Feral

HAGERSTOWN Some Hagerstown residents believe there is room for improvement in the areas of affordable housing, business recruitment and safe places for children to go. "I think they need to concentrate more on the people, the less-fortunate here in Hagerstown," said Andre Grant, one of several Hagerstown residents polled before the annual State of the City program Tuesday morning. Grant, a North End resident who was laid off from First Data Merchant Services last September, said he believes the city should do more to attract employers to the area.

Official debate City Park swan issue By DAN KULIN / dank@herald-mail.com The state official who said he would decide whether the City of Hagerstown can have mute swans for City Park would not say on Wednesday how he would respond to a city request for those swans. Paul Peditto, director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service, which is a division of the state Department of Natural Resources, said he hopes the city will choose tundra swans for the park. Peditto said he wants DNR representatives to meet with the Mayor and City Council so they can make a more informed decision.

First affordable housing program recipient recognized MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A Blue Ridge Community and Technical College employee was recognized Thursday as the first person to qualify for the county's affordable housing assistance program for public employees. Elizabeth Woolaston, a college admissions counselor, and her husband, Damion, are expected to close on a three-bedroom house later this month. The couple have two young children, who she said now will have a fenced-in yard to play in. "I'm excited," Woolaston said as Berkeley County Commissioner Steven C. Teufel presented her with a certificate.

Weather's wild ride A chilly good morning to all. February sure is taking us on a wild weather ride. Sweater weather, then heavy coats, rain slickers, followed by snow boots. It sure will be nice when we can open the windows and leave them open. All of this just makes us want and appreciate more the fabulous spring mildness that is surely headed our way. Spay Day USA Presidents Day, Valentine's Day - do you know what else February is known for? Feb. 24 is nationally recognized Spay Day USA. The Humane Society of Washington County is getting together with local veterinarians at Longmeadow Animal Hospital, Antietam Valley Animal Hospital and Mid Atlantic Veterinary Clinic to promote the neutering and spaying of feral and stray cats in the county.

"The reason we have feral cats is because of irresponsible pet owners who will not get their cats spayed and neutered. Feral cats have no choice but to eat what nature provides. It's not like they can go into a kitchen cupboard and open themselves a can of cat food. Feral cats have no loving owners. They are homeless, just waiting to be found and turned into someone's pet. " - Waynesboro, Pa. "To the person in Hagerstown who wants to know if the SPCA ever checks on the young guys that are walking the pit bulls and other dogs that don't have any tags on them, some of them pregnant, and all that.

SOMERSET, Pa. -- After an eight-year hiatus in the wild, Daisy has returned. The Brittany spaniel ran off with her mother, Roxy, during a picnic in Trent eight years ago. The Williams family has been waiting for the dogs to return. Almost a decade later Daisy came back to the place where she decided to leave the family. "Somebody drove by on a golf cart and they took off," said Melissa Williams, whose Somerset family remembers the rambunctious 1-year-old Daisy as a playful pup. Now the dog is around 9 years old. Roxy has not been found.

MAUGANSVILLE - She found Bandit at a Sheetz store, and pulled Snickers from a dog's mouth. Arsenio just drifted into her life, but Callie started it all. Maugansville resident Tina Miller said she was 11 years old when learned that wild cats can be tamed. Callie, the feral kitten that stole away with a meatball in a rat trap, and bit Miller after she rescued the feline from an abandoned building, now purrs contentedly on Miller's lap. Miller, 35, wants to do more to help her furry friends.

How we care for those Sharpsburg horses To the editor: Dear Kathy: Thank you for your concern and interest in the Washington County, Sharpsburg impoundment horses, expressed in your letter of Sept. 8, "Horse rescue could have been handled better. " We at Pheasant Hill Equine Foundation Inc. would like you and others to know what has been done and is being done for the impoundment horses at our facility. Pat Douglas offered to care for 16 of the impoundment horses at her facility in early December 2006.

Commentary We're used to City Hall fighting like cats, but not fighting about cats. I get a warm feeling knowing there's always hope for breaking new ground. In fairness, I don't know that the city was actually fighting about cats, more like discussing what should be done with a feral cat colony at City Park. But the phrase "We're used to City Hall discussing like cats... " doesn't work. I am a professional, and I know these things. The cats are taking the fall for an infestation of fleas at the grand old Mansion House art gallery, prompting some to urge that they be catnapped by the humane society.