Featured Articles from Herald-Mail

It began with piece of junk mail. Because you were busy, you tossed it on a table, and moved on to other, more important things in your life. But the next day, a magazine and a store catalog landed there, plus several birthday cards from friends and a week's worth of newspapers. Every time you passed by, you considered sorting through the items and discarding what you didn't need. Instead, you continued adding to the pile, telling yourself you'd get around to straightening things up as soon as you had some free time.

A Hagerstown soldier accused of killing an unarmed Afghan civilian last September was an exemplary leader who showed solid judgment and looked out for his men, an eyewitness to the incident told Army officials in military proceedings. Spc. Charles Miller testified during an Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a civilian grand jury, that Sgt. Derrick Miller, 27, was a "squared away" soldier who acted "reasonably in pressure situations. " "I wouldn't question his judgment if he believed the use of deadly force was necessary," Charles Miller said.

By Teri Johnson Staff Writer Do all those sighs mean you can't find your size? It may be because so many people are seeking the same numbers you are. Here's a sampling of some of the fastest-selling sizes in the Tri-State area: Women Jeff Schwaninger, senior merchandising manager for JCPenney in Hagerstown, says women like a looser, roomier fit for casual activity. "A good portion of the population is a little bottom heavy," says Schwaninger, who does the buying for women's clothing in misses, petites, plus sizes, juniors and maternity.

CLEAR SPRING - A 36-year-old Hagerstown man who worked at a children's group home is charged with sexually abusing one of the boys in his care, Washington County District Court records indicate. Jamie Frederick Putney, of 801 S. Potomac St., Apt. 1, allegedly began abusing a boy at Big Pine Children's Shelter in Clear Spring when the victim was 12 years old. When asked why he moved from Big Pine to Shining Tree Children's Home in Hagerstown, the victim said there were "sexual issues with kids and a staff member," a charging document states.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. - A West Virginia man whom Pennsylvania State Police said made hundreds of calls to businesses asking women employees about their feet was sentenced Wednesday in Franklin County Court to probation. "What do they call a foot doctor?" Judge John Walker asked the court stenographer during the sentencing of James Lee Fink. Getting the answer, Walker then jokingly suggested Fink should have thought about being a podiatrist. Fink, 31, whose last known address was in Martinsburg, W.Va.