Spca

The Washington County SPCA has been awarded a $4,020 grant from the William Snyder Foundation for Animals to fund a nationally recognized education program. The money will enable the SPCA to sponsor all students in Washington County, grades 3-5, in a program that provides a gift subscription to the National Association of Humane and Environmental Education's Kind News, a newspaper and teacher's guide. Kind News is sent to classrooms from September through May and has articles about the world, the animals that inhabit the world and how children can make a difference.

The name of the Washington County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is being changed to the Humane Society of Washington County. The organization is changing its name on its paperwork and signs and will use both names until the end of the year, Executive Director Shelly Moore said. One reason the group is changing its name is that it wants to emphasize that it is a humane organization and does more than just animal control, she said. They also hope that the new name will make it clear that the organization is not a county department, she said.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer In addition to the usual dog and cat adoption forms on the counter at the Washington County SPCA, there's something new - applications for 12 horses in need of homes. The horses, including 10 confiscated last October for malnutrition and neglect, were made the property of the county SPCA on Jan. 8 when their owner was convicted of animal cruelty in Washington County District Court. Gerald W. Hubbard, 53, of 18128 Taylors Landing Road, near Sharpsburg, was given probation before judgment on 11 counts of animal cruelty.

By BRENDAN KIRBY Staff Writer A Hagerstown man, with the help of the Washington County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, took advantage of a man on Indian Springs Road last winter and removed his beloved pet goats, according to a lawsuit filed on Thursday. Donald Shoemaker, acting as administrator of his late father's estate, filed the suit in Washington County Circuit Court. In it, he said a representative of Broadfording Road resident Bruce R. Bowden showed up at Jesse L. Shoemaker Sr.'s home in February with SPCA agents.

Fall is a busy season for pets and pet owners in the area, thanks to the Washington County SPCA and Fuzzy Buddies. Pet or Treat, sponsored by Fuzzy Buddies, will be conducted Tuesday at Coffman Nursing Home beginning at 2 p.m. Additional Pet or Treat events will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Homewood Retirement Center; 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Colton Villa Nursing Home; 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Clearview Nursing Home; and at 1 p.m....

"I want to thank the person who found my purse at the blood pressure machine at Wal-Mart and turning it in to the customer service desk. What a good person you must be. God will bless you. " "Why do you assume that the homeless are buying cigarettes? Most of the time they bum a cigarette here and there. Because I know a homeless person and that is what they do. You very seldom see one with an entire pack of cigarettes. " "I am beginning to think that there are weapons of mass deception.

Why not test all? To the editor: I drive a 1994 Oldsmobile that has had to be emission-tested in 1996 and 1998. It passed both times. As I drive around Hagerstown and Washington County I am often met by large trucks emitting their pollution everywhere. It is my understanding only certain vehicles need to be emission-tested, while others, like large trucks, are exempt from the test. How can this program be successful if all vehicles on the road are not tested?

Higher dog license fees, increased fines, shorter confinements for strays and a new board to hear complaints are elements of a proposed animal control law for Washington County. The Washington County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals now keeps strays for at least five days before allowing them to be adopted or, if there is no room at the shelter, euthanizing them, said Executive Director Shelly Moore. Under the proposal, that time period would be shortened to three days.

Sue Ellen "E" Metzger, 66, of Kelso Drive in Hagerstown, Md., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at her home. Born Dec. 17, 1944, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Floyd and Zada (Straley) Longanecker. She was employed by Frederick County Board of Education for 39 years, working at Sabillasville Elementary School. She retired in the spring of 2010. She had a great passion for volunteering and teaching young children. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, George Metzger, whom she married Nov. 17, 1962; daughter, Deb Staley and husband, Donald, of Clear Spring, Md.; sons, Rick Metzger and wife, Shari, of Smithsburg, Md., Ron Metzger and wife, Jennifer, of Hempstead, Md., Jeff Metzger and wife, Lynn, of Boonsboro, Md., and Tony Metzger and wife, Diann, of Smithsburg; grandchildren, Toni Lynn, Mandy, Aaron, Matthew, Taylor, Courtney, Logan, Ashlee and Shaylee; great-grandchildren, Lexi and Jayden; brothers, Floyd Jr. "Buddie," Larry and David; sisters, Shirley, Sylvia, Rose, Nancy, Linda and Cathy; and many nieces and nephews.

MARCH 12, 1943-JUNE 28, 2010 MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Victor Dewayne Jordan, 67, died Monday, June 28, 2010, at City Hospital in Martinsburg. Born March 12, 1943, in Martinsburg, he was the son of the late Fred D. Jordan and Bessie Butts Jordan. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, and served with the West Virginia Air National Guard. He was an active member of the NTBA (National T. Bucket Association). He enjoyed cruise-ins and car shows throughout the area and restoring cars.

"I'm calling about the retired Naval man that says he wants to see no women in submarines. Well, I'm a retired Navy man of 23 years, lieutenant commander, and I'm going to tell you one thing right now, had many a good woman stand beside me, and I was proud of it, and I don't know where he's coming from, but he ought to open up his eyes and see. Women are great, and they're great in the Navy, and I've got a daughter that's in the Navy and she's great,...

Time to fund Chesapeake Bay To the editor: Not even our governor of the state of Maryland, Senators, Congressmen and House of Representatives thought of providing the necessary funds for the Chesapeake Bay. It's needed and should be done quickly. But there are trillions in gifts for these foreign nations who also kill our men and women. So why not wise up? The Chesapeake Bay is essential. So start today. Frank L. Ramakis Hagerstown Trapping necessary to battle disease To the editor: I have been following the Mail Call comments about trapping cats, and I think I am the neighbor that the initial comment referred to. When I could not enjoy picnics with my grandchildren in my own yard because of cat feces everywhere, I just accepted it for the sake of getting along with my neighbors.