Brakes

Dear Tom and Ray: I have a four-wheel-drive 2005 Dodge Dakota with 32,000 miles on it. Since I had the front brake pads replaced four months ago, I have noticed a faint burning smell coming from the wheels after I drive to work. I took it back to the repair shop, and they could not find anything wrong. This weekend, I took it down a winding canyon road, and when I got to the bottom, there was smoke coming from the wheels, along with a strong burning smell. I took it to the Dodge dealer, and they can't find anything wrong with the brakes -- nothing charred, no pulsation and plenty of pad left.

The first motorcycle built by BMW over 80 years ago was of the company's own design, featuring an air-cooled opposed-twin cylinder or "Boxer" motor. The concept remains a strong influence in today's two-wheeled BMW lineup. A new model graces the R Series stable for 2004 - the R 1200 C Montauk. My 2004 BMW R 1200 C Montauk test bike was finished in Champagne metallic with aluminum- and silver-painted components, accented by generous doses of chrome. Only three colors are available and all are metallic - Champagne, Sapphire Black and Arctic Blue.

Fourteen school students were taken to Meritus Medical Center with minor injuries after their school bus driver applied the brakes to avoid a collision Monday afternoon at the intersection of North Locust Street and Broadway, according to a Hagerstown Police Department spokesman. The bus driver, who was driving north on North Locust Street, said the driver of a vehicle ran a red light at the intersection with Broadway at about 4:49 p.m., Sgt. Mark Renner said. When the bus driver applied the brakes, students on the bus hit the seats in front of them, Renner said.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man was killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon in Morgan County, according to West Virginia State Police. Police did not release the name of the Stahlstown, Pa., man, pending notification of family. The accident happened shortly before 5 p.m. in the 8800 block of Cacapon Road, police said. The man was riding a motorcycle east when, for unknown reasons, he either hit the brakes or the brakes locked up, police said.

WILLIAMSPORT --An overweight, southbound tractor-trailer with insufficient brakes struck the rear of a Mercedes sport utility vehicle on the Interstate 81 bridge crossing the Potomac River on Monday afternoon then hit another tractor-trailer, according to a Maryland State Police spokesman. Both southbound lanes of the interstate were shut down after the 2:18 p.m. crash, which snarled traffic on the road, Trooper 1st Class J. Eichelberger said. The driver of the overweight tractor-trailer, which was a tanker truck hauling milk, said he had faulty brakes, Eichelberger said.

ANNAPOLIS - Actress Kirstie Alley was among the many people who called the Maryland Department of Natural Resources last month to plead for the life of Bucky the Deer. After seeing a segment about the condemned Hagerstown deer on the Today show, the former star of NBC sitcoms "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet" talked to Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto for about 40 minutes, DNR sources say. "By the end of the call, Ms. Alley had promised to let Katie Couric and the folks at NBC know that (a)

andrews@herald-mail.com My family has always made car purchase decisions on the side of a highway - as a member of our fleet smokes, leaks or burns. This was different, but not much. My car for the last three years was getting me back and forth to work. But it was chugging and gasping, possibly stricken with rolling pneumonia. The small things that had been breaking down - quirks I've brushed off as "character" in my jalopies - were no longer charming. It was time to apply the brakes to this arrangement.

Martinsburg man killed while walking to mailbox MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A Martinsburg man was struck by a car and killed Sunday while walking to his mailbox. Lyle J. Kelley, 84, died at the scene of the 6:13 p.m. crash in front of his home on U.S. 11, about one-tenth of a mile south of the Mid-Atlantic Parkway. West Virginia State Police say the investigation is continuing, although the driver does not appear to be at fault. "It appears we're not going to file any charges," said Trooper Dean Olack.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A Winchester, Va., man and a passenger escaped injury early Wednesday when his car became stuck on railroad tracks near Martinsburg and was struck by a CSX train. The accident took place just before 3 a.m., the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. A 1997 Honda Civic driven by Christopher Hoover of Winchester was traveling westbound on Golf Course Road just east of Connector Road when it slid off the edge of the road and became caught on the edge of the road and the railroad tracks, the release said.

Ford's imposing, yellow Mighty F-350 Tonka Truck concept, which starred on auto show stages a couple of years ago, was more than just an exercise in macho. It foretold the future of Ford pickup design and engineering. Close kin to the awesome Tonka is Ford's newly unveiled 2005 Super Duty pickup. Set to arrive in dealerships this August in XL, XLT and Lariat trim, it has a new face, upgraded interior and touts improved capability. "This truck is about capability," said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group marketing manager.

Two Republican candidates will appear on the May primary ballot for Peters Township supervisor. Roger Blattenberger, 68, is vying to unseat incumbent John Brake, 81, who has served in the role for more than 30 years. There are no candidates running on the Democratic ballot in the May 21 primary, so both candidates are hoping to secure Democratic write-in votes in the primary election. Both candidates are Republican and retired, but that's where the similarities end. Brake wants to maintain the status quo in the running of the township, while Blattenberger isn't satisfied with the way the current board of supervisors has been running it. Brake, of 7117 Renninger Road, said he's proud of the job he's done for township residents and wants to continue to serve.

Following an outcry from concerned citizens involved in the used car business, the Hagerstown City Council at its Tuesday meeting will reconsider the portion of an amendment to the city's Land Management Code that cites car lots on properties of fewer than 40,000 square feet as nonconforming. The amendment, which went into effect Oct. 25, requires new automobile sales facilities to occupy that much land. Existing facilities on fewer than 40,000 square feet can continue to operate if they don't cease operation for two or more years, according to a Feb. 26 memo from Planning Director Kathleen Maher and Stephen Bockmiller, development planner and zoning administrator, to city Administrator Bruce Zimmerman regarding the change.  Bill Feuerstein, who has owned Salem Avenue Auto Exchange and Repair for 19 years, was one of those who spoke at the Feb. 26 city council meeting, saying he feared for the future of his business.

Friday, February 15, 2013 BOYS BASKETBALL Tuscarora 79, North 42 FREDERICK, Md. -  North Hagerstown had its 11-game winning streak snapped in a loss to Tuscarora (19-3). Tuscarora led 39-24 at the half and extended the lead in the third quarter outscoring North 20-4. Kenny McCrary had 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks and Isaiah Keyes had six points and five rebounds for the Hubs (16-5). NORTH HAGERSTOWN (16-5) McCrary 16, Keyes 6, Ober 6, Gantt 5, Reynolds 4, Karlen 3, Peralta 2. Totals 20 1-8 42. TUSCARORA (19-3)

Olen Collis Brake, Sr., 95, of Williamsport, died Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Homewood at Williamsport. Born Dec. 10, 1916, in Escambia County, Ala., he was the son of the late Alton Brake and Lizzy (Barnecastle) Adams. He was a member of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Alabama. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia Louise “Jinny” (Martin) Brake, who died on Nov. 8, 2010, and a sister, Dora Lambert, of Mobile, Ala. He retired from the U.S. Air Forceafter a combined 30 years and 6 months of service in the U.S. Army and the Air Force.

Fourteen school students were taken to Meritus Medical Center with minor injuries after their school bus driver applied the brakes to avoid a collision Monday afternoon at the intersection of North Locust Street and Broadway, according to a Hagerstown Police Department spokesman. The bus driver, who was driving north on North Locust Street, said the driver of a vehicle ran a red light at the intersection with Broadway at about 4:49 p.m., Sgt. Mark Renner said. When the bus driver applied the brakes, students on the bus hit the seats in front of them, Renner said.

For the past five years, driving their tractors to school has been a way for some James Buchanan High School students to celebrate agriculture during National Future Farmers of America Week. But a telephone call has brought Drive Your Tractor to School Day to a screeching halt. James Buchanan Principal Rodney Benedick said Wednesday's event was the last time it will be held. “We were informed by the Pennsylvania State Police that this practice violates several Pennsylvania driving codes, and thus will not be repeated or supported in the future,” Benedick said.

It's an image that can shoot fear through your nervous system. That oncoming car headed straight for you is manned by an absent-minded driver, head tilted slightly downward, intent on sending that next text message. Gone are the days of leisurely drives, replaced instead by a barrage of cellphone chatting, texting and a litany of other distractions. "It seems as if driving has taken a secondary place. Your vehicle should be your primary focus. When you get in that car, your attention should be on the road," Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michele Davis said recently.

Shirley A. Lewis Brake, 72, of Waynesboro, Pa., died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, in Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown. The family will receive friends Saturday one hour prior to services at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro. The service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home.

WILLIAMSPORT --An overweight, southbound tractor-trailer with insufficient brakes struck the rear of a Mercedes sport utility vehicle on the Interstate 81 bridge crossing the Potomac River on Monday afternoon then hit another tractor-trailer, according to a Maryland State Police spokesman. Both southbound lanes of the interstate were shut down after the 2:18 p.m. crash, which snarled traffic on the road, Trooper 1st Class J. Eichelberger said. The driver of the overweight tractor-trailer, which was a tanker truck hauling milk, said he had faulty brakes, Eichelberger said.

The Rev. Roy E. Brake Sr., 78, of Mercersburg, Pa., died Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. Viewings will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lininger-Fries Funeral Home Inc., Mercersburg, and one hour prior to the service Friday at West Side Brethren in Christ Church, Chambersburg, Pa. The service will be Friday at 10 a.m. at the church.