Prank 'Mayday' Calls Costing Coast Guard $500K | Patch PM

Stories to talk about tonight:

Hoax Distress Calls Traced to Annapolis Area: Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a hoax caller who has made 28 false distress alerts during the last two years. All calls were determined to have originated from the Annapolis area between Loretta Heights and Admiral Drive along 450/West Street.

They involved the same male voice transmitting over VHF-FM marine radio channel 16. The hoax caller has been making the false distress calls since July 2014, and the two most recent were received at 10:27 p.m. Thursday and at 1:08 a.m. Friday stating, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday." >>> Read more.

Baltimore Mayor 'Gavels In' 2016 Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention is underway Monday, and a familiar face kicked off the event. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake struck the gavel at 4 p.m. to usher in the start of the convention, which serves to unite the Democratic party heading into the 2016 Presidential election.

Outgoing head of the Democratic National Committee Debbie Wasserman Schultz was originally supposed to "gavel in" the start of the formal proceedings but is departing amid accusations that she conspired to damage the Bernie Sanders campaign. >>> Read more.

17 Injured in Bus Crash Saturday in Harmans Area

• Bus collided with a car and then crashed through a guardrail and ended up in the woods, according to Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

• Investigators believe the men intended to rob the off-duty deputy near Largo Town Center, according to Prince George's County Police.

• Inside one of the top homes on the market in Bethesda.

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Maryland network. The Patch community platform covers communities across the state.