Maryland
Maryland wacko allegedly pours whiskey in holy water at church on Christmas Eve, pelts parishioner with tangerines
He had too much holiday spirit.
A fiend went on a sacrilegious rampage at two Maryland churches on Christmas Eve, pouring whiskey in the holy water at one place of worship before he was detained by fed-up parishioners, authorities said.
Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz ensured he was placed on the naughty list – and in a jail cell – this holiday season after he disrupted two Catholic Masses within a few hours, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said.
Von Goetz, 56, allegedly began his Grinch-like antics around 5 p.m. when he entered Holy Angels Catholic Church in the community of Avenue during Mass and dropped an onion in the aisle as he walked up to the altar.
As an attendee followed him outside, Von Goetz started pelting the person with tangerines before fleeing, authorities alleged.
Then hours later at midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, he allegedly dumped whisky into the holy water and threatened parishioners, the sheriff’s office said.
Churchgoers battled to boot Von Goetz outside as he tried to hit several people with his bottle of liquor, according to the law enforcement agency.
Ultimately, parishioners detained the suspect until deputies arrived.
He was taken to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for medical evaluation, and then on Thursday he was officially arrested.
Von Goetz, who flashed a devilish grin in his mug shot, was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, defacing religious property, religious crime against a group, obstructing a religious exercise, threat of mass violence and disturbing the peace.
Maryland
Maryland man accused of pouring whiskey into holy water, throwing tangerines at churches
A man has been charged after two incidents at churches in Maryland, including pouring whiskey in holy water and throwing tangerines at parishioners, police said.
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said in the first incident, suspect Thomas Von Goetz, 56, entered d Holy Angels Catholic Church after 5 p.m. on December 24, approached the altar and dropped an onion.
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A person followed Von Goetz out of the church and police said Von Goetz threw tangerines at the person.
Later that night at Midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, police said Von Goetz disrupted the service by pouring whiskey into the holy water and threatening the parishioners.
As he was being escorted out, police said Von Goetz attempted to hit people with a whiskey bottle.
Von Goetz was arrested and transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Police said he was charged with second degree assault, disorderly conduct, defacing religious property, religions crime against a group, obstructing a religious exercise, threat of mass violence and disturbing the peace.
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Maryland
New Dining + Best Food Lists + Closings: Top MD Business News 2024
MARYLAND — The business landscape was marked with a slew of new restaurants opening in Maryland in 2024, and food critics naming their favorite spots to top dining lists.
Other business news that resonated with readers included a beloved restaurant closing after eight decades, a popular pet-care chain shuttered with no notice and potluck food poisoning dozens of co-workers.
Plus, shopping malls in the state continue to evolse, with two of them changing ownership, while a Dave & Buster’s and a new steakhouse opened to help draw new customers.
Maryland
Eye Drops Recalled In MD Over Fungal Contamination
MARYLAND — A major eye drop brand has issued a product recall in Maryland and across the United States for possible fungal contamination, which officials said could cause an eye infection and threaten users’ vision.
Alcon Laboratories is voluntarily recalling one lot of their Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go, which are in a 25-count package and are used to relieve dry eyes. The Texas-based company got a customer complaint of foreign material inside one of the sealed vials, which was determined “to be fungal in nature,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
If the contaminated drops are used, the fungus could cause an eye infection that may threaten the users’ vision and is potentially life-threatening for immunocompromised patients.
No customers have reported an infection thus far, according to the FDA recall announcement.
These recalled eye drops were shipped to retailers nationwide and also are available online, the FDA said.
The affected Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go is limited to lot number 10101, with an expiration date of September 2025. They come in a green and pink carton and are sold in quantities of 25. The lot number and expiration date are printed on the back of the box and each vial.
Any customers who have these eye drops in their homes are advised to stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund.
Alcon Laboratories is also notifying all its distributors and customers about the recall, and asks any retailers or distributors who still have these eye drops in stock to recall them.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Alcon Laboratories at 1-800-241-5999 between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Eastern), Monday to Friday. Anyone who experiences any problems that could be related to this product should contact their physician or healthcare provider, the FDA said.
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