Local News
Local News
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One person is dead and another is injured and a third walks away after a crash in Mineral County. According to a press release from West Virginia State Police at about 4:30 on Thursday Freda Shoap, Venus Kidwell and Richard Wagoner were involved in a three vehicle accident on Route 28 near Wiley Ford. Shoap was pronounced dead at the scene. Kidwell was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center where she remains in serious condition and Wagoner refused medical treatment at the scene. The official cause of the crash remains under investigation.
After nine years running last winter’s Mountain Reflections may have been the last under the Red Cross. Western Potomac Chapter of the American Red Cross Executive Director Bill Crawford explains. “Mountain Reflections is basically still a strong fund raiser in the community it’s just that our organizations volunteers have dwindled to the point we can not support it any more. Staff members need to be here working on Red Cross business instead of out there pounding stakes into the ground for the displays and that is what it has evolved into. That’s why we are looking for someone else to breathe new life into it.”Crawford says they are hoping to find a group or agency to transfer the event to. He says they have about 65 displays, wires, lights and signs that are used for the winter light display at Rocky Gap. He says they spend about 100-120 thousand dollars to put on the display. They bring in on average about 45 thousand dollars but those profits had dwindled over the years. Crawford says the Board of Directors made the decision not to hold Mountain Reflections in March. He says they had been working with an outside group in the hopes of trying to hold it this year but at another meeting last week the Board decided against a deal. So will there be a Mountain Reflections Display this year? Crawford says it’s a big question mark.
Will Delfest return to Allegany County for good? According to the McCoury’s Del Yeah. For a short time the fate of Delfest was up in the air after allegations were made by the Chairman of the Allegany County License Commission that Delfest officials violated the terms of their liquor license at this year’s Delfest during Memorial Day weekend. No formal complaints were ever filed by the board and after about a month and a half on July 9th the Chairman Gerald Delaney resigned. Shortly after Delaney’s resignation the Allegany County Commissioners released a statement expressing their full support for Delfest. The McCoury’s will be back in Allegany County at the end of August to meet with members of a strong grassroots group self titled the Pale Ale Army who worked to make sure Delfest stayed in the region. The McCoury’s will also dole out the more than 20 thousand dollars in funds raised during Delfest for local charities. Delfest is a bluegrass festival that began in 2007 and is held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Since Delfest began in 2007 about 20 percent of beer sales have been set aside to be donated to local charities totaling close to 40 thousand dollars over that 3 year time period. That includes about 5 thousand dollars the first year, 12 the second and more than 20 thousand this year. Officials with Delfest believe this year’s economic impact could be about half a million dollars for Allegany County.
The Allegany County Commissioners have appointed a new Public Works Director. Effective immediately Paul F. Kahl replaces W. Stephen Young, P.E., who retired from Allegany County Government on May 31, 2010 after nearly 35 years of service. Kahl earned his undergraduate degree, B.S. in Civil Engineering, from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland. Kahl joined Allegany County Government in August 1989 as an Engineer III in the Department of Public Works. He served as Roads Division Chief from 1995 to 2000 when he assumed the key position of Chief Projects Engineer. Kahl was promoted to Deputy Director of Public Works in December 2005. Kahl also had experience with both public and private sector engineering before his association with Allegany County Government. Kahl will manage the planning/designing/constructing phases of complex engineering projects in the Department of Public Works. As Director of Public Works Kahl will oversee the operation of Roads, Utilities (water and wastewater), Engineering, Facilities Maintenance and Transit Divisions as well as and solid waste and recycling activities. The Director of Public Works is a member of the County’s Senior Management Team.The Department of Public Works employs approximately 170 people and impacts the lives of citizens and stakeholders everyday. This department is responsible for 197 miles of water lines, 185 miles of sewer lines, and five wastewater treatment plants. Public Works handles 550 miles of county-owned roads as well as112 bridges. Allegany County Transit, serving 35,000 passengers annually, is under Public Works. Public Works also maintains all county-owned buildings.Kahl is a member of several professional associations: County Engineers’ Association of Maryland, where he holds the position of Second Vice President, American Water Works Association - Chesapeake Section (Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia), and the Water Environment Federation.Kahl was raised in Eckhart and currently resides in Frostburg with his wife, Tammy. They have three children, Kade, Kacey, and Peyton. Active in the community, Kahl assists with Frostburg youth sports and is also a past member of the Frostburg Planning Commission.
Are you a fan of education and the open road? Then this new Chamber Foundation Fundraising Event is just for you! The Poker Run Ride for Education - Skyline Tour is the first in a series of annual motorcycle rides to benefit the Foundation's educational programs. This year's ride is a 100-mile jaunt through the rolling hills of beautiful Bedford County. It begins Sunday, August 1st at Bedford Ford and Bedford Motor Sports Honda Kawasaki. Registration starts at 10:30 am with the last rider out of the lot by noon. The route will take riders over some of the county's historic covered bridges, past county landmarks, and even near an elephant farm. The ride also includes special stops at schools. Lots of great food is being cooked up for the festivities, with plenty of time for enjoying the company of other motorcycle enthusiasts. The ride concludes with lunch at 3 pm followed by the award ceremony and prize drawings at 4 pm. Cost is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. Registration forms are available now.For more Information, or to Download Registration Forms, Visit the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Website and look for the Poker Run Logo on the Homepage:www.BedfordCountyChamber.orgOr Call: (814) 623-2233
The Barn Quilt Association of Garrett County, Inc. will host the first annual Barn Quilt Festival on Sunday, August 1, 2010. The Festival is a celebration of Garrett County’s Barn Quilt Trail, the first of its kind in the state of Maryland. Barn quilts are painted quilting designs displayed on the sides of barns. The Barn Quilt Trail is a self-guided driving tour across the area to view the artwork and enjoy the countryside. The project focuses on the agriculture, heritage and natural beauty of the area while giving folks an activity to enjoy with the entire family. This year, the Barn Quilt Festival will be held on the grounds of Cove Run Farms Corn Maze, Griffith Road, Accident. The event will take place from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. and include the unveiling and dedication of a new barn quilt block which will become part of the tour. Admission to the festival is free. Included in the day’s fun will be art and craft vendors displaying and selling their wares, a brown bag auction, recognition of current barn quilt owners and sponsors, carriage rides, and live music. Children’s games and a coloring contest will take place. The tour of the corn maze will be available at a reduced cost. The popular local band The Sugar Foot Stompers will provide the musical entertainment throughout the day. Food will be provided by Jearbryo’s and Lakeside Creamery will be selling their locally made ice cream. At approximately 2:00 pm, a live auction will be held. Numerous donors have provided a variety of items to be sold with the proceeds benefitting the Barn Quilt Association. Attendees can bid on golf packages, overnight stays at local bed and breakfasts, a beautiful stained glass hanging, an Amish made replica of an old barn, wood burned barn quilt plaques, a watercolor painting of a local farm scene, restaurant gift certificates, quilted wall hangings, a butter churn and other antique items, and many other items of interest. In addition, the Barn Quilt Association will be selling collectible merchandise with the images of the current Garrett County quilt block designs. Limited edition lapel pins, magnets and a poster featuring the first series of barns will be available. Festival attendees are encouraged to take the entire driving tour as part of the day’s events as well. Maps and locations are available from the association’s web page and be provided on site on August 1. The mission of the Barn Quilt Association of Garrett County, Inc. is “to provide a sustainable heritage tourism attraction/activity while preserving and celebrating the unique agriculture, history and arts culture of our area through visual combinations of barns and quilt designs, to educate the public and showcase our Appalachian tradition.” For more information on the Barn Quilt Festival or the association, visit the web site at www.garrettbarnquilts.org , email info@GarrettBarnQuilts.org or call 877-577-BARN (2276).
The fire at a popular Keyser restaurant and bar has been ruled arson. West Virginia Assistant State Fire Marshall Patrick Barker says the fire that ripped through the Pines Restaurant in Keyser on June 27th was intentionally set. The fire broke out at about 2 in the morning at the rear of the Pines Restaurant on Route 220. Barker says the employees in the bar and restaurant were in the process of closing down for the night. He says the restaurant will be closed at the end of the month. Barker says the building complex included Pines Restaurant and Bar, Citi Financial and Wee Care Day Care. Barker says the fire started inside near the restaurant and bar which sustained the most damage. Anyone with any information about the blaze is asked to call the West Virginia State Fire Marshall’s arson hotline at 1-800-233-FIRE and there was a $2500 reward being offered by the State Fire Marshall’s office but Barker says a private donor offered another 10 thousand dollars. Now there is a 12,500 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in this case 1-800-233-fire. As for the businesses Barker says Wee Care Day Care has reopened in a local church and Citi Financial has moved some of their records. As for the Pines it has not reopened, Barker says the owners were getting ready to shut it down. In all Barker says the fire caused about 2 million dollars in damage.
To hear the interview with Barker click here
A Pennsylvania driver is dead after a head on crash with a mini van. According to the Allegany County Bureau of Police at about 3 pm on Wednesday 35 year old Adrian Hartman of Hyndman was heading north on Ellerslie Road when Hartman crossed the double yellow line for unknown reasons and hit a mini van driven by 23 year old Heather Garlitz of Frostburg. She also had her two children ages 3 and four months old in the vehicle with her. All three were taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.
Lightening is to blame for the death of an Annapolis man. According to Maryland Natural Resources offices on July 25th 63 year old Warren Smith was electrocuted while he was on a jet ski. On the 25th Smith was on his jet ski in the Chesapeake Bay when severe thunderstorms began. He tried to race back to port but he was then electrocuted by a nearby lightening strike. Another man was nearby also on a jet ski when the incident happened. He was not injured. NRP reminds boaters that summer thunderstorms are common and frequently occur during the late evening hours. Lightning can strike over ten miles away from heavy rain and storms. Anyone caught on the water during a thunderstorm should move to land and seek shelter immediately. As a matter of practice, boaters should review the weather forecast before leaving the dock and plan trips accordingly.
A grand opening celebration will be held today at the new Roses location in Frostburg. Variety Stores Incorporated President Wilson Sawyer explains why they chose the Frostburg location. “We just think it is a great opportunity and an underserved market and a great little town. It gives folks in Frostburg the opportunity to do some shopping without having to drive to Cumberland or some other town.”Sawyer says the Roses location in Cumberland has been very well received in the community and he looks forward to opening more locations in the near future. This morning the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce will hold a grand opening ceremony at 8:30 am at the new Roses location at the Frostburg Plaza Shopping Center. Sawyer says they plan to have a grand opening sale today as well. www.vwstores.com
A Bedford, Pennsylvania man is arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. At about 11 am on Wednesday Maryland State Police were called out to a motor vehicle crash on Route 40 in the Red Hill area of Allegany County. 68 year old Jack Schickel was heading westbound when he crossed the center line and hit another vehicle. The driver from the second vehicle was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center. Schickel was found a short time later in the Vale Summit area. He was arrested and is being held on 3500 dollars bond.
Meanwhile another driver is arrested on similar charges. 24 year old Rachel Garland was allegedly driving along Industrial Blvd and Virginia Avenue on July 21st according to Cumberland Police. She had allegedly hit another vehicle that was stopped at the traffic light. Then she allegedly drove off. Witnesses at the scene helped lead police to Garland.
A Frostburg man is arrested on drug and gun charges. At about 1:30 Wednesday afternoon Cumberland Police received a complaint report about a man in a vehicle threatening another man with a handgun on Greene Street. When officers arrived on the scene they found the suspect 25 year old Christopher Pringle and searched his car. That’s where they found a gun, drugs and fake drugs. Pringle is being held without bail pending a trial. More charges are pending.
The milling work originally scheduled to start on Tuesday July 27 had to be delayed until Thursday July 29, 2010. The City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public of a traffic pattern change on Henderson Avenue to take place Thursday July 29, 2010 beginning at 7:00 am and will continue for approximately three days weather permitting. The work will be during the day and will last between 8 and 10 hours starting at 7:00am. Belt Paving will be performing milling work. Please expect possible lane closures, delays and detours. Please use caution when traveling in the area of construction and if possible find an alternate route. If there are any questions or concerns please contact the City of Cumberland Engineering Dept. 301-759-6600.
WVU Basketball Coach Bob Huggins continues to recover from seven broken ribs, but he's out of the hospital. Huggins was released from a Las Vegas medical center yesterday after spending five nights there. There's no word on when he's expected to return to Morgantown.
Continuing to lead Maryland toward a more sustainable future, Governor Martin O’Malley today signed Executive Order 01.01.2010.16 directing the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to prepare a Long-Term Electricity Report for the State by the end of next year. The first such report in 20 years will evaluate Maryland’s long-term electricity needs and will include a comprehensive review of alternatives to meet those needs. The Executive Order was developed by DNR in cooperation with the Public Service Commission, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). The report, which will be prepared by DNR’s Power Plant Assessment Program, will assess future electric energy use requirements and peak electric demand requirements, and identify sources and alternative resources to meet any gaps in these requirements through the end of calendar year 2030. Building on MEA's 2008 Electricity Strategy and 2010 Maryland Energy Outlook, this report will be the first comprehensive, alternatives analysis for Maryland since 1990. During the intervening years, Maryland’s population has grown by about one million people, electricity consumption has grown by more than 25 percent, and concerns about the environmental impacts of electricity supply and consumption have increased. With an estimated population increase of an additional one million Marylanders by 2030, this report will be an essential tool in securing our energy future, and keeping Maryland Smart, Green and Growing. The report will be completed by December 2011 and will be paid for over two fiscal years using existing funds within the Power Plant Assessment Program.
The Cumberland Mayor and City Council are seeking individuals who would be interested in serving on the city’s Economic Development Commission and Parks & Recreation Board. Several positions have opened up recently because of expired terms. Commissions with current vacancies are:
Economic Development Commission (10 members/3 vacancies) - The Economic Development Commission (EDC) is seeking three members, who do not have to be a residents of the city of Cumberland. The EDC is responsible for implementing the recently adopted plan for economic development for the City as well as identifying and evaluating business development opportunities for both existing and targeted companies and industries for recruitment efforts.
Recreation Board (10 members/5 vacancies) – The Recreation Board was created in 1967 to foster planning for recreational activities in the city and to continuously review municipal, county, state, and federal cooperation in the field of recreation for the purpose of seeking a greater degree of coordination in the development of recreation activities. This board serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on policy issues involving the city’s parks and park-related programs. The board meets monthly and will be involved with the development of a comprehensive parks and recreation plan to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council for adoption in 2002. Board members must be city residents.
Letters of interest must be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attn: City Clerk, 57 N. Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21501-1702 by July 30, 2010 for the above positions. Interested parties may also e-mail the City Clerk at meirich@allconet.org
A Hyndman woman is charged in connection with a motorcycle crash that sent two to the hospital. According to Allegany County Bureau of Police officials that accident happened a the intersection of Route 36 and Route 35 in Corriganville. Jo Ann Babcock of Hyndman was allegedly preparing to turn left onto Route 36 when she pulled into the path of Donald Rhodes who was riding a motorcycle. He had a passenger, Ashley Rhodes both of Cumberland were taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for injuries. Babcock was cited for failure to stop at stop sign and yield right of way. Babcock was not injured. Police were assisted on scene by Corriganville Fire Department and EMS. Rt 36 was closed for 45 minutes.
Meanwhile Maryland State Police in Washington County are investigating a motorcycle crash as well. At about 3 in the morning this morning Arthur Duffey III of Falling Waters, WV was heading south on I-81 on his motorcycle when he was hit from behind by a van driven by Richard Campello of Hagerstown. Duffey was taken to the Washington County Hospital. Campello was not injured. I-81 had to be shut down for about an hour while troopers investigated. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.
An 18 year old female climber is lucky to be alive after being hoisted to safety by a Maryland State Police helicopter team. Just after 9 pm on July 26th the girl from Carlisle, PA was rock climbing with friends when she fell backward 15 feet and hit her head then lost consciousness. Emergency crews from PA had trouble reaching her and called out for help from the helicopter team. By 12:15 on the 27th the girl was rescued by the helicopter team who were not able to land in the remote location and had to hoist her through the trees. She was taken to York Hospital where she is listed in stable condition.
Maryland and Pennsylvania have been named finalists for the federal government’s $4.3 billion Race to the Top (RTTT) education initiative. The federal program is aimed at boosting student achievement, reducing gaps in achievement among student subgroups, turning around struggling schools, and improving the teaching profession. Maryland is eligible for up to $250 million in the grant program’s second round. A delegation led by Governor Martin O’Malley and State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick will head to Washington, DC next month to be interviewed by U.S. Department of Education officials as part of the grant selection process. Federal officials are expected to award the next round of RTTT grants in September. Delaware and Tennessee were the only grantees selected in the first round of the RTTT initiative earlier this year. Maryland did not apply in the first round of the competition. Maryland spent the past eight months crafting a detailed grant proposal designed to continue the momentum of the nation’s number one ranked education system, using a collaborative and transparent process. Twenty-two of Maryland’s 24 school systems joined in the application process, along with the Baltimore Teachers Union, the Prince George’s Education Association, and scores of other state education and business groups. Governor O’Malley in June signed an Executive Order creating the Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness. The Council—made up of teachers, principals, education experts, and elected officials—will spend the next six months developing a model evaluation system for educators required by the Education Reform Act of 2010. The Governor expects to name the members of the Council in the next few days.
Maryland’s primary RTTT reforms will:
- Revise the PreK-12 Maryland State Curriculum, assessments, and accountability system based on the Common Core Standards to assure that all graduates are college- and career-ready. The State Board in June endorsed the Common Core Standards.
- Build a statewide technology infrastructure that links all data elements with analytic and instructional tools to monitor and promote student achievement.
· Redesign the model for preparation, development, retention, and evaluation of teachers and principals.
· Fully implement the innovative Breakthrough Center approach for transforming low-performing schools and districts.
Maryland developed its RTTT proposal with unprecedented engagement and openness. A draft application was placed on the MSDE website in April inviting commentary, and state officials held more than 80 meetings with local systems, organizations, and teacher’s associations over the past six months. In addition, the State held 40 focus groups with teachers and principals. Maryland’s public schools, recently ranked for the second straight year as the nation’s best by Education Week, have benefited from earlier reform efforts. The Sondheim Commission report in 1989 launched Maryland’s move into school accountability, one of the first states in the nation to do so. A new State Curriculum, new collaboration and funding brought about by the Bridge to Excellence Act, and new student-level accountability programs followed about a decade later.
A Pennsylvania man is sentenced to spend 14 years behind bars. 31 year old Marty Schroyer was charged in connection with several robberies. Schroyer allegedly robbed the employees at the Grantsville Market once with a gun and once with a knife and an employee at Fuel City with a gun May and June 2008. After the second robbery at the Grantsville Market, Schroyer was located just north of the Pennsylvania line after he left the scene where he wrecked the vehicle he had been driving on Route 669. Pennsylvania State Police observed items at the accident scene that appeared to be linked to the robbery and Maryland State Police responded to follow up. Police interviewed witnesses, seized evidence from various locations in Pennsylvania [including the pellet gun and knife used] and took statements from Schroyer, leading to charges being filed in the District Court in 2008. Indictments were returned by the March 2010 grand jury, bringing the cases to the Circuit Court. The State’s Attorney utilized interstate procedures to have Schroyer brought from Pennsylvania. He had pled guilty earlier in the month and sentencing had been postponed. Schroyer will be returned to Pennsylvania to complete sentences there and then will be taken to the Maryland Division of Corrections to serve the Garrett County sentences.
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) announced that its intense three-year battle to reduce illegal cell phone use in its correctional facilities is paying off because fewer cell phones are finding their way behind bars, even as the Department continues to be a national leader in exploring technology and cell phone detector dogs to locate illegal phones and prevent their use. In fiscal year 2010, DPSCS saw a decline of captured cell phones of 32%, with 530 less than FY2009. This is after a two-year percentage decline in the amount of cell phones – in FY2008 the Department found 67% more than the previous year, and in FY2009 that increase slowed to 34% over FY2008. The decline in the total numbers found in FY2010 means DPSCS officials believe they are past the tipping point after catching up with the flow of illegal cell phones getting into Maryland’s prisons over the last three years. A $1.1 million dollar investment in security and entrance technology, increased search and seizure efforts, including the nation’s first ever in-house K9 cell phone detector dog training program, DPSCS, FY2010 total decline is the first drop in the number of cell phones interdicted since DPSCS began tracking them in FY2006. This has occurred despite the fact that during that same timeframe, random cell searches have dramatically increased: in other words, officers have been searching more cells, yet finding fewer phones. The sale and trade of illegal contraband in prison is one of the main causes of violence. During our active push to remove cell phones and other contraband from the institutions, we have also seen a 29% drop in serious (defined as requiring more than basic first aid) assaults on staff in FY2010 over FY2009, and a 50% drop from FY2007. While inmate assaults are up slightly over FY2009, they are still on a decline from just three years ago when we began these efforts. A key trend in this success has been an increase of cell phones caught outside our facilities before they get in, data which the Department has been tracking since February of 2009. In the last five months of FY2010, DPSCS captured 10% more cell phones before they got into our facilities than were found in FY2009 during the same period of time. Much if this is due in part to new investments in entrance security technology that were a part of the $1.1 million security package unveiled by DPSCS last year, including 24 new Body Orifice Security Scanners designed to find cell phones and other contraband hidden inside inmates’ bodies. And its Division of Correction (DOC) K9 Unit was the first in the nation to successfully breed and train its own cell phone detector dogs. Since going on the job two years ago, the dogs have located 229 cell phones. Together, the new entrance technology and the detector dogs have created a significant deterrent against cell phone smuggling. With strong support from Governor O’Malley and Senator Barbara Mikulski, DPSCS has been a leading proponent of cell phone “jamming,” which is currently not allowed by the Federal Communications Commission. DPSCS Secretary Gary Maynard has testified before Congress urging lawmakers to allow jamming inside the nation’s prisons. In the meantime, DPSCS has become a national leader in testing other techniques and cell phone detection technology in the battle against illegal cell phones. Last year the Department conducted two cell phone detecting pilots in an effort to find the best technology available; one of these a live test lasting 11-days. Out of these efforts, DPSCS this summer issued a Request for Proposal to vendors for the use of this technology, a crucial first step in using these tools inside the State’s prisons. Backed by an increased use of cell phone forensics to gather evidence, the Department is taking an aggressive stance on prosecuting every viable case involving a cell phone. In November of 2009, the DPSCS Internal Investigative Unit hired a criminal investigator who is responsible for cell phone cases in Baltimore City, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties. The investigator has helped prosecutors bring criminal charges in 96 of 125 cell phone cases since that time. Eighty percent of statewide cell phone cases that have gone to trial have resulted in convictions. In the fall of 2009, Secretary Maynard and other top DPSCS leaders met with local prosecutors across the State and Baltimore City to emphasize the importance of prosecuting cell phone cases, while also learning from the prosecutors what is needed from our investigators to make a solid case. Since the Department has taken a pro-active approach, there have been no cases declined outright by any of the prosecuting agencies. Detection, confiscation, and prosecution, better entrance and internal security, technology, training, and partnerships with law enforcement have yielded tangible results in the ongoing battle against illegal cell phones in prison.
A compromise has been struck between the state of West Virginia and volunteer fire departments in order to avoid a potential walk out over the loss of broadform insurance for firefighters. Broadform coverage protects officers and others in command at the departments from being sued if property is damaged or a someone is injured during a call. Governor Joe Manchin announced Tuesday that the state would offer the liability insurance through the WV Board of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM).The WVSFA has been pushing for reform for this coverage and worker's compensation for volunteer firefighters after problems with BrickStreet Insurance's coverage. BrickStreet, which covers many of the departments, put off a rate increase on the worker's comp rates for a year at the request of the Governor. However, it moved forward with cutting off the broadform coverage on July 1st. The current broadform coverage from BRIM is only a temporary fix though. It expires on June 30, 2011 along with the current worker's comp rates. Officials on both sides of the issues hope they can be addressed in the regular legislative session come January.The firefighters are currently seeking a change in WV Code to provide immunity for them against such liability.
A Virginia judge has thrown out the conviction of a man accused of killing a former WVU women's basketball player. Bedford County Circuit Judge James Updike threw out the conviction against Wesley Earnest Monday. He is accused of killing his wife, Jocelyn Earnest who played basketball at WVU from 1989 to 1992 as Jocelyn Branham. The judge decided to declare a mistrial after jurors admitted they saw Jocelyn's journals, even though the judge specifically barred the writings from being included as evidence. Wesley Earnest was convicted in 2007 of shooting his wife while the two were going through a divorce. His new trial will be November 8th. Branham played in 108 games for WVU, scoring 742 points. Her senior season she averaged 24.9 minutes per game, scoring 10.4 points per game with 53 assists.
At least one person is dead after a crash in Washington County. According to Maryland State Police early Monday afternoon a truck and a tractor trailer collided head on along Maryland Route 522 in Hancock. The roadway was shut down for several hours while emergency crews cleaned up a diesel oil spill. No word yet on the identity of the drivers involved or who was killed in the crash.
Two people are dead after an accident in Moorefield. According to West Virginia State Police at about 5:45 on Saturday afternoon troopers were called out to a single vehicle crash on River Road in Hardy County. The driver 21 year old Bobby Smith III of Moorefield was heading south when he lost control and hit several trees. Smith and his passenger 28 year old Terry McDonald of Moorefield were pronounced dead at the scene.
A Hydman driver is hospitalized after a crash in LaVale. At about 11 pm on Monday night the 17 year old girl allegedly ran into a ditch on Cash Valley Road and lost control. Allegany County Police officials are not sure whether or not the vehicle rolled over. The driver was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for injuries. Charges are pending an investigation.
Power of 32 is a regional visioning initiative that will involve tens of thousands of people across 32 counties in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in creating a shared vision for the region’s future and they need the Power of your voice! Join the first Allegany County MD Power of 32 Community Conversation. today at the Allegany Arts Council Cumberland, MD from 5:30 p.m. To: 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Community Conversations use tested, lively, interactive methods to involve diverse citizens in developing shared ideas about the future of the region and the possibilities for improving quality of life for all.The Power of 32 is the largest regional visioning initiative ever undertaken – joining business, nonprofits, residents and public officials together to create a better future for us all – and it’s happening right here in our own backyard. Our whole economic and geographic region, which includes 32 counties and crosses 4 states, will come together and hold Community Conversations about making our region a thriving place to live, work and play. These public input sessions are being held in all 32 counties - including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia – and will be the place where all voices can be heard and every resident can have a say in the region’s future. Our comments will be aggregated and developed into an action plan for our region to follow so we can be a thriving region by 2025. Plan on attending a Community Conversation– or help to organize one –near to you. The Power of 32 is a chance for the 4.2 million people to have a direct say and impact in what we do now to create tomorrow. We all need to have a say in our future, and through this initiative, residents throughout hundreds of communities will. Be empowered - visit www.powerof32.org.
Fair week went well according to Allegany County Bureau of Police Chief of Police Robert Dick. The Allegany County Fair kicked off on July 18 and ended July 24th and despite the exceptionally large crowds and high temperatures the majority of those who attended were well behaved and there were only a handful of law enforcement issues. On July 15th at about 5 in the morning a stabbing occurred between truck drivers transporting fair equipment to the fairgrounds. 30 year old Robert Young of Brockton, Mass was arrested shortly after the stabbing and was charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault and reckless endangerment. He is being held on 40 thousand dollars bond. Also on July 24th 42 year old Richard Gazaw Junior of Florida was arrested and charged with assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. He is being held on 10 thousand dollars bond at the Allegany County Detention Center. More charges may be filed. On July 24th 31 year old Dennis Sponaugle of Wiley Ford was arrested at about 11 pm and charged with burglary and theft after reached through the window of a food vendor's trailor, knocking over several items, and grabbed the cash box and attempted to flee from the area. The owner of the concession trailor, yelled for assistance and a citizen saw Sponagule running with the cash box and tackled him and detained him until nearby officers arrived and placed him under arrest. Sponaugle was arrested and held on $10,000 bond. On July 23rd 29 year old Jeremy Wheeler of Florida was arrested and charged with possession of a crack pipe after officers received a complaint from a fair employee.Wheeler was released pending trial. 25 year old Tara Lybarger of Ellerslie was arrested and charged on July 21st after an incident and warnings while the entertainer, Joe Nichols was signing autographs. Lybarger was loud, jumped in line, and then when Nichols was leaving the area, she attempted to follow him and entered a restricted area. She was released pending trial. On July 20th a 22 year old woman was charged with animal cruelty after her dog was found inside a car parked in the parking lot. The dog was released from the vehicle and turned over to Animal Welfare.
A new report from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development shows that tourism job growth in Maryland is the best in the country. Maryland leisure and hospitality employment grew by 5,800 seasonally adjusted jobs in June, more than any other major sector, driven by accommodation/food services job growth. During the first half of the year, this sector added 21,900 jobs, ranking it best in the country with 9.7% growth. At the year’s halfway point, the sector accounted for over 60% of total Maryland job creation and over 80% of private job creation.Nationwide hospitality accounted for 14% of job gains. Professional/business services added 2,800 jobs in June for a 0.7% monthly growth rate. Within this sector, professional, scientific & technical (PST) services employment grew by 2,000, for 0.9% monthly growth (sixth best in the nation). During the first half of 2010, PST added 7,100 jobs in Maryland, for 3.1% growth and third best in the country. Construction added 1,300 jobs in June for 0.9% monthly growth and added jobs for four straight months (seasonally adjusted) for the first time in about three years. During the first half of the year Maryland construction added 6,600 jobs, good for 4.6% growth, sixth best in the country.
Work on Henderson Avenue in Cumberland will be pushed back to later this week. The milling work originally scheduled to start on today had to be delayed until Thursday July 29, 2010. The City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public of a traffic pattern change on Henderson Avenue to take place Thursday July 29, 2010 beginning at 7:00 am and will continue for approximately three days weather permitting. The work will be during the day and will last between 8 and 10 hours starting at 7:00am. Belt Paving will be performing milling work. Please expect possible lane closures, delays and detours. Please use caution when traveling in the area of construction and if possible find an alternate route. If there are any questions or concerns please contact the City of Cumberland Engineering Dept. 301-759-6600.
A Midland man is behind bars for robbing a Fireman’s club. According to the Allegany County Bureau of Police at about 1:25 in the morning on Saturday65 year old Alexander Devault Junior entered the Midland Fireman’s Club brandishing a rifle. He allegedly ordered the patrons to the ground and stole money from the business then fled out the back door. Witnesses at the scene identified Devault and he was arrested. The weapon and clothing used in the robbery were discovered in a nearby wooded area. And the stolen money was also recovered. Devault is being held at the Allegany County Detention Center on 250 thousand dollars bond.
Maryland State Police are investigating an accident that had I-81 shut down for hours. At about 9:15 on Friday an accident between a Grand Prix and a tractor trailer happened just south of Maugans Avenue. According to state police the accident caused a significant amount of food being hauled by the tractor trailer to spill onto to the roadway. The tractor trailer driver was taken to Washington County Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. No word yet what caused the accident or the names of the drivers involved.
Weather forecasters say there will be less humidity in West Virginia to begin the workweek following a storm-filled Sunday. Heavy wind knocked down trees and power lines. Hard hit areas include the Eastern Panhandle where 4,000 Allegheny Energy customers lost power. Emergency crews in Monongalia County say a 16-year-old girl was struck by lightning Sunday afternoon outside a hotel in Star City. Police in Boone County say a man died during a flash flooding Sunday. The victim fell into a creek near his Newport home and his body was later recovered in the Little Coal River. An investigation continues.
Pennsylvania State Police make a major drug bust after a landowner stumbles across a huge grow site. At about 1 pm on July 19 am private landowner in Somerset County took State Police to the middle of an 1800 acre heavily wooded area with numerous portions of cleared trees. Troopers found more than 2300 marijuana plants and about 1500 plastic cups. Troopers also found two campsites nearby the grow sites. A State Police helicopter examined the area from the air but did not locate any more grow areas.
A Martinsburg doctor is charged in a 38 count indictment for fraud. According to a press release from the U-S District Attorney 54 year old Danine Rydland who owned and operated a medical practice in Falling Waters in Berkeley County from July 2004-2008. Rydland devised a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs including Medicare, Medicaid , PEIA and Unicare. In all Rydland collected more than 211 thousand dollars. If convicted Rydland faces up to 10 years in prison and a 250 thousand dollar fine.
Work is set to begin on the traffic light at the intersection of Baltimore and Mechanic Streets in Cumberland. City Administrator Jeffrey E. Repp announced that the proposal from Scott A. Duncan, Inc., Grasonville, MD had been executed and that the company had begun ordering the equipment for the intersection. It is estimated that this project will cost approximately $ 100,000 including contingencies. A claim to the vehicle owner’s insurance company will be made for the payment of these costs. The work is expected to take 3-5 weeks. The traffic light will be replaced. It was destroyed after a crash several weeks ago. Meanwhile the City would be returning to the recently paved area on Frederick Street to correct a problem with the surface. After the project was finished on Frederick Street several weeks ago the surface did not meet the standards the city would accept and the surface will be repaved. Repp says the reason for the problem has not been determined. The equipment used was checked and the employees who performed the work have done many other jobs throughout the City so it was not manpower related. We are checking on a couple other items that may have caused the problem and then we will proceed with corrective action. The necessary repairs will be made prior to this fall.
Police in Monongalia County say a Preston County woman died Friday evening in an accident on Interstate 79 near Morgantown. Ann Watkins, 75, of Independence was a passenger in a truck driven by her husband Lonnie Watkins, 78. Deputies say Mr. Watkins had stopped in the middle lane of interstate traffic after a large box--with a recliner inside-had fallen out of the back of the truck. Police say a tractor trailer driver coming from behind slammed his rig into the pick-up and Mrs. Watkins died at the scene. Mr. Watkins was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital. Both north and southbound lanes of I-79 were closed for several minutes creating a long traffic back-up.
WVU Basketball Coach Bob Huggins remains in a Las Vegas hospital, after falling in his hotel room. Huggins fell into a coffee table Friday and broke four ribs. He was supposed to be released Saturday afternoon, but will be kept under observation a few more days. Huggins was in Las Vegas to recruit.
This week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) began a project to improve approximately 3.5 miles of westbound and eastbound I-68 (National Freeway) near LaVale, Allegany County. SHA is resurfacing the six lane highway between MD 658 (Vocke Road) and Kelly Boulevard. SHA will also resurface the MD 658 ramp to eastbound I-68 and all four ramps at the US 220 (McMullen Highway)/I-68 interchange. As part of the I-68 resurfacing project, SHA will also resurface and repair the Patterson Avenue/Kelly Boulevard bridge decks (riding surface). Ramp closures will take place throughout construction. SHA will advertise the detours in advance. During construction motorists should expect periodic daytime and nighttime lane and ramp closures. SHA will place variable message signs, barrels, and temporary signs will guide motorists through the work zone. More than 29,000 vehicles travel along this section of I-68 each day. IA Construction Corporation of Cumberland is the contractor for the $7 million project. Customers who have questions about traffic operations on I-68, MD 658, US 220, or other State numbered routes in Allegany County, may call SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400 or toll free at 1-800-760-7138. Remember that work zones are not only large construction projects possibly taking years to complete, but smaller, mobile operations such as mowing, pothole repair and litter pick ups. Choose Safety for Life and make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.
Several businesses along Route 40 in LaVale have been evacuated after a gas leak. According to Allegany County 9-1-1 officials LaVale Sanitary crews were doing some sewer work and ruptured a natural gas line leaking natural gas into the sewer system. Businesses from the Slumberland Motel to Grand China Buffet have been evacuated. No one is injured. An ambulance is on scene along with Columbia Gas officials. The initial call came into 9-1-1 at about 10:55 am. No residences have been evacuated. It is safe to drive through the area. The buildings have been evacuated because of fumes.
The old Memorial Hospital renovation and reuse project is going well and is ahead of schedule. That’s according to Ridgecrest Investments President John Laughlin who spoke yesterday morning during an Allegany County Chamber of Commerce event. Laughlin says the city of Cumberland owns the old Memorial Hospital. In 2009 the city entered into an agreement with Ridgecrest and at that time he hoped to rent at least 25 thousand square feet a year in order to reduce the city’s ongoing responsibility of operating costs. Laughlin says they are six months into the project and they have rented about 40 thousand square feet and are generating half a million dollars. “We have a mixed of tenants. We have some commercial tenants, medical tenants and some residential tenants. So we have emphasized different uses for the three different buildings we have up there. The residential component we have converted some of the hospital rooms into residences for part time medical professionals who are out here anywhere from a month to six months of medical duty. We have half a dozen doctors most of whom are in what people would call the old hospital building.” Laughlin says they are not working at the old Sacred Heart Hospital and they have no connection to it. His speech yesterday morning is the first in what is expected to be an ongoing series focused on economic development efforts around Allegany County.
A Florida man suffering from Alzheimer’s is found in Garrett County after a car accident. According to the Garrett County Sheriff’s office deputies were called out to a report of a crash at about 6:55 on Thursday morning along State Park Road near Glendale Road. 78 year old Joseph Bittner of Avon Park, Florida had left his home and traveled to Garrett County. He crashed into a utility pole, causing the pole to come down and damaging some wiring. Bittner who suffers from Alzheimer’s was reported missing in Florida and had allegedly left home without anyones knowledge. No one was injured in that crash.
The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources are investigating what appears to be a localized, sustained fish kill in Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County. At this time, no evidence suggests a threat to human health; however, visitors and residents are advised to avoid touching, swimming with, or coming into close proximity to any dead fish. MDE and DNR are consulting with state and local public health agencies. Local residents and visitors are urged to contact MDE at 443-482-2732 with reports of dead fish as well as information about anything out of the ordinary that may have contributed to the ongoing incident. The cause of the fish kill is currently unknown, and a thorough investigation by MDE and DNR is underway, which includes water quality testing and a diagnostic analysis of affected fish species. To date, no evidence of a toxic or hazardous chemical spill has been found. Evidenced by the large adult fish species that have been affected, the focus of the investigation is on the deeper portions of the lake. At this time, the shallower waters do not appear to be affected. To date, MDE and DNR are reporting approximately 200 dead fish, including yellow perch, walleye, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, bluegills, chain pickerel, Northern pike, and crayfish. Marylanders can report fish kills and algae blooms anytime at 1-866-MDE-GOTO or 877-224-RBAY.
PennDOT District 9 announced today that a $1.4 million project to replace the superstructure on two bridges in Bedford County has been completed. This project was financed with federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).The superstructures were replaced on two existing bridges that carry Route 915 over Sandy Run in Hopewell Borough and Broadtop Township, Bedford County. Clearwater Construction, Inc. of Mercer performed this work.Within District 9’s six counties, PennDOT will invest more than $47 million of federal economic recovery funds on 21 transportation projects, which include road and bridge improvements and traffic signal upgrades. To learn more about how the federal economic stimulus will benefit Pennsylvania visit www.recovery.pa.gov.
Morgantown Businessman John Raese says he will be a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Republican Primary Election on Saturday, August 28th. "We have got to have a whole new look at what we look at in this country as far as doing business in America, as far as doing business in the world." Raese says he could help make that change happen. "If I was a United States Senator today, the first thing that I would do is to start to look at our competitive levels. Why aren't we competitive? Why can't we produce the private sector jobs? I don't hear too much of that," he said. This is not his first run for U.S. Senate. Raese unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2006 against late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. Raese's first run for U.S. Senate was in 1984. He lost in his challenge of Jay Rockefeller, who was the Governor of West Virginia at the time. In 1988, he lost his bid to be Governor in the Republican Primary Election against three term Governor Arch Moore. He says he is not afraid of a challenge. "Odds? Everybody has odds and it's just part of capitalism and free enterprise which is still the greatest system in the world. It gives us all an opportunity, if we have the freedom to exercise that opportunity," Raese says. In addition to Raese, four other candidates have also filed to run for U.S. Senate as Republicans. They are Thomas Ressler from Falling Waters and Albert Howard whose address with the Secretary of State's Office is listed as San Pedro, California. Those also filing on Thursday include Lynette Kennedy McQuain from Rivesville, Scott Williams from Buckhannon, Kenneth Culp from Summersville, Daniel Scott Rebich from Buckhannon, Charles 'Bud' Railey from Bridgeport and Mac Warner from Morgantown. On the Democrat side, those who have filed include Governor Joe Manchin, former Secretary of State Ken Hechler and former Monongalia County Delegate Sheirl Fletcher. If Manchin secures the nomination, "There's no question that Joe Manchin is a very popular guy," Raese says. "But I think, when you look at Joe Manchin and his support for (President Barack) Obama, (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi, (Senate Majority Leader Harry) Reid, the whole group of them, you've got to sort of ask yourself, or at least I've asked myself, who does this and what does this guy really support? What is this guy really about?" Raese is President and CEO of Greer Industries. He and his family also own West Virginia Radio Corporation, the parent company of MetroNews, and The Dominion Post newspaper in Morgantown. Raese and his wife, Liz, have two daughters, Jane and Agnes.
For the fourth straight month Maryland has seen some job growth. In June Maryland employeers added 1,600 jobs which brings the total of new jobs this year to 40, 000. That’s the most net job growth in a January to June time period since 1996. Maryland's unemployment rate fell to 7.1 percent from 7.3 percent in May, remaining about 25 percent lower than the national average. The addition of 1,600 jobs last month marks the first job gain in the month of June since the start of the recession in 2006. Private sector payrolls were the primary sources of job growth during June. Sizeable gains were reported in leisure and hospitality (+5,800), professional and business services (+2,800) and construction (+1,300). The primary decline was in education and health services (-7,000).
The Allegany County Commissioners have released a statement on the Delfest controversy. In a press release issued last week the Commissioners congratulated Del McCoury and High Sierra Music for a successful Delfest 2010. The commissioners claimed to be ready to provide all the support within their power for future events whether it be through improvements to the Allegany County Fairgrounds or helping mobilize community resources to support Delfest. The Commissioners’ letter also says it is unfortunate that issues were raised concerning the liquor license issued to the High Sierra Foundation.Allegations were made that were never formalized by the Liquor Board in a complaint. There is no ongoing investigation related to the allegations or pending charges with the Allegany County Liquor Board. They are confident that the Allegany County Liquor Board will fairly consider the 2011 license application and will appropriately apply Maryland law in making their decision. They are confident that the Foundation will submit an application in the near future which will be readily approved. Finally the letter states it is the County Commissioners’ intention, and they encourage all concerned, to look forward rather than backward as they plan for the future of DelFest. As for the festival itself Delfest officials have said the festival will return to Allegany County next year.
New data is available on the quality of care in Maryland hospitals. The Maryland Hospital Performance Evaluation Guide now includes patient ratings of specific hospital services and seasonal flu vaccination rates for Health Care workers. The patient experience data reported on the Hospital Guide is from the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey, a standardized, national survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care. Maryland was one of three states that participated in the development and testing of the HCAHPS survey. The survey asks discharged patients 27 questions about their recent hospital stay, including key aspects of their care: communication with nurses and doctors; responsiveness of hospital staff; cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment; pain management; communication about medications; discharge information; overall rating of the hospital; and, if they would recommend the hospital. The ratings come from surveys completed by approximately 41,000 patients discharged from Maryland’s 46 acute care hospitals during calendar year 2009, and for the first time include patients’ ratings of the care they received for specific clinical services, including maternity, medical, and surgical services. Overall, 64% of patients indicate that they would definitely recommend the Maryland hospital where they received care. For maternity services, 68% of patients responded to the patient satisfaction survey by stating that they would definitely recommend the hospital to friends and family. Sixty-two percent (62%) of medical service patients indicate that they would definitely recommend the hospital; 66% of surgical service patients indicate that they would definitely recommend the hospital. For more information log on to http://mhcc.maryland.gov/consumerinfo/hospitalguide/index.htm.
Frostburg State University’s nanotechnology lab will get more than 49 thousand dollars in federal funds. The Appalachian Regional Commission grant will be used to invest in efforts that will bring in more students with in-depth knowledge and skills in nanotechnology. Frostburg State University uses the Nanotechnology Laboratory for college science programs in engineering, physics, chemistry and biology, extracurricular activities for K-12 students, continuing education, and providing nanotechnology expertise to companies in the Alleghany Business Center. ARC funds will allow the lab to invest in new equipment, hire trained instructors and develop outreach programs. After expansion, the lab expects to educate approximately 450 students in nanotechnology annually while hosting 700 visitors and students. In addition to ARC funds, Frostburg University sources will provide $49,000, bringing the total project funding to $98,000. The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has assumed responsibility for the education program at the Western Maryland Children’s Center, a Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) detention facility in Hagerstown, Maryland. MSDE has been assuming the education programs in DJS facilities, as directed by legislative action beginning July 2004. The Western Maryland Children’s Center is the sixth DJS facility across the state where MSDE provides education. MSDE was mandated in Chapter 53 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2003 to assume responsibility for the education programs in the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) facilities by 2014. Since 2003, MSDE has assumed responsibility at the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, the Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center, the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, the J. DeWeese Carter Center, and the Victor Cullen Center. The Maryland State Department of Education is responsible for developing, delivering and implementing juvenile services educational programs. The Department provides a complete program of core academic subjects, along with life skills and career exploration. The program will include special education and guidance services. MSDE will provide six hours of instruction per day.
An Oakland man is charged with solicitation of a minor using a public library. 23 year old Timothy Lax was arrested and charged for allegedly using a computer at the Ruth Enlow Library to solicit sexual favors from a 13 year old Kentucky resident. According to the Garrett County Sheriff’s Department Lax was arrested at the library Monday morning. He is being held at the Garrett County Detention Center on 25 thousand dollars bond. If convicted he faces up to 10 years behind bars and a 25 thousand dollar fine.
Washington County Sheriff’s officials are investigating a stabbing. On Sunday at about 2:30 in the morning deputies were called out to a home on Brookmeade Circle in Williamsport. When deputies arrived they found a victim with a large puncture wound in his back. He was then taken to the Washington County Hospital. After a brief investigation deputies learned Kaleb Kuschel and Sean O’Connor were allegedly both involved. O’Connor was arrested as is being held without bond. Deputies are still looking for Kuschel. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call 240-313-2885.
More than $11 million in Maryland State Arts Council grants have been awarded to Maryland organizations and county arts councils. The FY2011 Maryland State Arts Council matching grants will be used to support the general operations of 240 arts organizations and ongoing arts programs, as well as the activities of Maryland's 23 official county arts councils. The matching grants are based on the recommendations of the Maryland State Arts Council, and approved by the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. The latest economic impact report commissioned by the Maryland State Arts Council notes that the organizations receiving grants from the council support more than 11,000 jobs. It shows that the nonprofit arts organizations are active contributors the business community - they are employers, producers, consumers and key partners in the promotion of their communities. The Maryland study uses the methodology of the Americans for the Arts' national Arts and Economic Prosperity III study. Details on the national study are available at www.artusa.org. Grants to organizations from the Maryland State Arts Council are awarded on the basis of artistic merit, organizational effectiveness and service to the community. Grantees are selected through a process in which applicants and are evaluated by advisory panels of professionals in each artistic discipline including on-site visits to each applicant. The amount of each grant is then recommended for the Governor's approval by the Maryland State Arts Council. The Maryland State Arts Council, an agency of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts. Its mission is to encourage and invest in the advancement of the arts for the people of Maryland. For more information about the Maryland State Arts Council visit the MSAC web site at www.msac.org or call 410-767-6555 or TTY 1-800-735-2258.
|
ORGANIZATION
|
DISCIPLINE
|
GRANT AMOUNT
|
|
|
Allegany County
|
|||
|
Cumberland Theatre
|
Theater
|
$8,750.00
|
|
|
Frostburg Center for Creative Writing
|
Literary Arts
|
$2,000.00
|
|
|
Frostburg State University]Cultural Events Series
|
Multi]Discipline
|
$15,891.00
|
|
|
New Embassy Theatre, Inc., The
|
Theater
|
$1,308.00
|
|
|
Total Grants for Organizations
|
$27,949.00
|
||
|
Community Arts Development Grant to Allegany Arts Council
|
$82,901.00
|
||
|
County Total
|
$110,850.00
|
||
|
GarrettCountyGarrett County
|
|||
|
Garrett Lakes Arts Festival
|
Music
|
$15,449.00
|
|
|
Highland Festival of Garrett County Maryland, Inc.
|
Folk and Traditional Arts
|
$2,094.00
|
|
|
Our Town Theatre
|
Theater
|
$3,186.00
|
|
|
Spruce Forest Artisan Village
|
Folk and Traditional Arts
|
$2,991.00
|
|
|
Total Grants for Organizations
|
$23,720.00
|
||
|
Community Arts Development Grant to Garrett Arts Council
|
$81,289.00
|
||
|
County Total
|
$105,009.00
|
||
|
Washington County
|
|||
|
City of Hagerstown/Western Maryland Blues Fest
|
Folk and Traditional Arts
|
$16,877.00
|
|
|
HagerstownChoralArtsIncHagerstown l Arts Inc.
|
MusicMusi
|
100000,.
|
|
|
Hagerstown Community Concert Association
|
Music
|
$1,325.00
|
|
|
Maryland Symphony Orchestra, The
|
Music
|
$74,477.00
|
|
|
Maryland Theatre Association Inc.
|
Multi]Discipline
|
$3,602.00
|
|
|
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
|
Visual Arts
|
$37,759.00
|
|
|
Total Grants for Organizations
|
$135,040.00
|
||
|
Community Arts Development Grant to Washington County Arts Council, Inc.
|
$85,654.00
|
||
|
County Total
|
$220,694.00
|
||
Carte Goodwin, a former top aide to West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, was sworn in on Tuesday to temporarily replace the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, returning Democrats' control of the Senate to 59-41. Vice President Joe Biden, as president of the Senate, administered the oath of office to Goodwin, who received a standing ovation from his new colleagues. Goodwin, appointed by Manchin last week, is to serve until a special election is held in November when West Virginia voters will pick someone to hold the seat for the remainder of Byrd's term that ends in January 2013. Earlier Tuesday, Manchin, 62, announced his anticipated Senate candidacy. As a popular two-term governor, he's seen as an early favorite. Representative Shelley Moore Capito, 56, is considered the leading Republican contender. She's expected to announce her intentions within days. Goodwin said when appointed that he was not interested in running for the seat. At 36, Goodwin is the youngest member of the current Senate, replacing Byrd, who at 92, was the oldest. Democrats welcomed Goodwin to the U.S. Capitol and arranged to quickly put him to work helping them pass legislation to extend jobless benefits to the long-term unemployed.
Some West Virginia towns may be without a volunteer fire department come September. The West Virginia State Firemen's Association announced Monday that a few departments across the state are considering a walk out on September 1st. According to the group, that's when about 129 of the departments will lose their broad form liability coverage. The insurance protects officers in the department from lawsuits brought against them for property damage or injuring another person due to a decision made while on a call. Earlier this month, Governor Manchin asked for a year-long moratorium on rate increases that were set to hit VFDs from BrickStreet Insurance. However, the loss of broad form coverage was only placed on hold for 60 days with the hope that the issues would be resolved during a special legislative session. During this current session, a handful of the volunteers stood with signs asking for a bill to be added to the call to give them immunity from such liability issues. In addition, the West Virginia State Firemen's Association also intends to bring the issue to the forefront during the state firefighter's convention next month in Wheeling. The convention at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center takes place August 19-21.
Some West Virginia towns may be without a volunteer fire department come September. The West Virginia State Firemen's Association announced Monday that a few departments across the state are considering a walk out on September 1st. According to the group, that's when about 129 of the departments will lose their broad form liability coverage. The insurance protects officers in the department from lawsuits brought against them for property damage or injuring another person due to a decision made while on a call. Earlier this month, Governor Manchin asked for a year-long moratorium on rate increases that were set to hit VFDs from BrickStreet Insurance. However, the loss of broad form coverage was only placed on hold for 60 days with the hope that the issues would be resolved during a special legislative session. During this current session, a handful of the volunteers stood with signs asking for a bill to be added to the call to give them immunity from such liability issues. In addition, the West Virginia State Firemen's Association also intends to bring the issue to the forefront during the state firefighter's convention next month in Wheeling. The convention at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center takes place August 19-21.
As the summer months begin to wind down, both parents and students start to look ahead, for different reasons, to the start of the new school year. For students, it's back-to-the-books, studying and homework assignments, but parents will be thinking about back-to-school shopping. The state of Maryland is once again offering a tax-free shopping week. Shop Maryland Week runs from Aug. 8-14. Tax-free items can't cost more than $100. Among clothing not subject to taxes are pants, shirts, sweaters, shoes and pajamas. Accessory items, which are not exempt from the sales and use tax during the tax-free week include jewelry, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands,and belt buckles. In a somewhat related story from the Md comptollers office, Beginning in calendar year 2011, there will be a tax –free three day weekend during which the sales and use tax will not apply to the sale of any Energy Star Product listed below, or solar water heater. This tax-free weekend will occur the weekend of February 19, 2011, through February 21, 2011. Energy Star Product means an air conditioner, clothes washer or dryer, furnace, heat pump, standard size refrigerator, compact fluorescent light bulb, dehumidifier, or programmable thermostat that has been designated as meeting or exceeding the applicable Energy Star Efficiency requirements developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The debate over slots in Western Maryland continues, as a state panel has approved a new round of bidding for the location of a Western Maryland slots site. When Maryland first solicited bids for an operator for a slots parlor at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort back in February of 2009, it did not receive any qualified offers, and now state officials are hoping the improving economy and some incentives will change that this time around. A state panel has approved a new round of bidding for the location of a Western Maryland slots site. The potential operator must acquire the hotel which will be allowed to have up to 1,500 slot machines. Operators of the proposed slots site in Allegany County will be allowed to keep 35.5% of the proceeds compared to 33% at other sites across the state. That percentage is quoted for the first five years of operation.
The Allegany County Board of Education yesterday honored the late Jane Dawson with a dedication ceremony naming the media center at Mountain Ridge High School in her honor. During the brief ceremony, current school board president and vice-president, Karen Treber and Tom Striplin respectively, spoke about the impact Mrs. Dawson had on the Board, the students of Allegany County, and the community. Superintendent, Dr. David Cox, also paid tribute to Dawson. In attendance to cut the ceremonial ribbon after the unveiling of the media center's new name were Mrs. Dawson's son, Bobby, and her husband, Bob; and other school board members, Sara-Beth James and Mike Llewellyn. A number of school system administrators, faculty and staff also turned out to honor Mrs. Dawson's career.
Allegany County Public School students’ reading and mathematics scores on the Maryland School Assessments (MSAs) have shown continued improvement over the past seven years, according to results being released today. Assessment scores show steady improvement in the performance of students across racial groups, at most grade levels, and for students receiving special services including Special Education, Limited English Proficient and Free and Reduced Meals. Scores are being expressed as the percentage of students in each system and school that scored at or above the proficiency levels set when the exams launched in 2003. The MSA exams are given to third through eighth grade students in reading and mathematics. The data are used to meet federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements. Under NCLB goals, all students must score at proficient levels on state tests by 2014. NCLB charts the progress of the overall student population in the grades tested, as well as that of students receiving any of three categories of special services: Free and/or Reduced Price Meals (FARMs), Special Education, and Limited English Proficient. It also monitors the progress of students in five racial subgroups: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, White, and Hispanic.
Troopers from the Lavale Detachment of the Maryland State Police responded to the residence of 818 National Hwy in Lavale Sunday morning regarding a burglary. The burglary was committed on 7/17/2010 while the owners of residence were not home. The Troopers discovered the suspects gained entry into the residence from a second story window. The suspect stole a flat screen TV, jewelry, money, credit card, and prescription medication from the residence. This burglary is one of several burglaries that have been committed in the past couple weeks in this area. From surveillance videos and other forms of investigation, the Troopers were able to identify the suspects in the case. The suspect were identified as Jamie Merrill 34 years old and Robert Michael Bridges 33 years old , both currently living in Short Gap, WV. Charges were obtained on both suspects and a warrant was issued. Mr. Bridges and Mrs. Merrill were arrested on 7/20/2010, as result of traffic stop in Short Gap, WV, by West Virginia State Police. The suspects were arrested on burglary charges as well as additional charges from WV State Police. They are both being held in Augusta, WV regional jail. A search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence in Short Gap, WV and property was located in the residence from the burglary in Lavale, MD.
The debate over slots in Western Maryland continues, as a state panel has approved a new round of bidding for the location of a Western Maryland slots site. When Maryland first solicited bids for an operator for a slots parlor at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort back in February of 2009, it did not receive any qualified offers, and now state officials are hoping the improving economy and some incentives will change that this time around. A state panel has approved a new round of bidding for the location of a Western Maryland slots site. The potential operator must acquire the hotel which will be allowed to have up to 1,500 slot machines. Operators of the proposed slots site in Allegany County will be allowed to keep 35.5% of the proceeds compared to 33% at other sites across the state. That percentage is quoted for the first five years of operation.
The Allegany County Board of Education yesterday honored the late Jane Dawson with a dedication ceremony naming the media center at Mountain Ridge High School in her honor. During the brief ceremony, current school board president and vice-president, Karen Treber and Tom Striplin respectively, spoke about the impact Mrs. Dawson had on the Board, the students of Allegany County, and the community. Superintendent, Dr. David Cox, also paid tribute to Dawson. In attendance to cut the ceremonial ribbon after the unveiling of the media center's new name were Mrs. Dawson's son, Bobby, and her husband, Bob; and other school board members, Sara-Beth James and Mike Llewellyn. A number of school system administrators, faculty and staff also turned out to honor Mrs. Dawson's career.
Allegany County Public School students’ reading and mathematics scores on the Maryland School Assessments (MSAs) have shown continued improvement over the past seven years, according to results being released today. Assessment scores show steady improvement in the performance of students across racial groups, at most grade levels, and for students receiving special services including Special Education, Limited English Proficient and Free and Reduced Meals. Scores are being expressed as the percentage of students in each system and school that scored at or above the proficiency levels set when the exams launched in 2003. The MSA exams are given to third through eighth grade students in reading and mathematics. The data are used to meet federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements. Under NCLB goals, all students must score at proficient levels on state tests by 2014. NCLB charts the progress of the overall student population in the grades tested, as well as that of students receiving any of three categories of special services: Free and/or Reduced Price Meals (FARMs), Special Education, and Limited English Proficient. It also monitors the progress of students in five racial subgroups: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, White, and Hispanic.
Troopers from the Lavale Detachment of the Maryland State Police responded to the residence of 818 National Hwy in Lavale Sunday morning regarding a burglary. The burglary was committed on 7/17/2010 while the owners of residence were not home. The Troopers discovered the suspects gained entry into the residence from a second story window. The suspect stole a flat screen TV, jewelry, money, credit card, and prescription medication from the residence. This burglary is one of several burglaries that have been committed in the past couple weeks in this area. From surveillance videos and other forms of investigation, the Troopers were able to identify the suspects in the case. The suspect were identified as Jamie Merrill 34 years old and Robert Michael Bridges 33 years old , both currently living in Short Gap, WV. Charges were obtained on both suspects and a warrant was issued. Mr. Bridges and Mrs. Merrill were arrested on 7/20/2010, as result of traffic stop in Short Gap, WV, by West Virginia State Police. The suspects were arrested on burglary charges as well as additional charges from WV State Police. They are both being held in Augusta, WV regional jail. A search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence in Short Gap, WV and property was located in the residence from the burglary in Lavale, MD.