Ku Klux Klan

First Data Corp. in Hagerstown is planning a fundraising snow softball tournament at three sites in January, the City Council heard Tuesday. The tournament would be at Municipal Stadium, Fairgrounds Park and City Park on Jan. 26, 27 and 28, 2006. Scott Fessler of First Data said the goal is to raise $15,000 for the United Way of Washington County. First Data would provide shuttle service between the three venues. A memo describing the event says the Hagerstown Suns staff would serve alcohol at Municipal Stadium.

tarar@herald-mail.com The Washington County Commissioners asked the deputy county attorney on Tuesday to find out whether they can bill organizations for providing police, fire and ambulance services at events. County Deputy Attorney John Martirano said after the meeting he didn't think it would be legal to charge the groups, citing constitutional reasons. He said, however, that he would look into the issue. "You just can't come up with an outrageous amount that would inhibit someone's free speech," Martirano said after the meeting.

WASHINGTON COUNTY Amid the destruction of post-war Bosnia, one local man said he witnessed firsthand the awful consequences of intolerance. For George Rae, the experience of seeing the shattered former Yugoslavia brought home "a strong repugnance" for hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. "The one thing I took from that - the one thing out of many things - was the strong desire that we never see that type of thing here," said Rae, of Hagerstown, a member of Salem United Methodist Church of Keedysville who visited Bosnia as part of a church mission several years ago. Activities celebrating the area's diversity are being planned to counter a World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan rally, said Malcolm Stranathan, the pastor at Rae's church.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Seven people -- including one clutching a Bible -- passionately objected on Tuesday to a proposal that would form a Gay-Straight Alliance club at Waynesboro Area Senior High School. Just as many people were on the other side of the argument, with several of them highlighting strides in unity demonstrated just eight hours earlier on a national scale. "It just seems really important to acknowledge today of all days that we have our first African-American president and how much we're growing as a country," said Stephanie Kober, a resident of Clayton Avenue.

HARPERS FERRY, W.VA. - Amid yells of "white power" by Ku Klux Klan members and counterprotests calling for death to white supremacists on Saturday, a celebration promoting peace and love was taking place just up the street. A group of churches sponsored Fall Festival at Bolivar Community Park in Bolivar, W.Va., an event meant to encourage and celebrate harmony among neighbors. "There were children everywhere," said Alexis Coleman, pastor of Camp Hill-Wesley and Engle United Methodist churches, both in Harpers Ferry.

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. ? Amid yells of "white power" by Ku Klux Klan members and counterprotests calling for death to white supremacists on Saturday, a celebration promoting peace and love was taking place just up the street. A group of churches sponsored Fall Festival at Bolivar Community Park in Bolivar, W.Va., an event meant to encourage and celebrate harmony among neighbors. "There were children everywhere," said Alexis Coleman, pastor of Camp Hill-Wesley and Engle United Methodist churches, both in Harpers Ferry.

ANNAPOLIS - A Maryland House of Delegates committee has killed legislation a local lawmaker had hoped would unmask the Ku Klux Klan. "We're disappointed, obviously, but after the hearing not too surprised," said Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington. Hecht wanted to make it a crime to wear a hood or mask during a public demonstration. The bill contained exceptions for groups such as trick-or-treaters and sports teams. Hecht said she could tell the proposal was in trouble from the questions she fielded from members of the Judiciary Committee during a hearing last week.

scottb@herald-mail.com In response to comments about a gay pageant made last week by Hagerstown Mayor William M. Breichner, a city employee and some council members on Tuesday encouraged citizens to celebrate diversity. "There is no room for hate in Hagerstown," John Lestitian, the city's chief code enforcement officer, said during the citizens' comments portion of Tuesday's council meeting. Lestitian said he was speaking as a citizen, not as a public official. "There has been a lot of chatter about some comments made last week about the gay pageant that was coming to town," Lestitian said.

HANCOCK - The Hancock Police Department has received a $76,000 federal grant to defuse racial and social tensions at Hancock Middle-Senior High School, the town's police chief said. [cont. from front page ] The grant, one of two awarded in Maryland by the Justice Department, will allow the police and school to provide after-school programs and other initiatives designed to break down stereotypes and prevent violence among rival cliques. Hancock Police Chief Donald R. Gossage said students identifying with athletes, the Ku Klux Klan, the Gothic lifestyle and others have clashed in school and around town.

gregs@herald-mail.com SHARPSBURG - Fewer than a dozen people marched in support of the Ku Klux Klan on Saturday in Sharpsburg, although the group was flanked by dozens of police and media representatives as the parade worked its way through town. Just after 1 p.m., two Klansmen in white hoods and robes carrying the KKK's flag and the Confederate Flag were followed by the rest of the parade group. A group of skinheads gathered nearby at one corner of Main and Hall streets, while about 100 bystanders watched at the other corners of the intersection.