No injuries, damage reported as earthquake unnerves locals
From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Tue Aug 23, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT
CUMBERLAND — A 5.8 earthquake centered in Mineral, Va., unnerved residents and briefly shook buildings in Cumberland, Frostburg and McHenry and throughout the region Tuesday. No injuries or damage were reported locally.
Some buildings were evacuated as a safety precaution, including the courthouse on Washington Street and the Social Services Administration building in downtown Cumberland.
Kathy Rogers, spokeswoman for the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center, said security immediately began making rounds after the shaking was felt there.
“Everything is fine. The electricity stayed on and we are not having any problems,” she said. “I was at my desk and could feel the floor shaking for about 10 seconds. People are welcome to call us if they have concerns.”
The wall and windows facing South Mechanic Street on the second floor of the Times-News wobbled visibly during the afternoon temblor, bringing a roomful of reporters to their feet.
The incident prompted numerous calls to the newsroom from residents and businesses at Frostburg, Cumberland, Bean’s Cove and various other locations throughout the region.
At McHenry, a trooper at the Maryland State Police barrack said, “It felt like the wind was blowing but you knew it wasn’t the wind when you felt the floor shake.”
At Frostburg, the city police department felt the tremors. “We sure felt it but it was over before you realized it.”
A business at Frostburg reported the shaking there lasted about 25 seconds and shook office chairs.
Dick DeVore, an Allegany County emergency management spokesman, said that cell phone calls were not connecting for many users. “That would seem to be associated with the volume of calls being made rather than with any damage from the earthquake,” he said. “Text messages are working fine.”
Allegany County Board of Education officials began inspecting school buildings for structural damage shortly after the quake. Students were scheduled to return to classes today.
“All the buildings need to be checked for safety,” said Steve Wilson, supervisor of human resources, who was inside the Board of Education’s central office building during the earthquake Tuesday afternoon. Employees immediately evacuated, congregating on sidewalks along Washington Street.
“I thought a truck had hit the building,” Wilson said.
Coincidentally, BOE employees had reviewed evacuation procedures Tuesday morning as part of back-to-school preparations, said Bob Farrell, security coordinator.
“I’m glad we went over it,” he said.
At Northern High School in Garrett County, teachers reported that those on the second floor of the building felt the quake, but not those on the first floor.
Area emergency centers said they were flooded with calls with reports. CNN reported that the quake was felt from Toronto, Canada, down to Georgia. The earthquake also extended west to Detroit and Indianapolis.
Times-News staff writers Mike Sawyers, Jeff Alderton, Kristin Harty-Barkley and Emily Newman contributed to this report.
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Earthquake felt across Maryland, but no injuries, major damage reported
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: August 23, 2011 – 3:55 pm
Last Updated: August 23, 2011 – 6:23 pm
BALTIMORE — Maryland officials say the earthquake was felt across the state, but no injuries or major damage are being reported.
Maryland Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ed McDonough says Tuesday’s 5.8 magnitude quake, which was centered in Virginia, was felt from Garrett County to Somerset County, but only a few serious incidents are being reported.
The Maryland Transportation Authority closed the Harry W. Nice Bridge temporarily, but all other tunnels and bridges remained open.
State police spokesman Greg Shipley says all special operations teams are on standby.
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Our Town Theatre Presenting "Face Off Unlimited"
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Our Town Theatre will host a comedy performance by Face Off Unlimited. The three-man touring show will present A Whole ‘Nother Level! on Friday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m., at the theatre in Oakland. “Completely unscripted and based on audience suggestions, three master improvisers fuse together live music, poetry, physical comedy, and performance art,” a spokesperson said. “Face Off sets out to prove that all things, no matter how seemingly different, are all connected in this non-stop comedy thrill ride.” The show has toured colleges and universities along the East Coast and received rave reviews, the spokesperson noted. The Huffington Post called it “a can’t-miss act” of the 2011 Chicago Improv Festival. The actors recently headlined at the Queens Fringe Festival. New York Times said the troupe is “really funny,” and CBS News New York said seeing the show is “one of the best things to do in NYC.” The trio – Joe Tex, Jay Painter, and Alexander L. Hill – have been seen on TruTV, MTV, and Funny or Die, as well as off-Broadway. Last month Face Off performed as part of the opening of the West Virginia Governor’s School of the Arts. Hill is originally from Oakland, and is the son of Richard and Melodee Hill. The show at OTT will be free to the public, with donations accepted. A pre-show “happy hour” will be held from 7 to 8, with beer and wine for sale by the glass. All guests must be 18 years or older. Reservations are required by calling 301-334-5640 or can be made online at www.ourtowntheatre.org. The trio will move on to Davis and Elkins College for a show on Saturday. Both Painter and Hill are D&E alumni. More information about Face Off Unlimited can be found at faceoff-unlimited.com.
More here.Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Maryland Crime Rate Now Lowest Level Since 1975
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Aug. 18, 2011
Governor Martin O’Mal-ley announced yesterday that total crime in Maryland is at its lowest level since 1975. According to 2010 year-end crime data compiled by the Maryland State Police and submitted to the FBI for use in the national crime statistics report, total crime in Maryland was down 5.1 percent – its lowest level since modern crime tracking began in 1975.
Additionally, violent crime decreased 6 percent and property crime was down 4.9 percent. Currently both the violent crime and property crime rates (per 100,000 people) are the lowest ever on record in Maryland. Since 2006, total crime in Maryland has decreased 12 percent and violent crime has decreased 17 percent.
Among violent crimes, homicides dropped 3.2 percent in 2010, with 14 fewer people murdered last year in Maryland than during the year before. The data for 2010 also show reductions in robbery (-7.9%), aggravated assault (-5.6%), burglary (-0.6%), larceny/theft (-5.7%), and motor vehicle theft (-8.1%).
“The most important responsibilities we have in government are to create jobs and protect the public’s safety,” said Governor O’Malley. “Working together with state and local law enforcement, with our partners and neighbors in communities across Maryland, we have helped drive crime down to its lowest level in recorded history. As we continue to make our streets safer, we improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses.”
Sixteen jurisdictions reported reductions in total crime, with three reporting double-digit reductions between 2009 and 2010. Seventeen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in violent crime (murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault), with eight reporting double-digit decreases. Fifteen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in property crime (breaking and entering, larceny/theft, and motor vehicle theft), with three jurisdictions reporting reductions of 10 percent or more.
The declines in crime come at a time when state and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying their use of technology and information sharing. As a result, more criminals are being taken off the streets of Maryland communities.
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Back To School Nights Planned Across County
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Aug. 18, 2011
Southern Garrett High School will be holding a back-to-school night for parents, students and staff on Monday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The school encourages parents and students to visit their child’s advisor and assigned teachers during their visit. There will be an abbreviated bell schedule.
The cafeteria staff will be available for lunch money deposits.
Northern High School will be holding its back-to-school night Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.
All four northern-end elementary schools (Grantsville, Accident, Route 40, and Friendsville) will hold their back-to-school nights on Monday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. Northern Middle School has scheduled its event for Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
County Commissioner Meeting TODAY re: tax increases
Starting at 4:05 PM today at the county courthouse, the County Commissioners will be holding hearings on proposals to increase several real property related taxes in Garrett County. These include the Recordation Tax, the Transfer Tax, and the Rate of Interest for Overdue Property Taxes. Some of the proposed increases require legislation.
Also scheduled are hearings for rate increase in the Hotel Rental Tax and the Admissions and Amusement Tax.
The specific increases under consideration, if any, are not posted in the public notice. According to the commissioners’ office, the county will make a presentation on the projected needs and shortfalls in budget and revenue over the next few years and provide information on why the increases are being considered.
The information below as taken from the commissioners’ agenda.
4:05 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Tax Rate Increase for Recordation Tax
4:10 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Tax Rate Increase for Admissions and Amusement Tax
4:15 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for Hotel Rental Tax
4:20 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for County Transfer Tax
4:25 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for Rate of Interest for Overdue Property Taxes
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Info Sought On July Burglary Of Concession Stand
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Aug. 18, 2011
The Garrett Bureau of Investigation is seeking information concerning a burglary that reportedly occurred during the evening hours of July 16.
Unknown suspect(s) reportedly forced entry into the concession stand at Broadford Lake Park and removed $350 worth of property and caused approximately $100 in damage to the buildings. Anyone with information on this crime or any crime may leave an anonymous tip at www.garrettcountycrimesolvers.org or call the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office at 301-334-1911.
Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $300. Anyone who has sent a tip online at the above-mentioned web site is reminded to check his/her crime ID number at the site, as recent rewards have been authorized to certain tipsters.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
State's Attorney Will Not Pursue Escape Charges
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Aug. 18, 2011
Charges against two men implicated in Deandre Kelly’s escape from the county jail in January were not prosecuted by State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch during recent Garrett County Circuit Court proceedings.
Richard Demoan Hall Jr., 27, Frederick, and Eric Mandrell Nibbins, 27, Washington, D.C., were both indicted by the March 2011 grand jury with one count of conspiracy to commit first degree escape, first degree escape, two counts of first degree assault, two counts of second degree assault, and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony/crime of violence.
Five drug-related charges against Hall were also not prosecuted by the state’s attorney: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess CDS with intent to distribute, CDS distribute with a firearm, and two counts of possession of marijuana.
The drug charges stem from a traffic stop conducted by Maryland State Police on eastbound I-68 near Friendsville on Jan. 22. Hall and Kelly were passengers in a car driven by 27-year-old Frostburg area resident Amber Lynn James, who was stopped for traveling 83 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Civic Club's Publicity Book Wins First In Nation
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Multiple hours of researching, designing, cutting, pasting, and other creative activity paid off in a big way for the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) Civic Club of Oakland this year, as the organization’s publicity book, which records all the activities, news releases, invitations, programs, and other club events for an entire year (2010), was deemed to be the very best such book in the country. The book won the state of Maryland contest in June, and then this month was announced as the national winner. Members of the local club recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to the national headquarters to receive the award. The honor is timely, as the club has launched into a celebration of its 100th year of existence, having been founded in 1911. A series of events celebrating that milestone will take place this fall. More information will be published as these celebrations near. Pictured above at the D.C. event this month, from left, are Kris Yusko and Judi Schiff, both local members; Josephine Miller, state president; Carlene Garner, national GFWC president; Betty Ellington, local member and book compiler; Barbara Frantz, local president; and Ellen Fritz, local member and book compiler.
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So Many Choices To Make
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Thanks to cooperative (and generally sunny) weather, as well as the efforts of the event’s organizers, participants, and vendors, the Garrett County Agriculture Fair continues to offer an array of exhibits, food, rides, and games for patrons of all ages. Above is young fairgoer Jackson Doyle of Salisbury, Pa., who, undeterred by hands already full, scans a kiddie-pool sized sea of rubber ducklings in hope of choosing a winner. The fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 20, at the fairgrounds in McHenry. Photo by Barb Law.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
