Poisoned Water, Opossum On Fire: Top Annapolis Stories Of 2019

ANNAPOLIS — It won't be long now until 2019 rolls over to the New Year. Quite a bit has happened in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. From Bay Bridge troubles to contaminated water, Patch covered it. So which stories did Patch readers find the most interesting? Patch has rounded up the top 14 stories from 2019.

Dead Kayaker Identified As U.S. Secret Service Agent: A 40-year-old woman reported missing after her kayak overturned off Eastport was identified as U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Stephanie Hancock.

Real ID In Maryland Means Your Drivers License Could Be Recalled: Residents who have ignored notices to get a new driver's license that's Real ID compliant could have their driver's license confiscated if they're stopped by police.

Victims Extricated From Car In Accident At Bay Bridge Toll Plaza: Three individuals were involved in a collision at Bay Bridge Toll Plaza that required two people to be extricated.

Cancer-Linked Contaminants In Anne Arundel Drinking Water: A study found drinking water is often less safe than what the federal government may deem legal.

Baltimore Woman Dies In Crash Leaving Dunkin' Donuts: A crash between a car leaving an Annapolis Dunkin' Donuts on West Street and a pickup truck killed a Baltimore woman.

Bay Bridge Westbound Lane Closure To Span Two Years: A $27 million deck rehabilitation project on the westbound span of the Bay Bridge began this fall and will last until spring 2021.

Wrong-Way MD Driver Pleads Guilty In Family Of 5 Crash Deaths: A Maryland driver faces up to 14 years in prison for causing a crash that killed a New Jersey father and his four daughters in July 2018.

Only 1 Option For New Bay Bridge Crossing Gov. Hogan Will OK: State highway officials picked four options for a Chesapeake Bay crossing, but Gov. Hogan said he only supported one proposal.

Bootleg Alcohol May Be Linked To 3 MD Deaths At Dominican Resorts: Three Marylanders died in Dominican Republic resorts; experts in the U.S. suggest bootleg liquor could have played a role in the cases.

Annapolis Restaurant Among Best Date Spots In US: One of the best date restaurants in America is located in Annapolis, according to the Open Table website.

Teacher Slammed Door Severing Student's Fingertips: A former teacher at a Fort Meade school slammed a door that severed a girl's fingertips, a lawsuit against the school system says.

French Eatery Closing Its Doors After 20 Years In Annapolis: French restaurant Les Folies Brasserie in Annapolis served its last dinner to patrons June 26. Owner Alain Matrat, 76, retired.

Annapolis Officer Shoots Opossum That Was On Fire: An Annapolis police officer came across an opossum that had been lit on fire and was running through city streets. Even though the opossum darted under the back deck of a home and managed to extinguish itself, it was in severe pain, so the officer withdrew his department-issued firearm and shot and killed the animal.

Union Bashes MD Grocery Chain Closings, List Of Store Buyers: Union officials have condemned the sale of Shoppers grocery stores and two closings in Maryland.