Delegation speaks up on TV issue

Kristin Harty Barkley
The Cumberland Times-News Sat Jan 29, 2011, 08:01 AM EST

OAKLAND — Two new voices have joined a virtual choir in Garrett County that is entreating federal officials to add Maryland television stations to the local channel lineup.

Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel introduced joint resolutions to the Maryland Senate and House on Friday, adding momentum to an issue that has vexed some residents for years.

The resolutions urge the Maryland Delegation to Congress to lobby the Federal Communications Commission — introducing legislation, if necessary — to amend its rules and allow Garrett County residents to receive broadcasts from stations in the Baltimore and Washington television market areas.

Currently, Garrett County is included in the Pittsburgh television market area, and most residents don’t have access to any Maryland-based television stations.

“This is not just a mild inconvenience for the people who may be Baltimore Ravens or Washington Redskins fans,” Beitzel wrote in a recent letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

“There is a more troubling byproduct. The citizens of Garrett County are inundated with the political landscape of Pennsylvania. As a result, the average Garrett County resident may know more about the goings on of Harrisburg than they do of their own elected representatives in Annapolis.”

A group of concerned residents approached Beitzel and Edwards in early December during a prelegislative breakfast, asking the local delegation to put its weight behind the issue. The Garrett County Commission has also pledged support.

The resolution sponsored by Beitzel has been assigned to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, according to a press release from his office. Senate Joint Resolution 2, sponsored by Edwards, has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee. Hearings on the matters have not been scheduled yet.

“Garrett County is the only county in the state not included in either the Baltimore or Washington media markets,” Edwards said in a prepared statement. “We’re supposed to be ‘One Maryland,’ so we are only asking that our constituents be given the opportunity to join the rest of the state.”

Contact Kristin Harty Barkley at kbarkley@times-news.com

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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The Realities of Real Estate: Is your agent an expert?

Jay's note: GREAT article about representing the best interest of your clients. I would never think of going to Baltimore to try and sell a commercial property; the opposite applies here with agents who want to work the market at Deep Creek Lake - and learn it in a day to become an 'expert'.

By BOB and DONNA McWILLIAMS, For The Capital
Capital Gazette Communications Published 01/30/11

Some buyers and sellers believe that real estate agents are somewhat of a commodity, and as such, fairly interchangeable when it comes to completing a real estate deal. In reality, the differences between agents is significant and something you should consider when looking to buy or sell a home. Furthermore, there are a variety of aspects on which agents can differ, and some are more critical than others.

Agents are licensed by the state. As a result, an agent with a Maryland real estate license can legally sell essentially any kind of real estate anywhere in Maryland. But, and this is an important but, that doesn't mean all real estate agents are necessarily qualified to sell everything under the sun. If an agent attempts to represent a client in an area of expertise outside the scope of their knowledge or in a geographic location where they normally don't do business, they could run afoul of ethical standards that require them to not venture beyond their experience and abilities.

The most common limitation is geographic in nature. Although our real estate license might permit us to sell a house in Deep Creek Lake, we would never think of representing a buyer or seller in that location because we lack an intimate knowledge of the area. To properly evaluate property, it is necessary to sufficiently understand the important real estate nuances that exist in all communities. We actually got married up at Deep Creek Lake and have visited there many times, but that doesn't give us the skills and abilities of a local agent. Those agents know the ins and outs of why a house located on one part of the lake might be substantially better than one situated in another area. Conversely, a Deep Creek Lake agent won't know the merits of various neighborhoods around Annapolis. So, if an agent is representing clients in a particular location, they should have a reasonable understanding of that area or previous experience in doing business within the community.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Chamber Opposes A Marcellus Shale Drilling Moratorium

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Jan. 27, 2011


The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce board of directors recently completed its 2011 Legislative Agenda. Members plan to present these issues to state lawmakers and other officials during this evening's Mountain Maryland PACE Reception in Annapolis.

Among the agenda items is "Oppose Moratorium on Marcellus Shale Drilling."

"Marcellus shale drilling could have an enormous economic impact on Garrett County," a chamber newsletter stated. "With this taken into consideration, we must also become more educated on the environmental issues associated with drilling.

"We feel that it is not necessary to impose a moratorium on drilling. Since no permits have been issued as of yet, an informal moratorium has been in place, and we have adequate time to inform the regulatory pro-cess to ensure all precautions and appropriate measures are taken.

"It is clear that we must approach the prospect of drilling in Garrett County responsibly."

Other chamber legislative agenda items and PACE "talking points" include "Support Tourism Promotion Funding," "Support Mountain Maryland Recreational Trails/Garrett Trails," "Oppose Minimum Wage Increase," "Support Responsive/Responsible Government," "Support Restoration of Highway User Funds," "Support North/South Appalachian Highway," "Oppose Comparative Fault," and "Support Maryland Broadband.

More information about the agenda is available at www.visitdeepcreek.com/pages/legislative

Full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Beitzel Introduces Turbine, Property Marker Legislation

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Jan. 27, 2011

Del. Wendell Beitzel introduced two more bills for the Maryland General Assembly's consideration last week in Annapolis. A previously introduced piece of proposed legislation, dubbed the "Buy American" bill, will go under committee review next week.

House Bill 112: "Garrett County – County Commissioners –Commercial Wind Turbines" would give the commissioners the authority to enact ordinances in Garrett County regarding setbacks and decommissioning of wind turbines.

"This is a measure that both Senator Edwards and I have pursued during past sessions," Beitzel said. "Slowly but surely, I believe that many are beginning to see the need for such commonsense legislation. As turbines continue to be placed on Garrett County's mountainsides, I believe it is imperative to ensure that those who live, work, and play under these imposing structures are protected."

Beitzel's House Bill 113: "Real Property – Interference With Property Markers – Penalty Increase" would increase fines for vandalizing property markers.

"The interference with property markers has been a problem in Garrett County, especially within the Deep Creek Lake area," Beitzel said. "Monuments marking property lines have been destroyed or moved over the years. As a result, surveying groups have gone to great expense to replace and/or relocate these markers."

Current law states that interfering with property markers is a misdemeanor subject to a fine up to $500.

"The bill that Senator Edwards and I are proposing will increase the penalty to up to $2,500. This increase in the maximum penalty reflects the considerable costs incurred to replace and relocate these markers."

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Can We Keep Him, Grandpa? - Republican News

With snow to spare and the school buses not running, 8-year-old Tad Rodeheaver and Eunae Rodeheaver, 6, decided to make the best of the situation and sculpted themselves a friend. Their snow turtle, which they named Icey, was the perfect size for riding, when their grandfather, Lonnie Rodeheaver, snapped this photo. The children are students at Kitzmiller Elementary School and the son and daughter of Mark and Sandy Rodeheaver of Deer Park.

See more here.

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Fire And Ice - Republican News

The elements are indeed featured in this spectacular photograph, taken on the shore of Deep Creek Lake just before this most recent snow, when the days were snowless but frigid, and the single-digit temps kept the waterway frozen hard as stone. The winter has been brutal thus far, but is certainly not without arresting beauty. Photo by Jess Whittemore.

Read full article here.

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A look back at the Unprecedented February of 2010

From the GarrettCountyWeather.com blog:

If you look under the Historical Weather tab of Garrettcountyweather.com you will find the Historic Garrett Snowstorm section. This section will be an ongoing project to document and depict famous weather events that have occurred in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake over the years. If you have stories or photos you would like to share please send to admin@garrettcountyweather.com

Read the full article here

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Our Bay: DNR Digest

ASK AN EXPERT

What fishing opportunities are available in the winter?

Although many people tend to think of fishing in Maryland as a warm-weather activity, there are plenty of opportunities to be had during the winter months.

Excellent trout fishing may be found in many of the waters in the western and central regions of the state. Deep Creek Lake is known for the good ice fishing for yellow perch, walleye and numerous other freshwater species.

The winter months are a great time to target chain pickerel in open water ponds, small lakes and the upper regions of tidal rivers and creeks. Often these areas are thick with grass beds during the warmer months, but make for great fishing during winter.

Maryland anglers are fortunate to have good fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass and muskellunge in the upper Potomac River. These coldwater fish can provide a lot of action from shore or small boats.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Police Need Help Finding a Wanted DC Fugitive

Deandre Kelly considered armed and dangerous
Updated: Friday, 28 Jan 2011, 11:31 PM EST
Published : Friday, 28 Jan 2011, 11:31 PM EST

Maureen Umeh
maureen.umeh@foxtv.com
Video Story By MAUREEN UMEH/ myfoxdc

He's considered armed and dangerous and tonight police need your help finding one of DC’s most wanted fugitives.

Deandre Kelly escaped from the Garrett County Maryland Detention Center Sunday night, while holding a gun to a jail deputy's head.

Fox 5’s Maureen Umeh talked to a US Marshal who is hot on the trail of the wanted man.

Read full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Federal Authorities Now Heading Investigation Into Fugitive's Escape

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The investigation continues into the whereabouts of a Washington, D.C., fugitive after he escaped the custody of Garrett County sheriff's deputies Sunday evening. Deandre Kelly, 29, had been arrested by Maryland State Police within about 30 hours prior to the escape.
An MSP K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop on a silver 2009 Kia Optima with Maryland tags at approximately 5 p.m. on I-68 Saturday. The stop was conducted for a speeding violation. Kelly, the front passenger, provided false identification indicating his name to be John Williams, 29, Washington.

When the driver and rear passenger exited the vehicle, Kelly jumped into the driver seat and continued east of Friendsville. He attempted to use the emergency crossover and struck a snow embankment. He began traveling west toward Friendsville and exited south onto Rt. 42. As he continued to flee police, the vehicle struck a guardrail, a bridge pillar, and another snow bank before becoming disabled and coming to rest on Morris Ave.

Kelly was immediately placed under arrest and charged with two counts of CDS possession with intent to distribute, two counts of CDS possession, possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime, resisting arrest, false statement to a police officer concerning identity, possession of drug paraphernalia, and multiple motor vehicle charges.

Because of injuries sustained in the accident, he was first taken by ambulance to Garrett County Memorial Hospital for treatment. Troopers remained with Kelly until he was released from the hospital at approximately 7 a.m. Sunday morning.

Kelly was transported to the Garrett County Jail, where he was fingerprinted and accurately identified. He was found to be wanted by the United States Marshal's Service, Washington. He was then taken to the MSP McHenry Barrack for processing before being seen by a district court commissioner. His bond was set for $100,000, and he was taken to the Garrett County Jail.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Gov.'s Budget Plan Does Not Restore Highway User Fees

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Jan. 27, 2011

Despite pleas from 157 Maryland cities and towns, Governor Martin O'Malley’s proposed fiscal year 2012 budget included no additional Highway User Revenue and Police Aid funding for hard-hit municipalities.
Municipal leaders had called on the governor to restore full funding for municipal Highway User Revenues and Police Aid in his proposal.

Most municipalities lost 82% of their total state aid in the FY 2011 budget, and the FY 2012 budget proposal maintains the same funding amounts.

Since 2008, Highway User Revenues for municipalities have been reduced by 95% and Police Aid has been reduced by 35%. Highway User Revenue is funded through the gas tax and other transportation-related fees and is designed to be returned to Maryland communities for ongoing transportation related projects such as road repair, street maintenance, and snow removal.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Keep it competitive

Maryland's deregulated utility market has produced remarkable benefits for consumers, the economy and the environment

Garrett County By Federico Pena
4:11 p.m. EST, January 27, 2011

Not long after my tenure as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Maryland lawmakers took the progressive step of introducing competition to the electric utility sector, and today the state's energy marketplace has matured into one of the most successful in the nation. Innovation has replaced the inefficiencies of the old monopoly system, giving customers new choices, competitive prices and an efficient, reliable power supply.

Consider these recent developments:

•Since 2007, more than 1,700 megawatts of generation have come on line in Maryland in the form of upgrades at existing plants and delayed or withdrawn plant retirements. That's the equivalent output of a large nuclear power plant at a fraction of the cost.

Read the full article here

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Hunting provider fined $1,500 for bear-baiting

From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Thu Jan 27, 2011, 02:56 PM EST

OAKLAND — A Garrett County hunting provider who pleaded guilty in district court Thursday to a black bear violation was fined $500 and also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the Wildlife Conservation Enforcement Fund, according to Sgt. Art Windemuth of the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Lee C. Brenneman, 64, Accident, had been charged on the opening day of bear season in October with using corn and molasses to attract bears to his property near Bittinger.

A utility vehicle, seized at the time by Cpl. Walter May, was returned to Brenneman by Judge Leonard J. Eiswert.

Brenneman’s client that day, Donald D. Gutermuth, 53, Baldwin, had been charged with hunting bears with the aid of bait. Gutermuth chose to pay a fine of $500 rather than stand trial.

Other hunters were charged on the opening day of bear season.

• Charles D. Crigger II, 52, Middle River, hunting near Swanton, paid fines of $447 for hunting with aid of bait, $177 for not wearing orange and $227 for not staying in visual contact with his bear-hunting partner.

• Earnold L. Crigger, 52, Middle River, hunting near Swanton, has court date of March 10 for hunting with aid of bait and not keeping visual contact.

• Jerome S. Ziemski, 55, Baltimore, hunting near Swanton, has Feb. 17 court date for hunting with aid of bait and not keeping visual contact.

• Rex A. Penick, 55, Westminster, hunting near Grantsville, paid $500 fine for hunting with aid of bait.

• Terri L. Penick, 48, Westminster, hunting near Grantsville, paid $500 fine for hunting with aid of bait.

• Donald Sneckenberger, 75, and Doy Sneckenberger, 46, both of Hagerstown, hunting near Little Orleans, do not have trial dates determined yet for hunting with aid of bait.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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History in the making - Republican News

Jan. 20, 2011

Now in his senior wrestling season at McDaniel College, Grantsville resident and Northern High School graduate Brock Glotfelty (above right) set a new McDaniel record for individual wrestling victories when he recorded a 12-3 major decision over Rick Danilkowicz (pictured left) of Johns Hopkins in the heavyweight division this week. This was Glotfelty's 21st straight win of this season and the 113th of his collegiate career, which broke the previous McDaniel record of 112 held by Charlie Conaway. With a 113-20 career mark, Glotfelty set the program record in 19 fewer matches than did Conaway, who finished his 1996-2000 tenure with a record of 112-40. With more than a month remaining in the season, Glotfelty also enters the Centennial Conference's top five in career wins. Gettysburg's Jake Dell (1995-98) holds the conference record with 140 victories. Photo courtesy of Del Carpenter.

Read the full article here.

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Residents Reminded To Renew Subscription For Rescue Squads

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Jan. 20, 2011

The leadership of the Southern and Northern Garrett County rescue squads have issued a reminder to all residents that it is time to renew the $25-$35 membership fee to the organizations. Residents who pay the annual fee can then be transported by the squad free of charge anytime throughout the year. Those who do not pay the fee will be responsible for payment.

All Garrett Countians should have received notice late last year to renew this payment. Persons are to fill out a subscription card and provide the $25 fee to be covered for the year for the Southern Garrett squad. The fee for the Northern Garrett squad is $35 per family, and $25 for senior citizens. Persons should note that Northern Garrett does not have a physical mailing address at either the Friendsville or McHenry station. Subscriptions must be mailed to the organization's post office box. The address is Northern Garrett County Rescue Squad, PO Box 293, Grantsville, MD 21536.
According to the letter sent by the Southern squad, the non-profit organization has been in operation since 1973, and was for many years completely free. However, because of a drop in membership and time constraints for members, some are now being compensated for their work. Budget constraints and the downturn in the economy led to the payment plan.

The subscription membership plan for Southern Garrett was started on Jan. 1, 2007. Northern's program started some years earlier. The program has allowed the rescue squads to bill all patients to cover the costs associated with emergency care, but to do it without creating a financial burden for citizens.

Persons who pay the fee are eligible for free care from either Southern or Northern Rescue Squads, as the program is reciprocal between these two organizations. However, persons are advised that it does not cover costs from other ambulance services.

For more information, residents may contact the rescue squad that serves their part of the county.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Police continue search for Garrett jail escapee

Jeffrey Alderton
The Cumberland Times-News Tue Jan 25, 2011, 03:22 PM EST

OAKLAND — While there have apparently been no sightings of Garrett County Jail escapee Deandre Kelly since his escape Sunday night, some information is being provided to law enforcement by the public, the Western Troop state police commander has said.

Shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, Kelly, a black man who is said to be 6 feet tall and weighing up to 250 pounds, allegedly assaulted two jail officers and displayed what was possibly a handgun at that time. He allegedly forced the officers to release a door that allowed him to exit the lockup at 311 E. Alder St. according to the sheriff’s office.

What happened after Kelly made good his escape is apparently unknown, or is not being disclosed in the face of region-wide efforts by state, federal and local police to find the man who police said should be considered armed and dangerous.

Direction and means of travel at the time of the escape as the outside temperature hovered in the single digits has not been made known — if investigators have determined those circumstances. Clothing that Kelly was wearing when he entered the bone-chilling outdoors has not been made known.

“This is a very multiagency, multijurisdictional effort to locate this fugitive. We are working diligently to locate him,” said Sheriff Rob Corley. He said a reward of $6,000 being offered in the case is the result of the joint investigation that includes federal, state and local law enforcement in various jurisdictions.

Maj. Mike Bittinger of the sheriff’s office said the escape is being investigated by the sheriff’s office and that no administrative action has been taken against the assaulted officers, who apparently were not injured.

The sheriff’s office provided the first news about the escape in a faxed news release to the Times-News at 4:18 a.m. Monday, less than eight hours after the escape occurred. A photo of Kelly was provided to the Times-News about five hours later and a $6,000 reward in the case was announced later in the day in the increasing efforts to take Kelly off the street.

Following the escape, the sheriff’s office reported Kelly is believed to be out of the area. However, checks of locations in Cumberland by Cumberland Police on Monday were made at the request of the sheriff’s office.

Kelly’s first encounter with Garrett County law enforcement over the weekend occurred at about 5 p.m. Saturday following a single-vehicle accident at Friendsville.

After crashing his vehicle, Kelly drove away from troopers but was arrested a short time later following a seven-mile pursuit. His vehicle was impounded and a loaded handgun was seized at the time of the arrest

Kelly was treated at Garrett Memorial Hospital for minor injuries stemming from the crash. Upon his release from the hospital, he was taken to the McHenry barrack for arrest processing by state police on numerous drug, weapon, assault and traffic charges.

At about 1 p.m. Sunday, Kelly was escorted by troopers to the Garrett County Jail, where he was held on $100,000 bond before he escaped about eight hours later.

Among the resources involved in the investigation are the Maryland State Police Fugitive Unit including the Western Maryland Unit, the Baltimore Unit and the Prince George’s County Unit; the MSP Special Apprehension Unit; the MSP Tech Surveillance Unit; the MSP Intelligence Division; Cumberland and McHenry barracks; the C3I Unit and the C3I Narcotics Unit; MSP K-9 Unit on standby; as well as the Frederick County and Garrett County narcotics units.

Capt. James Pyles, Maryland State Police Western Troop commander, said Tuesday afternoon that some information is being received from the public.

“We want to thank the citizens of Garrett and Allegany counties for providing information. Hopefully this will lead to a successful arrest,” said Pyles.

Anyone with information on Kelly’s whereabouts is asked to call the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office at 301-334-1911 or C3I at 301-777-0326.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Frostburg accepts bid to harvest timber

Elaine Blaisdell
The Cumberland Times-News Mon Jan 24, 2011, 07:57 AM EST

— FROSTBURG — Frostburg City Council members on Thursday unanimously voted to approve resolution 2011-01 awarding a timber harvest bid to Blue Triangle Hardwood Inc. of Everett, Pa.

The bid was awarded in the amount of $117,500 with 50 percent of the proceeds of the logging set aside for projects specifically designed to protect or enhance the city’s water supplies at Piney Dam Reservoir or Savage Springs. Through the bid, Blue Triangle Hardwood obtained 92 acres of sawtimber, hardwood and pulpwood. The bid was advertised during November and December with nine companies submitting bids.

The timber assets of Piney watershed are managed by the city through a forest management plan that was prepared by the Forest Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The objectives of the plan, which was established in 1989, are to maintain or improve the watershed as a source of high quality water, promote the health of the forest while supplying a sustained yield of high quality timber products as a source of income to the city, develop and improve wildlife habitat and promote recreational and educational use of the land as a means to better appreciate and understand the environment.

“I can stress the importance of our springs during the spring, since the river flows down from the mountain it allows us to have less pumping costs and water treatment is almost nil since the water is so pristine,” said Mayor Arthur Bond. “We need to make sure we protect it.”

The management plan states, “maintaining and improving water quality is of the utmost importance on the watershed.” In order to maintain the water quality, a buffer zone must be left on “all sides of the intermittent or perennial streams, lakes, marshy area or large spring seeps” when harvesting the forest. In accordance with harvesting timber, proper forest management techniques to maintain and enhance the health of the woodlot must be used, forest harvesters must adhere to Maryland guidelines regarding forest harvest practices, as well as road and trail locations and construction.

In addition, any stream crossing should be avoided, forest harvests should be closely monitored and should cease during periods of wet weather and the harvested areas should be properly regenerated.

“Forest management recommendations will be based upon the objective of maintaining the health of the forest while providing an even, nondeclining supply of forest products and income to the city of Frostburg,” states the management plan.

The Frostburg watershed is composed of two tracts of land encompassing 1,396 acres in Finzel. Tract I is 1,206 acres and lies around Piney Dam and Tract II consists of 190 acres located three-quarters of a mile east of Tract I, according to the Forest Management Plan’s watershed narrative. Presently, the land composition of the watershed includes 1,288 acres of forest, 77 acres of glade and fields and 31 acres of reservoir.

During the meeting, council members also thanked Dan Hedderick of the Maryland Forest Service for his loyal service to the city.

“He has been woking for decades with us to protect our watershed and I think he is doing an excellent job,” said Bond.

Council members also voted to approve resolution 2011-02, approving a contract in the amount of $34,500 for professional service with Bennett Brewer & Associates for a preliminary engineering report on springs located on Big Savage Mountain in Garrett County. Bennett, Brewer & Associates will perform a boundary and location survey and will provide a plan of this data which will serve as a bas map for all preliminary engineering and site improvements. In addition, the company will provide a electrical equipment study, a spring evaluation and will produce of final report.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Reward offered for arrest of escaped Maryland inmate

By: The Associated Press 01/24/11 9:12 AM
The Associated Press

By: AP Photo/Garrett County Sheriff’s Office
This image provided by the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office shows Deandre Kelly. Authorities are looking for Kelly, considered armed and dangerous, who escaped from the Garrett County jail in Oakland. Authorities are offering a $6,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an escapee from the Garrett County jail in Oakland.

The sheriff's office said Monday that 29-year-old Deandre Kelly of Washington assaulted two correctional officers and forced them to open an exit door by producing what appeared to be a handgun shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday.

The agency says Kelly was being held on $100,000 bond since his arrest Saturday for alleged drug and firearm violations and lying to police.

The sheriff's office says Kelly apparently has left the area. The FBI is assisting local and state authorities in the investigation.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/nation/2011/01/jail-inmate-escapes-western-md-believed-armed#ixzz1C8vEl8ik

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

State's Judy Center Attendees Get Academic "Jump Start" On Peers

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Jan. 20, 2011

Children participating in early learning programs offered through Maryland's Judy Centers, one of which is located in Garrett County, have an academic jump start on their peers, according to the results of a new report.
Young children who enter kindergarten after taking advantage of the Judy Center offerings score higher in kindergarten readiness in all seven domains gauged by the Maryland Model for School Readiness Assessment Program, according to the new report.

"An Analysis of Influence of Judy Center Services," released Friday, is based on research conducted during the 2008 and 2009 school year by the Maryland State Department of Education. The study looked into the effect of the Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Education Enhancement Program – the Judy Centers – on children starting kindergarten.

"Classroom education is only a piece of the puzzle when it comes to ensuring that all children succeed," stated Maryland congressman Steny Hoyer. "This report from MDSE proves that Maryland's Judy Centers – which partner with the community to provide children and their families with a full range of services – have been a success in giving children the tools they need to come to school prepared to learn and excel. We believe we can build on this idea to help more children throughout the country reach their full potential. In the coming weeks, I will introduce legislation in the House that would apply the successes we have had in Maryland's Judy Centers to expand the idea of full-service education throughout the country, so that children receive supportive wraparound services in addition to high quality education."

State School Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick said the report confirms what educators have long understood: Investment in early learning pays big dividends throughout a child's schooling.

"The Judy Centers give children a running start on the rest of their educational program," Dr. Grasmick said. "We know that when we give young people a strong foundation for learning, they will thrive and prosper. The foundation provided by our Judy Centers is rock solid."

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!