Top Maryland Headlines: New Anne Arundel Exec, Sequester Looms, Pizza Delivery Robberies

The most recent top headlines from 49 Patch sites across Maryland.

Laura Neuman Named Anne Arundel County Executive

The Annapolis resident who was previously the chief executive officer of Howard County’s Economic Development Authority was sworn into office Friday.

Fort Meade Readies for Looming Sequester

The Department of Defense could see spending cuts of more than 9 percent, leading to possible furloughs for civilian workers.

Comptroller Evaluates Glen Burnie Park Elementary Needs

Comptroller Peter Franchot visited the school Thursday to assess its new roof and a need for expansion.

Harwood Man Dies After Car Crashes into Edgewater House

Police said Ryan Douglas Anderson, 20, of Harwood died Saturday night after his car crashed into a home on Hillside Avenue in the Selby area of Edgewater.

Report: Carroll County Teen Charged for Making Multiple False 911 Calls

The juvenile made four 911 calls with false information about fires and car accidents.

Slain Centennial High Grad 'Took Life the Right Way'

Reports of Stephen Alex Rane paint the picture of a gregarious, inquisitive young man with a kind streak.

PHOTOS: Columbia's Downtown Transformation

A look at the plans currently being constructed or debated in Downtown Columbia.

Defense Attorneys in Phylicia Barnes Murder Seek New Trial

Attorneys question state's key witness, jury's verdict.

Mega Millions Ticket Bought in Howard County

The Mt. Airy purchase is worth $26 million.

Police: Rockville Teacher Accused of Molesting Students

ROCKVILLE—Sex abuse charges were filed against a Rockville elementary school teacher, police reported Thursday, stemming from allegations that he molested two female students. The full story is at Rockville Patch.

Planning Department Recommends Against Wheaton Costco Gas Station

WHEATON—The Montgomery County Planning Board is set to review Costco's special exception application for a gas station in Wheaton on Feb. 28. The county's planning department has issued a negative report, citing health concerns. The proposed gas station would be located at the Westfield Wheaton mall, where the Costco store is scheduled to open in April. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Brickyard Site No Longer Slated for Soccer Fields

POTOMAC—The county school board voted on Tuesday to cancel its lease of the Brickyard property in Potomac with the county, which had planned to develop the site with soccer fields. For the past three decades, the site has been leased for use as an organic farm. Read more on Potomac Patch.

Montgomery Village Teen To Serve 18 Months For Pizza Delivery Robberies

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE—A Montgomery Village teen and former Watkins Mill High School football player will serve 18 months in jail for a series of robberies committed on pizza delivery drivers last summer. Read more on Montgomery Village Patch.

Montgomery County Starts From Scratch With New 2nd District Police Station

BETHESDA—Montgomery County last week issued a new document soliciting proposals for the long-delayed development of a new 2nd District police station in downtown Bethesda. A land-swap deal with developer JBG to build the station as part of a housing development recently fell through after years of negotiations. Read more on Bethesda Patch.

Coroner: Woman Died of Abortion-Related Complications

GERMANTOWN—An elementary school teacher from New York state died from abortion-related complications, a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Thursday. The full story is at Germantown Patch.

Dog Bill Takes Bite Out of Pit Bull Ruling

SILVER SPRING—Lawmakers are trying, for the second time, to take the sting out of last year's court ruling that pit bulls are an "inherently dangerous" breed with new dog bite bills. Read more on Silver Spring Patch. 

Voltaggio's Lunchbox to Join Range in Chevy Chase Pavilion

CHEVY CHASE, DC—Celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio will open another eatery in the newly renovated Chevy Chase Pavilion later this year—a second location for Lunchbox, his popular Frederick, MD, sandwich shop. Lunchbox will join Range, which Voltaggio opened at the Chevy Chase Pavilion last December, and which provides small plates to the neighboring Civil Cigar Lounge, which opened in January. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

WHEATON--Montgomery County’s decision to stop charging for use of the county’s dog parks has satisfied some frequent users of the dog park at Wheaton Regional Park, while others expressed concern that the lack of funding would result in poorer facilities. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Speak Out: Councilman Andrews Opposes Leggett’s Proposed Pay Raises for County Workers

Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews says Leggett’s pay raise proposal is 'excessive, unsustainable and irresponsible.’ Do you agree? See what Patch readers think at Germantown Patch.

Photo of the Day: Monday Fire Causes Significant Damage To Gaithersburg Building

GAITHERSBURG—A two-story commercial building in Gaithersburg housing several businesses was severely damaged in a fire Monday morning. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

BOWIE—An Instagram reference to a student being shot caused alarm Wedensday, but it turned out to be a hoax. Read more on Bowie Patch.

RIVERDALE—One man and two children were killed in the deadly blaze Thursday morning. No smoke detectors were found in the home. Read more on Riverdale Park-University Park Patch.