La Plata

A fine and honorable American soldier, Col. Patrick Joseph Montgomery, died in Durango, Colo., on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 4. Col. Montgomery was one of a set of twins born to Phil and Catherine (Hogansen) Montgomery on July 18, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa. He grew up and attended schools in Sioux City and joined the Army National Guard in 1955 prior to his graduating from Bishop Heelan High School in 1956. After high school, Col. Montgomery attended San Diego State University in California and then, in 1962, enlisted for active duty in the United States Army.

YOUTH LEAGUES Wash. Co. Girls Softball Stinger's 9, Ernst Market 4 Stingers: Alison Griffith, Laurin Smith 2 RBI each. Stinger's 15, Jerry's 4 Stinger's: Lauren Smith 5 RBI; Brooke Holder 2 hits; Megan Long, Alison Griffith, Nicole McLaughlin combined no-hitter. Scrapmania 12, First Impressions 2 Scrapmania: Marla Deluemeau 2 hits, HR, 2 RBI; Sam Fullford 2 hits. Mid-Atlantic 9, Scrapmania 6 Scrapmania: Beth Burdick 3 RBI. Glocker Group 10, Hagerstown Ford 6 Glocker Group: Ariah Giles, Katie Eby combined no-hitter with 12 strikeouts.

Jamie Marie Taylor and Nick Jonathon Shekels were united in marriage Saturday, May 15, 1999, at Rehoboth United Methodist Church in Williamsport. The bride is the daughter of Cynthia and Paul Taylor of Hagerstown. The bridegroom is the son of Vicki Shekels of Falling Waters, W.Va., and Ronald Shekels of Thurmont, Md. The bride is a 1994 graduate of Williamsport High School and a 1996 graduate of Hagerstown Community College with a certificate in paralegal studies. She is employed by First Data Merchant Services in Hagerstown as a bank investigator.

Town plans new library, completion of streetscape By MARLO BARNHART / Staff Writer file photo CLEAR SPRING - The fact that a frigid, snowy day didn't discourage supporters from turning out when ground was broken for the town's new library spoke volumes. The diligence of the core of volunteers and the generosity of residents, past and present, have made the project a reality. The new library is expected to open during 2001. "The community has met its goal of raising $100,000," said Margaret Cornett, one of the original supporters of the library, which will be in the school complex west of town.

WALDORF, Md. - The Smithsburg golf team's main goal was to be successful as one. Today, that success will have to be as two. A pair of Leopards will be competing for individual titles after Smithsburg failed to advance as a team in the Maryland 1A/2A state tournament on Wednesday at Potomac Ridge Golf Club. Smithsburg missed the cut, shooting 363 to finish fourth in the six-team field and finish well behind the top three of North Point (330), Glenelg (348) and Easton (352)

Boating deaths in Maryland last year were nearly double the average annual number recorded by the state Department of Natural Resources in the past decade, and unusually warm weather could be a major reason for the jump. From 2001 to 2010, the average number of deaths per year was about 12.7, according to data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Last year, 24 people died. Normally, most accidents, injuries and fatalities occur during the summer months, often peaking in July, when the water is warm and there are many more recreational boaters.

State police catch both escaped inmates CENTREVILLE, Md. (AP) - State police say they've caught the second of two inmates who walked away from a correctional center in Queen Anne's County. Department of Corrections officials say 41-year-old Billy Gene Dolly and 52-year-old James Allen Cramer left the grounds of the Eastern Pre-Release Unit in Church Hill without permission about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. State Police say an anonymous tip helped Queen Anne's County Sheriff's deputies catch Cramer on Thursday afternoon.

Rachel and Joseph Hipkins Jr. announce the birth of a daughter, Lyrac Victoria Hipkins, July 14, 2004. Maternal grandparents are Cathy Ford and Greg Ford of Hagerstown. Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hipkins of Hagerstown. Maternal great-grandparents are Frank and Joan Ciccone of Martinsburg, W.Va. Paternal great-grandfather is Harold Horn of Pennsylvania. Samantha Marie Mahoney and Jeffery Lane Dillow Jr. of Charles Town, W.Va., announce the birth of a daughter, Kyleigh Elaine Dillow, Sept.