Domestic Violence

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman will address Shepherd University's class of 2010 at the school's May 15 commencement. Workman also will receive an honorary doctorate from the university. Workman became the first woman elected to the court in 1988 and the first woman elected to a statewide office. A native West Virginian, Workman received her law degree in 1974 from the West Virginia University College of Law. Her father was a coal miner whose ancestors were among the first settlers of Boone County.

WILLIAMSPORT -- Shouts of "Go for it!" and "Good play!" rang out at the Pinesburg Softball Complex in Williamsport Sunday morning as softball players from all over the region supported each other -- and a cause -- at the 18th annual Run, Jane, Run women's softball tournament to benefit CASA, a local organization that helps victims of domestic violence and their families. The two-day tournament typically raises $20,000 to $25,000 in entry fees, sponsorships, concessions and donations for CASA (Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused)

CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. -- Proof that the Eastern Panhandle's Community Alternatives to Violence program works, in spite of a woeful lack of funds, is evident in the fact that of 54 clients who went through it at one time, only two returned. Those numbers showed up in a study of the program that was completed between 2002 and 2005. The program was created 13 years ago to curb domestic violence in the three-county region. Carolyn Zdziera, executive director of Community Alternatives to Violence, appealed to the Jefferson County Commission on Thursday to do again what it did in 2007 -- give $2,500 to her program.

HAGERSTOWN -- The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. and the Pauline Anderson Foundation awarded nearly $80,000 in grants Tuesday evening to nonprofits with innovative approaches to programs and activities addressing the strength, safety and security of families in Washington County. Emphasis was placed on programs that address child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, teen pregnancy and issues affecting the elderly.

Washington County Arts Council Janet Salter and Stuart Mullendore have joined the board of directors of the Washington County Arts Council. Prospect Cottage Jennifer "Jenna" Taylor , NCC, LGPC, recently joined the staff of Prospect Cottage as a professional mentalhealth counselor. Taylor will kick off her practice May 23 with a two-hour seminar titled "Baby Blues & Beyond: Anxiety and Depression During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. " The seminar is at 2 p.m. at 113 S. Prospect St. in Hagerstown.

'Guys and Dolls' CLEAR SPRING - Clear Spring High School Drama Club presents "Guys and Dolls. " 2 p.m. today. Clear Spring High School. $8; $6, students. 'Twelve Angry Jurors' Potomac Playmakers presents "Twelve Angry Jurors. " Ends today. Academy Theatre, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown. $16; $14, students and seniors. For reservations, call 301-797-8182 or go to www.potomacplaymakers.com. 'Exuviae' FREDERICK, Md. - "Exuviae" explores domestic violence through movement and text, celebrating the survivors who struggle to shed layers of fear, humilation and isolation.

ANNAPOLIS -- Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore said he is hopeful local judges will require some domestic abusers to be monitored with an electronic tracking system. A bill sponsored by Del. Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington, that would have allowed those who violate protective orders to be outfitted with global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking devices has been withdrawn. He said local judges still could require GPS tracking without legislation if someone violates a protective order.

FREDERICK, Md. -- At one point during a scene run for "Exuviae," the members of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre took turns posing questions to the audience. "Are there any guns in the home?" "Has he ever threatened to kill you or your children?" "Does he have a history of violence?" "Do you fear for your life?" The actors, all women, continued circulating more and more questions at a quickening pace until their voices overlapped like a cacophony of cicada chirps.

Not all offenses to society are created equally. Studies have shown that operating a motor vehicle while talking on a cell phone is just as dangerous as driving while drunk. Who hasn't had a car drift into their lane, only to notice that the driver had a cell phone pinned to his ear? Who hasn't remained stopped at a green light because the driver in the car in front was too busy chatting to notice that the signal had changed? Yet legislatures have been slow to act, seeing as how drunken driving is generally perceived as a lower class activity, while chatting on a cell phone is a pursuit routinely engaged in by lawmakers themselves.

ANNAPOLIS -- Alison Munson asked judges more than once to force her longtime boyfriend to give up his knives and guns. Her final plea came in 2007, seven weeks before police allege the boyfriend, Douglas Wayne Pryor, stabbed Munson to death and fatally wounded Smithsburg Police Officer Christopher Nicholson. On Nov. 1, 2007, Munson was granted a protective order that forbid Pryor to have contact with her, but his access to guns and knives was not addressed. Several bills being considered by state lawmakers would make it mandatory - rather than discretionary - for a judge to order those with protective orders against them to surrender all firearms until the order is lifted.