calling on a government fix. What do you think?

Meatball Stabbing; Cat Sanctuary; $25K Reward; Historic Weekend; WOW Houses

Whooping cough spreads in Montgomery, HoCo gangbanger takes plea, Baltimore considers Olympics and other stories from Maryland Patches.

Guide to Defenders Day 2014 in Edgemere

The Battle of North Point will be celebrated this weekend, capped off with fireworks Monday.

Do You Owe Too Much? Take the CCCS Debt Quiz, Then Take Control

Financial expert Nina Heck discusses how to tell if you have too much debt and describes practical strategies to use to dig your way out.

Maryland Leaders Endorse #DC2024 Summer Olympics Bid

Organizers pitching the nation's capital to host the 2024 Summer Games say venues across Washington, Virginia and Maryland will be used.

Sparrows Point Odor Put Schools on Alert, Officials Say

Firefighters were called for odor and smoke, according to Baltimore County public safety officials.

Ravens Caravan Coming to Dundalk for Purple Friday

See where Purple Friday caravan is headed—full schedule is here.

CCCS Housing Counselor Ponciano Allen Answers Your HECM Questions

Financial expert Ponciano Allen examines how reverse mortgages work and dispels common misconceptions about this complex home loan product.

Charges in Hot Car Death, Ray Lewis Statue, Fire Death, Job Openings + Beyonce Birthday a Holiday?

Real estate open houses, Orioles catcher says no texting while driving, MD Food Bank needs you, and other stories from Maryland Patches.

Maryland Food Bank Streamlines Donation Process

During Hunger Action Month, food donations can be made online or dropped off at MD State Police barracks.

Ray Lewis at Statue Unveiling: 'This is Forever My City'

The legendary linebacker reflected on his career, inspiration at dedication ceremony in Baltimore.

Dundalk Housing Fair ($150,000 grants to be awarded)

Fair and walking tours

"Jake the Snake"

Candidate’s misleading misdeed should not go unpunished as community's nickname applies

Hostage Threat at UMD, Educator on Mental Health Leave, Amtrak Work + Sobriety Checkpoint

New houses on market, jobs, politician pay hike, stabbing victim biking from Maryland to Florida, and other stories from Maryland Patches.

Maryland Teacher on Leave for Mental Health, Not Novels

Police are reportedly investigating the Eastern Shore educator for reasons other than school shooting literature.

Worried You'll Fall Behind on Your Mortgage? CCCS Says, "Now's the Time to Get Help!"

Foreclosure continues to be a serious problem here in MD. Housing counseling Mary Rammel looks at the options open to distressed homeowners.

Boy Scout Camp Out Adventure

Boy Scouts of America Presents Boy Scout Camp Out Adventure with Six Flags America on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11.

Stabbing Victim Was Biking from Maryland to Florida to Propose

Police say taking a break at a Florida McDonald’s proved fatal for the Connecticut man, who left Maryland a month ago.

Fright Fest presented by Snickers

September 27, Six Flags America will unearth frightful fun for the entire family during our most popular event of the year, Fright Fest!

Popeyes Murder Update, Best Suburbs for Schools, Feral Cat Found

Whooping cough outbreak, casino shoving match, ghost tours, water issue and other stories from Maryland Patches.

Most Popular Fiction Books in August at Baltimore County Library

Baldacci, Coulter, Patterson and Evanovich top list of most checked out adult fiction authors at Baltimore County Public Library.

Video of Shoving Match in Pizza Line at Casino Goes Viral

After a quiet start to Horseshoe Casino's first week in business, a squabble between two customers at the Baltimore casino drew onlookers.

Bathroom Peeper, Cat Scare, Drive-Through, Dune Buggy Missing

A roundup of bizarre stories from Maryland Patch towns.

Oprah Loves Baltimore, Pants-Dropping Trooper, First Day of Schools Pics, ALS Ice Bucket Videos + NFL Wrong on Ray Rice

Plus, defacing Art Modell's grave, and are we in for another bad winter? Our top Maryland posts for the month of August.

Ravens Release Roster for 2014 Season

The Baltimore Ravens and all NFL teams were required to finalize rosters this weekend.

What's Open, Closed in Baltimore County for Labor Day

Baltimore County government gives info on trash collection, holiday schedule.

GOOD NEWS! $200 in Free Coffee, First-Day School Pics, School Partners with Indian Academy + Culinary Tourney

Plus business openings and expansions, volunteers in HdG and Anne Arundel + prizes for food donors were among this week's uplifting stories.

Yeas vs. Nays

Does public opinion matter to Mr. Weinberg, or does he just care about the bottom line?

This Weekend's a Killer: Buckle Up

Car accidents will kill 395 people over the 2014 Labor Day weekend, according to National Safety Council.

Feral Cat in School, Dream Homes, Murder-for-Hire Scheme

Police crackdown, Cat Meow Luau, funeral for congressman's wife, SWAT team at hotel and other stories from Maryland Patches.

Funeral Service, Vigil Scheduled for Cookie Harris

The wife of Congressman Andy Harris passed away on Aug. 28.

Police on Lookout for Aggressive Driving in Maryland, DC

Police 'will take every opportunity to educate motorists,' Maryland Transportation Authority chief says.

Baltimore County Offers Free Vaccines for Seventh Graders

Five locations will offer Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Meningococcal vaccines.

NFL Wrong on Rice, Who's Hiring Statewide, O.C. Smoking Ban, Cops Save Maimed Dog + Body in Bags Arrest

Plus, real estate open houses; Congressman's wife dies; Labor Day closings; Harford bus crash; and food drive for prizes. Our top MD posts.

Cookie Harris Passes Away Unexpectedly

The wife of Congressman Andy Harris was reportedly rushed to hospital from Cockeysville home.

Dallas Dance Nominated for Obama Administration Education Post

The Baltimore County Public Schools leader has been appointed to an advisory group on Educational Excellence for African Americans.