Williamsport News

Washington County's consolidated 911 center and new emergency communications system are undergoing extensive testing as officials prepare for activation early next year, according to Fire and Emergency Services Director Kevin L. Lewis.

Roxana Barrios, who works at the Sealy facility in Williamsport, Md., carries a mattress panel.

When 5-year-old Reagan Carbaugh combed his family's 400-acre farm in Clear Spring for a prize-winning woolly bear caterpillar to submit to the The Hagers-Town Town and Country Almanack's annual contest, his sister, Val, helped with the search.

Editor's note: Each Monday, The Herald-Mail will highlight an infrastructure issue or other problem, and will try to find out what is being done to fix or improve the situation.

The City of Hagerstown is increasing water rates for its customers, including the towns of Williamsport, Funkstown and Smithsburg, to cover general inflation, operating costs and several major projects for the water system, Hagerstown Finance Director Al Martin said.

Williamsport, Funkstown and Smithsburg water customers will likely see water rate increases within the next few months.

Their home address might be Maugansville, but home to John and Melissa Miller is wherever they are needed.

Behnam Sari had a question about a couple of the small colorful snakes in one of the cages at Valley Mall on Sunday.

Last year's Funkstown bridge rehabilitation project was selected as 'County Project of the Year' by the County Engineers Association of Maryland for its unique design and construction administration, Washington County Public Works Director Joseph Kroboth said.

Several roads in Williamsport will be closed to vehicles Saturday during the annual Williamsport High School homecoming parade.

Four juveniles are facing charges after sixty headstones were found damaged or knocked over at a cemetery in Williamsport last week.

Rust-Oleum Corp. has agreed to pay a $147,306 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its manufacturing facility at 16410 Industrial Lane in Williamsport, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Great Italian Food 10/18/2009 Cafe Italia - Great Italian Food BY JENNIFER LEESE j.leese@picketnews.com Nestled between Pennsylvania Avenue and Burhans Blvd in the north end of Hagerstown sits Cafe Italia, a charming and spacious restaurant built to satisfy your Italian cravings.

For Tom Wibberley, the war on terrorism began Oct. 12, 2000, when his son died while serving aboard the USS Cole.

Westbound Interstate 70 is closed Wednesday morning in the area of mile marker 22, Maryland State Police said.

Many extra hands put a fresh coat of caring on Washington County this year. Volunteerism was up more than 15 percent Wednesday, this year's Day of Caring, according to Jenny Fleming, the community impact director for United Way of Washington County.

Riding in classic cars, military vehicles and an assisted-living facility bus, more than 50 veterans and current service members were greeted by cheering crowds Saturday morning at Wiliamsport's first 'Salute to Soldiers' parade on Conococheague Street.

Have a smashing good time Saturday at the inaugural Great Pumpkin Siege Festival.

A curbside recycling program could cost anywhere from $300,000 to $3 million per year depending on where the county implements it, Washington County Deputy Director of Environmental Management Clifford J. Engle told the Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday.

There's a chill in the air, but is it just the autumn weather? Or is there a ghost lurking nearby? Walking tours of "haunted" towns, haunted corn mazes and a haunted theater are just a few of the haunted happenings in the Tri-State area this season.