Westminster park not a health risk, county officials say
Carroll County health officials inspected the Westminster Community Pond on Friday to assess its public health problems. An unmanageable number of geese and ducks have befouled the 3-acre park, but officials said the property does not pose a health hazard.
They urged the use of "common sense sanitation" - thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after visiting the park, which is just off Route 140 near Route 97. Officials found that the playground is clean, as are the benches surrounding it.
Park officials have posted signs asking that the public not feed the birds.
Man charged in burglary, vandalism of school
A Mount Airy man was charged Thursday in connection with the Thanksgiving weekend burglary and vandalism of Parr's Ridge Elementary School, state police said.
Nathan Robert Tieszen, 20, of the first block of Meadowlark Ave. has been charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property, police said.
State police estimated that vandals caused more than $60,000 worth of damage to the school on Watersville Road in Mount Airy. The school, which is under construction, is scheduled to open next fall.
Misdemeanor charges are pending against four Carroll County students suspected of being involved in the incident - two boys and two girls ranging in age from 15 to 17, police said.