With 13 websites across Montgomery County, Patch brings you news from every corner of our community. The latest news in Montgomery County includes a drug bust in Gaithersburg, a suspect who allegedly followed two high school cheerleaders after school, and the rise of auto thefts in Takoma Park:

August Sting Yields Drug Bust of Six in Gaithersburg
GAITHERSBURG — Two drug-related search-and-seizure warrants throughout the city led to six arrests and the seizure of marijuana, ecstasy and paraphernalia. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Police: Cheerleaders Hide in Parking Lot to Evade Strange Man
GERMANTOWN — A man who allegedly approached and followed two Seneca Valley High School cheerleaders after school on Monday has sparked the suspicion of the Montgomery County Police Department. Police said a driver who unsuccessfully tried to strike up a conversation with the students continued to follow them as they walked to cheerleading practice. The girls reportedly hid in the parking lot until the suspect left. Read more on Germantown Patch.

Cyclist Struck on Massachusetts Avenue Left 'Unconscious and Bleeding'
BETHESDA — Police are still looking for the driver of a minivan that struck a cyclist on Friday, driving off and leaving the woman unconscious and bleeding with injuries including a broken neck, broken back and broken nose. “As a Mom of two girls I still haven’t come to terms with the fact that I could have easily been killed in the flash of a second," Jodi Grant, 44, wrote in an email to Patch. Read more on Bethesda Patch.

Report: Poisonous Copperhead Snake Bites Trapper in Silver Spring
SILVER SPRING — An experienced snake trapper trying to extricate a poisonous copperhead from a garden deer net on Wednesday was bitten by the reptile. Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

Unlikely Allies? Dream Act and Same-Sex Marriage Advocates Join Forces
MONTGOMERY VILLAGE — Casa de Maryland, the state’s largest immigrant advocacy organization, and Equality Maryland, the largest LGBT rights group, have forged an alliance to convince voters to approve same-sex marriage and to allow certain college-bound illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition. Read more on Montgomery Village Patch.

Rockville High Evacuated for Report of Smoke
ROCKVILLE — Rockville High School was evacuated for about 20 minutes on Monday, the first day of school, because of a report of smoke that turned out to be a malfunctioning light fixture, school and fire officials said. Read more on Rockville Patch.

Look at Labor: Will You Work Until You Drop?
POTOMAC — Working past the traditional retirement age is a growing trend. Bureau of Labor statistics show that the year 2016 will see an increase of more than 11 million adults aged 55 or older in the work force—an increase of about 5 percent from 2006. Is retirement a failing institution? Read more on Potomac Patch.

MCPS Begins 2012-2013 School Year
WHEATON — Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Starr gathered with members of the school board, the county executive and council president and PTA representatives to open the academic year on Monday morning at the new Flora M. Singer Elementary School in Silver Spring. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

August Sees Record Thefts from Autos
TAKOMA PARK — There were more thefts from autos in Takoma Park this past August (20 incidents in all) than there were in either 2011 or 2010 during the same time. In August 2011, the city had 14, and in August 2010, there were 9, according to Takoma Park Crime Analyst Andrew Guicciardo. Read more on Takoma Park Patch.

Chevy Chase Pavilion Still Under Wrap, Fall Opening Anticipated
CHEVY CHASE — Work continues on the Chevy Chase Pavilion shopping center in Friendship Heights, but posters hanging in the temporary passageway through the building hint at grander spaces to come. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

Photos: Inside the New Paint Branch High
COLESVILLE — Along with the usual hustle and bustle of the first day of school, students, parents, administrators, faculty and staff at Paint Branch High had a little something extra in store: A 340,000-square-foot modernized building that opened to students on Monday, Aug. 27. Read more on Colesville Patch.

Bus Drivers to Romney: 'We Don't Like Your Attitude!'
ROCKVILLE—Spurred to action by comments by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, members of the union that represents Montgomery County school bus drivers took to a Rockville street on Thursday morning. Read more on Rockville Patch.