Pennsylvania

Operational Research is focus of science lecture CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The potential of operations research to improve our world will be the topic of Sommer Gentry, who will speak at Wilson College on Wednesday, April 3, as part of the “Science in Society” speaker series. Sommer's presentation, “Faster, Safer, Healthier with Operations Research,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Brooks Complex auditorium and is free and open to the public. Operations research, also known as O.R., is the discipline of applying advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions.

The following schools and school systems in the Tri-State area are closed or will open on a delayed basis Monday: Pennsylvania Central Fulton School District - Closed Forbes Road School District - Closed Southern Fulton School District - Closed

A man robbed the Family Dollar Store, at 921 Pennsylvania Ave., of an undisclosed amount of money after showing a store clerk a large kitchen knife, according to a news release from the Hagerstown Police Department. The incident occurred at about 8:40 p.m. Saturday, police said. The man fled north on foot, but a K-9 track ended after a few blocks with no results, police said. Anyone with information about the incident may contact the police department's Criminal Investigation Division.

Gerald (Jerry) J. Neville, 56, of Boonsboro, Md., lost his battle with cancer at home on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Jerry was born Nov. 1, 1956. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kathy Neville; his parents, Ronald and Josephine Neville of South Fork, Pa.; his children, Shannon Cobb, married to Phillip Cobb, of West Virginia, Trina Ragno of Maryland, Dominic Ragno, married to Stacey Ragno, of Florida, and Brooke Babyak, married to Alex Babyak,...

A bill that would enhance penalties for adults who physically attack and/or harm minors unanimously passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week. House Bill 350 was authored by state Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin. The measure was drafted by Rock based on the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection that was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal, according to a news release. If signed into law, anyone 18 years of age or older who causes bodily injury to a child younger than 12 could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.

Basketball Special travels are in store this weekend for two Tri-State area teams, weather permitting. The third annual Maryland-Pennsylvania Showcase Challenge takes place Saturday at Gettysburg High School. It became a large one-day event when Gettysburg boys head coach Jeff Bair realized a dream of making it an attraction in the Adams County area. Chambersburg (10-6) begins the activities with a 12:30 p.m. tipoff against Western Tech (9-5). North Hagerstown (10-4)

Engaged on Dec. 7, Kayla Pownall and Cody Frankenberry attended The Herald-Mail's 2013 Bridal & Prom Expo at Valley Mall on Sunday to get some ideas for their September 2014 wedding. Among the items the couple wanted to check out were cakes and dresses, said Frankenberry, 25. The Martinsburg, W.Va., couple arrived at the mall in time to catch the end of the first of two fashion shows on a stage in front of Bon-Ton. Several women modeled wedding gowns, mother-of-the-bride dresses and prom dresses, while men modeled tuxedos.

William Edward Barkdoll, 58, of Hedgesville, W.Va., passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at his home. Born Sept. 18, 1954, in Waynesboro, Pa., he was the son of the late Robert Eugene Barkdoll. He is survived by his mother, Betty M. McCoy Creager and stepfather, Sydney Creager, of Pennsylvania. He was previously employed as a supervisor at Berwick/Offray Company of Hagerstown, Md. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Deborah L. Sites Barkdoll of Hedgesville; a daughter, Adelle Tracey and husband, Jerimiah, of Pennsylvania; a son, Justin Barkdoll and wife, Ashley, of Pa; a sister, Judith Barnhart of Md.; a brother, Robert Barkdoll and wife, Rose, of Pennsylvania; and four grandchildren, Avery Barkdoll, Jackson Barkdoll, Amaya Tracey and Gage Tracey.