Baltimore County

ANNAPOLIS - Hagerstown's Potomac Center for mentally retarded people was bracing this week for an influx of clients from a troubled Baltimore County center targeted for shutdown. State investigators have alleged abuse and neglect at the Rosewood Center in Owings Mills in Baltimore County. The state's Office of Health Care Quality last month banned the Rosewood Center from admitting anyone new until late February. Potomac Center employees expect that mentally retarded people - including some who committed crimes - will be diverted to Hagerstown, possibly right away, said Freida Forrest, a Potomac Center direct care worker.

The following people were appointed Friday to the South Mountain Battlefield Historic Tourism Initiative Task Force by Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening. The task force was created by Joint Resolution 12 of the 1999 session of the Maryland General Assembly to examine the feasibility of establishing a state park at South Mountain in Washington and Frederick counties. - George F. Brigham Jr ., of Frederick County, of the Central Maryland Heritage League Inc., task force chair - Daniel P. Spedden of Washington County, of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, task force vice chair - Joseph L. Motter of Washington County, of the Friends of Gathland State Park Inc. - Barbara A. Rodenhiser of Washington County, of Friends of Washington Monument State Park - Hannah L. Byron of Baltimore County, of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development - Dean A. Herrin of Frederick County, of the Catoctin Center for Regional Studies - Sylvia M. Ramsey of Howard County, of the Maryland Department of Transportation The task force also includes two members of the House appointed by the speaker of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate; and Washington and Frederick county commissioners will each appoint a representative.

In 1956, following her college graduation, while teaching at Towson Senior High School in Baltimore County, Md., Susan Mullendore accompanied her roommates to a restaurant - Murray's Ice Cream Parlor - for a snack. Three young men at the next table were watching and started flirting - asking for the salt, then pepper for their burgers - obvious excuses for conversation. They continued talking at their parked cars. They shared phone numbers. A few days later, Bill Freed, the one who had Susan's phone number, called.

Mellott-Smith Jessica Eaton Smith and James Davis Mellott were married Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Hagerstown. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eric Smith of Hagerstown. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David R. Mellott of Hagerstown. The bride is a graduate of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a bachelor of science degree in biology and earned a master of arts in teaching at College of Notre Dame in Baltimore County.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A battle over the measurement of wealth is pitting two metropolitan counties against the rest of Maryland. At issue is when the state should compile "net taxable income" data from tax returns to calculate state aid. If the measurement date moves from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1, as has been proposed before, it would shift millions of dollars away from Baltimore and Montgomery counties to other counties. Washington County Public Schools would have gained as much as $3.8 million in fiscal year 2008, according to Anthony Trotta, the school system's chief legal counsel.

SMITHSBURG - One might wonder how a girl from New Hampshire could find her way to a small town in Washington County, Md., and feel so much at home. Krystina Gaudio grew up in a family where her dad was involved in emergency medical services for 20 years. "EMS comes so naturally to me," she said. So when the 22-year-old was exploring career possibilities, it was no surprise that she would gravitate toward helping others. "A friend recommended the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, program," she said.

By TERI JOHNSON Staff Writer Don't be surprised if you see Todd Sturniolo on stage someday at a professional symphony orchestra concert or playing in the "Tonight Show" band. Those might seem like lofty goals, but the North Hagerstown High School senior likes to aim high. Todd, who plays trombone, was selected again this year to participate in Senior All State Band. The performance is Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m. at North Hagerstown High School. Todd, 17, will be making his fourth All State appearance.

"Sunday, April 13 around 9 p.m. a cat was killed on Day Road behind the Four Points. It was a Persian cat, I covered it up and put it to the side. It looked like it may have been a house cat. It was a beautiful cat. " "Liberty cabbage in place of sauerkraut, come on people, get a life!" "How about having security in the parking lot in the Garland Groh Shopping Center, not just in the Wal-mart lot, but in the entire parking lot. It would make everyone feel much safer, especially when they see strange people hanging around in their cars.

West Virginia no better than Maryland on taxes To the editor: I just received my Berkeley County, W.Va., property tax bills in the mail. My property taxes on my five-acre lots in Swan Pond have again almost doubled. My total bill comes to $2,040 for a house on 15 acres, plus the other nuisance taxes one pays in West Virginia. Is West Virginia really a good deal? With respect to how much land costs compared to neighboring states, yes. With respect to taxes and what you get in return, I don't think so. It is a myth that rates are uncommonly low in West Virginia.

Engagement Announcements for 4/21 Trovinger-Michael Fred and Sharon Shobe Trovinger of Frostburg, Md., wish to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelli Irene, to Brian Robert Michael, son of Eileen Michael of Silver Spring, Md. Ms. Trovinger is the granddaughter of Hilda Trovinger and Catherine Shobe, both of Hagerstown, the late Fred Trovinger Sr. and the late Robert Shobe. Ms. Trovinger is a 1989 graduate of Beall High School in Frostburg, a 1994 graduate of Frostburg State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and is pursuing a graduate degree in educational leadership at Saint Leo University in Tampa, Fla. She is employed as a fifth-grade teacher at San Antonio Elementary School near Tampa.