Top Headlines: False Drug Records, Burglary Ring Uncovered, Cows Run Wild and More

With more than a dozen websites across Montgomery County, Patch brings you news from every corner of our community. Catch up on headlines you might have missed this week, including a burglary ring uncovered, national signing day, life sentence for a stabbing death and more.

Rockville Woman Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Drug Test Results in Bribery Scheme

ROCKVILLE—A Rockville woman pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to falsify results of court-ordered drug tests in exchange for bribes and then lying about it to a federal grand jury. Read more on Rockville Patch.

6 Charged in North Potomac Burglary Heists

NORTH POTOMAC—Six males were charged in a North Potomac burglary ring that netted more than $100,000 worth of goods from 30 homes, Montgomery County Police said Thursday. Police said three men and three teenagers were arrested. Read the full story at North Potomac Patch.

Costco Presses Its Case for Gas Station at New Wheaton Store

WHEATON—Costco sent out fliers this week inviting community members to attend an open house later this month where it will make its case for a controversial 16-pump gas station in Wheaton. Costco plans to open a warehouse store at the Wheaton mall on April 12. Read more at Wheaton Patch.

GAITHERSBURG—Players from Quince Orchard and Watkins Mill high schools signed letters of intent Tuesday to continue their football careers in college.Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

POTOMAC—It’s budget season in Montgomery County, and at least one local parent wants to know what county leadership is doing to protect students—protection that can’t come from armed guards and locked doors. Read more on Potomac Patch.

Blair High's Rapping Teacher Hits National Spotlight

SILVER SPRING—The story of a high school math teacher in Silver Spring who makes rap videos to help students learn complicated algebra principles, using the alter ego "2 Pi," has spread far past Montgomery County's borders and well into international waters. Read more on Silver Spring Patch. 

Silver Spring Man Sentenced to Life for Stabbing Wife to Death

SILVER SPRING—A 45-year-old Silver Spring man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for the stabbing death of his estranged wife. Family members who testified during the sentencing said that Hector Granados had a 20-year drinking problem, which, defense attorneys argued, caused him to become depressed and violent. Read more on Silver Spring Patch. 

Photo of the Day: Herd Of Cows Runs Wild In Montgomery Village

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE—A large group of cows were reported running in the area of Wightman Road and Brink Road at 11:05 a.m. Tuesday. Check out the photo on Montgomery Village Patch.

Second District Police Now Cover Potomac

POTOMAC—Montgomery County’s police have begun operating under new, realigned district boundaries. Second District police now cover most of Potomac, while the 1st District continues to focus on Rockville and areas closer to the new district station at the Public Safety Headquarters. Read more on Potomac Patch.

Las Vegas Man Accused Of Molesting Boys In Gaithersburg During 1980s

GAITHERSBURG—Nathaniel Morales is accused of molesting boys during in Gaithersburg in the 1980s and 90s. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Zoning Rewrite Would Help Residents Age in Place

CHEVY CHASE—The revisions in the works for Montgomery County's aging zoning code—which dates to 1977 and is more than 1,200 pages long—are meant, among other things, to help Montgomery County's residents age in place. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

Montgomery County Superintendent Sinks Battleships With Potomac Students

POTOMAC—After a two-hour delay last week canceled visits to several Potomac schools by Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Starr, we thought he’d never get the chance to hang out with our adorable elementary students. Read more on Potomac Patch.

Libraries Expand Borrowing Privileges

WHEATON—Starting Feb. 17, patrons of Montgomery County Public Libraries will be able to check out 100 books at a time--twice as many as the current limit. Other policy changes will increase the number of holds and renewals permitted. Read more at Wheaton Patch.