Hilton

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A local bank's plan to offer $500,000 in renovation loans to downtown businesses was among several issues related to Charles Town's $7.1 million downtown revitalization discussed at the Charles Town City Council meeting Monday night. The Bank of Charles Town plans to lend the money to businesses at a reduced interest rate to help them pay for exterior renovations to their buildings, city council members said. As an extra incentive to participate in the program, the city will waive the city's business and occupation tax to businesses while they are renovating their buildings, said council member Randy Breeden.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Feeding parking meters to keep a parking space downtown could be coming to an end. The Charles Town City Council on Monday night gave final approval to several new parking changes, including elimination of parking meters on George and Washington streets. City officials had planned to replace old parking meters on the two streets as part of the town's $7.1 million revitalization, but later decided not to use the meters.

HAGERSTOWN - Christmas church services in years past often were illuminated by open-flame candle decorations and choir members - young and old - in procession carrying lighted candles and wearing flowing robes. Fire code regulations caught up with those practices years ago, but churches found they still needed to be vigilant about fire and other emergency safety situations. Otterbein United Methodist Church at 108 E. Franklin St. in Hagerstown undertook a major remodeling in 2004.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Charles Town officials are holding a public meeting tonight at the Jefferson County Courthouse to give residents a chance to meet the new police chief and to discuss town issues, said Mayor J. Randolph Hilton. The regularly scheduled town council meeting also will be held at the courthouse starting at 7 p.m. with the public meeting with Police Chief Mike Aldridge beginning at 8 p.m., Hilton said. Residents are normally given a chance to speak at all town council meetings, but due to the length of council business, they are limited to five minutes each, Hilton said.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Randy Hilton is out and three people are looking to take his place. Hilton, who has served as mayor of Charles Town for nine years, said this week that he will not seek another term in the May 26 city election. Hilton filed papers to run, but changed his mind due to family illness. Three people have set their sights on the mayor's job. The candidates are Shirley Calhoun, Peggy A. Smith and Gene Perkins.

gregs@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -Mayor Randy Hilton surveyed the past 19 years of his service to the town in a speech Saturday afternoon, pointing to many accomplishments over the years, but also calling on future officials to do more. "It's been a privilege to serve Charles Town," Hilton said, beginning his remarks. "We've come a long way. " Before a crowd of about 100, Hilton pointed to an improved police force, the removal of open-air drug markets, improved streets and refurbished buildings as accomplishments of city officials over the past few years.

Blossom School of Etiquette will have a graduation ceremony for the first class of 2012 from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Homewood Suite by Hilton Hotel, 1650 Pullman Lane, Hagerstown.

Sunday, December 18, 2011 BOYS BASKETBALL HILTON HEAD, S.C. - Jalen Lewis had a game-high 24 points, eight assists and five steals to lead Martinsburg to a 78-55 victory over Sumter (S.C.) in the semifinals of the Hilton Oceanfront Resort Holiday Classic on Sunday. Donte Grantham also had big game for the Bulldogs (3-0) with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Jordan Robinson added 11 points in the victory. Martinsburg will play in the championship game today at 4:30 p.m. as head coach Dave Rogers will try for his 600th career victory with the Bulldogs.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A retired high-ranking DEA official has been chosen to head the 12-officer Charles Town Police Department, Mayor Randolph Hilton said Wednesday. Mike Aldridge, 56, was selected Tuesday night after an extensive search and interview process by a 14-member citizens advisory committee that went to work last October. Hiring a police chief to run the department was one of 33 recommendations made by a recent International Association of Chiefs of Police study.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Robert R. "Bobby" Hilton, a horse owner and trainer with more than 2,500 career wins at Charles Town Races, died Sunday. He was 66. "He was a great man all-around. A great guy," said Bill Bork Jr., marketing director at Charles Town Races. "He was an excellent horseman and trainer. " Hilton, of Charles Town, was a thoroughbred racehorse owner and trainer for 45 years. "He'll be deeply missed," Bork said. Hilton was presented with a plaque in March in honor of his 2,500th career win at Charles Town Races.