Prime Outlets

Columbia Sportswear will be joining the lineup of stores at Prime Outlets at Hagerstown this fall. Columbia Sportswear, one of the world's most successful outerwear brands and the leading retailer of ski wear in the United States, will occupy a 7,384-square-foot space in the retail center at 495 Prime Outlets Blvd. The 485,796-square-foot outlet center along Sharpsburg Pike (Md. 65) offers everyday savings of as much as 65 percent off retail prices and features an exciting collection of brand-name retailers.

HAGERSTOWN -- A consulting company hired to suggest improvements to the County Commuter transit system is seeking public input as it examines options such as adding Sunday service and extending the system to the southern and western reaches of the county. LSC Transportation Consultants Inc. will use the comments, along with ridership data, driver feedback and other information, to identify possible changes and their costs, which later will be narrowed down to a set of proposed changes and developed into a transit development plan, consultant Michael Felschow said.

o Read more Jamie Shekels columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Happy Mother's Day! I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks for all that you do, Mom. You are appreciated and loved on Mother's Day and each day throughout the year, I love you! Enjoy your special day! Junior Football League registration Washington County Junior Football League registration will be held through Friday, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Nike outlet at Prime Outlets at Hagerstown.

Incidents reported to Hagerstown police Hagerstown police responded recently to the following incidents: Tuesday, April 7: o At 1:39 p.m., drug violations were reported in the 600 block of North Prospect Street. o At 10:35 p.m., a second-degree assault was reported in the 300 block of Summit Avenue. Wednesday, April 8: o At 12:56 p.m., theft was reported at IHOP, 17820 Garland Groh Boulevard. o At 3:20 p.m., counterfeit currency were reported at McDonald's, 520 Northern Ave. o At 5:47 p.m., theft was reported in the unit block of South Mulberry Street.

Two Dress Barn stores in Washington County -- in Prime Outlets at Hagerstown and on Garland Groh Boulevard -- have joined the 2008 Toys for Tots drive. From Dec. 8 to 12, customers who donate a new, unwrapped toy to the drive will get a coupon for 15 percent off a regularly priced item.

Associated Builders and Contractors The Cumberland Valley chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) held its first Subcontractors Showcase on Nov. 6 at the Four Points in Hagerstown. More than 100 attended the event, which provided an opportunity to meet professionals in the construction industry. The following subcontractors set up displays at the event - HR Ebersole & Sons Inc., Glessner Alarm & Communications, HPG Windows and Doors, L&R Floor II, MS Johnston Co., Miller & Anderson Inc., North Mountain Core Drilling, Panhandle Pumping Inc., RCD Inc. Electrical Services, Tradesmen International and Valley Quarries.

After pitching his tent in front of Circuit City in Hagerstown on Thanksgiving Day, Keith Tetter of Boonsboro remains sleepless while waiting for the doors to open to purchase a 65-inch HDTV. Shoppers navigate the parking lot at Prime Outlets at Hagerstown midday on Black Friday.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Polly Mellott arrived at Prime Outlets at Hagerstown Thursday at 10:45 p.m. to get a good parking spot for the midnight opening. By Friday at 7:30 a.m., Mellott was resting on a bench outside J.C. Penney at Valley Mall. Mellott was shopping with her daughter, Ann Bittinger of Artemas, Pa., and her daughter-in-law, Kim Mellott. After shopping at the outlets, the women went to Wal-Mart, then arrived at the mall after 7 a.m. Mellott was shopping for gifts and found good specials, she said.

View the slideshow WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Polly Mellott arrived at Prime Outlets at Hagerstown Thursday at 10:45 p.m. to get a good parking spot for the midnight opening. By Friday at 7:30 a.m., Mellott was resting on a bench outside J.C. Penney at Valley Mall. Mellott was shopping with her daughter, Ann Bittinger of Artemas, Pa., and her daughter-in-law, Kim Mellott. After shopping at the outlets, the women went to Wal-Mart, then arrived at the mall after 7 a.m. Mellott was shopping for gifts and found good specials, she said.

Two shopping-related organizations have projected sluggish sales for this holiday gift-buying season, across the state and the country. A few local retailers were less pessimistic and counting on sales promotions, low prices and other niches to see them through. The fortunes of Prime Outlets at Hagerstown, for example, might fare well as the economy gets tight. "I think we're in a good position being that we are an outlet center," Marketing Manager Angie Nichols said.