Statement

HAGERSTOWN -- A Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fake crack cocaine was given a suspended sentence Wednesday by Washington County Circuit Judge Donald E. Beachley and ordered to leave town. "I'll take the probation. Goodbye Hagerstown," David James Daniels, 54, said after the sentencing hearing as he waited for his attorney to drive him to a bus station. Daniels, of 335 Main St., Bentleyville, Pa., pleaded guilty to the charge May 6. In exchange for the plea, charges of distribution of a narcotic, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were dropped, according to online court records.

Washington County plans to spend $25 million over the next five years on road repairs. County residents will see an increase in road work in the next month by C. William Hetzer Inc. of Hagerstown, and full-scale repairs will start by mid-August, according to a written statement from the county. C. William Hetzer was the winning bidder on the county's Pavement Maintenance Program contract. The County Commissioners authorized $3.32 million in road repairs for fiscal year 2006 with the option to use an additional $675,000 from the previous fiscal year's budget, according to the statement.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States is accepting help from 12 countries and international organizations in dealing with the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The State Department said in a statement Tuesday that the U.S. is working out the particulars of the help that's been accepted. The identities of all 12 countries and international organizations were not immediately announced. One country was cited in the State Department statement -- Japan, which is providing two high-speed skimmers and fire containment boom.

A Hagerstown man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court, but agreed to a statement of facts related to charges he faced in connection with a robbery and assault at Urban Exchange in Valley Mall. Kenneth Longus, 21, was charged with robbery, second-degree assault and felony theft. The charges stem from a Sept. 13, 2006, incident in which four men went into Urban Exchange, Assistant State's Attorney Viki Pauler read during a statement of facts Tuesday.

charlestown@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Saying the controversy surrounding Martinsburg City Councilman Frank Idoni has created a "negative reflection on our city," Mayor George Karos and City Council members Wednesday night asked him to resign. City residents have complained about Idoni and he was charged last month with spitting on and punching a teenager during a fight. Local business owners and residents have complained that Idoni has an abrasive, threatening and argumentative attitude.

By DAVE McMILLION Staff Writer The director of the YMCA in Hagerstown said he believes his staff acted in a "proper and professional manner" when 7-year-old Kari Trumpower was found in at least four feet of water at the pool on Sept. 11. YMCA executive director Michael Flicek initially would not comment on Trumpower's death Thursday, but he released a one-page statement Friday defending the Y's safety record. "We believe that our staff reacted to this emergency in a proper and professional manner and acted in an appropriate manner to save this child's life.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - In an unexpected move Wednesday, defense lawyers rested their case without calling witnesses in the trial of William Trampas Widmyer, who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his former wife last November. [cont. from front page ] Defense attorneys S. Andrew Arnold and David Camilletti made the move a day after Arnold, in an opening statement, said he would call at least two witnesses to testify about the problems Widmyer was having in regard to his divorce from Tara Widmyer.

Allison Grove, an eighth-grader at E. Russell Hicks Middle School, was named the Youth of the Month for October and was recognized Tuesday by the Washington County Commissioners. The Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families sponsors the award every month. Allison is the daughter of Thomas and Suzanne Grove. She was nominated by her teacher Kelly Klein. Allison is a People to People Alumni Ambassador and traveled throughout Europe during the summer of 2003.

Two appointed to advisory board Two people were appointed to the Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory Board by the Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday. The County Commissioners appointed Joe Ralls as delegate and Mike Lida as alternate delegate. Each was appointed to a three-year term. Capital Improvement Policy is approved The Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a new Capital Improvement Policy. The policy's objective is to set guidelines and goals for the county's Capital Improvement Plan, according to a written statement from the county.

HALFWAY - A small brush fire near railroad tracks here Thursday caused about $250 in damage to two sheds, the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway reported. At about 4:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 firefighters responded to a small fire in grass, leaves and a woodpile on the 17800 block of Burnside Avenue, according to a fire company statement. Witnesses reported seeing four juveniles walking near the railroad tracks minutes before seeing smoke and fire. No injuries were reported and firefighters left the scene at 6 p.m.