Pamphlet

Washington County Sheriff's Department deputies on Thursday handed out drinking and driving law pamphlets to 400 people who passed through the department's sobriety checkpoint on Longmeadow Road, east of Pennsylvania Avenue, according to a department press release. No one was charged with driving under the influence during the checkpoint, which was Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight, according to the release. Two citations were issued for possession of controlled dangerous substances, according to the release.

By KERRY LYNN FRALEY Staff Writer Flirting with the cute new guy or girl in school could get a Washington County student in hot water if that flirting is unwelcome or makes the other person feel uncomfortable, according to pamphlets on sexual harassment aimed at middle and high school students. Both pamphlets include a section explaining the differences between flirting and harassment and examples of other behavior, such as spreading sexual rumors or displaying sexual pictures, that could be considered sexual harassment under state and federal law. A third pamphlet is geared for elementary school students.

A total of 349 vehicles passed through a sobriety checkpoint at Halfway Boulevard and Irene Drive on Friday between 8:45 and 11:15 p.m., according to the Washington County Sheriff's Department. One vehicle was stopped for suspicion of alcohol-related driving, but no arrests were made, deputies said. Each driver passing through the checkpoint received an information pamphlet on Maryland's drinking and driving laws.

HAGERSTOWN The Hagerstown Community College Foundation honored the school's scholarship donors and recipients at a reception Wednesday. At the ceremony, donors, students and school officials each spoke of the growing need for financial support. "We're one of the fastest growing community colleges in the state, so the demand is obviously overwhelming," HCC Foundation President Julie Donat said. Basketball player Momodou "Mo" Jobe, 23, first-year student Danielle Shives, 18, and Peter McMillin, a 27-year-old Herald-Mail Co. employee, were among the scholarship recipients.

WASHINGTON COUNTY-The name of the state's top elected official was wrong in a Washington County citizens' guide to government. Gov. Martin O'Malley was listed in the pamphlet as "Martin O'Malloy. " "Several thousand" copies of the guide were printed, but not with taxpayers' money, Washington County Election Director Dorothy Kaetzel said Friday. The Washington County Board of Elections gathered information for the guides, and Citicorp paid for them to be printed. Kaetzel wasn't sure of the exact cost; she said it was less than $1,000 - possibly about $300 or $400.

Victims and survivors of crimes, accidents and other tragedies will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Hagerstown Seventh-day Adventist Church on Robinwood Drive for the annual vigil for Victims' Rights Week, April 19-25. Jill Ritter will be there to offer her sympathy and compassion, a shoulder and a tissue if needed. But in her role as the victim/witness coordinator with the Washington County state's attorney's office, Ritter has a lot more to offer these days. "Since October 1997, victim services have greatly improved," Ritter said.

HAGERSTOWN - The Hagerstown Community College Foundation honored the school's scholarship donors and recipients at a reception Wednesday. At the ceremony, donors, students and school officials each spoke of the growing need for financial support. "We're one of the fastest growing community colleges in the state, so the demand is obviously overwhelming," HCC Foundation President Julie Donat said. Basketball player Momodou "Mo" Jobe, 23, first-year student Danielle Shives, 18, and Peter McMillin, a 27-year-old Herald-Mail Co. employee, were among the scholarship recipients.

North Hagerstown High School will offer a special program for students interested in medical careers beginning this fall. The Washington County Board of Education last week unanimously approved a medical academy at North High. The academy combines existing courses with internships in local doctors' offices, hospitals and other health care businesses. Washington County Technical High School already offers a health occupations program that prepares students for medical jobs.

The Master Gardeners Bay-Wise program educates people living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area about gardening practices that keep the bay healthy and productive. The program is free and provides valuable information to area homeowners, said Ruthanne Mills, committee chair of the Bay-Wise Program for Washington County. "I think it's just good stewardship of our land, taking care of our environment," Mills said. Residents can schedule a visit from Master Gardeners, who will answer questions and can certify yards and gardens as bay-friendly.

By LAURA ERNDE Staff Writer Larry and Tammie Jones never thought they could get a loan to buy a house because Larry's paving company job is seasonal and banks wouldn't count his off-season unemployment checks as income. But three years ago, with the help of a city home ownership program, they moved into their own home on Ray Street in Hagerstown. Before they bought their home, the Joneses were in a situation similar to that of a lot of other residents of Hagerstown, where the home ownership rate is just 38 percent of all households, city officials say. "Part of it is just our tradition," said Mayor Steven T. Sager, who is running for re-election on a platform of increasing home ownership.