Top MD News: COVID Vaccine Murders, Best Hospitals, Drugs At School

Deb Belt
·3 min read

MARYLAND — Top news stories this week in Maryland included edibles were handed out at two schools as candy, sending students to the hospital; seven hospitals made Newsweek's list of the best hospitals in the U.S.; a Gaithersburg native won an Oscar for best animated film "Encanto"; and efforts continue to free a massive cargo ship that ran aground in Chesapeake Bay.

Plus, a man accused of killing three people, including his pharmacist brother over COVID vaccine misinformation, is found incompetent to stand trial; ABS stores in Montgomery County are holding a lottery for a chance to buy rare whiskey; the trucker convoy that has been based in Hagerstown and circling the DMW for three weeks is leaving to instead protest California laws; and more in our roundup of top news stories from Maryland's Patch sites this week.

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Here are some of this week's top news headlines:

MD Hospitals Ranked Among Best In U.S. By Newsweek

Newsweek recently ranked the best hospitals in the United States based on medical expert feedback and patient experience surveys. Seven Maryland hospitals cracked the top 400 in the nation.

Drug-Filled Treats Given To Students At School, Parents Outraged

Two students at Prince George's County Public Schools were unknowingly given treats at school that contained edibles — food infused with marijuana — and narcotics. One student was an 11-year-old girl; the other a 17-year-old boy with autism. Both said they didn't know they were eating food containing drugs.

First Attempt To Free Stuck Container Ship Made

Crews plan made an initial attempt to refloat the container ship, Ever Forward, Tuesday following more than a week of dredging operations, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The 1,095-foot container vessel has been stuck in the Chesapeake Bay near Craighill Channel since March 13.

'Animated Film' Oscar Goes To Gaithersburg Native For 'Encanto'

Jared Bush, a Gaithersburg native, won an Oscar Sunday night for his work writing and directing "Encanto." The Disney picture won Best Animated Film.

Trucker Convoy To Leave D.C. Area To Protest CA Health Bills

The trucker convoy that has looped the Capital Beltway over the last three weeks to protest COVID-19 mandates is leaving for California, the group posted on its website.

Man Accused Of Killing Brother, His Wife, Over Vaccine Ruled Incompetent

A judge in Howard County has ruled that Jeffrey Burnham, 47, is incompetent to stand trial on murder charges. Burnham was arrested in October after police say he shot and killed his half-brother and sister-in-law at their home in Ellicott City, along with an 83-year-old family friend who lived in western Maryland. Burnham reportedly believed the COVID-19 vaccines his brother, a pharmacist, administered were poisonous.

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This article originally appeared on the Across Maryland Patch