Shutdown Countdown, Obama Comes to Town, Serial Killer Sentenced: Top Maryland Headlines

The top headlines of the week in Maryland:

Obama: Affordable Health Care a Right, Not a Privilege

The president told a crowd at Prince George's Community College Thursday that Republicans are afraid Obamacare will succeed. Read more on Bowie Patch.

The man snapped a picture of an undercover police officer, possibly compromising him, during secret proceedings of the Grand Jury. Read more on Ellicott City Patch.

The Ellicott City man was charged with disturbing school operations and second-degree assault after attempting to question school officials at a public meeting in Towson. Read more on Ellicott City Patch.

Trains will run as scheduled if the government shuts down on Oct. 1, but in case of a prolonged shutdown, services will be reevaluated. Read more on Bowie Patch.

Many of the new stores will open this November, find out what they are. Read more on Columbia Patch.

County Executive David Craig, a Republican running for Maryland governor, sounded off on Common Core and the arrest of a parent during a state-sponsored forum. Read more on Havre de Grace Patch.

A public-private partnership is bringing broadband Internet access to much of Southern Anne Arundel County. Read more on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch.

The park's grand reopening was celebrated last week in a ceremony that included Anne Arundel County Councilman Jerry Walker and County Executive Laura Neuman. Read more on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch.

Two entrepreneurs used their combined business and child care center knowledge to launch a successful venture in Edgewater.Read more on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch.

Jason Scott received two life sentences for the 2009 slayings of a Largo woman and her daughter. Read more on Bowie Patch.

Watch five beautiful princesses dance holes in their shoes at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Read more on Bowie Patch.

The convicted killer told the court, "I shouldn't be out on the streets." Read more on Columbia Patch.

Community Reacts After Shots Fired Through Odenton Home

A 1-year-old child was hurt after someone fire at her home in the Chapelgate section of Odenton. Police are urging the public’s help in finding the suspect, and residents now say they hope to form a community association. Read more on Odenton-Severn Patch.

Bikeshare Rolls into Montgomery County

Capital Bikeshare made its Montgomery County debut in Rockville on Friday and local officials were glad to be seeing red. Read more at Rockville Patch.

Guess-the-Opening-Date Contest Launched for Silver Spring Transit Center

The Silver Spring Transit Center was supposed to be finished a long time ago. And with structural repairs looming, there’s no opening date in sight. So, how better to pass the time until then than by participating in a contest? Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

Cardin: Reform Tax Code with Consumption Tax

At a visit to the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Sen. Ben Cardin talked about his ideas for reforming the country's tax code. Read more on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch.

Car Climbs Barrier On Main Street Bridge

A car came to rest on Ellicott City’s Main Street bridge Thursday afternoon. Read more on Ellicott City Patch.

Thieves Target Patrons at Bowie-Area Gas Station

Thieves have been caught on camera stealing personal belongings from patrons at the Fairwood Safeway gas station in Bowie. Read more on Bowie Patch.