Megan Woodward

Gerstell Academy's Marley Saunders posted 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game in 2019. This season, the guard averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. The Times caught up with her to talk about what inspired her to start playing basketball, the U.S. Virgin Islands team, and more.

Kira Ridinger donated 50 large heart-shaped balloons, candy, and cards to Lorien for Valentine’s Day and wanted to make an ever bigger impact for Easter.

Alexis Roberts, a 2014 Westminster High School graduate, wanted to use her experience with diabetes as a way to connect with other children living with a chronic illness. She founded Live, Hope, Laugh, the Alexis Ross Organization, with her mother in October 2010.

I wish I could list all of the memorable games I’ve covered, and name all of the incredible athletes I’ve had the pleasure of watching over the years, but I can’t make this goodbye column that long.

Bertucco's was able to retain her employees during the pandemic and has seen an uptick in business now that spring has arrived.

Participants of the “Virtual Crosswalk” include Trinity United Church of Christ in Manchester, St. Benjamin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Westminster, Westminster United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Westminster, the Shepherd’s Staff, and other downtown churches as well.

The real estate market has accelerated as homebuyers continue to take advantage of the conditions brought on by the pandemic to purchase properties. Mortgage rates hit a record low, which makes buying a home more affordable for buyers even if it means borrowing more.

The 40-foot tall Peace Cross was erected in 1925 by Goldstar Mothers and was dedicated to 49 fallen veterans from Prince George’s County who died during World War 1. The base of the cross displays the words “Valor,” Endurance,” “Courage,” and “Devotion” and includes a bronze tablet listing the names of the 49 men who died overseas.

Westminster High School senior Lydia Houle is believed to be the first girl to ever score a point in a Carroll County varsity football game.

More than 700 educators from Carroll County Public Schools will be recognized Wednesday at the annual Outstanding Teacher Awards.

The nonprofit, which was started by just 12 families in 1981 with a $2,000 budget, celebrates its monumental anniversary this month as a 600-employee organization that supports 2,000 people per year at three locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The Northern Maryland Dirt Diggers are a metal detecting group located in northern central Maryland, mostly in and around Carroll County. The group’s goal is to detect and save relics and artifacts that have historical or sentimental value.

The company, headquartered in Louisville, is opening an 85,000 square-foot facility at 1234 Tech Court in Westminster. The custom glass works company plans to hire 80 new full-time and permanent employees by 2025, according to the release.

Sharon Tillman also serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County and is the volunteer marketing coordinator for the organization’s first, which opened at the site of the former Westminster Antique Mall on March 6.

The Internal Revenue Service has two free tax preparation programs, one is done directly through the IRS at Human Services Programs of Carroll County and Tax-Aide, sponsored by AARP, is being held at the Carroll County Agriculture Center.

Westminster posted two rushing touchdowns apiece from seniors Christian Heck and Erick Stranko. Junior quarterback Jack Gruenzinger connected with sophomore Mason Fisher for a 38-yard scoring pass as well.

The Knights had plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net during the early stages of their Carroll County matchup against crosstown rival Liberty, and the girls were confident that something would finally stick.

The building is now the home of Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County’s first ReStore, the second largest in the state of Maryland. Staff members and volunteers of the nonprofit organization welcomed customers to the grand opening of the ReStore on Saturday, March 6.

Jay Meashey was recently named the economic development director for Taneytown and he took over for Nancy McCormick, who served in the role for 21 years prior to retiring in August 2020. The position remained vacant until Meashey filled the role on March 1.

The contest, which opened Jan. 18, is hosted by Jessica Wilde, one of the industry’s leading tattoo models, and co-hosted by guitarist and singer Dave Navarro. The winner will be announced March 12.

The Carroll Kennel Club is a service organization that supports various youth programs, disaster-related projects, and other canine-related activities for the Carroll County community and at large, according to the organization’s website.

Sidock, 48, was selected for this new position by the board after the recommendation of an independent interview panel made up of members of the community, state, and county agencies, according to a Carroll County Veterans Independence Project press release.

Gribbin-Lindemon, a teacher and a 28-year resident, was named to the New Windsor Town Council during a Feb. 16 work session. She replaced Terry Green, who resigned Feb. 3.

Liberty High School seniors Emma Bauer and Makayla Crosby were selected as Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.

This year, the Freedom District Lions are unraveling a new initiative called the Hero’s Project with the goal to provide support for hospital workers and other staff members working night and weekend shifts at Carroll Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.

William Hornby, originally from Taneytown, has become well-known on TikTok for being a men’s eating disorder recovery advocate and he uses his platform to encourage people to recognize their problems and to never invalidate their struggles at the same time.

Malika Acker, Mark Blacksten, Melissa Bonbrest, Betty McGuire, Lindsay Sisler and Kelly Yudt are the Carroll Hospice Heroes for 2021.

Westminster native Scott Braden's comic book "Kent Menace #0: The Director's Cut" will be released May 12, 2021.

The Christian outreach and support center will host its fifth annual Empty Bowls event on Sunday, March 21 at St. John’s Catholic Church’s Portico in Westminster.

The Christian outreach and support center is once again seeking donations from the community to keep its annual Easter Basket Drive tradition going and will be collecting filled Easter baskets by appointment between Monday, Feb. 22 through Friday, March 19, according to a Shepherd’s Staff press release.

Carroll County's first Black mayor and county commissioner says a better grasp of history will help people understand today's racial reckoning and calls for equity.

STOP, SHOP AND SAVE will take place Sunday, Feb. 14 and admission to the event is $5, which includes thousands of cycling products, displays, memorabilia and more.

Inked Magazine is looking for its next cover girl and Manchester resident Lizzie Wright is in the running to win the grand prize of $25,000 and a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to join celebrity photographer Christopher Kolk and his team for an exclusive cover shoot which will be featured on the magazine’s cover.

The 2021 Carroll Biz Challenge Kick-Off will take place Feb. 11 via Zoom and the event starts a series of events leading up to the 10th annual Biz Challenge in August.

Billy Lyve’s nonprofit, Find Your Purpose, hopes to mold kids and young adults into impressionable members of society by helping them find their direction in life.

Amy Gilford, executive director of the Marriage & Relationship Education Center in Westminster, talks about MREC, relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the organization’s upcoming Valentine’s Day events.

Schaeffer, 69, of Westminster, who served more than 30 years in Carroll County government and public service, died Jan. 23 at Carroll Hospital Center from cancer.

Carroll County award-winning author Vickie Fisher reads her Bible every day and keeps a sign on her desk engraved with one of her favorite quotes, “Have courage and be kind,” from Disney’s 2015 version of “Cinderella.”

Westminster native and McDaniel College alumna Amanda Cunningham is releasing her new single "Pattern" Feb. 5.

According to the health department, 672 people received tests at the Ag Center facility the week of Jan. 3, 498 were tested the week of Jan. 10, 431 the week of Jan. 17 and 298 got tested this past Sunday and Thursday.

Andrea’s House for Women and Children is scheduled to open Monday, Feb. 1 in Mount Airy and will provide its residents with fully-furnished accommodations, transportation to and from meetings and appointments, wireless internet, cable television, and more, according to the director.

Moderator Elizabeth Anderson Comer, principal of EAC/A, and her team of experts will present the results of their multi-year study. The team’s work has involved extensive research including use of a variety of archaeological and architectural methodologies, according to the release.

Brinton Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sykesville, Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, Lorien Taneytown, and Lorien Health Services in Mount Airy received “High Performing” ratings for short-term rehabilitation.

Jose Manuel-Araujo Esquivel, 29, of the unit block of Carroll View Ave., is charged with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, and possessing a loaded handgun on his person and in a vehicle, among other charges.

Days End shelters about 80 horses on average at any given time, but brings in about 150 throughout the year from adoptions going out to new horses coming in.

Salim-Hassan Muhammed Williams, 22, of the 3500 block of White Chapel Road, is facing charges of possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle, carrying a loaded handgun, and possessing a controlled dangerous substance (not marijuana).

Nicole E. Kirkman, 25, of the 5800 block of Oakland Road in Sykesville, was charged with one count of second-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault on a police officer, according to electronic court records.

Steven Aquino was recently named chair of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and he started this one-year position on Jan. 12.

Caroline Babylon replaced Ed Leister as executive director of Carroll County Food Sunday on Jan. 4.

There were 45 new community cases, three cases from congregate living facilities, and one fatality — a resident at Brinton Woods.