Preventing Frozen Pipes | Patch PM

Stories to talk about this evening:

How to Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing During Extreme Cold

With weather forecasts predicting temperatures will stay in the teens and 20s for the next couple of days across Maryland it’s important to know how to prevent your home’s water pipes from freezing. Frozen water pipes in unheated basements and crawl spaces can be messy and expensive to fix. >>> Read more.

Heroin and Opioid Crisis Hits Record High in Maryland

In Maryland, heroin-related deaths tripled from 2011 to 2015, rising from 247 to 748, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The death rate from drug overdoses in the state is the fifth-worst in the country, and it’s only likely to get worse, experts say. >>> Read more.

Patch Weekend Movie Guide: 'Collateral Beauty,' 'Rogue One' and 'Solace'

Gaithersburg Gas Station Sells $50K Winning Ticket

• Did you buy a Maryland Lottery ticket worth $50,000 at a Gaithersburg gas station? Lottery officials are waiting to hear from you.

Auto Break-In Takes Turn When Owner Shows Up with Rifle, Police Say

• A 17-year-old was charged after police said he tampered with the vehicle of a man who came out with a rifle and shot him in the upper body.

Alcohol Crackdown: 2 Drunk Drivers Slam Into Police Cars, Plus 45 DUI Arrests

• Drunk drivers crashed into police patrol cars in Silver Spring and Gaithersburg during the fourth week of a holiday alcohol task force.

Conowingo Dam Temporarily Closed Thursday for Freezing Spray

• Drivers between Cecil and Harford counties were briefly blocked from crossing the dam, the State Highway Administration advised.

Trespassing Complaints Filed Against Students Walking Home from School

• Havre de Grace school resource officers ask for help after complaints about students come in from community members.

Heroin Trafficker Arrested Twice in One Week With 143 Gel Caps: Police

• A Pasasdena man was arrested twice in a week for selling heroin; an Odenton man is also charged with distributing heroin, police say.

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Maryland network. The Patch community platform covers communities across the state.