Virginia Tech

The following Washington County students were named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Virginia Tech: Nathan A. Brandt of Hagerstown, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering. Melissa M. Cecil of Hagerstown, a senior majoring in apparel, housing and resource management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. David W. Engle of Hagerstown, a sophomore majoring in geography in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Sadness, anger and a high degree of disbelief overwhelmed us when we heard about the massacre at Virginia Tech. We come to realize that it can happen - is happening - in small communities and large. Especially frightening is the fact that Blacksburg, Va., is not unlike the beautiful little towns in Western Maryland. In that environment and considering Virginia's ethnic support system, what turns a boy into a brooding crazed campus killer? Where did he get the language, the religious references, the hatred and the well-planned strategies so common among terrorist killers?

Rachel Lawhorne of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., a cadet in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2016, has joined Virginia Tech's regimental band, the Highty-Tighties. She is majoring in biochemistry in the College of Science. The Highty-Tighties are celebrating their 119th anniversary this year under the direction of Maj. George McNeill. A retired member of the U.S. Army, McNeill joined the Highty-Tighties after 22 years of enlisted military service in the Army Band Program.

HAGERSTOWN Students at Hagerstown Community College gathered in front of television sets across campus Monday afternoon and watched live coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings that left more than 30 people dead. Sophomore Robert Green said he feels safe on the HCC campus, but something more has to be done about gun control. "It seems people aren't responsible enough to own guns, especially with people shooting students who've done nothing wrong," he said. Green's friend, Long Vo, a sophomore, said stricter gun control won't make a difference.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. The University of Maryland men's basketball team will be the fifth seed in the 2007 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament. The Terrapins (24-7, 10-6) will face No. 12-seed Miami on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. The winner of Thursday's opener will advance to face fourth-seeded Boston College on Friday at 2 p.m. North Carolina earned the top seed in the tournament, while Virginia claimed the second seed. Virginia Tech is the No. 3 seed.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's governor said Tuesday he may be able to close the loophole that allowed a mentally ill Virginia Tech student to acquire the guns he used to kill 32 classmates and faculty last week. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said in a radio interview that changes in the reporting of people a court has ruled have mental problems into a background check database might be possible with an executive order.

Washington County Technical High School senior Sean Karraker of Boonsboro is headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Sean, a senior in pre-engineering, has been pursuing his dream since early in his junior year. Sean had already been offered an ROTC scholarship at Penn State Mont Alto, Virginia Tech, The Citadel, Embry-Riddle and the University of Maryland. The Virginia Tech scholarship included room and board. Sean's father, Dale Karraker, gives much of the credit for Sean's success to Tech High.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - If the University of Maryland has any luck, Calvin Johnson will wake up Saturday thinking it's the day before he should be playing. Consensus says that's the eventual destiny for the Georgia Tech wide receiver ... to be playing on Sunday afternoons in the NFL. Johnson is the rage of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a focal point for NFL scouts and a real pain to any team which faces No. 18 Georgia Tech. On Saturday, it will the Terrapins' turn to face the 6-foot-5, 235-pound junior who is nothing short of a game breaker.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - College officials from four states told lawmakers on Thursday about enhanced security in an era when a few campus shootings, including one at Shepherd University, have heightened awareness. Last month, Virginia Tech - where 33 people died at the hands of a gunman in April - introduced a new emergency alert system, said James A. Hyatt, the school's executive vice president and chief operating officer. VT Alerts uses text messages, instant messages, phone calls and e-mails to spread the word to students and staff who subscribe.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - College officials from four states told lawmakers on Thursday about enhanced security in an era when a few campus shootings, including one at Shepherd University, have heightened awareness. Last month, Virginia Tech - where 33 people died at the hands of a gunman in April - introduced a new emergency alert system, said James A. Hyatt, the school's executive vice president and chief operating officer. VT Alerts uses text messages, instant messages, phone calls and e-mails to spread the word to students and staff who subscribe.

“I'm glad to see Sheriff Mullendore has finally admitted that the purpose of speed cameras in school zones is to generate money, and not for the safety of our children.” - Williamsport “I, for one, am tickled to death to see that Potomac Edison is being investigated. I've been complaining about my electric bill for a long, long time. Potomac Edison's response to me was they do not have enough meter readers to come and read my meter. When you pay a $600 electric bill every month, you deserve to have your meter read.” - Boonsboro “First the flush tax triples, now the gas tax is more, and now they're talking about taxing us for water that runs off our driveways and our roofs.

Rachel Lawhorne of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., a cadet in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2016, has joined Virginia Tech's regimental band, the Highty-Tighties. She is majoring in biochemistry in the College of Science. The Highty-Tighties are celebrating their 119th anniversary this year under the direction of Maj. George McNeill. A retired member of the U.S. Army, McNeill joined the Highty-Tighties after 22 years of enlisted military service in the Army Band Program.

Mark Halsey, Virginia Tech's director of finance and administration for distance learning, has been named the new executive director of the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, the center announced Wednesday. Halsey was charged with continuing to meet the needs of USMH students in the region by broadening existing programs, developing new ones, and maintaining and expanding relations with area community colleges, according to a university news release. He was selected from a field of 69 candidates in a national search, the release said.

The following Washington County students were named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Virginia Tech: Nathan A. Brandt of Hagerstown, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering. Melissa M. Cecil of Hagerstown, a senior majoring in apparel, housing and resource management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. David W. Engle of Hagerstown, a sophomore majoring in geography in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Holly Kays loves writing, the outdoors and building relationships with people. This year's Outstanding Graduating Senior in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., Kays has been involved in campus publications and has served her community through inner city and trailer park ministries. According to information provided by Virginia Tech, the Outstanding Graduating Senior is awarded on the basis of grade point average (3.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale)

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The following Washington County students have been named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Virginia Tech: Laurita F. Turner of Cascade, a senior majoring in animal and poultry sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Holly E. Kays of Fairplay, a senior majoring in natural resources conservation in the College of Natural Resources Michael D. Smith of Hagerstown, a junior majoring in marketing...

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Mental health records for Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho that were missing for more than two years have been discovered in the home of the university clinic's former director, according to a state memo shared with victims' family members. Cho killed 32 people on April 16, 2007, then committed suicide as police closed in. His mental health treatment has been a major issue in the vast investigation of the shootings, yet the records' location had eluded authorities.

JULY 31, 1921-JUNE 20, 2009 M. William "Bill" Dutton, Jr., 87, of Hickory Hill Road in Hagerstown, Md., passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009, at Washington County Hospital. Born July 31, 1921, in Hagerstown, Bill was son of the late Dr. M. William and Zella Stickle Dutton. Bill was a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in architectural engineering and was a registered architect in Maryland. Bill served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Seabees in World War II in the Central Pacific Theater.

Washington County Technical High School senior Sean Karraker of Boonsboro is headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Sean, a senior in pre-engineering, has been pursuing his dream since early in his junior year. Sean had already been offered an ROTC scholarship at Penn State Mont Alto, Virginia Tech, The Citadel, Embry-Riddle and the University of Maryland. The Virginia Tech scholarship included room and board. Sean's father, Dale Karraker, gives much of the credit for Sean's success to Tech High.