Financial Assistance

Heating financial assistance delayed By JULIE E. GREENE / Staff Writer Many Washington County residents who participate in a state program to help them afford heating costs still haven't received financial assistance or word on whether their application has been approved. Employees at the Community Action Council, the local agency for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, are still manually processing grant applications and aren't expected to be done for about three weeks, said Glenda Helman, director of services.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced that financial assistance is available to help farmers cover the cost of injecting or incorporating manure, sludge, food waste and other organic products into cropland. Gov. Martin O'Malley has earmarked $2 million in cost-share funds to assist farmers as they begin implementing the new requirements of Maryland's recently revised nutrient management regulations. Maryland's revised nutrient management regulations took effect Oct. 15. A major provision requires farmers to inject or incorporate manure and other organic nutrient sources into the soil within 48 hours of application in order to achieve maximum water quality benefits for streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Farmers who incorporate or inject all types of animal manure, food waste, sludge or other organic waste products into cropland can apply for cost-share grants from MDA.  Participation is limited to operators who have not used eligible equipment for incorporation or injection of manure during the past five years.

A new policy concerning naming rights for Waynesboro Area School District facilities provides opportunities for a community foundation planning to launch a capital campaign. The Waynesboro Area Business, Education and Community, or WABEC, Foundation requested the naming policy be in place as it explores launching a capital campaign focused on athletic facilities, particularly the high school track and football field surface. “We're still engaging now in a feasibility study,” said Rita Sterner-Hine, principal of Summitview Elementary School and operations director for WABEC.

The Humane Society of Washington County has announced receipt of funding for H.E.L.P, or Humane Emergency Linkup Program, from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Subaru's Share the Love program. The program was established to provide financial assistance to needy county residents to obtain emergency care for their pets during the economic downturn.  County residents who are receiving county, state or federal government financial assistance, Social Security, or disability benefits can apply.

 The Washington County Red Cross at 1131 Conrad Court in Hagerstown will offer a baby-sitting class Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for those ages 11 to 15. Go to www.RedCross.org to register . Space is limited. Financial assistance is available. For more information, call 301-739-0717.

Partners in Literacy will receive financial assistance from the County Commissioners to hold the second annual Washington County Reading Day. The commissioners voted Tuesday to give the library up to $1,000 toward the event's expenses. The commissioners also proclaimed May 1 Washington County Reading Day. The event will be held at Hagerstown Community College. Authors, storytellers and entertainers will be invited to help the county celebrate reading, according to a county document.

Camp Checkerspot will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 18, to Friday, July 22, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 21006 Twin Springs Drive, Chewsville. The event is a one-week program for girls who are currently not Girl Scouts, but want to enjoy a week of Girl Scout Day Camp. There is a $52 registration fee. Financial assistance and free bus transportation is available. For more information, contact Mrs. Smoot at 301-662-5106 or dsmoot@gscnc.org.

Repair costs to fix the overhang that extends around Hagerstown's Police Station on Burhans Boulevard could run up to $200,000, said Arthur Smith, chief of police. To help alleviate that cost, Smith asked the Hagerstown City Council during its Tuesday night work session whether he should pursue a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Historical Trust. The Trust, among other things, provides financial assistance to repair historical sites. The building once served as a train station.

alician@herald-mail.com A friendly-faced lion stood on two hind legs greeting breakfast diners at the door at First Christian Church's social hall Saturday, Oct. 30. A wooden cutout lion, that is. The mascot conveyed goodwill from the members of the Longmeadow Lions Club, members of which were inside bustling about the kitchen, preparing an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. More than 350 people attended the fund-raiser between 7 and 11 a.m., indulging in all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage links, orange juice and coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - During the first three months of 1998, the Franklin County Homeless Assistance Program helped 110 families that were homeless or facing eviction. By this time next year, there could be a program to help some families get back on their feet through what Grace Burrows called "total person counseling. " "Our goal is to work intensely with six families for six to 18 months, teaching them new skills and how to manage within their income," said Burrows, human services development coordinator for the county.

A new policy concerning naming rights for Waynesboro Area School District facilities provides opportunities for a community foundation planning to launch a capital campaign. The Waynesboro Area Business, Education and Community, or WABEC, Foundation requested the naming policy be in place as it explores launching a capital campaign focused on athletic facilities, particularly the high school track and football field surface. “We're still engaging now in a feasibility study,” said Rita Sterner-Hine, principal of Summitview Elementary School and operations director for WABEC.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced that financial assistance is available to help farmers cover the cost of injecting or incorporating manure, sludge, food waste and other organic products into cropland. Gov. Martin O'Malley has earmarked $2 million in cost-share funds to assist farmers as they begin implementing the new requirements of Maryland's recently revised nutrient management regulations. Maryland's revised nutrient management regulations took effect Oct. 15. A major provision requires farmers to inject or incorporate manure and other organic nutrient sources into the soil within 48 hours of application in order to achieve maximum water quality benefits for streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Farmers who incorporate or inject all types of animal manure, food waste, sludge or other organic waste products into cropland can apply for cost-share grants from MDA.  Participation is limited to operators who have not used eligible equipment for incorporation or injection of manure during the past five years.

The Humane Society of Washington County has announced receipt of funding for H.E.L.P, or Humane Emergency Linkup Program, from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Subaru's Share the Love program. The program was established to provide financial assistance to needy county residents to obtain emergency care for their pets during the economic downturn.  County residents who are receiving county, state or federal government financial assistance, Social Security, or disability benefits can apply.

Name: William M. Breichner, Sr. Date of birth: Oct. 6, 1931 Address: 1117 Oak Hill Ave., Hagerstown Occupation: Retired (Water Utility Management) Party affiliation: Democratic Political experience: 4 years Mayor (2001-2005); 3 years City Administrator (appointed 1983) Q: A significant amount of public taxpayer money over a long period has been committed to help pay for the local share of debt service on the proposed multiuse sports and events center.

Jennifer McCullough of Hagerstown received a $3,000 grant from Mary Helen Strauch, chairwoman of the program for continuing education for local Chapter I of the P.E.O. International Sisterhood. McCullough is beginning her final year at Hood College in Frederick, Md. McCullough is a single mother of three children, who after a number of years in the work force returned to school. After a lapse of several years, she returned to the classroom, obtaining scholarships, grants, part-time jobs and pursuing every lead to continue her education.

Camp Checkerspot will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 18, to Friday, July 22, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 21006 Twin Springs Drive, Chewsville. The event is a one-week program for girls who are currently not Girl Scouts, but want to enjoy a week of Girl Scout Day Camp. There is a $52 registration fee. Financial assistance and free bus transportation is available. For more information, contact Mrs. Smoot at 301-662-5106 or dsmoot@gscnc.org.

 The Washington County Red Cross at 1131 Conrad Court in Hagerstown will offer a baby-sitting class Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for those ages 11 to 15. Go to www.RedCross.org to register . Space is limited. Financial assistance is available. For more information, call 301-739-0717.

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland's struggling dairy farmers stand to receive as much as $2.475 million in emergency aid provided in the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill through the new Dairy Emergency Loss Assistance Payment program (DELAP). Gov. Martin O'Malley, along with governors from Northeast dairy states, actively supported the inclusion of the emergency funds in the appropriations bill to assist dairy farmers trying to stay afloat during the longest stretch of extremely low prices on record.

The following scholarships were awarded from a fund held by the Community Foundation of Washington County MD Inc. The first Joseph M. Ellis Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kayla Marie Barnes, daughter of Susan and Darrell Barnes. Kayla will attend Frostburg State University, where she will major in physical therapy. The scholarship is awarded in memory of community service advocate Joey Ellis, who died early this year. Ellis was a 2004 graduate of Boonsboro High School and a senior at Frostburg State University.

Repair costs to fix the overhang that extends around Hagerstown's Police Station on Burhans Boulevard could run up to $200,000, said Arthur Smith, chief of police. To help alleviate that cost, Smith asked the Hagerstown City Council during its Tuesday night work session whether he should pursue a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Historical Trust. The Trust, among other things, provides financial assistance to repair historical sites. The building once served as a train station.