Fort Meade Mom's Murder, BWI Nightmare, $20M Mall Lawsuit, NSA Secrets Stolen: Top Stories of 2016

ODENTON, MD — Some of the most-read stories on Odenton Patch this year sparked reader discussion, such as a $20 million lawsuit filed by a shoplifter's family against Arundel Mills mall, the struggles of a planeload of passengers at BWI Airport to get to their destination, and the indictment of an NSA worker for stealing national secrets.

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

'Weirdo' NSA Worker Charged With Stealing Files Is Navy Veteran

A Glen Burnie contractor working for the National Security Agency who was arrested by federal authorities for allegedly stealing "highly classified computer codes" is described by security officials as a "weirdo." Suspect Harold Thomas Martin III, 51, of Glen Burnie, worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A criminal complaint charges Martin with theft of government property and unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials by a government employee or contractor.

Travel Nightmare: Plane Stuck in 'Pothole' at BWI Airport

A plane became stuck in what was described as a pothole at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, stranding passengers and making the flight a nightmare for fliers. One passenger who tweeted about the mishap, Elizabeth King, said the pothole on the taxiway wasn’t the only problem. Attempts to free the plane’s landing gear from the hole damaged the aircraft. A spokesman for BWI Airport says there was no "pothole" on the taxiway. Rather, the flight was grounded in a section of low pavement.

$20M Lawsuit Filed Against Mall in Shoplifting Chase, Death

A $20 million lawsuit has been filed against a store manager and Arundel Mills mall security guards for reportedly chasing a suspected shoplifter into a retention pond where he drowned. The lawsuit against Valor Security Services and Mydatt Services was filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Zumiez store manager Bethany Brafa of Glen Burnie is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Husband Killed Wife, Placed Baby in Her Arms, Fled Maryland: FBI

The husband of a Fort Meade soldier and mother shot his wife in her Severn home, then placed their 5-month-old daughter in her arms and fled the state to establish an alibi for the murder, federal authorities said. A federal grand jury indicted the husband of Karlyn Serane Ramirez, along with his girlfriend, for Ramirez's Aug. 25, 2015, murder. Ramirez, 24, was found shot to death in her Severn home with her infant daughter, Kattaleya Vale Kearney, unharmed beside her.

Fort Meade's Visitor-Access Procedures to Change April 4

Fort Meade officials have announced that beginning April 4, 2016, all personnel attempting to enter the installation without a Department of Defense-issued identification card will have to apply for a daily visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center. The center is located at 902 Reece Rd. in Severn.

Summer Getaways: Top Maryland Vacation Spots

From hiking trails and historic sights, to coastal retreats and seafood specialties, here are the top places to visit in the Old Line State chosen by true Marylanders. We recently asked Patch readers on Facebook where the best vacation spots in Maryland are, and they shared their favorites.

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.

'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 on area Patch sites:

• 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
• Beaver Rejects Fake Christmas Trees in Dollar Store
• Stink Bug Season: 10 Ways to Keep Smelly Pests Out of Your House
• Pit Bull Owner After Attack: 'He Was My Best Friend'