Top Maryland Headlines: Car Vs. Super Chicken, Water Main Geyser, Proposed Labor Secretary is Local

Catch up on headlines you might have missed, including important legislation on marijuana and a federal nominee from Montgomery County.

Maryland Senate Passes Bill to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana

 Fourteen states have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana. Should Maryland be next?

Former Montgomery County Councilman Tapped as U.S. Labor Secretary

TAKOMA PARK—President Barack Obama nominated Takoma Park resident and former Montgomery County Councilman Thomas E. Perez as U.S. Secretary of Labor on Monday, CBS News reported. Read more on Takoma Park Patch.

Casino Tables Arrive at Maryland Live!

Workers put in place 122 tables, which will go into operation on April 11 at the Anne Arundel County casino.

After her son was killed in a training accident in Nevada, Betz Wild remembers a boy who was unafraid to show love.

Water Restrictions Lifted in Montgomery County After Massive Water Main Break

Mandatory water restrictions necessitated by a massive water main break in Chevy Chase Monday were lifted at around 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to a Montgomery County email alert. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch and check out Patch blogger Harrison Albert's stunning set of photos of the burst water main.

Car Crashes into Super Chicken in Wheaton

WHEATON—A car crashed into a Peruvian restaurant in Wheaton Thursday morning, hitting two people standing outside on the sidewalk and sending one to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Montgomery County police. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Howard Named Healthiest County for Fourth Straight Year

Low adult smoking and drinking rates as well as as high school graduation rates contribute to No. 1 ranking.

Quince Orchard Briefly Locked Down for Report of Men with Weapons Outside School

GAITHERSBURG—Quince Orchard High School was locked down briefly on March 15 for the report of two men with a weapon outside the school. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Downtown Silver Spring May Have County's Highest Density

SILVER SPRING—The area surrounding the Silver Spring Metro has a density—that's people per square miles—more similar to densities in Washington, DC, than in Montgomery County. Read more on Silver Spring Patch. 

Planners Want 2 Rockville Pike Travel Lanes Dedicated for Bus Network

BETHESDA—Montgomery County planners are recommending that two travel lanes of Route 355 from the Capital Beltway to Western Avenue be re-purposed as dedicated rapid transit bus lanes. Read more on Bethesda Patch.

GAITHERSBURG—A 55-year-old man was struck and killed by a school bus Thursday morning in Gaithersburg. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

ASPEN HILL—A 55-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl were shot shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday after two men forced their way into an Aspen Hill home and demanded money, according to Montgomery County police. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Springbrook Grads Led Long Island to NCAA Tourney for Third Time

COLESVILLE—Springbrook High School graduates C.J. Garner and Jamal Olasewere have led Long Island University in an "unprecedented" NCAA reign, the The New York Times reported. Read more on Colesville Patch. 

Leggett Gets Things (Harlem) Shaking in Rockville

ROCKVILLE—Last week, the leader of Montgomery County government took a break from big budget talks and power meetings to take the lead on something else—a round of the "Harlem Shake." Read more on Rockville Patch.

Holocaust Survivor’s Message Inspires New Fund for Local Survivors

ROCKVILLE—When the Jewish Social Service Agency decided to celebrate and honor author, journalist and Holocaust survivor Herman Taube on his 95th birthday, Taube decided that he did not want or need any birthday gifts. "I feel as long as I'm alive, I will try two things: not to forget what happened to us during World War II with the hope that it will never happen again, and that those other survivors will have the help they need," Taube said. Read more on Rockville Patch.

All-Female Council Continues in Town of Somerset

CHEVY CHASE—The Town of Somerset in Chevy Chase is the first municipality in Montgomery County to have an all-female council, and this week's re-election of three council members ensures that this distinction will continue for at least another year (barring any resignations of sitting council members). Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

Potomac Teen Wins National Speedskating Title

POTOMAC—Sixteen-year-old Shaner LeBauer of Potomac captured his first U.S. National Championship speedskating title last weekend. Read more on Potomac Patch.

White Knuckle Parenting: Losing a Furry Friend

WHEATON—"The death of a family pet can be devastating for kids. Hopefully my family's story can give you some ideas to help your own children with pet loss." Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Franklin Precinct Captain Reassigned Following DUI Citation in Carroll County

Capt. Matthew McElwee was reassigned to administrative duty.

Police: Guest on First-Floor Couch Shot by Gun Discharged Upstairs

Officers describe a bizarre incident in which a Hanover man was fatally shot in Westminster.

Ulman: County to Invest $2 Million in School Security 'Immediately'

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman was joined by local leaders at an event on Monday to release the final report of the joint task force on school safety.

Police Investigating Suspicious Death in Davidsonville

Nicole Burgess, 37, was found inside a home in Royale Glen Court. A dog was also found dead at the Anne Arundel County home.

Some Recognizable Faces at the Annapolis Film Festival

The Annapolis Film Festival kicked off Thursday night and continued over the weekend at various venues around the city bringing celebrities to town.

7 Students Charged in Annapolis High Incident

Two 18-year-old students and five minors were charged after a fight broke out in the cafeteria before the start of school. Chairs were reportedly thrown and a police officer assaulted.