Week in State News: Ravens Win Super Bowl, Accused Maryland School Shooter's Dark Past, County Executive Resigns Amid Scandal

By Patch Staff

Ravens Win Over 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII

In one of the most unusual games in Super Bowl history -- one that included a power outage in the New Orleans Super Dome -- the Baltimore Ravens took the Super Bowl 34-31 over the San Francisco 49ers. Check out all the Maryland Patch coverage, including profiles of the Harbaugh family, here.

In his seventh State of the State speech, Gov. Martin O'Malley urged lawmakers to pass his offshore wind bill and find more money for transportation projects—an address seen by many as a prelude to an expected run for president in 2016.

The Anne Arundel County Council no longer needs to vote on the removal of County Executive John Leopold from office after a judge found him guilty this week of two counts of misconduct.

Hearing Reveals Dark Details On Accused Perry Hall Student Shooter

Testimony Wednesday revealed that as a young boy, accussed Perry Hall High shooter Robert Gladden was exposed to suicide and death, and exhibited threatening behavior and suicidal thoughts.

CDC: New Norovirus Strain Picking up Pace

This year, a new strain of the virus, first seen in Australia, has been making its way through the United States. Currently this new strain – GII.4 Sydney – is the leading cause of norovirus outbreaks in the country, according to the CDC.

Patapsco River Goes 'Completely' Over its Bank in Ellicott City

Parts of Main Street and Frederick Road in Ellicott City were closed Thursday morning after heavy rains caused the Patapsco River to flood. 

School Start Times Under Review for Howard County Schools

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) announced it will be taking a “comprehensive look at the opening time of schools and the impact that an early opening has on the health and well-being of high school students."

Joppa Mother Charged With Murder In Infant's Death

A 9-month-old child's death was deemed suspicious Tuesday. Later in the day, the mother—who was in critical condition after attempting suicide—was charged with the infant's murder, police said.

Mount St. Joe Principal Resigns Amid Alleged 'Inappropriate' Communications With Students

Barry Fitzpatrick was the principal at Mount St. Joseph High School, an all-boys private school in Baltimore.

U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County will expand from about 900 workers to 4,900 over the next several years, according to The Washington Post.

Bradley Cooper Screens 'Silver Linings Playbook' for U.S. Military Personnel at Walter Reed Bethesda

Actor Bradley Cooper attended a screening of the Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook for U.S. servicemen and women at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda Thursday evening. In the movie, Cooper plays a man suffering from bipolar disorder. The screening was organized by Bethesda non-profit Give an Hour, which provides free mental health services to U.S. military personnel.

Report: ICC Could See Speed Limit Raised to 70 MPH

A House bill co-sponsored by Del. Aruna Miller (D-Dist. 15) of Darnestown and Del. Neil Parrott (R-Dist. 2B) of Hagerstown could force a change in the speed limit on the Intercounty Connector.

Costco Confirms Wheaton Opening Date

Costco has announced the opening date for its store in Wheaton, after keeping Montgomery County residents in suspense for months. The Costco in Wheaton originally was scheduled to open in October 2012, but construction issues caused delays.

Contractor Blames Montgomery County for Silver Spring Transit Center Delays

The general contractor of Silver Spring's $108 million transit center, which has yet to open after years of construction, filed a claim against Montgomery County government officials alleging a lack of cooperation and communication on their part. 

Making Buildings (Look) Smaller in Chevy Chase Lake

Nany Chevy Chase residents are unhappy with the building heights proposed to be allowed in the Chevy Chase Lake Sector. Some say the county planners' recommended heights are too tall. In response, county planners are releasing design guidelines suggesting ways to make new buildings in the sector appear smaller than they really are, through design tweaks, the use of traditional materials and other design methods.

University Park Mayor Wants Cafritz Apology

Mayor, town council call for reforms and greater oversight after confusion over authorship of letters of support for controversial development.

Anne Arundel County police say a man shot his estranged wife and himself in the early morning hours of Jan. 28. Read more on Bowie Patch.

Patuxent River Flooding Forces Evacuations in Laurel

WSSC released water from two dams near the city of Laurel Thursday to relieve pressure from excessive rainfall overnight, leading to evacuations of residents and local businesses along Main Street.