Pet Peeve

Editor's note: Each Monday, The Herald-Mail will highlight an infrastructure issue or other problem, and will try to find out what is being done to fix or improve the situation. We will not tackle situations involving neighborhood or domestic disputes or consumer problems. The problem: A fire hydrant along Pangborn Boulevard has been bent over since Oct. 11 and had not been repaired as of Friday afternoon. Who could fix it: City of Hagerstown Water Department What they say: John Rinehart, the city's water distribution foreman, said the hydrant was struck by a vehicle Oct. 11 and as of Thursday, the Water Department was waiting for a police report before addressing the problem.

Editor's note: Rachael Johnson is a Pulse correspondent. Watch for future Pulse editions to get to know the rest of the staff. Do you know of a local teen who should be profiled? Contact Assistant Lifestyle Editor Crystal Schelle at 301-791-7136, or crystal.schelle@herald-mail.com . Name: Rachael Johnson Age: 15 School: Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg, W.Va. Grade: ninth Music genre: metal and indie Hobbies: paintball and art Color: tie-dye Why did you join Pulse?

OK, it's winter. There's not much gardening going on, just plenty of sighing from grumpy gardeners. Deprived of sunshine, fresh air and warm earth, we all get a little cranky. What better time to fuss over our gardening pet peeves. Here are my top pet peeves, designed to help you avoid some gardening pitfalls: Mulch volcanos. Why, why, why do folks pile mountains of mulch around their trees? It is so very bad for them. Mountains of mulch keep air, water and nutrients from reaching tree roots.

Editor's note: The Morning Herald doesn't endorse any of these anonymous opinions. We encourage readers to include their names with their opinions through letters to the editor that appear each day on Page A4. "I would like to thank the couple Wednesday night who helped my son when he was injured due to a battery going off in his face and eyes. I was not aware at the time that you went out of your way to buy a rinse for my son's eyes, and were the ones who called 911. You saved my son's eyesight.

"Regarding the caller who explained the proper way to wear a baseball cap, I'd like to know where I can buy one with the bill on the side. " - Greencastle, Pa. "To the citizens who feel that Robinwood is the best site for the hospital: You need to make a few trips out there during rush hour, or any time, and check out the traffic and all the cars parked at the medical center. Then triple that number if the hospital builds there. The roads in that area, including Eastern Boulevard, were not properly planned, and adding to the congestion is not safe or smart planning.

HALFWAY Drivers interviewed Thursday at Valley Mall about the way they respond to aggressive drivers said they get mad, but don't get even. Some were surprised to hear that in Maryland, police need to see three out of seven possible driving violations in order to write a ticket for aggressive driving. "I never knew that," said Melissa Baker, 37, of Williamsport. "By that time, you have someone dead. " Baker said she has issues with drivers who change lanes without using a turn signal, and those "riding my bumper.