Christmas Morning

o For updated weather forecasts, road conditions and school closures or delays, go to The Herald-Mail Accuweather HANCOCK - The westbound lanes of Interstate 70 were closed to traffic following 10 to 12 minor vehicle accidents at about 8:15 a.m. Friday near Hancock, a Washington County Emergency Services dispatcher said. The interstate was closed to allow crews from the Maryland State Highway Administration to put more salt on the road, the dispatcher said. Maryland State Police Lt. David Kloos said both lanes of the interstate were reopened to traffic at about 10 a.m. No serious injuries were reported.

Numerous wrecks reported on I-70 Christmas morning Ronald Lee Kindle Jr. 36 Bullpen role gives Hose path to major leagues Bargain-hunters race for after-Christmas deals Marguerite Virginia "Maggie" Newcomer, 81

In Williamsport, it is not jingling sleighbells but a soft wailing siren that summons children to their windows for a glimpse of Santa on Christmas morning. The jolly old elf, portrayed by local resident Roger Grimes, rode through town atop a firetruck, waving to children, from 7 a.m. until about 9:30 a.m. Sunday as part of a long-running local tradition. “We do it Christmas morning to wake the kids up,” said William Ball, who drove the truck this year. “The response from the community is overwhelming: people hanging out their windows, coming out and cheering.

Chefs cook free Christmas dinner Editor's note : This is the last in a series of stories running on the 12 days before Christmas to recognize individuals and groups who make the holidays better for others. By DAN KULIN / Staff Writer Christmas starts at work for Scott Stouffer and Larry Hawkins. The two kitchen chefs at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel on Dual Highway in Hagerstown oversee the food preparations for Christmas dinner at the hotel restaurant.

What's the best part about the holidays? It's not all about the cool stuff you find under the tree, according to the third-graders in Miss Anne Loving's class at Paramount Elementary School, north of Hagerstown. Here's what they had to say when posed the question: What's the best part about the holidays? Children's photos by Ric Dugan/Staff Photographer "It's kind of fun because you can enjoy your family and stuff, and you can play with your friends, just enjoying how good it is. " - Christopher Smith, 8 "Well, celebrating with family, doing kind of special things and having fun with your family.

o For updated weather forecasts, road conditions and school closures or delays, go to The Herald-Mail Accuweather Hagerstown-area residents might awaken Christmas morning to a thin layer of ice covering local roads and the remnants of last weekend's snowstorm. The National Weather Service forecast predicts freezing rain Friday morning. The forecast said the freezing rain would begin after 4 a.m. Friday, then change to rain after 1 p.m. Ice accumulation of one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch is possible, the forecast said.

A 48-year-old man died early Christmas morning in a house fire on Path Valley Road in Franklin County, Pa., Pennsylvania State Police and the Franklin County Coroner said. Brian James Glass of 1689 Path Valley Road was pronounced dead on the scene by Franklin County Coroner Jeff Conner, police said. The fire was reported at 3:30 a.m. at 1689 Path Valley Road, Conner said in a news release. An elderly man and woman were able to escape the home during the fire, police said.

Hagerstown resident Amber Stouffer carefully surveyed a sea of donated toys and picked out some stuffed animals that she plans to give to her 13-month-old daughter on Christmas morning. “I just want to make sure my daughter has a good Christmas this year,” she said. Stouffer was among hundreds of Washington County parents who participated Tuesday in the annual toy/food giveaway sponsored by the Salvation Army and the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program. The event was held in the former CVS Pharmacy building at Long Meadow Shopping Center north of Hagerstown.

On Dec. 22, I told readers another chapter in the continuing story of Alivia Koontz. The Hagerstown child is under 2, but she has already undergone two surgeries to repair a defect in her heart. In that same column, I also wrote about the fact that the 1978 four-wheel-drive Chevrolet pickup truck owned by her father, Jimmy Koontz, was on its last legs. Koontz, who works at Ski Liberty, is entering the busy part of his work year and is expected to be there, no matter how much snow is on the roads.