School Buses

The "suspicious item" that caused a brief shutdown of North Hagerstown High School Wednesday morning was a "phony destructive device" made of road flares, according to a statement issued Friday by Washington County Public Schools officials. Road flares are prohibited under the disciplinary guidelines in the "WCPS Handbook and Guide," a violation of which could result in an extended suspension or expulsion, the statement said. An investigation by the Hagerstown Police Department revealed the phony device was part of an inappropriate prank at the school, the statement said.

Item found in locker prompted police response to North High HAGERSTOWN -- The first day of school in Washington County went pretty well with the exception of a suspicious item that was found Wednesday morning inside North Hagerstown High School. Hagerstown Police Sgt. Paul Kifer said Wednesday evening that he wasn't ready to release a description of the item until an investigation is concluded later this week. "We still have several people to talk to," said Kifer, who added the item was not dangerous.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Paving and repair for East Second Street is scheduled to begin Monday, and the road will be completely closed to traffic in the areas of construction, Waynesboro Borough Engineer Kevin Grubbs said. The roadwork will extend from Myrtle Avenue to just east of the entrance of Waynesboro Area Middle School. Fayetteville (Pa.) Contractors won an original contract for $199,475 and was awarded additional work for approximately $40,000, Grubbs said. The company will be removing the existing, damaged road surface, he said.

HARPERS FERRY, W.VA. -- Four classrooms at Jefferson High School's ninth-grade complex were flooded Friday morning after a fire sprinkler was vandalized, prompting early dismissal of classes at the Shenandoah Junction school, officials said. The destructive prank is the third substantial act of vandalism since March 30 on Jefferson and Berkeley county school district property. At least two computers in one of the classrooms were damaged by the water as were ceiling tiles, according to Independent Fire Co. Chief Ed Smith.

A Hagerstown man was shot to death Friday afternoon at a house on the corner of East Avenue and North Locust Street, Hagerstown Police Department Sgt. Paul Kifer said. Police are treating the death of David Leonard Moore, 23, of 105 E. Washington St., as a homicide, Kifer said. Moore's body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore for an autopsy, which is scheduled for today. Kifer said police found Moore dead Friday about 3 p.m. in the first-floor hallway of an apartment building at 101 East Ave. Police have no suspects, and the crime does not appear to be gang-related, Kifer said.

Today is the first day of classes for Washington County Public Schools. Remember to drive safely, watching out for children going to and from school. Also, do not pass school buses when their lights are flashing. Let's all have a safe and happy school year. Salem Avenue plans meet the teacher night A meet the teacher night is planned Thursday at Salem Avenue Elementary School. Students in kindergarten through second grade will meet their teachers from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Families are then asked to join the staff in the back parking area for a hot dog barbecue from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Students in third through fifth grades can visit their classrooms from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Milestone Maggie Cunningham celebrates her 90th birthday on Aug. 27. She is a member of Washington Square United Methodist Church on Washington Avenue.  If you see Maggie, wish her a happy day. Ridge Avenue to hold neighborhood reunion If you grew up in the Ridge Avenue area in Hagerstown, you have an opportunity to meet up with old friends and neighbors on Saturday.

Annapolis notes 1/28 ANNAPOLIS - Gregory I. Snook: Washington County Commissioner or alleged shoe bomber? Security at the state capitol is so tight that Snook was asked to remove his shoes before visiting Sen. Donald F. Munson at the Maryland Senate Office Building last week. That upset Munson, R-Washington, who complained to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, D-Prince George's. "I don't think that's right. Security has gone overboard," Munson said. Bill would keep school buses on road longer ANNAPOLIS - Sen. Alex X. Mooney says well-maintained school buses should be allowed to stay on the road longer.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - The Waynesboro Borough Council agreed Wednesday to close the block of East Second Street in front of Waynesboro Area Senior High School during the building's two-year construction project. Signs and detours could be established within three weeks, Borough Engineer Kevin Grubbs said. School and municipal officials recommended the closure between Virginia Avenue and Enterprise Avenue to allow school buses a blocked-off loading zone. School traffic will still be permitted to access the road.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Ask educators whether any tears were shed on the first day of school and they'll usually ask for clarification if you're referring to parents or students. Administrators in Franklin County, Pa., school districts reported little crying from either party on the first day of the 2008-09 school year. "We actually had very few criers. We find the second day is typically a little worse for that," said C. Gregory Hoover, superintendent of the Greencastle-Antrim School District.

Administrators: First day of school went smoothly Students were allowed to go into North Hagerstown High School this morning after police determined that an item found inside the building was not a threat. Students arriving at Pennsylvania Avenue school this morning were diverted from the property, with some waiting in nearby restaurants. School buses were sent to the former County Market lot, according to Hagerstown City Police Capt. Mark Holtzman. Washington County Public Schools spokesman Richard Wright said the situation was cleared up quickly enough that classes were able to start on time, by 8:45 a.m. "Everything is on schedule," said Principal Valerie Novak.