Boots

Daniel Barnes didn't seem to mind helping his neighbor shovel out her car on Potomac Street. "We've had a mild winter. It's about time we got something like this," he said Wednesday afternoon as he stood knee-deep in a snow drift. Diana Bachnan was shoveling snow off her car on South Prospect Street. "I like snow. It's about time. If we're going to have winter, I want to have snow," she said. Chip Stewart was clearing some parking spots in front of the gourmet dessert shop Bones and Cones downtown Wednesday morning.

Hagerstown professional firefighters Local 1605 will conduct a Fill-the-Boot drive Oct. 12-14 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Proceeds raised during the campaign will help support MDA services and research programs, including MDA's outpatient clinics, summer camp for children and young adults ages 6 to 21, financial assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs and leg braces, as well as the purchase of communication devices....

TRI-STATE She's only 9 years old, but Anastasia - everyone, she says, calls her Ana - Martinez wants to join the military and knows exactly who should help guide her through the process. "I wanna work in the Army. I want (my mother) to be my recruiter," Ana said recently as she sat at her kitchen table, finishing her math homework when she wasn't exuberantly talking to a visitor. On Mother's Day today, mothers will receive cards, flowers and trips to favorite or fancy restaurants.

HAGERSTOWN A theater production company has apologized to the family of a boy with a developmental disability who was escorted out of a Maryland Theatre children's show April 4 because he was squealing. Becky Gilmer of Berkeley County, W.Va., told the Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday that her son Blane, 11, can communicate through sounds, but not words, and was expressing his joy for the show. Then, he was asked to leave. As part of its apology, the production company, Theatreworks USA of New York City, has offered to perform a free show next year at the middle school Blane will attend.

Every February, 4-H members across Washington County turn in their record books that chronicle their annual 4-H experiences. In each record book is the member's resume, essay and project record sheets. Today, I will give you a glimpse into one of these record books. Emily Myers, a junior at Clear Spring High School, is a member of the Huyetts 4-H Club and one of the members whose book was selected to go on to state competition. Read on and enjoy Emily's essay, which answers the question, "How Have I Made a Difference as a 4-H'er?"

Members of the Cumberland Valley Western Dance Association practice a singles line dance at the old Quincy (Pa.) High School gymnasium Monday night. Cathy and Leonard Leiberknight of Chambersburg, Pa., practice a couples dance. The Cumberland Valley Western Dance Association offers line and couples dance classes for beginning and intermediate dancers at 6:30 p.m. every Monday in the old school gym off Pa. 997 north of Waynesboro, Pa.

Joe Santoro entertains children with a sock puppet Thursday at the Apollo Civic Theatre in Martinsburg, W.Va., at a presentation of "Puss in Boots. " Shows are also scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. For reservations, call 304-263-6766.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Town of Bath Police Chief Tony Lynch told the council at its Monday meeting that the police department is "actively going after" overdue parking tickets. Lynch said the department might start booting vehicles. Council member David Crosby asked Lynch if the town had the authority to boot vehicles. Lynch said the town has an ordinance in effect that allows such an action. Lynch also told council members that Project Child Safe is under way. He said the town has about 700 free gun locks to give out. Lynch said they can be picked up at the Bath Police Department at 103 Wilkes St. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

BOYS SOCCER MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Nick Benavides scored five goals and had two assists to lead No. 2 Martinsburg as it rolled past Musselman 10-1 in the Region II Section 4 semifinals. Adam Polinik added three goals and an assist for the Bulldogs (17-1-1) while Trent Reid and Dave Poland each had a goal. Matt Dushing scored Musselman's only goal. Martinsburg will likely host Hedgesville Saturday at 1 p.m. in the section finals. Hedgesville 3 No. 3 Jefferson 2 SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.Va.

shappell@herald-mail.com SMITHSBURG - Chronic parking offenders in the Town of Smithsburg might soon get the boot. The Smithsburg Town Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve an emergency ordinance that will allow the Smithsburg Police Department to place an immobilizing boot on vehicles owned by motorists with three unpaid parking tickets. Department Police Chief Michael Potter said similar ordinances have worked well as a deterrent in other towns such as Williamsport and Hancock.