Bowie, MD|News|
PG County Funeral Home Owner Sentenced For Fatally Shooting Pallbearer
Wilson Chavis was convicted in February of fatally shooting the pallbearer during a burial service for a 10-year-old girl.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
- Across America
I'm a national breaking news editor covering and providing support in several states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. I re-joined Patch in 2019 as a roving editor before moving to the national desk in January 2020. This is my second stint with the company — I launched and managed Ankeny Patch in Iowa from 2011 to 2013.
Before returning to Patch, I spent four years assisting with marketing and communications for a nonprofit that provided services to people with disabilities. I also spent time as a reporter at the Des Moines Business Record, served as editor of the Britt News-Tribune in Iowa, and started my career as a journalist at the Jackson County Chronicle in Wisconsin.
Reach me at megan.verhelst@patch.com.
Posting Activity
Across Pennsylvania, PA|News|
911 Service Restored In PA Following Outage
The statewide outage was first reported Friday afternoon.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Across New Jersey, NJ|News|
NJ Among Lowest Tippers, New Study Finds
A new study looked at habits across the United States to identify the states where customers are tipping the least in 2025.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Across New Jersey, NJ|News|
Here's What Age Kids Can Stay Home Alone In NJ
With school out for the summer, some New Jersey parents may be wondering if their kids are old enough to stay home alone.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Hoboken, NJ|News|
This Restaurant Has The Best Sushi In NJ, New Ranking Says
Chef Standards recently compiled a list of the best sushi restaurants in each state. See which New Jersey eatery made the cut.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Across New Jersey, NJ|News|
NJ Among Top 5 States With Most Distracted Driving Deaths
A new analysis determined which states had the most and least distracted driving deaths. See where NJ ranked.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Gaithersburg, MD|News|
Montgomery County Police Sergeant Arrested On Child Porn Charges
The officer was taken into custody Thursday by the Carroll County Sheriff's Department, Montgomery County police said.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Annapolis, MD|News|
MD Gov. Moore Reveals Buyout Plan For State Employees: Report
Gov. Wes Moore announced the buyouts last month in an email to state employees, citing Maryland's "historical fiscal challenge."
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Fredericksburg, VA|News|
VA Is Seeing A Surge In Tick Bite Visits To Emergency Rooms
Tick numbers have hit a record high in several states this year, increasing emergency room visits for bites. Here's where Virginia stands.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Bowie, MD|News|
MD Is Seeing A Surge In Tick Bite Visits To Emergency Rooms
Tick numbers have hit a record high in several states this year, increasing emergency room visits for bites. Here's where Maryland stands.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
McLean, VA|News|
This VA Mall Among America’s Best, According To New Survey
Virginia also received nods in several other categories in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Fairfax City, VA|News|
George Mason University Facing Federal Civil Rights Investigation
The U.S. Department of Education announced the investigation Thursday, the latest in a national campaign against diversity policies.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Bel Air, MD|News|
Sen. Van Hollen Blocks Attempt To Keep FBI Headquarters In DC
The move comes a week after the Trump administration upended plans to move the agency's headquarters to Maryland.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Rockville, MD|News|
Man Wanted In Rockville Liquor Store Armed Robbery
Montgomery County police said the robbery happened July 1 in Rockville.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Rockville, MD|News|
Man Fatally Shot Inside Rockville Apartment In Apparent Homicide
Police are investigating the man's death after he was found fatally shot in June.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Fredericksburg, VA|News|
VA Loses No. 1 Spot In America’s Top States For Business Ranking
Virginia, a top-three finisher in each of the last five years among the best states for business, ceded the No. 1 spot to North Carolina.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Old Town Alexandria, VA|News|
More Storms Possible In NoVA Thursday, Flooding Remains A Risk: Forecasters
On Thursday, a hazardous weather outlook was in effect for Northern Virginia. See the latest forecast and timing for severe weather.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Baltimore, MD|News|
More Storms Possible In MD Thursday, Flooding Remains A Risk: Forecasters
On Thursday, a hazardous weather outlook was in effect for the Baltimore region. See the latest forecast and timing for severe weather.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Silver Spring, MD|News|
MoCo Police Seek Public's Help ID'ing Carjacking Suspects
Police said they need tips from the public to find suspects in a carjacking that occurred early Monday at a gas station in Silver Spring.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
'Big Beautiful Bill' Passed By House: What It Means In FL
The more than 1,000-page bill includes cuts to Medicaid and covers 2024 campaign tax promises, including no tax on tips and overtime wages.
Megan VerHelst and Eddie Callahan, Patch Staff
