Head-on Crash, Extreme Cheating, Date Turns into Abduction: Maryland Headlines

The Maryland news you may have missed, all in one place:

MCAT Cheater Sentenced For Trying to Hack Grades

A student from Rockville created a bogus transcript, paid hackers $6,000 to try to change his MCAT scores after his own hacking attempt failed. Read the full story at Rockville Patch.

Germantown Man, Rockville Woman Charged in Armed Abduction

Male victim was meeting a woman he met online, but instead was tied up, held against his will and robbed at a Virginia hotel. Read the full story at Rockville Patch.

Mizeur Makes EMILY’s List

EMILY’s List is backing Del. Heather Mizeur in her bid to become the first woman and openly gay person to serve as Maryland’s governor. Read more on Towson Patch.

Baltimore Passes Bloody Benchmark: City's 2013 Homicide Count Passes 2012 Total

Baltimore passed a sad milestone last week, when the city's 218th homicide occurred, surpassing last year's total, reports theBaltimore Sun. Read more on Perry Hall Patch.

Report: Maryland Has Nation's 4th-Toughest Gun Laws

The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence rank Maryland No. 4 on their list of states with the toughest gun laws. Read more on Germantown Patch.

Vacationing Maryland Health Insurance Exchange Leader Resigns; State Tackles Tech Issues

Rebecca Pearce, the executive director of Maryland’s embattled health insurance exchange, has resigned after the Baltimore Sun reported that Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown questioned her competency, says the Baltimore Business Journal. Read more onBowie Patch.

University of Maryland Medical System Solidifies Presence in Northeast

The medical system announced a merger with Upper Chesapeake in Harford County this week.

Former County Correctional Officer Charged in Sexual Contact with Inmate

The former corrections officer was fired for unrelated administrative issues, said police. Read more on Ellicott City Patch.

'The Wire's' David Simon: There Are Two Americas and Disconnect is Growing

For David Simon, the creator of“The Wire” and a former Baltimore Sun reporter, there are two vastly different Americas, says theBaltimore Business Journal. Read more on Eldersburg Patch.

Frederick Man Charged with Sexually Abusing Boy in Ellicott City

Police say the man may have abused other boys who have not yet come forward. Read more on Ellicott City Patch.

Vacationing Maryland Health Insurance Exchange Leader Resigns; State Tackles Tech Issues

As technical issues prevented Marylanders from signing up for health insurance, the exchange's executive director left for a week in the Caribbean. Read more on Bowie Patch.

Mids Reignite Rivalry in Army-Navy Pep Rally

Midshipmen got all fired up this week during a pep rally for the upcoming 31st-annual Army-Navy game in Philadelphia. Read more on Annapolis Patch.

Study Says Odenton Can Support 2 New Supermarkets, Other Retail

Officials say Odenton will be a main focus of retail growth in coming years. Read more in Odenton-Severn Patch.

Where Does University of Maryland Rank on List of Best Values in Colleges?

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has named the 100 best values in public colleges, and the University of Maryland—College Park ranks No. 7 on the list. Read more on College Park Patch.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines Loom for Delivery by Christmas

Better have that package ready by Saturday if you want it to make it to its destination by Christmas and plan to send it by standard post via the U.S. Postal Service, or via FedEx's SmartPost service. But if you use Priority Mail Express, you can send it out as late as Dec. 23. Read more on Greenbelt Patch.

Maryland-Based TV Shows, Baltimore's Josh Charles Nab Golden Globe Nominations

Baltimore-made "Veep" and "House of Cards," and stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Kevin Spacey garnered Golden Globe nominations announced Thursday, reports the Baltimore Sun. Read more on Perry Hall Patch.

Security Guard Fatally Shot During Scuffle at Baltimore County Restaurant

A security guard was shot and killed at the Windsor Inn crab house while breaking up a fight between customers early Friday morning, Baltimore County police said. Read more on Towson Patch.

Man Shot Dead in Odenton Home

A 19-year-old man sustained fatal gunshot wounds and the suspect remains at large. Read more on Odenton-Severn Patch.

Redeveloped Site in Downtown Bethesda Could Become New ‘Best Address’

To build the best Purple Line station for Bethesda, planners say a key building needs to be demolished and rebuilt. Offering the building’s owners additional height when they rebuild might not be enough of an incentive. Read more on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch.

Montgomery County Council member Leaves Council to Lead Social Justice Organization

Montgomery County Council Member Valerie Ervin (D-District 5) announced on Tuesday her resignation from the council to lead nonprofit organization Center for Working Families, Silver Spring Patch reported.

Authorities: 11 Members of Family Crime Ring Charged in Illegal Drug, Cigarette Sales

A family crime organization allegedly sold more than $6.6 million in black market cigarettes, as well as illegal foreign drugs, through a Baltimore restaurant and a Pikesville pharmacy, the Baltimore Sunreports. Read more on Towson Patch.

Pedestrian Hit and Killed in Dundalk

Irwin Joseph Combs, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Baltimore County Police Department officials. Read more on Dundalk Patch.

Obituary: George L. Kotrosa, Steelworker, Edgemere Restaurant Owner, Family Man

The Bay Shore Bar and Grill owner died of cancer Nov. 26. Read more on Dundalk Patch.

Franklin Square Doctor Recognized by Leukemia Society

Oncologist and hematologist Michael Auerbach was cited for providing "outstanding support, counsel or guidance" to those with blood cancer. Read more on Parkville Patch.

Local Students to Provide Holiday Cheer to Departing Soldiers

Students at Gunpowder Elementary School joined local leaders, police and volunteers in making care packages for soldiers leaving BWI. Read more on Perry Hall Patch.

Baltimore County Police: Cited by Feds for Ability to Solve Crimes

The Baltimore County Police Department was assessed and commended by the Department of Justice for high clearance rates of homicides and violent crimes. Read more on Perry Hall Patch.