Alex Mann

Manchester-resident Gabriel “Gabe” Miller went through puberty early. It’s a symptom of the rare disorder he lives with. Gabe can’t go to public school because of his immune system, so his mother educates him at home. He can’t play sports, either, and social opportunities are tough to come by.

The Westminster Mayor and Common Council convened Monday, Sept. 17 to go over the latest details concerning the biggest project in city history — an approximately $70-million overhaul of its wastewater treatment facility.

More than a year after the fatal crash, friends, family and colleagues gathered Saturday at Monument City Brewing Company in Baltimore to celebrate Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Eckels Jr.’s life. The Manchester native was among 10 Navy sailors killed in 2017 aboard the USS John S. McCain.

Westminster's Tevis Energy sent resources and workers to Virginia and the Carolinas to fuel trucks and generators as Hurricane Florence took aim. It’s a paid gig, but that doesn’t take away from the support they’re providing and risk workers are shouldering as the storm prepares to wreak havoc.

Pfc. Martin Runk of the Westminster Police Department took the times for a ride-along Thursday, Aug. 30. The former Baltimore City police officer responded to an overdose, k

A Hampstead man was arrested and charged after plowing into  two woman with a pickup truck on Hanover Pike Tuesday night, police said.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, a local agricultural lender announced Tuesday an Oct. 31 deadline for those interested to register for its AgBiz Masters Educational Program. Developed by Dr. David Kohl, a Virginia Tech professor, the AgBiz Masters teaches new farmers the how-to's of the farm industry.

Councilman Wayne Thomas, who’s served on the elected body 25 years, proposed that his council colleagues consider increasing the Hampstead Tree Commission’s yearly budget by $7,000.

A Sykesville man was arrested Monday after leading police on a chase around I-695, through parts of Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, in May, police said.

Mount Airy voters elected Patty Washabaugh to Town Council in the town’s first special election Monday, Sept. 10.

A Upperco man was arrested and charged early Thursday morning after stealing from a number of cars and breaking myriad traffic laws, police said. 

Until 1971, the impressive structure at 121 Longwell Ave. in Westminster was the home to Westminster High School, a local history buff said. Now East Middle School, the last high schoolers to graduate from the Longwell Avenue facility did so in '71, Don Warner said. 

A Frederick man was arrested Sunday after he posted threats aimed at multiple people on Facebook, police say.

The Taneytown Mayor and City Council debated, at their monthly workshop Wednesday, whether to reprimand Councilman Donald Frazier after he allegedly violated the city’s code of conduct by refusing to refund the city more than $1,000 it advanced him.

Teachers and administrators cheered on young pupils as they walked off buses for their first day of the 2018 school year at Robert Moton Elementary School Tuesday, Sept. 4. It's about positive attitudes and making the youngsters feel comfortable, Principle Darryl Robbins said.

Scott Sirchio, 45, is one of three candidates running for the Mount Airy Town Council seat vacated by former Councilman Scott Strong. A planning commission alternate, Sirchio said he wants to ensure a prosperous future by prioritizing economic development and securing natural resources if elected.

Patty Washabaugh, 59, is one of three candidates running for the Mount Airy Town Council seat vacated by former Councilman Scott Strong. A six-year veteran of the town's planning commission, Washabaugh has put her stamp on the planning and zoning process, but feels she's ready for a bigger role.

Mount Airy special election candidate Matt McDonough is young at 18 years old, but his message to residents is that of an old soul: Don't change Mount Airy. He wants to keep the town's population around 10,000 people. McDonough is opposed to residential development and big corporations coming.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery attempt at a 7-Eleven, located at 2101 Sandymount Road in Finksburg, early Wednesday morning.  The suspect is described as a slender, white female. Detectives are seeking information in regards to the incident.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office announced that it, in collaboration with a handful of local law enforcement agencies, will operate a sobriety checkpoint over Labor Day weekend. The Sheriff's Office is partnering with Maryland State Police, Hampstead police, Sykesville police, among others.

Westminster residents feel safest at home during the day and least safe when they visit downtown at night, survey results presented at the Mayor and Common Council meeting Monday, Aug. 27 revealed.

Recent examples of high-profile crimes, including shootings, in the City of Westminster prompted residents to raise their concerns publicly on multiple occasions. But Westminster police statistics show that serious crime is decreasing, apart from a few outliers.

A Crownsville man was arrested after allegedly being caught in Carroll County speeding in a stolen car Saturday, Aug. 18, police said. Jared Temple, 19, of the 900 block of Indian Creek Lane, was charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle, according to charging documents.

Hampstead's Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 22 approved a new business, welcoming an entrepreneur raised in Carroll County home, and a new lighting project at a local used-car dealership. Daughter's Cafe likely will join an illuminated Hampstead Pre-Owned Auto Sales on Main Street.

A Westminster man was arrested Saturday, Aug. 18 after he broke in to an apartment and slapped a woman, police said. Keith Shifflett, 59, of the unit block of Madison Street, was charged with fourth-degree burglary, home invasion and second-degree assault, according to electronic court records.

Matt McDonough, Dr. Scott Sirchio and Patty Washabaugh, the three candidates running in Mount Airy's first special election, fielded citizen-submitted questions at candidate forum Aug. 16. Sirchio and Washabaugh are on the town's planning commission, McDonough just graduated from high school.

A torrent of flood water rushed through a Westminster public works facility July 25, damaging the building extensively and prompting utilities workers to salvage expensive equipment. City officials estimate the damages to cost between $150,000 and $175,000. 

The Town of Hampstead swore in its new police chief at a mayor and council meeting Tuesday, Aug, 14. Hampstead Police Chief David Snyder changed uniforms for the first time in 33 years. He was surprised by his former colleagues at his oath of office ceremony.

A vehicle that was stolen from a neighborhood in Westminster was recovered just after 9 p.m. Monday in southwest Baltimore, police said.

There was standing room only at the City of Westminster’s Mayor and Council meeting Monday, Aug. 13, as residents attended en masse following citywide concerns of increasing crime, including reports of a stolen vehicle Monday morning.

Carroll Restaurant Week  starts Sunday, Aug. 12, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 19. The event is strategically celebrated in August every year because it’s a time restaurants usually struggle. Eazy Does It Bar & Grille, a cajun restaurant in Taneytown, is participating for the first time.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the City of Westminster a certificate recognizing financial reporting excellence. The 140-page report includes government balance sheets, statement of revenues, cash flows and statistics, among other items. 

Taneytown’s Mayor and City Council convened for their monthly workshop meeting Wednesday, Aug. 8 to discuss potential annexations, a leaky public works building roof and an amendment to the city charter.

Two officers from the Westminster Police Department met with residents from The Greens community Thursday after a string of auto thefts and increasing concerns about crime. The officers listened to the community's concerns, fielded questions and offered advice.

The Mount Airy Mayor and Town Council on Monday, Aug. 6, voted unanimously in favor of ordinance 2018-7, which amends the town’s 2018-2019 budget to include money for the impending special election — Mount Airy’s first.

A Westminster man was arrested and charged Monday after he allegedly assaulted a woman, police said.

The Mount Airy Mayor and Town Council approved rezoning a property on Twin Arch Road from residential to industrial after a rare, court-like public hearing Monday, Aug. 6.

The Westminster Municipal Band is rooted in family and tradition. It’s existed for more than a century, bringing its music to communities across the state — and sometimes Pennsylvania. It incorporated in 1893, according to band President Gregory Wantz.

It was a night of firsts at the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair Wednesday. Margaret Smith, 15, Manchester Valley High School student, took home first place grand champion for her Apple Pi Pie. But it was only the third pie the teen ever made, she said.

The Town of Mount Airy’s Planning Commission convened Monday, July 30 for its monthly meeting to establish a set of rules and procedures, advise Town Council on a local petition for annexation and to vote on a concept plan. 

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office said workers continue to drain water from Cascade Lake in Hampstead.The lake reached its maximum capacity of water and a recent inspection of the dam revealed damage. Workers are reducing the water level to a point where they can perform a controlled breach.

A Westminster resident raised concerns about increased drug activity in her part of the city at a Mayor and Council Meeting July 9. The city's police department appears to have responded quickly, mobilizing foot patrols and re-establishing a liaison officer for that part of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Many Carroll County roads remained closed Thursday after potentially historic levels of rain soaked the area, flooding roads, downing trees and wires, creating sinkholes and transforming  streams to fast flowing rapids. Over the past three days four to seven inches of rain fell on Carroll.

Police were alerted to a report of shots fired in Westminster at around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

They’re the faces of Carroll County’s 2018 4-H & FFA Fair. But there’s more to them than meets the eye. Westminster High School students Liam Bates, 17, and Payton Steele, 16, were named Mr. and Miss 4-H. They've embraced a leadership role leading up to the fair, and will continue to lead after.

Children and teens displayed their beloved canines at the annual 4-H & FFA Dog Show on Sunday, July 22. “The kids have been practicing for 12 weeks now, they’ve been coming every Tuesday night,” said Robin Korotki, director of the 4-H Dog Club and dog show co-superintendent.

The City of Westminster’s Mayor and Common Council met Monday, July 23 to address the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory, vote on the purchase of police vehicles and a bid to pave city streets and to review blueprints for the new city offices.

Growing Ideas Sustainable Gardening, Mildred Rodman’s renewable and up-cycled potting mix business. Growing Ideas is one of five finalists in the 2018 Carroll Biz Challenge that will compete in the Live Finale on Thursday, Aug. 9.

Re-enactors flooded Carroll County in droves Saturday, July 21, to recreate and honor moments from the most divisive time in American history. But the Civil War Encampment & Living History event at the ancient Union Mills Homestead was anything but alienating, despite the harsh weather conditions.

The Carroll County Bureau of Utilities shut off water serving the northern part of Piney Ridge Village Thursday afternoon to repair a damaged water main.