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Grantsville man wins suit to remove property from annexation plan

Michael A. Sawyers

Cumberland Times-News

GRANTSVILLE — A River Road businessman who successfully sued the town of Grantsville will have his property removed from the town’s annexation plan.

On Feb. 7, Garrett County Circuit Court Judge James L. Sherbin ruled in favor of Rodney Youmans, who owns and operates Meshach Browning’s Cabins on the River at 315 River Road.

“I originally agreed to annexation because Grantsville said my property would be hooked to the town’s sewer line,” Youmans told the Times-News on Wednesday.

Youmans’ attorney, Robert Kazary, Cumberland, told the court that in 2006 the town sought to annex the land upon which the Goodwill Mennonite Nursing Home sits so that municipal water could be provided, allowing an expansion of that business.

During that process, some other private properties, including Youmans, were also included in the annexation effort.

In his written opinion, Sherbin noted that two annexation plans existed, with the first one in 2008 providing an extension of sewer service to Youmans’ property.

A second plan, filed in 2011, does not include that offer, Sherbin pointed out.

More here.

Garrett Sunday alcohol sales bill being considered

Matthew BieniekCumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND  — Bills that would allow voters to decide whether to expand Sunday on- and off-premises alcohol sales in Garrett County are being considered by the General Assembly.

The House Economic Matters Committee considered the on-premises sale bill on Monday. That committee will decide whether to recommend the bill move forward to the whole House. The off-premises bill was heard by the same committee Feb. 17. Together the bills would allow voters to OK sales at taverns and restaurants as well as package stores.

The bill was submitted at the request of the Garrett County Liquor Control Board. Some election districts already have Sunday sales and other merchants want to be able to do the same. Del. Wendell Beitzel introduced the bills. The sales would be allowed from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce also supports Sunday sales for alcoholic beverages, chamber officials said during a public meeting in December.

More here.

Federal trial in May for two Garrett County developers

From Staff Reports

Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Trial has been set for May 5 for two Garrett County developers who were indicted last month by a federal grand jury on charges related to a $3.7 million bank fraud conspiracy.

A court spokesman advised of the date of the trial in U.S. District Court in Baltimore for Samuel R. VanSickle, 49, of Accident, and Louis W. Strosnider III, 47, of Oakland, following their recent initial court appearances.

VanSickle and Strosnider both have entered pleas of not guilty to the charges contained in a six-count indictment that alleges from Dec. 21, 2001, through June 30, 2004, they devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain money and property from financial institutions.

Specifically, VanSickle purchased two properties and allegedly concealed the ownership and control of the properties using false names and identities; inflated the value of the properties through fraudulent loans and mortgages; and entered into sales contracts with Strosnider at inflated prices with fictitious down payments. Strosnider then obtained bank loans with fraudulent collateral to finance sales of the properties.

Entities controlled by VanSickle sold the properties to Strosnider, with the purchase prices actually being paid to VanSickle in the name of companies he controlled, according to the indictment.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of $3,751,000 and 40 properties held in VanSickle’s name or in the names of nominees in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the conspiracy and for each of the five counts of bank fraud.

More here.