Maryland Pastor Shot Dead By Family Friend: ‘He Wasn’t Martyred, He Was Murdered’ Maryland Pastor Shot Dead By Family Friend: ‘He Wasn’t Martyred, He Was Murdered’
Maryland Pastor Shot Dead By Family Friend: ‘He Wasn’t Martyred, He Was Murdered’ A community is rallying around the family of a Maryland pastor who was gunned down by a longtime family friend earlier this month. Herbert Keith Mason Jr. is facing murder and other charges in connection with the deadly shooting of 59-year-old Lanham resident Benjamin Francis in Bowie, according to the Prince George's County Police Department. Officers were called to the 4300 block of Rockport Lane in Bowie at around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, to investigate reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, PGPD said that officers found Francis outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed …
‘Heartbroken And Struggling’: Maryland Family Mourns Kenneth Spaulding After Life Cut Short ‘Heartbroken And Struggling’: Maryland Family Mourns Kenneth Spaulding After Life Cut Short
‘Heartbroken And Struggling’: Maryland Family Mourns Kenneth Spaulding After Life Cut Short A Maryland community is in mourning after the life of Kenneth Spaulding was cut tragically short, leaving behind a young son, his family, and countless loved ones struggling with the loss. The Maryland man’s passing on Saturday, Sept. 13, has sparked an outpouring of grief, with friends and family sharing memories of a father, son, brother, and friend whose presence touched everyone he knew. “Kenneth was a son, a brother, a father, and a friend whose light touched everyone who knew him. His passing has left our family heartbroken and struggling to process this unimaginable loss,” his loved …
'By God's Grace': Smoke Alarms Save Maryland Woman, Pets As $350K Blaze Destroys Home 'By God's Grace': Smoke Alarms Save Maryland Woman, Pets As $350K Blaze Destroys Home
'By God's Grace': Smoke Alarms Save Maryland Woman, Pets As $350K Blaze Destroys Home Smoke detectors may have saved the lives of a woman and her family's pets, but it will be a long time until they can move back into their Maryland home. Scott and Karen Zissimos were displaced by an early-morning fire that could have ended even more tragically after a fast-moving kitchen fire spread to the rest of the Edgewood home. Crews were called around 5:58 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, to a one-story home on Kennard Avenue, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Investigators said the fire started in the kitchen after a food dehydrator failed.  The blaze spread quickly, but a…
Krops Crops Farm Stand Destroyed In Fire — Pumpkins, Christmas Trees Still On The Way Krops Crops Farm Stand Destroyed In Fire — Pumpkins, Christmas Trees Still On The Way
Krops Crops Farm Stand Destroyed In Fire — Pumpkins, Christmas Trees Still On The Way A massive fire destroyed Krops Crops farm stand in Great Falls, but the longtime family business plans to keep serving the community this holiday season. For nearly 40 years, the farm stand has been a fixture in Northern Virginia, but a late-night fire tore through it, destroying the entire structure and antique market. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were called to the 11110 block of Georgetown Pike in Great Falls before midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 9, when a police helicopter returning from a call noticed the flames and alerted the agency, officials said. Upon arrival, units were met …
Maryland Teen Dies Unexpectedly Days After 19th Birthday: 'She Brightened Every Room' Maryland Teen Dies Unexpectedly Days After 19th Birthday: 'She Brightened Every Room'
Maryland Teen Dies Unexpectedly Days After 19th Birthday: 'She Brightened Every Room' Days after celebrating her birthday, a Maryland family is mourning the unexpected passing of Ashley Vasquez at 19. Loved ones are rallying around the family of Ingrid Ojeda and Jorge Vasquez, whose daughter died on Friday, Sept. 5, just four days after her 19th birthday. A member of the Blake High School Class of 2024, her family says Vasquez was known for "her kindness, warmth, and ability to brighten any room with her radiant smile."  "She was a selfless young woman who never hesitated to lend a helping hand—often putting others before herself," Roberto Ojeda said.  …
MD Ranked Second-Happiest State In Nation, New Study Finds: Here's Why MD Ranked Second-Happiest State In Nation, New Study Finds: Here's Why
MD Ranked Second-Happiest State In Nation, New Study Finds: Here's Why The Northeast is home to some of the happiest people in the country, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of Happiest States in America on Monday, Sept. 8. The study compared all 50 states across 30 metrics of happiness, including depression and suicide rates, work hours, income growth, unemployment, family stability, volunteer rates, and safety. The personal finance website also measured how many adults feel active and productive, as well as factors like sleep, leisure time, and community support. "In addition to pursuing your passions, having a good work-l…
Community Rallies For Gaithersburg Mom Killed By Partner Arrested After Fleeing To Texas Community Rallies For Gaithersburg Mom Killed By Partner Arrested After Fleeing To Texas
Community Rallies For Gaithersburg Mom Killed By Partner Arrested After Fleeing To Texas Support is swelling for the family of a mother of four who was killed by her partner in Maryland before he was arrested for murder in Texas. Luis Antonio Quintanilla, 39, is behind bars waiting to be brought back to Montgomery County after he allegedly killed Maritza Dinora Ferman Sorto. On Sunday, Aug. 31, at about 2:42 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting in the 9000 block of Centerway Road in Gaithersburg. First responders found Sorto suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts, the 35-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, …
‘Physically And Emotionally Demanding’: Moo Moo Cows Reopens After Third Vandalism Attack ‘Physically And Emotionally Demanding’: Moo Moo Cows Reopens After Third Vandalism Attack
‘Physically And Emotionally Demanding’: Moo Moo Cows Reopens After Third Vandalism Attack Moo Moo Cows is back open in Maryland —  again — after the owners took a few days to clean up from another vandalism incident. The popular ice cream shop reopened on Wednesday, Sept. 3 after it was targeted by vandals for a third time last week, leaving them left picking up the pieces. The latest incident was reported between 1:15 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26. They reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and will be serving until 9 p.m. "The multiple attacks against our shop over the last three weeks have been physically and emotionally demanding on the Moo Moo Cows' family," the ow…
Silver Spring Family Loses Home In $1M Blaze, Dog Revived By Firefighters As Community Steps Up Silver Spring Family Loses Home In $1M Blaze, Dog Revived By Firefighters As Community Steps Up
Silver Spring Family Loses Home In $1M Blaze, Dog Revived By Firefighters As Community Steps Up A young Maryland family is rebuilding after a fast-moving million-dollar fire tore through their Montgomery County home, leaving their dog near death — though first responders were able to revive him. Friends and community members are coming together to support the Trahan family in Silver Spring after a costly fire spread from the first floor of the residence into the second, and then the attic, sending flames flying from the front and top of the home. .@mcfrs members are still on the scene of the house fire/2300blk Cranberry Terr(Aspen Hill). Fire under control. Cause of fire is under i…
DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer
DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer Mignon Renee Brown-Massey wore many hats and was the hardest-working person in the room right up until she became the victim of gun violence in the region. The 36-year-old DC mother, who was a pet care provider and groomer by day, and a tireless Amazon delivery driver by night, was shot and killed earlier this month in what her family described as "senseless violence."  Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to the 3300 block of 15th Street NE, where there was a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found Brown-Massey…
Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’
Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Brandie McCoy is being remembered as a "shining light" who shone a bright light on her family, friends, and students before her unexpected passing in Maryland. The first-grade teacher at University Park Elementary School died without warning on Tuesday, Aug. 12, her family says. Now her loved ones are rallying to give her a proper beachside sendoff. "She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished friend, and a phenomenal (first)-grade teacher at University Park Elementary School," Brittany Brown-Brooks said about her former friend. "Brandie’s captivating personality, radiant smile, and j…
Inside Northeast Sex Trafficking Empire: Cash, Luxury Apartment, Fake Spa, Fugitive On The Run Inside Northeast Sex Trafficking Empire: Cash, Luxury Apartment, Fake Spa, Fugitive On The Run
Inside Northeast Sex Trafficking Empire: Cash, Luxury Apartment, Fake Spa, Fugitive On The Run They built a criminal empire out of fake spas, cash, and exploited women. One vanished before trial. The other just got sentenced to decades in prison. The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office issued an update on Monday, Aug. 25, confirming the fate of Zigui “Lisa” Zheng—and the disappearance of her co-defendant, Yan Qiu, after both were convicted of running a sex trafficking ring across Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. Spa Boss Sentenced After Shocking Trial Zheng, 48, was sentenced to 10.5 to 21 years in state prison on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, after a jury found her guilty of…