Baltimore County

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.

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.

From staff and AP reports Former Democratic governor William Donald Schaefer and Republican Timothy R. Mayberry, a Boonsboro resident, appeared headed for a general election contest for Maryland comptroller. The winner will succeed the late Louis L. Goldstein. With 57 percent of the precincts reporting, Schaefer had 125,974 votes, or 54 percent. His closest competitor in the balloting was Baltimore comptroller Joan Pratt, with 54,458, or 23 percent. Mayberry had 35,975 votes, or 27 percent, to Michael Steele's 27,109, or 20 percent.

Washington County Commissioner James R. Wade will be a guest today on Maryland Public Television 's "Newsnight Maryland" program. The topic to be discussed is taxpayer spending for sports teams. The program airs at 7 p.m. Wade will join John Moag, managing director of the Maryland Stadium Authority, and Dennis Coates, associate professor of economics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Father-daughter team goes into business As Washington County's newest mediator/arbitrator, Daniel Moylan has learned valuable skills in that field, both as a judge and as a father. Moylan, 63, and his daughter, Alden Lisa Moylan, recently formed the firm of Moylan and Associates Ltd., which already is operating throughout Maryland. In addition to his experiences on the bench, Moylan and his daughter bring other, rather unique skills to the mediation field - years of give-and-take inherent in any parent-child relationship.

By DAVE McMILLION Staff Writer BOONSBORO - Smaller high schools typically have a harder time surviving in the "It's Academic" competition on WJZ-TV in Baltimore, but the team from Boonsboro High School had done its homework. Since the beginning of the year, Will Keller, Tyler Newman and Alton Temple had been going to school early about three times a week to review old videos of the show and practice answering questions. "Two weeks before the competition, we were in there every morning," said Keller.

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.