Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Journalists Schutt-Bryan Schutt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journalists Schutt-Bryan Schutt. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Journalist and the snallygaster


Journalist may have been startled by snallygaster at city meeting - The snallygasters of Westminster’s Emerald Hill

The Westminster city council report by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/yhnjnb6

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4dt9 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224678669/journalist-may-have-been-startled-by-snallygaster

Unforeseen drama erupted last Monday night, on October 26, 2009, just days before Halloween; as the bright light of a snallygaster suddenly shone upon Carroll County Times writer Bryan Schutt.

All the while, Mr. Schutt kept a steady and wary eye on the “witch” seated directly in front of him while he covered the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council well into the dark of the night.

Outside, the winds howled, dogs barked and the moon winked from behind passing dark clouds as the august common council body deliberated passionately upon the various imperatives of the small principality in the shining white castle on Emerald Hill – Westminster City Hall.

In the background, calm and oblivious to the sudden appearance of the snallygaster, were Westminster volunteer fire department president Bill Brehm and Westminster director of public works Rev. Jeff Glass, who never skipped a beat as he waxed poetically and eloquently about the subtle nuances and ecstasies of the Westminster water meter replacement installation initiative...

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4k7r or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224740261/westminster-director-of-public-works-rev-jeff
As Rev. Glass’ voice rose in quivered and fevered praise of being stimulated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; Mr. Schutt stoically continued with his hypergraphic note taking and Dr. Pam Zappardino surveyed the room the room adorned with her capital ornamentation and the studied pique of Elizabethan puritan curiosity and bemusement.

One wondered if Dr. Zappardino’s capital ornamentation was constructed of velvet, taffeta, or the wool of a cottager’s hand. One could only wonder if she were acting-out on strict obedience to Elizabethan sensibilities or maybe the Westminster Common Council had recently reenacted, in closed session, the Westminster Sumptuary Laws which dictated the styles of hats for dignified women of class and stature.

If you will recall it was during the years between 1968 and 1974 in Westminster – err, strike that - 1568 and 1574 that “all Citizens wives in generall were constrayned to weare white knit Caps of woolen yarne, unlesse their husbands were good value in the Queenes booke, or could prove themselves Gentlemen by descent.”

The curiosity of the hat was only one of the many subplots and oblique soliloquies that played out in the audience as Rev. Glass reported that he was infused with the idea of receiving the wireless signals of the new water meters with their variable attenuators and adjustable phase-shifters and that as a result he saw an apparition of Ben Franklin himself as he found himself awash in a sea of paperwork.

But wait; was that really a drop of sweat appearing on Mr. Schutt’s brow or was he simply moved by the shared spirit of the moment or the contemplation of actually being able to use a semi-colon in his news article?

Perhaps we’ll never know.

Moments later, the councilmembers gratefully accepted the bidding of Rev. Glass so that Westminster water meter reader officials may be turned-on as they stalked city neighborhoods in search of a sign or a wireless signal or perhaps even a glimpse of Mr. Franklin himself.

Over the years, paranormal apparitions and unusual occurrences have come to be accepted as de rigueur at Westminster council meetings.

Sudden chilly air, unaccounted brief gusts of winds, the odd clapping of hands, folks cackling to themselves as they clanked weaving utensils and others lapsing into the speaking in tongues are nothing unusual at the bi-monthly meetings of Emerald Hill.

Many have attributed such occurrences to the appearance of snallygasters…

For those who are not aware of snallygasters; in Carroll County Maryland, the belief in witches and supernatural spirits were part of the northern European-German culture brought into this area by its settlers.

For example, the word "snallygaster" doesn't seem to be used as much in recent years, but it comes from a combination of two German words: “schnell geiste,” meaning “quick spirit.”

Not to be confused with the “außenseiters” or “aus landers,” which have recently visited upon the city with their sea gull daze, wanting us to quit our redneck ways…?

At this point, please join Elton John, Bernie Taupin and the Greek chorus as we sing the honky cat blues: “When I look back boy I must have been green, Bopping in the country, fishing in a stream, Looking for an answer trying to find a sign, Until I saw your city lights honey I was blind.

“They said get back honky cat, Better get back to the woods, Well I quit those days and my redneck ways, And oh the change is gonna do me good…

“And all the folks back home well, said I was a fool, They said oh, believe in the Lord is the golden rule…

“They said stay at home boy, you gotta tend the farm, Living in the city boy, is going to break your heart, But how can you stay, when your heart says no, How can you stop when your feet say go…”

Anyway, where were we? Oh - for those of us who grew up in Carroll County, the “Schnell Gieste” or snallygasters were often responsible for the shivers that resulted from a sudden drop in the temperature or gusts of wind that closed doors and scattered papers.

Anyone who has spent time in Westminster’s city hall is well aware of the unaccounted-for footsteps on the stairs, apparitions in the windows, the eerie creaking of woodwork, the moans of sheer delight, and the groans of the ancient historic structure that has bore witness to the vagaries of the American Civil War, deaths of children during the Spanish Influenza outbreak in 1918; and contemporary personal character assassinations that accompany small-town politics.

This brings to mind a curious remark by Mr. Schutt as he was leaving City Hall that evening. For some background, as you may be aware, the unofficial symbol of Halloween, the jack-o'-lantern, has its origins in the carving of a turnip. Not as tasty, by the way, if you are making pie.

Although several hundred years ago pumpkins were quite smaller than they are today, colonials used a pumpkin because it was more easily available than turnips.

The practice of carving a frightening face and placing fire inside the pumpkin was to frighten away banshees or “schnell geistes” from the spirit world.

Mr. Schutt was apparently unfazed by the appearance of Mr. Schell Geiste and labored-on with his work, without flinching…

Although unconfirmed reports indicate that as Mr. Schutt left the council meeting, he quietly inquired as to where might be the best place to buy a carving pumpkin in Carroll County.

Hmmm. Maybe after all – he believes. Ask him. Inquiring minds want to know…

####

Okay, okay – OKAY - - I’ll write a different account for the newspaper. But my gosh I love it on this side of the note pad. Meanwhile stay in the shallow end of the pool.

Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009
~~~~
Photo captions:

The bright light of a snallygaster suddenly shone upon Carroll County Times writer Bryan Schutt and he kept a steady eye on the “witch” seated directly in front of him while covering the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council on Monday night, October 26, 2009.

In the background, oblivious to the sudden appearance of the snallygaster, is Westminster volunteer fire department president Bill Brehm and Westminster director of public works Rev. Jeff Glass. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (3)b] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4dt9 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224678669/journalist-may-have-been-startled-by-snallygaster

~~~~

Westminster director of public works Rev. Jeff Glass never skipped a beat as he waxed poetically and eloquently about the subtle nuances and ecstasies of the Westminster water meter replacement installation initiative at the Monday, October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster MD meeting of the Common Council.

As Rev. Glass’ voice rose in praise of being stimulated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Carroll County Times writer Schutt stoically continued with his hypergraphic note taking and Dr. Pam Zappardino studied the room adorned with her capital ornamentation... Photo by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 [20091026 CowMCC Mtg 4 5 6] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4k7r or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224740261/westminster-director-of-public-works-rev-jeff

20091026 sdosmked The Journalist and the snallygaster


#art #writing #Halloween
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Latest articles by Carroll County Times writer Bryan Schutt

Latest articles by Bryan Schutt
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/mdr5y or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/219291066/cctnews-schutt-interviews-councilwoman-albert

"The Interview" - - October 6, 2009 - 7:30 am, Tuesday morning, October 6, 2009, Westminster Playground - Carroll County Times journalist Bryan Schutt interviews Westminster councilwoman Suzanne Albert, her dog Ruby, Evelyn “The Grammy” Babylon, Louise “The Mom” Miller, as they await the demolition of the old dilapidated Westminster Playground concession stand to make way for the new Babylon Playground Community Building. (Photo by an asleep Kevin Dayhoff) [20091006 Demo 10 SA EFB LM Schutt]

Latest articles by Carroll County Times writer Bryan Schutt
, , , ,

Spouses going head to head in chili cook-off Hot peppers and spices aren t the only thing heating up Sunday s chili cook-off. A husband-wife throw-down between Westminster residents Theresa and Thomas Bethune is adding some zing to the fifth annual event. For the last few cook-offs, the Bethune... Oct. 17, 2009;

Toe tappin' fun: Carroll County Cloggers teach beginners basics of technique One, two, three, one, two, three step, rock, step and step, rock, step, Mark Wilson said, talking into the microphone and leading a group of 20 through the beginner steps of clogging. Video . Teaching a free, preview lesson of the Carroll County ...Oct. 19, 2009;

Westminster agriculture enthusiast honored Westminster resident Bob Jones said he s been involved with agriculture his entire life, and last month he was honored for his contributions and dedication to the profession. The National Association of County Agricultural Agents chose Jones as the r.. Oct. 19, 2009;

Playing while impaired: Beer goggle basketball intended to show students hazards of alcohol consumption Wearing a pair of vision-impairing goggles, McDaniel College student D.J. Rickels shot a miniature basketball toward the hoop. The ball ricocheted off the backboard and bounced onto the carpet of Ensor Lounge, way off the mark. Video . You re unstab... Oct. 21, 2009;

Westminster fire engineer to receive honor Bill Lipphard is a selfless guy. He wakes up at 3:30 a.m. and drives about 60 miles to work because he s committed to the Westminster fire company. He ll move a tree off a driveway so people can get to work, knowing full well an insurance company may... Oct. 21, 2009;

Winter heating bills expected to drop CARROLLTON After the shrieking whistle abruptly quit, Mike Smith closed off the hose filled with heating oil. The whistle stops making noise when the tank is full, Smith explained, after putting the cap back on the outdoor fill. I put in 245.2 ga... Oct. 14, 2009;

Westminster park stand demolished Without hesitation, the backhoe loader s arm ripped the front end off the old concession stand at Westminster City Park, beginning the demolition of the building. Video Roughly 30 minutes of crushing, smashing and flattening later, the structure ha... Oct. 7, 2009;

Business guru to speak at college One of the nation s brightest manufacturing minds will be speaking in Carroll County Friday, giving local firms a glimpse into the success of leading manufacturers such as Toyota. Russ Scaffede, a Lean Manufacturing Operations expert, will be present... Oct. 13, 2009;

Dead roam city streets for zombie walk More fitting for the eve of Halloween than a blue-skied Sunday, more than 100 gore-covered participants in the Westmonster Zombie Walk sauntered their way through the city, giving young and old alike a chance to celebrate the spookier side of life. (... Oct. 12, 2009

Deer Park Road bridge to close for two years Deteriorating steel girders and concrete are forcing Baltimore officials to close the bridge on Deer Park Road that crosses Liberty Reservoir. Omar Davis, a Baltimore bridge project engineer, said the bridge will be completely rebuilt. The city estim... Oct. 11, 2009

Visitors find healing at Vietnam War memorial GETTYSBURG, Pa. Tears welled up in Joe Butler s eyes as he rubbed line 83 of section 11W with the fingers of his left hand. Video It s always hard to find him, Butler said before he placed the half-dollar-sized scrap of yellow paper back in the... Oct. 9, 2009

Westminster ghost walk tours slated Right on the heels of cool evenings, fall foliage and Friday night football games will be costumes, candy and scary stories. Celebrating Westminster s spooky side, the Carroll County Public Library has organized a series of ghost walks for the remain... Oct. 7, 2009

Chili winners announced The Fifth Annual Chili Cook off benefitting Access Carroll drew about 1,000 attendees Sunday, and although the final fundraising total isn t known, the winners are. Attendees chose Dad s Road Kill Chili by Ed and Josh Alwine as the people s choice ... Oct. 20, 2009

Westminster cancels council meeting The regularly scheduled meeting of the mayor and Common Council of Westminster on Monday has been canceled. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 26.... Oct. 11, 2009

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/shared-content/search/index.php?search=go&o=0&l=&s=&r=&d1=10%2F07%2F09&d2=10%2F21%2F09&q=+Bryan+Schutt

20091021 sdosm Latest articles by Bryan Schutt
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/latest-articles-by-carroll-county-times.html http://tinyurl.com/yjpwn7d

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://twitpic.com/mdr5y Latest articles by http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/ writer Bryan Schutt http://tinyurl.com/yjpwn7d

http://twitpic.com/mdr5y @CCTNews Schutt interviews councilwoman Albert, Ruby, Grammy Babylon, Mom Miller http://tinyurl.com/yjpwn7d

CarrollCoTimes Schutt interviews councilwoman Albert, Ruby, Grammy Babylon, Mom Miller
http://tinyurl.com/yjpwn7d

@CCTNews Schutt interviews councilwoman Albert, Ruby, Grammy Babylon, Mom Miller http://tinyurl.com/yjpwn7d http://twitpic.com/mdr5y http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/latest-articles-by-carroll-county-times.html Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff The Interview:
October 6, 2009 - 7:30 am, Tuesday morning, October 6, 2009, Westminster Playground - Carroll County Times journalist Bryan Schutt interviews Westminster councilwoman Suzanne Albert, her dog Ruby, Evelyn “The Grammy” Babylon, Louise “The Mom” Miller, as they await the demolition of the old dilapidated Westminster Playground concession stand to make way for the new Babylon Playground Community Building. (Photo by an asleep Kevin Dayhoff) [20091006 Demo 10 SA EFB LM Schutt]


http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/219291066/cctnews-schutt-interviews-councilwoman-albert

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Friday, July 03, 2009

Recent articles by Bryan Schutt in the Carroll County Times

Recent articles by Bryan Schutt in the Carroll County Times

Officer ready to work with Pennsylvania Avenue-area residents For residents in the Pennsylvania Avenue area, Lt. Patrick Bassler, of the Westminster Police Department, is a man to get to know. Bassler is assuming the role of a community liaison, which he says means he ll be a problem solver. The new position st... Jun. 27, 2009

Officer ready to work with residents Officer ready to work with residents Bassler can be reached via e-mail at cbassler@westgov.com Times Staff Writer For residents in the Pennsylvania Avenue area, Lt. Patrick Bassler, of the Westminster Police Department, is a man to get to know. Bassler is assuming the role of a community liaison, which he says means he'll be a problem solver.... Jun. 27, 2009

Re-enactor tells story of Douglass' life After 139 years, Frederick Douglass returned to Westminster. He talked of the horrors of slavery and his life s journey to freedom. He spread his inspirational message of faith in God and the importance of education. He visited the Opera House on Mai... Jun. 29, 2009

Travel likely to dip for July Fourth Travel likely to dip for July Fourth For the trip n Don t let the gas level get below one-quarter of a tank. n Select your route on a map ahead of time and study it to know exactly where you re going. n Reserve a Times Staff Writer Traffic may be bumper to bumper along the Bay Bridge or portions of I-95, but travel experts are anticipating fewer people on the roads during the upcoming holiday weekend. AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Christine Delise said the Fou... Jun. 30, 2009

Mount Airy residents oppose Pathways Plan Times Staff Writers MOUNT AIRY The Mount Airy Planning and Zoning Commission gave strong opposition to Carroll County s proposed comprehensive plan Monday night after hearing an hour-long presentation from county planners. Planning and zoning chair... Jun. 30, 2009

Area travel likely to dip for July Fourth Traffic may be bumper to bumper along the Bay Bridge or portions of I-95, but travel experts are anticipating fewer people on the roads during the upcoming holiday weekend. AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Christine Delise said the Fourth of July weekend... Jun. 30, 2009

SH: County officials discuss Pathways Plan in Mount Airy SH: County officials discuss Pathways Plan in Mount Airy Visit www.carrollpathways.org or call the plan's hotline at 877-349-8309. Times Staff Writers MOUNT AIRY -- The Mount Airy Planning and Zoning Commission gave strong opposition to Carroll County's proposed comprehensive plan Monday night after hearing an hour-long presentation from county planners. Planning and zoning chai... Jun. 30, 2009

skatepark::2 JD JRM Nw swc sc & fc The click, clack and roll of skateboard wheels reverberate from the intersection at Locust and Key streets in Westminster. Shoes squeak as boarders slow themselves, and a few dull thumps from those who've fallen resound from aft.. Jul. 2, 2009

Pathways plan public hearing approaching The head of the county s planning and zoning commission says he expects revisions to proposed rezoning around Taylorsville and Mount Airy. With a public hearing rapidly approaching, a public records inbox overflowing and many riled up residents to ac... Jul. 2, 2009

Pathways input focus of sessions Pathways input focus of sessions What: Public Hearing for the county s comprehensive plan held by the county Planning and Zoning Commission Where: Winters Mill High School, 560 Gorsuch Road, Westminster When: 6-9 p.m. J Times Staff Writer The head of the county's planning and zoning commission says he expects revisions to proposed rezoning around Taylorsville and Mount Airy. With a public hearing rapidly approaching, a public records inbox overflowing and many riled... Jul. 2, 2009

Youths enjoy skate park they helped design The click, clack and roll of skateboard wheels reverberate from the intersection of Locust and Key streets in Westminster. Photo gallery Shoes squeak as boarders slow themselves, and a few dull thumps from those who ve fallen resound from afterno... Jul. 3, 2009

County OKs stimulus funds for recycling The county hopes to increase the number of people participating in single-stream recycling by using federal stimulus money to pay for larger recycling bins. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted 2-1 in favor of accepting $6... Jun. 19, 2009

Baltimore area gasoline problem shouldn't affect Carroll Carroll residents shouldn t worry about filling up with bad gasoline after three stations in the Baltimore region received a shipment containing water that affected several consumers this past weekend, according to experts. Peter Horrigan, president ... Jun. 19, 2009

County OKs stimulus funds for recycling County OKs stimulus funds for recycling County OKs stimulus funds for recycling The county hopes to increase the number of people participating in single-stream recycling by using federal stimulus money to pay for larger recycling bins. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on June 18 ... Jun. 19, 2009

More residents voice concerns over Pathways Plan South Carroll residents frustrated by potential rural rezoning flocked to another public information meeting to voice their disapproval of the county s proposed comprehensive plan, Pathways to Carroll s Future Landscape. More than 200 people attended... Jun. 24, 2009

Gasoline problem shouldn't affect Carroll Gasoline problem shouldn t affect Carroll Times Staff Writer Carroll residents shouldn't worry about filling up with bad gasoline after three stations in the Baltimore region received a shipment containing water that affected several consumers this past weekend, according to experts. Peter H... Jun. 19, 2009

More residents voice concerns More residents voice concerns Times Staff Writer South Carroll residents frustrated by potential rural rezoning flocked to another public information meeting to voice their disapproval of the county's proposed comprehensive plan, Pathways to Carroll's Future Landscape. More than ... Jun. 24, 2009

Westminster Common Council eyes affordable living Westminster government hopes proposed updates to its comprehensive plan make the city an affordable place to live that has quality housing, unique attractions to draw in more tourists and a secure job market. The city s comprehensive planner Melissa ... Jun. 23, 2009

New pipeline to help city combat droughts Westminster residents should have plenty of water, even in emergency drought conditions, after the city s $4.4 million Medford Quarry pipeline project became fully operational earlier this month. The permitted 655,000 gallons of water per day th... Jun. 23, 2009

Council eyes affordable living Council eyes affordable living Times Staff Writer Westminster government hopes proposed updates to its comprehensive plan make the city an affordable place to live that has quality housing, unique attractions to draw in more tourists and a secure job market. The city's comprehensi... Jun. 23, 2009

New pipeline to help city combat droughts Public Works Director Jeff Glass opens the cover to the concrete pit used to measure water flow in the new water pipeline for the City of Westminster. Ken Koons/ Staff Photo Ken Koons/Staff Photo In times of d Times Staff Writer Westminster residents should have plenty of water, even in emergency drought conditions, after the city's $4.4 million Medford Quarry pipeline project became fully operational earlier this month. The permitted 655,000 gallons ... Jun. 23, 2009

Fly-in shows off airplanes and autos Bonanzas and Buicks, Cherokees and Austin Healeys and Gyrocopters and Studebakers littered the lawn at the Carroll County Regional Airport Sunday as the Experimental Aircraft Association held its Father s Day Fly-In & Antique Automobile Show. The sho... Jun. 22, 2009

County OKs stimulus funds for recycling The county hopes to increase the number of people participating in single-stream recycling by using federal stimulus money to pay for larger recycling bins. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on June 18 voted 2-1 in favor of accepting $68... Jun. 22, 2009

Telling Douglass' tale Ken Koons/Staff Photo Re-enactor Michael Crutcher Sr. portrays Frederick Douglass at Corbit s Charge 146th anniversary weekend in Westminster Sunday. Telling Douglass tale After 139 years, Frederick Douglass returned to Westminster. He talked of the horrors of slavery and his life's journey to freedom. He spread his inspirational message of faith in God and the importance of education. He visited the Opera House on Mai... Jun. 29, 2009

2 killed in I-70 crash Two people died Tuesday evening after a crash in Howard County near the intersection of I-70 and Md. 97, according to Maryland State Police. Two vehicles were involved in the accident, which occurred on I-70 east of the intersection with Md. 97. Poli... Jul. 1, 2009

Rates rise Water costs FY 2009 FY 2010 Difference County (includes Sykesville) $101.95 $106.99 +$5.04 Hampstead* $74.60 $85 +$10.40 Manchester $58.25 $73.50 +15.25 Mount Airy+ $72.10 $82.54 +10.44 New Windsor $83.29 $87.15 +$3.86 Taneytown $65.25 $76.95 + The cost of water per quarter for the average user WATER COSTS FY2009 FY2010 DIFFERENCE County (includes Sykesville) $101.95 $106.99 +$5.04 Hampstead* $74.60 $85 +$10.40 Manchester $58.25 $73.50 +15.25 Mount Ai... Jul. 1, 2009

Airplanes and Autos Airplanes and Autos DYLAN SLAGLE/STAFF PHOTOs John D Amico, left, helps start Mike Strieter s 1943 L-2 Army Spotter during the Father s Day Fly-In & Antique Automobile Show Sunday at the Carroll County Regional Airport. Right Bonanzas and Buicks, Cherokees and Austin Healeys and Gyrocopters and Studebakers littered the lawn at the Carroll County Regional Airport Sunday as the Experimental Aircraft Association held its Father's Day Fly-In & Antique Automobile Show. The sho... Jun. 22, 2009

Westminster to receive Program Open Space funding Westminster will be benefiting from a proposal that changed the way Project Open Space funding will be given to municipalities for fiscal year 2010. The county received $166,000 in POS money, and traditionally the county gives 25 percent of the ... Jun. 19, 2009

county funds::1 Man shot in home invasion Police believe three men who broke into a home in the 2600 block of Liberty Road and shot one of the home's residents early June 18 may have known who or what they were looking for. Investigators have information to suggest ... Jun. 23, 2009

sc news in brief 6.24 Man shot in home invasion Police believe three men who broke into a home in the 2600 block of Liberty Road and shot one of the home's residents early June 18 may have known who or what they were looking for. Investigators have information to suggest ... Jun. 23, 2009

20090702 sdosm Recent articles by Bryan Schutt in the CCT

Pathways plan public hearing approaching By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer

Pathways plan public hearing approaching By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer

Thursday, July 02, 2009

The head of the county’s planning and zoning commission says he expects revisions to proposed rezoning around Taylorsville and Mount Airy.

With a public hearing rapidly approaching, a public records inbox overflowing and many riled up residents to accommodate, the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission is nearing its chance to apply people’s concerns to the proposed comprehensive plan, Pathways to Carroll’s Future Landscape.

And because of the hundreds of comments received and questions asked about the plan, the commission plans to analyze each and every resident’s concern individually, said David Brauning, chair of the Carroll Planning and Zoning Commission.


Read the entire article by Bryan Schutt here: Pathways plan public hearing approaching By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/local_news/2_pathways_plan.txt

20090702 Pathways plan public hearing approaching By Schutt

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/local_news/2_pathways_plan.txt

20090702 Pathways The story so far

For more information click here:

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20Co%20Govt%20Planning%20Pathways

Pathways plan causing confusion for residents, officials By Charles Schelle www.explorecarroll.com http://tinyurl.com/m8c7ra
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/06/pathways-plan-causing-confusion-for.html

Culleton on Carroll: We need industrial land & insurance it’ll stay that way www.explorecarroll.com http://tinyurl.com/ksx7p6 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/06/culleton-we-need-industrial-land-in.html [20090625 Culleton We need ind land that will stay that way]

And especially read:
Carroll ‘unprepared’ to attract new jobs by Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2007/03/carroll-unprepared-to-attract-new-jobs.html Mar 2, 2007 [20070302 Carroll unprepared to attract new jobs kvbe]

For additional reading go to where you may find previous columns I have written on the history of the Carroll County Comprehensive Plan process in Carroll County: http://tinyurl.com/clkwbn and http://twitpic.com/4f7ie
Planning a pathway in Carroll County from 1961 into the future
http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2006/06/planning-pathway-in-carroll-county-from.html

20051005 WE Urban sprawl is no good for all weked http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2005/10/urban-sprawl-is-no-good-for-all-but.html

20050929 Agriculture’s new social contract http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2005/09/agricultures-new-social-contract.html

20090502 SDOSM Comprehensive planning in Carroll County http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/05/comprehensive-planning-in-carroll.html

The Carroll County Planning Commission's public hearing on Pathways will be July 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Winters Mill High School, 560 Gorsuch Road, Westminster. Comments are limited to two minutes each.

Public comment to be reviewed by Planning Commission must be received not later than July 10 at 5 p.m. at Carroll County Planning, c/o Pathways Plan Comments, 225 N. Center St., Room 205, Westminster, MD 21157.

A hearing on any proposed rezoning will occur after Pathways is adopted.

Pathways Assistance

Click here to view the Carroll County Economic Development Land and Employment Needs Study. (This is a large file. Right-click to save as a file to desktop.)

Click here to view the executive summary for the Carroll County Economic Development Land and Employment Needs Study.

Click here to view the Frequently Ask Questions about the Carroll County Economic Development Land and Employment Needs Study.

Click here to view the full list of Carroll County studies for the Pathways plan.

Click here to view the Map It Out exercise where residents placed Lego blocks on area they wish to have development. Links to the maps are at the bottom of the linked page.

For more information on Pathways, visit www.carrollpathways.org

Monday, May 11, 2009

Water at forefront for Westminster elections today by Bryan Schutt



Water at forefront for Westminster” By Bryan Schutt Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Westminster officials have spent countless hours and millions of dollars trying to protect water supplies, find new resources and provide quality drinking water.

Still, the city has less water than it needs for future projects and has budgeted even more spending for water exploration projects. So balancing water resources protection with continued growth will be one of the tasks at hand for the incoming mayor and two Common Council members.

It wasn’t long ago when in the summer of 2002, the city actually had to truck water in from the Medford Quarry to supplement the city’s water supply. Now a multi-million dollar pipeline connecting the quarry to the city’s reservoir is near completion and the new officials will have one drought-protection solution under their belts.

Building the Medford Quarry Pipeline was part of an agreement with the Maryland Department of the Environment in April 2007. As the city meets MDE mandates, more water is freed up, but the current officials have noted how pricey each project is.

The Carroll County Times asked the candidates: How do you intend to balance water resources protection and conservation with continued growth?


Read the candidates’ responses here: Water at forefront for Westminster

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

"Westminster Plaza to be ready in 2010" By Bryan Schutt

Westminster Plaza to be ready in 2010 By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

Friday, March 13, 2009

The doors to a Westminster Best Buy will be open in the spring of 2010 if a developer has its way.

In a briefing to the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday night, spokespeople for Connecticut-based Konover Development Corp. said ground-breaking for the Westminster Plaza shopping center, anchored by the electronics retailer Best Buy, is imminent.

Konover took over development from Frontier Development LLC six weeks ago and has been progressing aggressively since.

Vitamin Shoppe has also signed a lease to be part of the shopping center. The German discount grocer ALDI is interested, too, according to city officials.

[…]

The shopping center will be sandwiched between Md. 140 westbound and Leidy Road between First Mariner Bank and Wawa.

[…]


More: Westminster Plaza to be ready in 2010 By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/03/13/news/local_news/newsstory2.txt

20090313 Westminster Plaza to be ready in 2010 By Bryan Schutt
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases By Bryan Schutt


Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A dozen Westminster residents spent more than an hour barraging the city’s mayor, Common Council and staff with reasons why they weren’t happy with the proposed utility rate structure changes Monday night.

Citing bills that’ll nearly double, unfair discrimination in charges among users and terrible economic times, the residents asked for phased-in increases, unified charges and an increased threshold for gallon usage at the public hearing for the proposed water and sewer rate increases.

About 30 others listened to the testimony, occasionally clapping or nodding.

Nearly all of the speakers agreed that a rate increase was reasonable enough but said changes needed to be made to the proposed ordinance.

Mayor Thomas Ferguson said changes would bill users the cost of providing water and sewer service, provide reserve funds for operating and capital expenses, encourage conservation and leave behind a simplified model that future city officials can use to analyze utility expenses.

A brief presentation from a consulting firm that analyzed the city’s current structure emphasized the city’s need to afford about $37 million in projected water and sewer fund expenses as part of the reason for an increase.

The projected expenses include paying back loans on water projects like the $4.5 million Medford Quarry Pipeline project, the $11 million water treatment plant upgrade and the proposed $14 million waste water treatment plant upgrade.

Should the Common Council pass the ordinance in its proposed form, new rates would be phased in on July 1 and again on July 1, 2010.


Read Mr. Schutt’s entire article here: Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer Tuesday, March 24, 2009

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/03/24/news/local_news/newsstory9.txt

20090324 Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Westminster council president Chiavacci mayor Ferguson not to run again

Westminster council president will not try for reelection

February 24, 2009

Writing for the Carroll County Times, reporter Bryan Schutt has posted a news brief on the newspaper’s web site at 6:20 pm, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, that the Westminster council president, Roy Chiavacci, will not run for re-election.

“Westminster Common Council President Roy Chiavacci won’t be running for re-election this spring. In an announcement during the latest Common Council meeting, Chiavacci, an eight-year council member, sited professional and family reasons for not trying to refill his post.

“The city’s election is May 11. Two council seats and mayor are up for election and the deadline to put a name on the ballot is April 13.

“Westminster Mayor Thomas Ferguson had also told city staff he won’t be running for re-election several weeks ago.”


Actually Mayor Ferguson announced at the annual employee Christmas luncheon last December 2008 that he will not be running for re-election.

So far, councilmembers Suzanne Albert and Kevin Utz have announced for mayor and former council president Ken Hornberger has formed an exploratory committee in consideration of tossing his hat in the ring for the mayor’s office.

Meanwhile, it is broadly rumored in town that Council President Chiavacci’s son, Tony, is considering running for office as well as Jeff Dixon, who ran unsuccessfully for council several years ago.

20090224 Westminster council president will not try for reelection
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 22, 2008

Eyesore slated to house civic groups by Bryan Schutt

Eyesore slated to house civic groups by Bryan Schutt

By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer Saturday, September 13, 2008

The Westminster Playground Community Building will be demolished in the coming months and a new building will be built that’ll serve as the headquarters for two community organizations.

The new building will become the joint headquarters for the Optimist Club of Westminster and Westminster Fallfest Inc., according to Ron Schroers, Westminster’s director of parks and recreation. He said the project should be done by next year’s Fallfest and it will allow both groups to have a central location amid the heart of activity in the city.

Schroers said the majority of the $149,000 needed to pay for the project will come from Maryland Project Open Space grant money and fundraising by Fallfest. The ongoing electric costs will be covered by the Optimist Club.

A face-lift for the fixture wouldn’t have been practical, according to Schroers, so the building, which is located between the basketball court and baseball field at the city park, will be torn down and a new two-story structure will be erected.

The first floor will be the home of the Optimist Club. It will have a meeting room and a new concession area so the Optimist Club can operate a snack shack again during events. The current concession stand is inoperable, so the club abandoned the use of it.

The second floor will be the home to Fallfest, and it’ll have an office and multipurpose room. The building will also have a basement, which will serve as storage rooms for both groups.

Schroers said the fundraising took off after a donation from the Babylon family. The family donated $50,000 during the Fallfest Gala last April. Because of that, the new playground building will be renamed the David S. Babylon Memorial Community Building, in honor of Babylon and his contributions to the city.

Babylon, a lifelong Westminster activist, passed away in August 2006. He served as a councilman in Westminster for 25 years, was a volunteer in the Westminster fire company and was involved with several other community organizations.

Darlene Dorsey, president of the Optimist Club of Westminster, said she was floored when the idea was floated to her, and she still gets energized when she thinks about the project.

“That building now is an eyesore and needed so many repairs … we haven’t really used that shack for years,” Dorsey said. “It’s going to be useful again and that, in itself, is wonderful.

“I’m really excited. This is a great thing and the area will look much nicer, too.”

The Optimist Club used the building for years, but it’s mainly used as a storage shed now because it is so run down, she said.

Dorsey said that with all the club does, operating a good-looking building in the park will serve as a reminder to the community of their services and they hope it will further their outreach to the community’s children. Tom Canon, board member for Fallfest in charge of the capital campaign for the project, said he believes in the project’s practicality.

He said the groundbreaking will take place Sept. 24, the day of the Fallfest parade, and people will be able to see the redesign concept then.

“Making it bigger will enhance its service to the community,” Canon said. “Certainly, city [officials] and citizens take great pride in the facilities and [the area]. That’s what’s getting this done and it’ll be a nice thing to finish.”


Reach staff writer Bryan Schutt at 410-857-7886 or

bryan.schutt@carrollcountytimes.com.

20080913 Eyesore slated to house civic groups by Bryan Schutt

Friday, September 19, 2008

Other recent Carroll County Times stories by Bryan Schutt

Other recent Carroll County Times stories by Bryan Schutt

September 19, 2008

Fundraising personal for philanthropistsYears ago, Janice Kirkner was diagnosed with a mild case of multiple sclerosis. Then her husband, Bob, lost a sister to a terminal illness. To deal with the harsh reality of life, Janice and Bob Kirkner have spent the better part of their adult lives...Sep. 13, 2008

Eyesore slated to house civic groupsThe Westminster Playground Community Building will be demolished in the coming months and a new building will be built that’ll serve as the headquarters for two community organizations. The new building will become the joint headquarters for th...Sep. 13, 2008

Sales up on Sundays: Liquor store owners look to continue benefiting from football, holidaysAlthough it has taken some time, many customers and businesses in Carroll County are benefiting from Sunday liquor sales. And after being open for one major holiday weekend and the commencement of football season, local liquor stores are seeing incre...Sep. 15, 2008

Sheetz running low on gasSheetz gas stations across the county are out of regular- and mid-grade gasoline, and there isn’t much premium to be pumped either. The Westminster Sheetz is out of all grades of gasoline. The Taneytown and Manchester locations are still pumpin...Sep. 16, 2008

First Tri-Street advisory meeting sounds hopeful noteThe first meeting of the Westminster Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee set the groundwork for what committee members hope will be a productive movement to revitalize downtown and set higher standards of living for all residents of Pennsylvania Avenu...Sep. 18, 2008

Medford Quarry pipeline nears completionSoon Westminster should be able to better handle droughts because the multimillion-dollar Medford Quarry pipeline project is nearing completion. Mike Matov, Westminster’s senior engineer, said a very conservative estimate would be the 7.6-mile ...Sep. 19, 2008

Ministerium forcusing on soup kitchensThe Rev. Marty Kuchma of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Westminster is president of the Westminster Ministerium. He’s serving a one-year term as president that started in June. Nearly all of the churches in Westminster belong to th...Sep. 8, 2008

Tailgate wait ends as Ravens fans gather for grillingBALTIMORE - Jodi Lupco of Westminster felt neither outnumbered nor ignored, despite the predominantly male crowd that surrounded her. She said even when it’s rowdy, she’s not too worried because she’s wearing the right color, which ...Sep. 8, 2008

Council, panel discuss futureHAMPSTEAD Hampstead’s mayor and council met with the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission during Tuesday’s council meeting to make sure each person was on the same page with the hot topics around the community. Growth management ...Sep. 10, 2008

Residents to beautify streetSome Westminster residents have taken the initiative to clean up their neighborhood. The residents of West George Street, a local contractor and the relatively new West George Street Volunteer Neighborhood Association, have initiated a project that w...Sep. 9, 2008

Takeover may boost economyLocal experts say the mortgage market and overall economy may be more stable in the long run now that the government has officially backed the troubled mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “The mortgage market is such a vital industry, ...Sep. 9, 2008

Carroll News Briefs for Sept. 17Middle-schooler charged with drugs A student at Westminster West Middle School was arrested on drug charges after allegedly bringing marijuana to school, according to the Maryland State Police Westminster barrack. Principal Thomas Hill said the state...Sep. 17, 2008

Carroll News BriefsSurvey results to be presented During the upcoming Westminster Common Council meeting Sept. 22, the planning department will present the results of a resident survey to the council. About 6,000 surveys were sent out this summer, according to Thomas B...Sep. 19, 2008

Carroll countians help after GustavSeveral people working in Carroll County have responded to aid the South in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. The Maryland State Police sent 20 troopers and two civilian personnel to help in Livingston, La. Two of the troopers in Livingston are from the ...Sep. 5, 2008

Carroll news briefsRoops Mill Well project progresses A long standing well will be added to the city’s water system once construction is finished now that Westminster’s Common Council accepted a bid to complete development and bring the well online Monday n...Sep. 9, 2008

Carroll Police BriefPossession, intent to distribute Darren Sheppard, 20, of the 2000 block of Halter Road in Westminster was arrested Sunday by the Westminster Police Department and charged with attempting to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and possession o...
Sep. 8, 2008


20080919 Other recent
Carroll County Times stories by Bryan Schutt

Survey results to be presented at Monday Westminster common council meeting

Survey results to be presented at Monday Westminster common council meeting

Carroll County Times News Briefs for Friday September 19, 2008

Survey results to be presented by Bryan Schutt

During the upcoming Westminster Common Council meeting Sept. 22, the planning department will present the results of a resident survey to the council.

About 6,000 surveys were sent out this summer, according to Thomas Beyard, director of planning and zoning. He said the city had about a 23 percent response rate.

The six-page survey was sent out in June, and it polled city residents on what they thought of city services.

Also at the council meeting, Beyard said the city will also review several utility connection rates detailed in the city code, but it won’t be talking about usage rates.

He said the water and sewer usage rates won’t be discussed until later this year, when there will be a public hearing before any final rate changes are made.

Monday’s discussion will be more of a tool to clean up the city code’s language so utility rates are easier to update on a yearly basis, Beyard said.


Bryan Schutt

20080919 Survey results to be presented at Monday council meeting

Sunday, August 31, 2008

“Paintings discovered donated” by Bryan Schutt for the Carroll County Times

“Paintings discovered donated” by Bryan Schutt for the Carroll County Times

Paintings discovered, donated

By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer, Thursday, August 28, 2008

About 40 years ago, an upstart family with an upstart painting business was visiting Westminster for work. Commissioned by the Westminster Bank and Trust Co. to create three paintings, the artist did his work, then left the city and hasn’t returned.

The artist, Cedric Egeli, painted the scene at Westminster City Hall, McDaniel’s Big Baker Chapel and the Carroll County’s Court House.

And now, Egeli’s work was recently donated to the city and will be prominently displayed at McDaniel College, in the county offices and in City Hall.

Capt. Gerry Frischkorn of the Westminster Police Department discovered the paintings about two weeks ago and he found out they were among the furnishings that were getting replaced at the old Westminster Union bank building on 117 E. Main St.

PNC acquired Mercantile Bank in 2007, which owned Westminster Union, and has since turned the building into a PNC location.

Instead of letting them sit around outside the offices of the building anymore, Frischkorn persuaded the bank to donate them to the city.

Read the entire article here:
Paintings discovered, donated

20080828 “Paintings discovered donated” by Bryan Schutt for the Carroll County Times

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

20080528 Sykesville plans to borrow $1M by Bryan Schutt

Sykesville plans to borrow $1M


By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, May 28, 2008


SYKESVILLE — Taking advantage of the current economic slump and low interest rates, the Town Council is refinancing about $600,000 of debt and plans to save about $64,000 in the process.


Town Manager Matthew Candland said Sykesville will also borrow an additional $500,000 for capital projects. The total amount the town is looking to borrow will be slightly more than $1 million.


[…]


(Town Treasurer Irma Bast) said the loans the town are refinancing have interest rates varying from 5 percent to 6.5 percent. The new loan will have an interest rate of 3.46 percent, Bast said.


Read the entire article here: Sykesville plans to borrow $1M

Sunday, May 25, 2008

20080520 Westminster focuses on Pennsylvania Avenue project

Westminster focuses on Pennsylvania Avenue project

By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Another $50,000 is needed to start a streetscape project on Pennsylvania Avenue, even after Westminster signed an agreement with the state Monday for $175,000 in grant money, according to the city’s mayor.

The $50,000 would cover the engineering costs for the streetscape project, and City Administrator Marge Wolf said Westminster still isn’t sure where that money will come from, but it will be added to the fiscal year 2009 general fund budget, even though it isn’t currently included in the draft budget.

[…]

Westminster Mayor Thomas Ferguson said the agreement he signed lays out where and how the money on the project will be spent.

The city was recently awarded the Community Legacy Grant of $175,000 for a three-part project that will realign the intersection of Union Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, rework the crosswalks on Pennsylvania Avenue and add curb bump-outs to the street to act as a traffic calming device.

[…]

The initiative, which was last formed in 2002, will be used as a sounding board for the community to give feedback to city government. When the initiative was first established, it helped the city establish higher standards for rental properties on Pennsylvania Avenue, increase homeownership on Pennsylvania Avenue and helped create major lighting improvements in the area.

Common Council President Roy Chiavacci said he is being deliberate in determining the scope of the initiative and said the council is taking time up front in the process to make sure the initiative will be ambitious yet realistic and practical.

[…]

Read the entire article here: Westminster focuses on Pennsylvania Avenue project

Monday, May 12, 2008

20080511 Bryan Schutt watch

Bryan Schutt watch

May 11, 2008

One of the latest reporters, who write for the Carroll County Times, that I have been following recently, is Bryan Schutt.

He has only been with the paper since March of 2008. He came to the Times after he earned his B.A. in Journalism in December of 2007 at Penn State University. And for a Yankee, he really doesn’t write badly at all.

Of course, as many readers are aware, I read writers. Too often, the headline for any particular article is misleading and the lead paragraph – the slug – is all too often a compromise between a writer and a copy editor who wants to punch up some interest in the piece.

So I read writers – not headlines.

I first met Mr. Schutt at the Main Street Mile event in Westminster and he asked good questions. He is typical of so many of the new young reporters that arrive at the Times; eager and energetic.

Of course, some of the new ones present as clueless and have an attitude. He seems to have some confidence. There is a big difference between attitude and confidence.

However, as I mentioned before, he asked good questions. And for the female readers, he looks like he is an avatar from GQ.

Of course, one of the first assignments they often get is Westminster city government. What a tough assignment as the current administration has mistaken transparent government to mean translucent; and no group of elected officials around manages the news as well as these folks.

As is so often the case with young reporters, especially at the Times, they fail to challenge their sources.

Anyway - one of several pieces I have taken notice of recently were the two articles on hybrids. I own a Prius and I love it.

*****

As gas prices continue to climb, companies are looking for new ways to power autos In 1985, a Ford Escort was rated at 26 combined miles per gallon. Twenty-three years later, the new heavily advertised Ford Focus is rated at a combined 28 mpg, according to fueleconomy.gov, a Web site that rates fuel efficiency. A 1988 Honda Civic r... May. 11, 2008


Hybrid owners pleased As a retiree, 66-year-old Kenneth Vrtacnik is determined to be economical. “Any way I can save, as far as the environment goes, I try to,” Vrtacnik said. The Westminster resident said he used to commute to Washington, D.C., astride his Ha... May. 11, 2008


Manchester to review fiscal year 2009 budget Fighting the same rising costs of health care, electricity and gasoline prices as other towns, Manchester’s town officials said they worked to save money and create a balanced budget that provides similar services to the town, at similar prices... May. 12, 2008


Taking to the skies: Maryland residents experience one-of-a-kind ride in World War II training plane There were no decorated pine trees, no sprinkled and shaped cut-out cookies and no familiar ringing sounds from the Salvation Army bell but sure enough, it was Christmas at the Carroll County Regional Airport Sunday for two Maryland residents. Vid... May. 12, 2008


Westminster overhauls Capital Improvement Plan Budget concerns became a reality in Westminster Monday, when the proposed Capital Improvement Plan featured a scaled-back fiscal year 2009 budget. The Westminster Common Council was presented with a CIP drastically different from the one originally a... Apr. 29, 2008


Westminster Flower & Jazz Festival offers gift ideas for mom Flowers and mothers go hand in hand, and Westminster has a history of successfully joining the two for its annual Flower & Jazz Festival. Always scheduled for the day before Mother’s Day, the festival is a prime opportunity for last-minute Moth... May. 9, 2008


Driven by her dad’s influence, Nancy Weller isn’t easily intimidated and is certainly capable of pulling her own weight Big-block engines, turbo chargers, and plain-old raw horsepower used to be exclusively under a man’s domain, but not anymore. Video Nancy Weller of Taneytown has been competing against and beating her male counterparts in tractor-pull compe... Apr. 28, 2008


City officials tout budget document's new look Westminster’s new budget document represents a bright spot in an otherwise tough fiscal year to plan, according to city officials, and now, they say it’s time for residents’ input. While the old budget was about 25 pages of numbers,... May. 5, 2008


History lives Today, Dan Graf of Hampstead will be at work as a plant operator for Maryland Paving. Video Sunday, Graf was roughing it outdoors, dressed in his wool Confederate uniform and battling Union soldiers. Graf was one of about 300 re-enactors taking pa... May. 5, 2008


Postage rates to increase Soon-to-be graduates and married couples getting ready to mail thank-you cards and invitations might want to make a trip to the post office to stock up on Forever Stamps before May 12. In tune with other rising costs across the country, many of the U... May. 3, 2008


Special Olympics Sportsmanship, activism primary themes of county games Video Hundreds of athletes and volunteers crowded Westminster High’s Ruby Field for the annual Carroll County Special Olympics Wednesday. Competitors, ages 8 to 58, competed in a range of ... May. 1, 2008


Proposed Westminster plan focuses on water, sewer issues Although city officials say Westminster needs additional funding for street work, water and sewer funds make up the majority of the six-year Capital Improvement Plan that was proposed during this week’s Common Council meeting. The water and sew... Apr. 30, 2008


Carroll Police Brief for Monday, May 12, 2008 Theft Milton Charles Humble, 26, of the 4300 block of Middleburg Road in Union Bridge was arrested Sunday by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and charged with being a fugitive from justice from the state of Pennsylvania. His original charges... May. 12, 2008


Carroll Police Briefs for Monday, April 28, 2008 Driving while impaired - Ryan Dorsey, 35, of the unit block of James Street in Westminster, was arrested by Westminster police Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while impaired. He was released on his own recognizance. - ... Apr. 28, 2008


Westminster council delays budget hearing Westminster city officials decided to hold off on the fiscal year 2009 budget public hearing because they believe the city government needs to re-evaluate the lack of funds put forth for city streets in the Capital Improvement Program. Instead, the C... May 6, 2008