Weather Station

The Borough of Chambersburg has installed a new weather station and web camera at its wastewater treatment facility. Weather affects operations at the J. Hase Mowrey Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, according to a news release from Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill. The plant serves the borough and several surrounding townships. It is in the midst of a $35.2 million capital project, the largest public works project in Chambersburg history, the news release stated. The camera can keep the public and municipal partners informed on the project's progress, Stonehill said.

Week of July 4, 1949 Clarence G. Emmert, Weldon Place, was the first purchaser of a hunting license at the courthouse yesterday, maintaining his record of many years to be the man to wear the No. 1 tag. Postmaster Travis D. Knode, who recently took over the weather station at Keedysville, wasn't taking any chances yesterday. He put out three thermometers, including the official weather station one. Every one of the three registered 104 degrees, he reported.

Singles dance Alternative to the Bar Scene holds a singles dance for adults 21 and older. DJ music, casual dress, cash bar, snacks and door prizes. 8 p.m. to midnight today. Knights of Columbus, 20340 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown. $6; $5 members. Call 240-520-8985 or go to www.geocities.com/thealternativeinc . 'Love Story' SMITHSBURG - "Love Story" tells the story of a young couple who cross social barriers to marry against their parents' wishes. 7 p.m. today.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back - through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others - at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Charles Patrick McCusker, who died Feb. 25 at the age of 62. His obituary appeared in the Feb. 27 editions of The Morning Herald and The Daily Mail. As Charles Patrick McCusker Jr. was preparing to eulogize his father, he was struck by how often the theme came back to the significant role luck played in the life of Pat McCusker - a life that ended Feb. 25 at the age of 62. A quadriplegic since 1980, Pat had suffered pain, seizures, multiple operations and loss of employment because of previous physical ailments that began years earlier.

Flood warnings lifted The rainfall total in Washington County came within a tenth of an inch Sunday of matching the previous record for November. The county received .24 inches on Sunday, according to Hagerstown weather observer Greg Keefer's weather station. That brings the monthly total to 6.53 inches in just nine days. The record, 6.54 inches, was set in 1972. Area waterways, which had risen to dangerous levels with heavy rain over the weekend, had a chance to return to more normal levels on Sunday.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Nineteen doors and nearly as many hallways are on the main floor of a new 17,000-square-foot building on Pa. 16 in Waynesboro. They all lead to the same place - the ambulances that take emergency medical technicians to 1,600 calls annually in the 74-square-mile first response area. Eleven career EMTs and 25 volunteers are looking to make the move to the Waynesboro Ambulance Squad's new $2.2 million headquarters Aug. 2. Before long, the fresh-paint smell will surely be replaced with that of spaghetti and lasagna.

HAGERSTOWN - The official start of spring is more than two weeks away, but around Hagerstown on Monday, residents were more than ready to leave their winter coats at home as temperatures rose into the upper 60s. A Hagerstown weather station recorded a high of 67.9 degrees Monday afternoon, about 20 degrees higher than the city's normal high this time of year, according to data from www.i4weather.net . The record high for March 3 was 72 degrees in 1923, according to the site.

The Humane Society of Washington County continues to experience shortages of supplies due to the continued large intake of kittens, puppies, cats and dogs. It is asking the public for its assistance. The shelter is asking for donations of the following food items: cheese in spray cans, canned chicken, Vienna sausages and peanut butter. The shelter also needs toys for dogs and cats, but especially dogs. Interactive toys for the dogs such as Kongs, stuffable toys, puzzle-type toys, etc., would be appreciated.

TRI-STATE - In two rain-soaked days, the skies have dumped more precipitation on Hagers- town than the city saw in the entire month of July, bringing much-needed relief after months of drought-like conditions, local weather experts said. Meanwhile, in Franklin County, Pa., a countywide burn ban was lifted Tuesday. The Hagerstown weather station maintained by weather observer Greg Keefer recorded 1.25 inches of rain Monday and measured an additional 1.22 inches by Tuesday evening, helping to bring the total for the month well beyond the average 3.32 inches.

By BRENDAN KIRBY Staff Writer Spring finally lived up to its reputation on Monday. After weeks of cold, windy weather, the temperature cracked 90 degrees on Monday. The high reached 92 degrees, according to Hagerstown weather observer Greg Keefer's automated weather station. For people hanging out in Hagerstown City Park Monday afternoon, it was a nice change - even if it was a little too hot. "It's strange how people complain about the weather," said Elsa Ortiz, who was enjoying the sun with her 21/2-year-old son. Ortiz said she often gets out early to City Park, which is around the corner from her home.

The Humane Society of Washington County continues to experience shortages of supplies due to the continued large intake of kittens, puppies, cats and dogs. It is asking the public for its assistance. The shelter is asking for donations of the following food items: cheese in spray cans, canned chicken, Vienna sausages and peanut butter. The shelter also needs toys for dogs and cats, but especially dogs. Interactive toys for the dogs such as Kongs, stuffable toys, puzzle-type toys, etc., would be appreciated.

Washington County is in the midst of an abnormally dry period, even though it has had more rainy days during July than average, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Carrie Suffern. “Abnormally dry means drier than normal, and a drought means a lot drier than normal,” Suffern said. “A bunch of different things go into the classification of a drought, including precipitation and stream flow. Washington County is not in a drought, and water levels are pretty close to normal.” As of July 27, Suffern said, 2.14 inches of rain had fallen in the area during the month.

The Borough of Chambersburg has installed a new weather station and web camera at its wastewater treatment facility. Weather affects operations at the J. Hase Mowrey Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, according to a news release from Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill. The plant serves the borough and several surrounding townships. It is in the midst of a $35.2 million capital project, the largest public works project in Chambersburg history, the news release stated. The camera can keep the public and municipal partners informed on the project's progress, Stonehill said.

HAGERSTOWN -- "Weather affects everyone, everyone talks about the weather, so why not have an exhibit?" B. Marie Byers said Tuesday at the opening ceremony for Discovery Station at Hagerstown Inc.'s new weather station. Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II, City Council members and supporters of Discovery Station were on hand for the opening of the Lou Scally Weather Station. Byers, president of the board of directors for Discovery Station, said the idea for a weather station came up in a conversation with Scally, a local TV weatherman and radio personality.

Singles dance Alternative to the Bar Scene holds a singles dance for adults 21 and older. DJ music, casual dress, cash bar, snacks and door prizes. 8 p.m. to midnight today. Knights of Columbus, 20340 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown. $6; $5 members. Call 240-520-8985 or go to www.geocities.com/thealternativeinc . 'Love Story' SMITHSBURG - "Love Story" tells the story of a young couple who cross social barriers to marry against their parents' wishes. 7 p.m. today.

Hello, my name is Brent Gustaf. Recently on Aug. 23, 2008; Katie Hann and I were married in Waynesboro, Pa. After the wedding and reception we left early the next morning for our honeymoon in Jamaica. The first few days were beautiful, the weather was in the 90s, little to no wind or waves; just gorgeous. Then we began getting phone calls from our family saying that there was a tropical storm/hurricane named "Gustav" coming our way. To be honest, I thought it was a joke. We hadn't really been watching any television while there, so we had no idea what was happening in the world.

HAGERSTOWN - The official start of spring is more than two weeks away, but around Hagerstown on Monday, residents were more than ready to leave their winter coats at home as temperatures rose into the upper 60s. A Hagerstown weather station recorded a high of 67.9 degrees Monday afternoon, about 20 degrees higher than the city's normal high this time of year, according to data from www.i4weather.net . The record high for March 3 was 72 degrees in 1923, according to the site.

TRI-STATE - In two rain-soaked days, the skies have dumped more precipitation on Hagers- town than the city saw in the entire month of July, bringing much-needed relief after months of drought-like conditions, local weather experts said. Meanwhile, in Franklin County, Pa., a countywide burn ban was lifted Tuesday. The Hagerstown weather station maintained by weather observer Greg Keefer recorded 1.25 inches of rain Monday and measured an additional 1.22 inches by Tuesday evening, helping to bring the total for the month well beyond the average 3.32 inches.

Assessments now should be reduced To the editor: Boy! Didn't the assessments get out of hand in Washington County? They say they have dropped the assessments in our county to 5 percent. They say whatever your assessment total is, the amount of which you are taxed can't go up by more than that each year. They say it won't reach that assessment amount until 2012. Houses were artificially inflated up to a year or two ago and then they dropped off ridiculously low. I have seen houses up for sale with a real estate company asking $299,000 in the beginning and then having to sell for for $205,000.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back - through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others - at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Charles Patrick McCusker, who died Feb. 25 at the age of 62. His obituary appeared in the Feb. 27 editions of The Morning Herald and The Daily Mail. As Charles Patrick McCusker Jr. was preparing to eulogize his father, he was struck by how often the theme came back to the significant role luck played in the life of Pat McCusker - a life that ended Feb. 25 at the age of 62. A quadriplegic since 1980, Pat had suffered pain, seizures, multiple operations and loss of employment because of previous physical ailments that began years earlier.