Washington County

Doris Jean Bloom, 91, of Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown, Md., died Thursday, May 9, 2013, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Dr. David H. Bloom, who practiced dentistry in Hagerstown and Ringgold. Born Oct. 30, 1921, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Ethel Krouse Weagley and Joseph Guy Weagley, who served as Circuit Court clerk for Washington County from 1946 to 1954. A 1939 graduate of Hagerstown High School, she attended Hagerstown Business School.

Robert Littleton Jr., 82, beloved father and grandfather, of Hagerstown, Md., went to be with his Savior on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Williamsport Retirement Village in Williamsport, Md. Born Aug. 30, 1930, in Miller's Crossroads, W.Va., he was the son of the late Blanche Fraley. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Harriet Littleton, on Dec. 5, 2009. He attended Hagerstown High School. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Korea, Germany and Japan.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission will host farmers market workshops from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Washington County Agriculture Education Center front conference room. This free workshop is open to new vendors interested in learning how they can market and sell their items at Washington County farmers markets during the 2013 season. Presentations by Leslie Hart, Washington County agricultural business development specialist, will cover topics including farmers market etiquette, customer service, up selling and merchandising.

Name: Domino Age: 4 years old Color: Black with white Breed: Domestic shorthair tuxedo ID: A19424360 This handsome tuxedo boy is in need of a loving home to call his own. Domino and many other animals are available for adoption at The Humane Society of Washington County, 13011 Maugansville Road, north of Hagerstown. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Animal visitation begins at 10 a.m. daily.

The Humane Society of Washington County will break ground this summer for a $2.2 million low-cost spay and neuter clinic, Executive Director Michael Lausen said Thursday. “We take the animals to vets around the area” for spaying and neutering, Lausen said Thursday. “Now it's going to be brought in-house as a cost savings.” The 7,000-square-foot clinic is expected to be completed in March or April of 2014, Lausen said. This fall, the society will begin recruiting a veterinarian to run the clinic, he said.

Washington County lawmakers are hosting a public forum Thursday evening to discuss the 2013 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly and answer queries from residents. The post-legislative forum, which is being held at Hagerstown Community College, gives constituents a chance to question county lawmakers. “This is our chance to have an open and transparent government so that citizens of the county who have questions can ask them,” said Del. Andrew A. Serafini, R-Washington, chairman of the Washington County delegation.

Here are some of the things happening this week in Washington County Public Schools:   Monday, May 6 Career and Technology Education Awards at South Hagerstown High Barbara Ingram School for the Arts - Senior dance show at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theater, 7:30 p.m. Bester Elementary - Grade-five Family Life,  11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Boonsboro Elementary - Family STEM Night, 6 to 7 p.m. Clear Spring...

The sixth annual Bark for Life of Washington County raised more than $2,200 to help fight cancer, said Cathy Beckley-Thomas, the American Cancer Society's community manager for Washington County. Beckley-Thomas said 48 dogs were registered, which is a record for the local event. In addition to walking a lap around Fairgrounds Park, participants could compete in several contests, including ones for best-dressed dog and best trick.

About 175 young musicians took part Saturday in the 2013 Swingin' in the Park Jazz Festival, an event organized by Washington County Public Schools to showcase the county's jazz bands in middle and high schools. Nine county schools took part this year in the event, which has been held since 1998. Rob Hovermale, Washington County Public Schools' supervisor of visual and performing arts, said the event was noncompetitive, and enables participants to experiment and improvise. Gary Rupert, the event organizer, said the event was a good opportunity for young musicians to listen to other talented musicians.

The Washington County government announced recently that its annual business and industry survey showed there had been a net gain of more than 440 jobs in the past year. But that isn't the whole story. Despite the increase in the county's January unemployment rate, the county said in an emailed news release on March 22, “the annual Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Business Industry Report confirmed an increase of 448 jobs within the County based on 2012 reporting data through March 22, 2013.” What the county didn't say is that almost all of that net gain was because of new jobs funded by taxpayers, according to an examination of the county's data by The Herald-Mail.