Police Academy

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - The Washington Township Supervisors approved their 2008 budget Monday night, but were unable to decide whether a 16th police officer should be a part of that budget. The $14.03 million budget was passed with no tax increases for township residents, according to Township Manager Mike Christopher. Christopher said the current tax rate is 4.4 mills. A mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The general fund included $4.8 million in expenditures, a 9 percent increase over the 2007 budget, Christopher said.

Keller Williams Premier Realty thanked for help with garden City officials thanked Keller Williams Premier Realty on Tuesday for helping with Hagerstown's new community garden at Hager Park. On Thursday, agents from the company volunteered their time to plant seedlings. They also raised $500 for the garden this month through two yard sales, according to a city news release. Week recognized as Bike to Work Week Bike to Work Week is being observed in Hagerstown from May 17 to 21. Friday is Bike to Work Day. At Tuesday's city council meeting, Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II read aloud a proclamation urging motorists to share the road and encouraging people to use the city's bicycle routes.

By LISA GRAYBEAL Staff Writer, Chambersburg CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Brook Tolbert is hoping his five years of military experience and the college credits he's earned so far will give him a slight edge over 12,132 other people who also want to become Pennsylvania State Police Troopers. "It's something I always wanted to do growing up," said Tolbert, 25, of Fayetteville, Pa. The former Marine is one of nearly 100 people in Franklin County and more than 12,000 in the state - 10,627 men and 1,506 women - who submitted applications to take the state police exam next month.

HAGERSTOWN - The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to vote on spending $3,819 to help buy 30 ballistic vests for the police department. Police Chief Arthur Smith said the request marks the first time he has asked the council for money to buy vests. The city usually uses state and federal grants for vest purchases, but funding from the state was cut this year, he said. "The hope is if one of our officers is unfortunate enough to get shot, these vests will provide safety," Smith said.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - The Greencastle Borough Council voted Monday to increase overtime hours for the Greencastle Police department in July and August, offer a sign-on bonus to new employees of the department and require that applicants be Act 120 certified. The resolution came in the wake of the department losing a part-time officer and the borough having three upcoming events that will require police presence. The three events are the sidewalk sale, the firemen's carnival and Greencastle-Antrim Old Home Week.

Domestic-violence survey says more training needed HEIGHT="6" ALT=" "> Associated Press review of domestic violence in West Virginia found that more victims are calling for help and more abusers than ever before are being arrested. But AP's look at the problem also found that there's an inconsistency in how things are handled from one county to another, an inconsistency that suggests that officers need additional training. That's not to say that there hasn't been plenty of progress on this issue in the past 10 years.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - After Waynesboro's mayor ceremonially swore in the town's new police chief Wednesday, matters regarding police services ended up dominating much of the borough council's discussions at its regularly scheduled meeting. Mark C. King, promoted recently to fill the vacancy created by retiring chief Ray Shultz, found himself justifying why his department needs 20 full-time officers. "Why do we need 20 police in this town? It's getting very costly," Councilman Charles "Chip" McCammon said.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Wanted: Police officer, no experience required. The latest search for police officers in Washington Township, Pa., has been a failure, the department chief reported Wednesday. In response, Chief Barry Keller has proposed hiring someone, putting that person on the payroll and sending him or her to the state training academy for more than four months. "We're not getting anybody who is applying and making it through our process," Keller said. In May, the township supervisors agreed to advertise for candidates to form an eligibility list.

HANCOCK - At age 14, Bart Ruppenthal, a lifelong Hancock resident, held a neighborhood robber at gunpoint after returning from a hunting trip and stumbling upon the crime in progress. The Maryland State Police then awarded the young Ruppenthal a certificate of valor for his heroic act, and Ruppenthal said he was overwhelmed with pride while standing before the state police graduating class. At that point, the son of Lewis "Buck" and Rosalie Ruppenthal of Hancock knew he wanted to be a law enforcement officer.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Former Martinsburg Police Chief Theodore C. "Ted" Anderson pledged his support to Martinsburg City Council on Thursday, even in retirement. "I'll still be around. If you need anything I'll be glad to help ya'," Anderson said receiving his firearm and a framed resolution of appreciation from Mayor George Karos and a shadow box containing his badges, from patrol to chief, from Sgt. Darrll Ruppenthal. Anderson told city leaders who stood and applauded him for his service, that it had been a "distinct honor and privilege" to serve the citizens of the Martinsburg, his hometown.