Benefit

With health care costs on the rise, Washington County employees will be paying about 10 percent more on average for their share, starting July 1, county officials said Tuesday. The county Board of Commissioners unanimously approved proposed health benefit changes for fiscal year 2013-14, which will result in a typical increase of $12.53 per month, or a little more than $6 per paycheck, according to Stephanie Stone, the county's Director of Health and Human Services. “I don't think we have much choice but to raise it,” Commissioner William B. McKinley said.

When plans began to circulate last year for a new multiuse stadium in downtown Hagerstown, the goal was twofold. First, the stadium would make it possible to keep Minor League Baseball in Hagerstown. Second, it would be an economic engine for the city. To some, the second goal was perhaps more important than the first. Located just a block from the Potomac Street Arts and Entertainment District, the proposed stadium would have added juice to the city's core. No one felt the stadium could be a savior on its own, but the energy created by the project certainly would have jumpstarted other downtown projects.

A coin collection organized by school health personnel at Potomac Heights Elementary School, with support from Meritus Health, recently generated $832.06, which was donated to the March of Dimes. The students in the classroom of Jamie Smith, which is being covered by long-term substitute Heather Snow, raised the highest total of $225.01, earning a pizza party for the class. The students of Julie McGee, James Barnhart and Lynn Wilcox earned ice cream sandwiches for the amount of money they raised.

The Washington County Recreation Department and the City of Hagerstown said $8,171.92 will be distributed to the Community Free Clinic from the annual Run for Your Luck 5K event. The event is held annually and supports the clinic. In addition, the race committee made a one-time donation of $500 to the Quinn Hoover Legacy Fund. The annual St. Patrick's Day race is co-hosted by the City of Hagerstown, Washington County Recreation Department and Community Free Clinic.

Conococheague Elementary School will host dinner and bingo to benefit Gavin Everitts on Sunday at the Clear Spring American Legion.  Lunch will be served at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m.  Tickets cost $25. Tickets can be purchased at the school from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or at the Clear Spring Legion. Chicken barbecue District 15 Civic Organization will hold a chicken barbecue Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. at the Big Pool Community Building.   The dinner includes chicken, baked beans, applesauce, roll, butter, dessert and drink.

Montie Hicks of BB&T, Chris Colbert of United Bank and Selwyn Persad of City Hospital were named co-chairmen of the West Virginia University Hospitals-East 2013 Bernie Hutzler Golf Classic. The annual golf classic, which benefits City Hospital in Martinsburg and Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, W.Va., will be Monday, June 3, at Cress Creek Country Club in Shepherdstown, W.Va. This year marks the 26th year for the tournament, which was established in 1988 as a fundraiser and “friend” raiser for City Hospital.

A Vera Bradley basket bingo to benefit Hagerstown Day Nursery will be Sunday, April 14, at BPO Elks Lodge, 11063 Robinwood Drive, east of Hagerstown. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., meal 12:15 p.m., bingo at 1 p.m. Event includes raffles, door prizes, tip jars, King Tuts. Cost of $25 includes hot lunch and 25 games. Must be 18 and older. Call Betty at 301-223-6376.

 "American Idol" finalist Bucky Covington and others will perform a Cabin Fever benefit concert at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Md. A family fun day will precede the concert from noon to 3 p.m. The concert will benefit Tri-State Zoological Park in Cumberland. Tickets cost $20 to $25. Call 301-759-0550 or go to www.woodsetter.com .

The Washington County Recreation Department and the City of Hagerstown announced that $8,171.92 will be distributed to community organizations on behalf of the annual Run for Your Luck 5K. This year's proceeds support the Community Free Clinic of Washington County, and the race committee also will make a one-time donation of $500 to the Quinn Hoover Legacy Fund. The annual Saint Patrick's Day race is co-hosted by the City of Hagerstown, Washington County Recreation Department and Community Free Clinic.

During March, which was Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Endoscopy Center at Robinwood held its fourth annual basket raffle to raise money for colon cancer research and awareness.  This year, the center raised more than $1,200, which will be donated to the Washington County Health Department's colon cancer screening program.   Debby Cushwa of Digestive Disorders Consultants was the winner of this year's basket filled with more than $750...