Stink Bugs, A Shock Trauma Happy Ending and a Patch Investigation

When I first moved to Severn in September, I didn't know I was bringing 12 little creatures with me.

I had left a small dresser in my parents' garage that I was planning to use at my new place. After moving all my things and finally getting the dresser our of the garage, I put it in my room, Tetris-style. It fit perfectly. 

It wasn't until the next day that I discovered the creatures. 

Like most people, I turn my socks into one another to keep them matched correctly. As I reached to "untuck" a pair of socks for the day's activities, I was most unpleasantly surprsied to find a rummaging through my drawer. I flipped.

I'm not terrified of bugs or anything, but to think that these little things could invade the intimacy of my closet space was discomforting to say the least. Throughout the next week or so, I killed at least 10 to 12 of these things as I discovered them throughout my room. 

In some way, I'm thankful I got them all early because as temperatures rise I know I'll be seeing more and more of them.

This week on Severn Patch, we took a - look at stink bugs, where they come from, and how to deal with their increased presence in Maryland households. Whatever you do, don't just squash them. Their name wasn't given to them by accident. 

A Happy Ending

By following up with the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, we were able to learn that the woman involved in the violent car crash on Gambrills Road was declared as being in . 

The driver, identified as Ruth Foster, 33, flipped her car, struck a tree and a was flown to Shock Trauma shortly after the accident. Initially, Chief Michael Cox of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department said Foster faced life-threatening injuries. However, a week after the accident, Foster was in stable condition at the hospital. 

It's always pleasant to have a happy ending after dangerous incidents such as the accident two weeks ago. 

The Dutch Pays A Visit

Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) visited the local area for the (TCS) newest in Hanover. As one of the premiere providers of telecommunication services in the region, TCS had several key figures attending the invitation-only event.

The new location will serve as a center for workers seeking to be trained in cybersecurity technologies.

Throughout the year, TCS will hope to train about 4,000 new defense specialist in the altest and greatest tactics of cybersecurity, making Maryland one of the epicenters of the nation's . 

The Cost of Selling Gas

Patch took an investigative look into the lives of local gas station owners, and the situation surrounding oil prices. We were a little surprised with what we found, and so were readers.

We discovered that local gas station owners almost never reflect the same profit margin as that of the major companies like Exxon or Citgo. In fact, station operators have to fight for pennies. 

While major refineries boast multi-billion dollar profits in a quarter, local owner Frank Eberle told Patch he has to run an auto maintenance center just to keep his shop station in business.

Read the full investigation .