$731M Winner, Zoo Babies, Huge Waitress Tip: MD Good News In 2021

Rockville MD

02 January, 2022

12:04 PM

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MARYLAND — This year Marylanders helped their neighbors, participated in school supplies drives, fundraised for people who needed it and supported local essential workers. Others surprised their family members after being away from home, won the lottery and received astounding gifts. As the year comes to a close, take a look at some of the best news this year in Maryland —heartwarming and inspiring stories from across the state. JanuaryAngler Reels In MD Record Setting 57-Pound Flathead CatfishThis 57-pound, 50-inch long flathead catfish was caught near the Lapidum Boat Ramp on the Susquehanna River. Middle-Schooler Makes Masks For Others, Delivers LaptopsAnne Arundel County middle schooler Caleb Oh decided to help others during the coronavirus pandemic by distributing laptops, food and masks. Gaithersburg Activist, 8, Appears On Biden's Inauguration SpecialCavanaugh Bell, who started a food pantry during COVID-19, was invited onto Biden's 'Celebrating America' inauguration special in January. Soldier Surprises Wife In Labor At St. Joseph Medical CenterPrivate 2nd Class Tyrell Hicks was saluted during an honor walk in the hallways of St. Joseph Medical Center when his son was born. His wife didn't know he was coming. $731M Winning Powerball Ticket Sold By Allegany County Store Columbia Named Second Best City For Jobs Puppy Bowl XVII: Maryland Dogs Featured On Animal Planet Event FebruaryAdorable Sitatunga Calf Born At The Maryland ZooThe sitatunga calf was born Feb. 4. Her mother, Cricket, was was born at the zoo in 2013. Teacher Helps Feed Howard County Families During PandemicThe teacher asked for help on social media and was able to feed 100,000 people in Howard County. Ravens Coach Pays Tab For Diners At Jimmy's Famous Seafood MarchArtist To Paint Mural Honoring Black MusiciansThe mural will commemorate a venue where famous Black musicians performed during segregation. Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington performed there. Maryland's Earliest Colonial Settlement Found In St. Mary'sArchaeologists say English settlers who fled from religious persecution in 1634 built the fort –– it was the size of a football field. AACC Named Best Community College In America: StudyAnne Arundel Community College was the only Maryland community college in the top 10. Off-Duty Firefighter Saves 3 From Blaze During Commute: Report Havre de Grace Ice Festival To Feature 40-Plus Sculptures Firefighter Installs Little Library At Glen Burnie Apartments AprilBlack Entrepreneur, Scientist Wins $100K To Diversify Cosmetics Isfahan Chambers Harris was awarded the money to grow her start up, Alodia Hair Care. Two Southern White Rhinos Arrive At Maryland ZooThe two four-year-old rhinos spent their early days at the zoo quarantining and getting acclimated to leaving near other animals. Annapolis Named One Of Most Charming Small Cities In U.S. 1 Maryland Brewery Ranks Among Best in Nation Orioles Fans Give Trey Mancini Standing Ovation MayMD NBA Rookie Gifts Mom And Grandma New CarsImmanuel Quickley surprised his mother and grandmother on Mother's Day with Range Rovers. Top Baby Names In Maryland For 2020Liam and Olivia were the most popular names given to babies born in Maryland in 2020, according to recently released federal data. 14 MD Companies Among 2021's Best Workplaces: Inc.More than a dozen companies in Maryland have been named among the best places to work in America by Inc. magazine. Baby Saved At BWI Thanks To Customs Officers, Medics: Officials Chef José Andrés' Spanish Diner Opens At Bethesda Row June'Cicada Mania': Chocolate-Covered Bugs The Craze In GaithersburgChocolatier Sarah Dwyer has found a use for the pesky cicadas invading the DMV. She's turned them into a treat that's both sweet and salty. Cicada Counting Unites MD Family, Teaches Beauty Of NatureA Brandywine family turned this year's cicada swarm into a learning experience. Sarah Frank and her children are competing to see who can find the most critters. Iconic Lighthouse Reopens From Coronavirus Shutdown, Offers Tours Bowie Twins Turn 100, Celebrate With Drive-By Parade Prince George's Actress Featured In Kevin Hart Movie, New Series July Concord Point Lighthouse To Reopen For First Time Since 2019The lighthouse in Havre de Grace had a special cleaning before its post-coronavirus debut. HoCo Seafood Wholesaler Helps Save The Bay By Harvesting CatfishThe wild blue catfish has been damaging the Chesapeake Bay, but a Howard County seafood wholesaler is harvesting the fish to save the Bay. Crofton Community Raises Money For Favorite Ice Cream ManA longtime Crofton ice cream truck driver found himself the recipient of the community's generosity when they raised money for a new truck. McCormick Hiring Taco Expert 'Lucky Lady' In Bel Air Wins $100,000 For 2nd Time This Year $39K Scratch Ticket Prize Is 4th Win For Catonsville Man AugustAnnapolis Olympian Posts Top 15 Finish In WindsurfingAn Annapolis Olympian finished in the top 15 of her windsurfing competition at the Tokyo games. She graduated from Broadneck High School. New Record Label Started By Maryland RapperAn Anne Arundel County rapper started a record label. Originally from Havre de Grace, he released a single with local artists to celebrate. Hunting Adventure Of A Lifetime Won By Maryland Union MemberThe "Brotherhood Outdoors" hunt was aired on the Sportsman Channel. Stuff The Bus: Donate School Supplies In Prince George's Tools For Schools Supply Drive To Benefit BCPS Students 2K Students At HCC See Student Debt Paid Off By School SeptemberLost Dog Found In Dundalk Flown Hundreds Of Miles Back HomeNigel, a recently adopted shelter dog, had been stolen out of his new mom's yard. He was found hundreds of miles away and flown home. $50K Winning Lotto Ticket Surprises Air Force VeteranAn Air Force veteran who bought a winning lottery ticket from a Catonsville store was surprised when he won $50,000. Emmy Goes To Silver Spring Film Group For 'Secrets Of The Whales'Silver Spring-based film company Red Rock Films won an Emmy for its documentary mini-series "Secrets of the Whales." 2 Truckloads Of Meals Donated To Anne Arundel County Food BankTwo trucks dropped off an 80,000-pound meal donation at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. The good deed came on Hunger Action Day. 11 MD Colleges Make Princeton Review's Best List For 2022 'Best Place To Live' In Maryland Honor Goes To Ellicott City $30K Winning Lotto Ticket Helps Glen Burnie Man Save For College October Fall Festival Fundraiser Helped Edgewater Tornado VictimsAfter the Tropical Depression Ida tornado destroyed three homes, Anne Arundel residents planned a festival to fundraise for the victims. Teacher From Prince George's County To Appear On 'Wheel Of Fortune' Upper Marlboro resident and teacher Keisha Andrews-Veney went on Wheel of Fortune during Great American Cities week. Bel Air Firefighter Hailed As Hometown Hero At Ravens Game Baltimore-Based Researchers Crack Blue Crabs' Genetic Blueprints Transplant Patient Earned 28 Olympic-Style Medals, Saved Lives November Latest Edition Of Annapolis Cookbook Supports Feed Anne ArundelA new Annapolis cookbook is raising money for a Maryland charity. The book teaches local recipes and fights hunger in Anne Arundel County. Odenton Brewery Raises Money For Local Fire DepartmentAn Anne Arundel County brewery will raise money for the Odenton fire department this weekend. Proceeds from special beer will benefit the station. Annapolis Fundraiser Supports Flags For Vets, Military NonprofitsAn Annapolis masquerade and festival raised money to send flags to late Afghanistan veterans. The events also benefited military nonprofits. Naval Academy Giving Tree Will Collect Gifts For MD Children Beth Tfiloh To Celebrate 100 Years On First Day Of Chanukah Free Turkeys Gobbled Up At Stuff-a-Truck Meal Distribution Event December Shocking Tip Left By Secret Santas Stuns Howard County WaitressA Howard County waitress couldn't believe the amount of tip left by a group of secret Santas seeking to brighten the holidays for others. Wayward Zebras Finally Find Their Way Back HomeSeveral zebras escaped an exotic animal farm in Prince George's County this fall. The remaining two still on the loose have returned home. Maryland Sisters Model For Macy's Billboard Thanks To Make-A-WishMake-A-Wish and Macy's granted Abi's wish to be a Macy's billboard model. You can see her and her sister Vivi on Route 301 in Prince George's County. 1st Black Santa At Hilltop Plaza To Debut Sunday, Take Photos Silver Spring Is Third Most Generous City In The Country: GoFundMe New NBC Baking Show Features Father, Son From Annapolis: WBAL