Space Program

By JULIE E. GREENE Staff Writer Hagerstown residents will have a chance today to comment on the city's plans for a $3.9 million bond issue, and on whether proceeds should be used for construction of an ice rink at Hagerstown Fairgrounds, downtown parking improvements and construction of a filtration plant for the Edgemont Reservoir. A public hearing on the matter will be held at the 7 p.m. regular meeting of the mayor and City Council. Council members plan to vote afterward on the bond issue.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town RANSON, W.Va. - Peter G. Smith worked in Asia for the State Department and helped set up international space programs for NASA, but now his goal is to help people stay close to home in his adopted Jefferson County. "I'm way too young to want to slow down," said Smith, 55, who retired from NASA in 1995 after working as head of international relations for the space program. Smith was working in Washington, D.C., as part of NASA's Office of Technology Assessment when he and his wife decided to buy a house in the country.

Valley Mall sold at a clearance price By GUY FLETCHER and BRENDAN KIRBY Staff Writers HALFWAY - Valley Mall, the largest shopping complex in Washington County, was sold Tuesday to a Johnstown, Pa., company for a little more than $31 million - about half the price it brought in 1989, the last time it was sold. Officials said shoppers probably won't notice a difference in the short term, but the county will reap $241,300 from the tax for recording the deed, according to court records.

I thought maybe, just maybe, I would make it through my entire journalistic career without having to spell the word “Fastnacht.” But apparently this is not to be the case, and I blame social media. Anyone who tells you that nothing good ever happens in an alley late at night has never been to Hagerstown. Along with thousands of others, I've spent the odd late-night hours out in back of Krumpe's Do-Nut shop waiting for a fresh-fried dozen. At least I did prior to age 40, at which point staying up past 11 p.m. would wipe me out for three consecutive days.

Shiloh United Methodist Church will hold a pancake breakfast Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m. at the church, 19731 Shiloh Church Road in Hagerstown. The all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast includes one serving of sausage, sausage gravy or country puddin', fruit cup, orange juice and coffee. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $3 for those ages 6 to 12.  TOPS 0077         Losses for the week totaled 23 1/2 pounds for TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 0077.  Charlie House and Pat Horning were the best TOPS losers.

We need a real debate on energy policy To the editor: Former Rep. Lee Hamilton commented in an Aug. 21 editorial that a campaign should be about informing voters. One specific issue which really needs to be debated in this election cycle is the U.S. energy policy. Tim Rowland's piece titled “ Cars, politics and solar energy ” uses the history of the auto industry as an analogy to the evolution of solar energy. Analogies are great ways to inform but if they are used to illustrate chronological evolution we have to make certain they align correctly.

By BRYN MICKLE / Staff Writer, Martinsburg photo: KEVIN G. GILBERT / staff photographer MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A storied piece of Martinsburg's past will be opened to the public Sunday for a glimpse inside. The Hartwood Mansion on U.S. 11 near Pikeside has been the subject of a 10-month $350,000 restoration project to bring the unusual limestone mansion back to its former glory, home co-owner Robbie W. Kifer said. "This has been a special piece of Martinsburg for as long as it's been here," Kifer said.

  Evelyn Baker tours a mobile museum of Mack Trucks history, which stopped at the Pennsylvania Avenue plant in Hagerstown Thursday. The company is celebrating its 100th year and to commemorate the milestone the museum is stopping at Mack Trucks plants across the country. The museum is open to Mack employees only at this point. But the display will be returning to Hagerstown for the public to tour. photos: KEVIN G. GILBERT / staff photographer By JULIE E. GREENE / Staff Writer The big rigs built by Mack Trucks are known for being tough, an image evident in its Bulldog mascot.

The Hagerstown City Council voted Tuesday to apply for $40,000 from the state to fund the running of electrical wires from Cleveland Avenue to Fairgrounds Park for the purpose of providing lighting at three softball fields there. The decision overturned a consensus that was taken by the council during a work session last week, when three out of five members said they were against the proposal because the money could be put to better use elsewhere. Councilwoman Kelly S. Cromer, who said earlier that she was against applying for the money, added the request to a list of 12 other items just before the council was ready to vote.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced Pennsylvania's latest recommendations to Congress for the Farm Bill, a key piece of federal legislation that will guide agriculture and nutrition programs for the next five years. In a letter to Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation, Gov.Rendell said the state's top Farm Bill priority is support for its initiative to expand the renewable energy industry. Cellulosic ethanol and agricultural renewable energy production can produce 60,000 new jobs in the state, while reducing the U.S.'s dependence on foreign energy sources and negative environmental impacts.