Pit Bull Debate, Best Dinner Spots, Newlyweds Killed, Heroin Hits Home: Top Stories of 2016

EDGEWATER, MD — Some of the most-read stories on Edgewater Patch this year sparked reader discussion, such as the woman who had to euthanize her pit bull, or the need for more heroin treatment programs in the region. Then there were stores that made us smile, such as readers' picks for the best places to eat dinner in town, and video of a breaching whale.

Here’s a look at some of the top stories from 2016.

Pit Bull Owner After Attack: 'He Was My Best Friend'

Mary Patton is still mourning the death of her best friend, Taz. Patton made the heart-wrenching decision to have the pit bull euthanized April 4 by Anne Arundel County Animal Control officers after it attacked the Churchton woman and would not let go. But the dog’s owner told Patch that he was ill and never aggressive in the past.

Readers Share Best Place to Eat Dinner in Edgewater

Whether you’re looking to try something new, or want affirmation that your favorite local restaurant is loved by everyone in town, we’ve got suggestions from readers for the best place to eat dinner in Edgewater and Davidsonville.

Breaching Whale Captured on Video in Chesapeake Bay

A charter boat worker from Lusby posted video of what he believes was a humpback whale breaching the water repeatedly. The footage shows the whale in the distance emerging from the water. Dave Lehan recorded the footage just off Solomons Island near the mouth of the Patuxent River. His brother, Joe Lehan, said on Facebook that they estimate the whale at 35 to 40 feet in length.

Heroin Crisis: Desperate Families Wonder If Anyone Cares

Nobody cares if heroin addicts live or die. That’s the only explanation Carin Callan Miller can reach for the lack of action she perceives as Maryland and the country ineffectually battle a heroin epidemic. Miller, the president and co-founder of Maryland Heroin Awareness Advocates, and group member Melissa Eppinger of Edgewater say Maryland needs residential treatment beds. Addicts are dying while waiting for in-patient treatment spots to open up, Eppinger said, and her own son went to North Carolina for a residential program.

Beaver Rejects Fake Christmas Trees in Dollar Store

A very particular customer walked into a Maryland Dollar General store and started rummaging through the aisles. Workers called police on the disgruntled shopper, which turned out to be a beaver that was unimpressed as it sniffed artificial Christmas trees and a Santa Claus knick-knack.

Edgewater Crash that Killed Newlyweds Leads to Homicide Charges

The former Edgewater driver who crashed head-on into a young couple’s car Feb. 14 near Edgewater — killing both newlyweds — was arrested on charges that she was impaired by drugs at the time of the collision. A couple from California, Maryland, was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by Lauren Renee Scott, 27, formerly of Edgewater and now of North Beach. The crash victims were out celebrating their six-month wedding anniversary at the time of the crash.

Flesh-Eating Bacteria Kills Eastern Shore Man

An Eastern Shore man who waded into the waters of Assawoman Bay to retrieve crab pots at the end of the season died a few days later from flesh-eating bacteria, his family says. Michael Funk, 67, of Ocean City, died Sept. 15, 2016, at Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore from the ravages of vibrio vulnificus bacteria. The organism quickly destroys the body’s soft tissue; doctors amputated Funk’s leg in an effort to halt the bacteria, but it was too late.

Stink Bug Season: 10 Ways to Keep Smelly Pests Out of Your House

Gear up folks, this is the time to keep stink bugs out of your house. Stink bugs – given the apt nickname because of the musty scent they emit when frightened or squashed by people – are very active in the fall as they try to worm their way into your house.

Passersby Talk to Suicidal Man Rescued from Bay Bridge

A man threatening to jump off eastbound Chesapeake Bay Bridge was rescued from a rail by Anne Arundel County firefighters, who had help from bystanders. Authorities found a parked pickup truck on the bridge span, then located the man hanging on a rail. Jason Hayes, a passerby who saw the man on the bridge railing, talked to him to try to keep him from jumping.

'They Probably Died For Each Other': Missing Hunters

Online fundraisers were created to help the families of two best friends who are presumed drowned after their boat sank on the Severn River when they were duck hunting. Maryland Natural Resources Police say the missing hunters are Earling Stephen Lamp, 23, of Stevensville and Matthew Davis, 23, of Glen Burnie. Authorities don’t believe the pair will be found alive. Lamp was married and leaves behind three young sons.

'Critical' Food Violations Cited at Anne Arundel Restaurants: October 2016

Nineteen restaurants and food stores in Annapolis and elsewhere in Anne Arundel County were cited for what county health inspectors called “critical violations” in the October 2016 report just released. Several of the problems were noted at mall and BWI restaurants, along with one area yacht club.

Fatal Holiday Mansion Fire: Sister's Safety Message After 6 Die

The sister of a homeowner whose tinder-dry tree torched an Annapolis mansion is reminding residents of how to safely have a tree, in hopes of avoiding a tragedy like the 2015 fire that killed Don and Sandra Pyle, along with four of their grandchildren. The 15-foot Christmas tree, which was scheduled to be removed the day after the fire, fueled a blaze on Jan. 19, 2015, that killed the Pyles and their grandchildren, who were staying overnight. The grandchildren killed were Alexis Boone, 8; Kaitlyn Boone, 7; Charlotte Boone, 8; and Wesley Boone, 6. The Boone children are the grandchildren of Sandra Pyle and the step-grandchildren of Don Pyle.

Pro-Trump Ocean City Banner Ads Draw Hundreds of Complaints
A political ad promoting GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s views — and attacking presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton — struck a sour note with crowds on Monday. DelMarvaNow reports the flying banners by Ocean Aerial Ads read "Stop Mad Cow Disease ... Stop Hillary" and "America First. Build That Wall." Hundreds of residents and visitors complained to city leaders and the business owner about the tone of the banner adds.

Plus some other stories of note from the past year:

• Annapolis Car Dealer 'Jack' Antwerpen Arrested on Yacht in NYC
• Meet The Billionaires Club in Maryland
• Which Maryland Communities Have Chromium 6 In Their Water — And How Much?
• Rising Tides Will Sink Thousands of Maryland Homes Worth $20 Billion: Report
• How to Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing During Extreme Cold Weather
• 35 New Maryland Laws Go Into Effect October 1, 2016
• Maryland Shelter Takes in 300 Dogs
• 2 Annapolis Restaurants Make Best Seafood Dives List