Hancock News
Food donations continue to benefit Hancock families and donors
by Geoff Fox Rain last Friday didn’t dampen the needs of people lining up in the Hancock Assembly of God parking lot as Dot Foods donated a tractor-trailer full of food. The truck arrived around 2 p.m. last Friday, and by 2:30 p.m., people were starting to line up in the church’s northern driveway for…
Read MoreValeria R. Shoemaker
Valeria R. Shoemaker 1935-2020 Valeria R. (Younker) Shoemaker, 84, of Orchard Ridge Road, Hancock, Md., passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2020, at the home of her daughter, Linda Keefer and son-in-law, Theodore Jay Keefer, Sr., where she had resided for the past six years. She was under the care of Hospice of Washington…
Read MoreConfirmed rabies case in Big Pool kitten
by GEOFF FOX The Washington County Health Department has confirmed rabies in a kitten attacked by racoons located on Big Pool Road between Fort Frederick Road and Gehr Road in Big Pool. In a press release, Health Department officials said there are known human exposures in the vicinity reported at this time. Exposure is defined…
Read MoreMaryland residents have until May 27 to register to vote in June 2 primary; Voting to be done by mail
In late March, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced the state’s primary election would be delayed from April 28 until June 2 in light of orders reducing public gatherings and public contact. The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) is continuing to remind state voters that they will vote in the presidential primary election on Tuesday,…
Read MoreLisa A. Johnson
Lisa A. Johnson 1968-2020 Lisa Ann Johnson, 51, of Hagerstown, Md., died Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown. Born June 18, 1968 in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Bernard Henry and Grace Louise Clingerman Sipes. She was a Christian. She was a graduate of Hancock High School and worked as…
Read MoreSteven L. Keefer
Steven L. Keefer 1954-2020 Steven Lester Keefer, 64, of Berkeley Springs, died Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at the White Sulphur Springs Center in White Sulphur Springs. Born October 18, 1954 in Cumberland, Md., he was the son of the late Lester Emanuel and Doris Alpharetta Bishop Keefer. He was a graduate of Hancock High School. He…
Read MoreLast day of school in county set for June 10; no concrete plans yet for graduation
by Geoff Fox Since March, seniors in Washington County have been attending their classes via distance learning instead of being in the classroom with their teachers and friends while preparing for graduation in June. During the April 21 Washington County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Boyd Michael touched on the status of the seniors…
Read MoreTown gets approval for $7 million in grants for first phase of sewer upgrades
by Geoff Fox State environmental grants will pay for a large portion of Hancock’s long-planned wastewater treatment plant. Town Manager Joe Gilbert announced grants for construction of the future plant have been approved by the Maryland Department of Environment. Gilbert said the funding was for between $7.3 and $7.8 million for construction of the facility.…
Read MoreTown aims to keep viral cases low, plans for local recovery
by Geoff Fox Hancock Mayor Ralph Salvagno said local people need to stay “vigilant” to keep the number of coronavirus cases low in the coming weeks. On April 15, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order for Marylanders to wear a face covering when inside any retail establishment or when riding any form of…
Read MoreMaryland launches one-stop unemployment application, adds staff and hours to meet claims
The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) last week provided important updates about the implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Eligible Marylanders began seeing their additional $600 per week payments on Friday, April 17. This Friday, April 24, the department will be launching a new one-stop unemployment insurance application to…
Read More