Dnr

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - For the second time in three weeks, a black bear has visited the grounds of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center near Martinsburg. Police at the hospital spotted the bear Thursday around 10 p.m. in a wooded area about one-quarter mile from the building, said Barbara Corbin, the hospital's public affairs officer. Officers from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Berkeley County Animal Control were called, but when DNR officials arrived, the bear climbed up a tree.

Hagerstown Police respond to calls The Hagerstown Police Department recently investigated the following incidents: Friday: · At 11:16 p.m., a first-degree and second-degree assault were reported at Noland Village. Thursday: · At 2:03 p.m., a theft was reported in 100 block of North Mulberry Street. May 29: · At 9:40 p.m., a robbery was reported at Noland Village. May 24: · At 6:44 p.m., a second-degree assault was reported in the 200 block of West Side Avenue.

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the preliminary buck kill total for the recent two-week firearms season. The good news is the kill was 65,841 bucks, which is up 16 percent over the 2005 total. DNR officials cite a mild winter and good mast conditions in the fall of 2005 as factors for the increase. We also had great weather for much of the two-week period, which was a contributing factor. It's important to note that many consider the 2005 buck kill of less than 57,000 to be a train wreck.

Tim Stahl, the owner of Keystone Sporting Goods, didn't need to go to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to speak his mind. The DNR's top official came to him Friday as part of a statewide tour that started about two weeks ago. C. Ronald Franks, the department's secretary, visited Keystone Sporting Goods, north of Hagerstown, and chatted with Stahl. Franks said he wants to hear directly from hunting and fishing stores and other places with connections to the outdoors.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Authorities have determined that stabbing was the cause of death of a female found Sunday along Back Creek, Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Pamela Games-Neely said Tuesday. The female's identity remains unknown and a time of death also was not immediately available, Games-Neely said. "We've got a lot of decomposition," she said, noting environmental factors and other variables that could be in play in making a determination. Games-Neely declined to confirm a story by The Associated Press that said the remains were found in a suitcase and black plastic bag, and contained dismembered body parts.

Open-air burning will not be allowed on any public land managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, except in Garrett County, the department said in a news release Thursday. "In light of current wildfire conditions across the state, the projected dry weather forecast, and after careful deliberation, we have decided to ban open air burning on DNR public lands only, with the exception of Garrett County," DNR Secretary C. Ronald Franks said in the news release. The ban applies to all state parks, state forests and wildlife management areas.

As has been reported, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has confirmed positive occurrences of Chronic Wasting Disease in the Slanesville area in Hampshire County. With the opening of the archery season for deer this weekend, the department has issued a number of recommendations to hunters on how to care for deer, both when in the field and when butchering the deer for the table. The DNR stresses that there is no scientific evidence that CWD can be spread to humans, but it's common sense that hunters should exercise caution when handling and processing deer from areas in or near to where CWD has been confirmed.

trishr@herald-mail.com BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - More special events like wedding functions and wine and cheese receptions could be held on the grounds of Cacapon State Park if a rule change being considered by the state is approved. At the Morgan County park, and in most West Virginia state parks, events at which alcohol are served are allowed only in the conference centers or in restaurants. The Parks and Recreation Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR)

Geniuses not at work To the editor: I wonder if the geniuses who planned the Iraq war thought of everything? How would you feel about foreign combat troops being stationed in this country (i.e., America) supporting what was known as the American government against that government's internal enemies? Would you still consider the American government to be legitimate? If the foreign combat troops killed a family member by mistake because the family member was in the wrong place at the wrong time, you wouldn't be vengeful, right?

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has advice for anyone hiring a tree-care or tree-removal business: · Ask to see the state tree expert license. Anyone who is licensed should carry a card with a three-digit expert number. Or check DNR's Web site. · Ask for proof of insurance. A licensed tree expert will have personal and property damage insurance and workers' compensation insurance. · Call or visit references. · Get a written estimate. Licensed tree experts are required to enter into written contracts with clients.