Mission Statement

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A Harpers Ferry Democrat who is questioning management practices in county government and how they are handling land use in the county has announced his intention to run for Jefferson County Commission this year. Edward "Ed" Burns, 61, of 307 Wildlife Way, is running for the seat occupied by Greg Corliss, who is not seeking re-election. Burns retired after 23 years with the federal government and he spent the last few years working for the U.S. State Department.

Magnet School for World Languages & Global Communication 5 Campus Ave. Boonsboro Principal: J. Scott Woods Phone: 301-766-8013 Fax: 301-432-4559 Web site: www.wcboe.k12.md.us/custom_pages/020/bes/index.html Start time: 7:50 a.m. Dismissal: 2:20 p.m. Grades: K-5 Date of construction: 1950 Age of building: 57 years Latest renovation: 1991 Size of building: 62,716 square feet State-rated capacity: 514 Projected 2007-08 enrollment: 600 From the principal Q. What are your goals for the school year?

Tweens and teens who are looking for a place to dance, and parents who are looking for a safe place for their kids to hang out can find both at Memorial Recreation Center's teen dances. The Memorial Recreation Center will host a teen dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, for ages 11 to 18 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Gymnasium at 131 W. North Ave., Hagerstown. The dance is free of charge. "Our focus is to give kids an outlet in a safe environment to gather and socialize," said Karen Cook, executive director for Memorial Recreation Center.

scottb@herald-mail.com WASHINGTON COUNTY - When students arrived Wednesday for the first day of classes at Western Heights Middle School, they were welcomed back by 80 school employees wearing matching T-shirts, Principal Jennifer Ruppenthal said. The navy blue T-shirts worn by the employees feature the school's mission statement and the year's theme, Ruppenthal said. To make sure the message got across, art teachers painted the words "Welcome back!" on a hill in front of the school, she said.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Two-term Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer was swept out of office Tuesday by newcomer Peter Wilson by a vote margin of more than 2-to-1 in an election that also seated five of the six candidates who ran for Town Council. Wilson, 60, beat Auxer, 57, by a count of 182 votes to 76, according to complete, but unofficial returns. The official vote canvass will be done Monday. Winning seats on the Town Council were Wanda Smith, the highest vote-getter, with 208 votes; followed next by Howard Mills, with 174; Hank Willard, 171; Jim Ford, 158; and Mark Smith, 143. Council candidate Karen Valentine, with 140 votes, trailed Smith by only three votes.

HAGERSTOWN shappell@herald-mail.com Chris Gelwicks, a career firefighter with the Hagerstown Fire Department, continues to pursue a college degree in fire service. Gelwicks said not having to pay any upfront money for tuition has been "a blessing. " The Maryland Higher Education Commission is offering tuition reimbursements for firefighters, as well as ambulance and rescue company members, according to a release from the state commission. The commission said that $344,000 is expected to be awarded for the 2005-06 academic year.

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a group of Washington County citizens, civic activists and religious leaders decided they needed to act. To pre-empt the possibility that local residents would blame members of the local Muslim community for those attacks, they formed the Interfaith Coalition of Washington County. In the years since it was formed, the group has held a variety of events, including everything from large gatherings at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theater to small-group discussions on how different faith traditions affect believers' daily lives.

18023 Maugans Ave. Maugansville Principal: Deborah Favinger Phone: 301-766-8230 Fax: 301-665-1086 TDD: 739-7920 Web site: www.wcboe.k12.md.us/custom_pages/240/maugansville/index.htm Start time: 8:20 a.m. Dismissal: 2:50 p.m. Grades: K-5 Date of construction: 1936 Age of building: 70 years Latest renovation: 1968 Size of building: 38,161 square feet State-rated capacity: 735 Projected 2006-07 enrollment: 343 From the principal Q. What are the biggest challenges this year?

HANCOCK Editor's Note: This is the fifth story in a 10-part series about people who make this holiday season brighter for others. The series concludes Christmas Eve. tarar@herald-mail.com Rita Holohan is a year-round Christmas shopper. She's usually on the lookout for gloves, hats, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm and toys, especially if they're on sale. Holohan buys the items for Hancock-area children, who receive them during a Christmas party at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Hancock.