Shotgun

SMITHSBURG - Smithsburg's police department got the go-ahead Tuesday night to purchase a shotgun, tactical vests, Tasers, and upgraded handguns and radios to equip its officers against situations like the one Officer Christopher Nicholson faced Dec. 19. The Town Council voted unanimously to approve the purchases, which total more than $15,000, along with a new police cruiser to replace the one Nicholson was driving when he was fatally shot waiting...

HAGERSTOWN -- A Sabillasville, Md., man who in January entered a plea in an armed break-in during which a shotgun was fired inside a Hancock home was sentenced Monday in Washington County Circuit Court to serve 12 years in prison. Circuit Judge M. Kenneth Long Jr. sentenced Russell Samuel Harris, 43, of 16701A Raven Rock Road, to 15 years in prison for a first-degree burglary conviction, but suspended three years of that sentence. Long gave Harris a 15-year suspended sentence for a first-degree assault conviction, according to court records.

kimy@herald-mail.com A Washington County District judge on Thursday ordered the parents of young boy who accidentally fired a shot that claimed the life of his 6-year-old sister to continue their son's counseling. Washington County District Judge R. Noel Spence also sentenced Patricia Mae Yost, 26, and Alan Frederick Yost, 29, to two years of unsupervised probation and to perform 250 hours of community service each. Patricia and Alan Yost, of 12072 National Pike, each pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor charge of allowing children access to firearms.

laurae@herald-mail.com A 17-year-old was charged with attempted murder Friday after a shooting incident in downtown Hagerstown, Hagerstown City Police said. No one was hurt in the shooting, which occurred about 11:30 p.m. Thursday on North Locust Street between Washington and Franklin streets, police said. Jovon Brian Lancaster of Burtonsville, Md., was charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a short-barreled shotgun, police said.

gregs@herald-mail.com Statements made to an investigator by a Fairplay man charged with setting his home on fire in June in an attempt to kill his wife will be allowed at the man's trial, a judge ruled Tuesday. Eddie Preston Holmes, 48, of 7825A Sharpsburg Pike, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property and reckless endangerment in the June 27 fire. Deputy State Fire Marshal Edward Ernst said at a July District Court hearing that Shelly Holmes was asleep when she awoke to flames in her home.

Five golfers from Beaver Creek Country Club and two from Fountain Head Country Club will be in the field when the 90th Maryland Open opens Monday at Maryland Golf & Country Club in Bel Air. The Beaver Creek contingent is headed by pro Dirk Schultz, along with Alex Hoffman, Chuck Thatcher, Bernie Deane and Chris Taylor. Pros Jim Schouller and Brian Boggs will represent Fountain Head. The Open has been frustrating for Schultz, who has finished second in the event five times.

Man faces charges in Antrim crash GREENCASTLE, Pa. - A Chambersburg, Pa., man sustained a minor injury Thursday when the SUV he was driving overturned off Williamson Road in Antrim Township, Pennsylvania State Police said in a news release. Daniel S. Porter, 39, was driving northwest on Williamson Road too fast to negotiate a curve and lost control at about 1:40 p.m., police said. The 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee struck an embankment and overturned, police said. Porter was treated at Washington County Hospital and released, police said.

A Hagerstown man beat a fox to death with a shotgun Monday afternoon on Bentwood Drive after the animal bit his wife on the leg. The Humane Society of Washington County responded to the home off Halfway Boulevard near Valley Mall and took the fox so it can be tested for rabies, according to Sgt. Brian Albert of the Maryland Natural Resources Police. Terry and Melinda Pike of 17014 Bentwood Drive said the fox attacked their small dog, grabbing their pet by its head and ears.