Local residents got their fair share of heavy-hitting news this week. Headlines covered a variety of topics, from the most recent update at Edgewater Elementary to a renowned jazz musician’s passing from an accident on Maryland Route 2.

Here’s a brief review of the top five stories of the week.

No. 1—Edgewater Elementary’s Air Quality Report Released to Parents

The latest update in the Edgewater Elementary saga, Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) released the findings Friday afternoon from the indoor air quality study at Edgewater Elementary, telling parents the school’s “environmental conditions do not present a general health hazard.”

The 31-page report, conducted by Building Dynamics and its president Ed Light, said Edgewater Elementary’s health concerns centered primarily on maintenance issues and equipment upgrades. 

No. 2—Union Calls for Resignation of Leopold, Teare

A union of sergeants and lieutenants is calling for the resignation of County Executive John R. Leopold and police Chief James Teare Sr. 

Leopold is charged with four counts of misconduct in office and one count of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary.

No. 3—Walker Withdraws ‘English Only’ Bill

District 7 Councilman Jerry Walker (R-Gambrills) withdrew his “English Only” bill from the agenda in Monday night’s County Council meeting because of “certain racially-charged rhetoric.”

"I withdrew the bill because of racially charged comments made by some of my council colleagues," Walker told Patch in a text message.

No. 4—Former White House Jazz Performer Dies in Accident

Local jazz bassist Gene “Joe” Byrd was identified as the man who died after firefighters pulled him from the wreckage in the Maryland Route 2 accident Tuesday, according to Anne Arundel County police.

Byrd, 78, of Edgewater was turning left from Lee Airpark Drive in his Volvo when a GMC Yukon struck his car in the driver’s door area, police said.

No. 5—Police Charge Family Members in Fatal Accident

Maryland State Police are charging two family members of a teen killed in the quadruple fatal accident on U.S. Route 50 last month with serving alcohol to minors, according to WJZ 13 in Baltimore.

On Jan. 28, four people died after a teenager who was found to be drunk drove several miles in the wrong direction on Route 50 and then struck another driver, who was also drunk, state police said.

Now, police say Franco’s mother and brother served alcohol to minors during a house party—a factor that may have contributed to the deadly accident, according to WJZ 13.