FMD

The Md. State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

Aftermath of a house fire at 13800 block of Old National Pike, east of Clear Spring,

(Photo  from Md. State Fire Marshal’s Office)

Clear Spring, Md (KM) The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal house fire in Washington County Tuesday morning.

Fire officials say personnel were dispatched at around 4:30 AM to the 13800 block of Old National Pike east of Clear Spring for a house fire. When they arrived, they found the building well involved, and requested additional units as well as a tanker task force.

During a primary search of the home, fire fighters located one man and two women. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names have not been released.

Two family dogs were safely rescued, and turned over to the SPCA.

In addition to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement and Forensic Science Divisions are investigating this fire.

By Kevin McManus

Discussion will be about the city’s; budget.

Frederick, Md (KM) The City of Frederick is holding five town halls over the next few weeks on the municipal budget. Officials say they will discuss updates on the city’s budget. Citizens can come to these  town halls to engage in conservations about the city’s financial plans.

The town halls will begin next week. Here is the schedule:

First Meeting
Date and Time: Monday, November 24, 2025, 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Location: First Missionary Baptist Church – Sanctuary Room, 6430. Jefferson Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.
District 2. Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) 8 and 10.

Second Meeting
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Location: Daybreak Adult Day Services Inc., 7819 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, MD 21702.
District 1. NACs 1 and 5.

Third Meeting
Date and Time: Monday, December 8, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Location: Worman’s Mill Clubhouse, 2470 Stoney Creek Road, Frederick, MD. 21701.
District 4. NACs 3, 4, and 7.

Fourth Meeting:
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Location: Municipal Annex, Conference Room C, 140 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD. 21701.
District 3. NACs 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Fifth Meeting:
Date and Time: Monday, December 15, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Location: Whitaker Commons at Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701.
District 5. NACs 1, 2, 4 and 6.

City officials urge residents to come to these town hall meetings, and contribute their input which is so vital in making sure the budget reflects the needs of a diverse community, according to a news release from the City of Frederick.

By Kevin McManus

It would require businesses that expand and provide new jobs to pay ‘family sustaining’ wages.

Frederick, Md (KM) Some changes are being proposed to Frederick County’s tax credit for businesses that expand and create new jobs.  County Executive Jessica Fitzwater says companies which benefit from the tax credit would have to create new jobs that have family-sustaining wages.

“Frederick County’s economic development tools should reflect our community values. By aligning the New Jobs Tax Credit with regional livable wages, we are ensuring that public incentives  support the creation of quality jobs—ones that allow residents to thrive, not just get by. This legislation is a meaningful step toward a more equitable and sustainable local economy,” says Fitzwater, in a statement.

Currently, businesses that expand in Frederick County may be eligible for the tax credit if they expand in priority funding areas, and create at least 25 full time jobs over a two-year period.   In order to be eligible, businesses are currently required to pay employees 150 percent of the federal minimum wage which is about $10.86 per hour Under this proposed legislation, the businesses that expand and create new jobs would be required to pay the “average wage” for the Frederick region which is approximately $30 per hour, according to the county.

The County Executive says this bill will be presented during a County Council workshop on Tuesday, November 25th.

By Kevin McManus

Suspect faces multiple charges after retrieving a handgun outside a downtown establishment and driving away.

LEESBURG, Va. (JK) — A Florida man was arrested early Saturday morning in Leesburg after authorities say he displayed a firearm while intoxicated outside a local business.

According to Leesburg Police, officers responded at approximately 12:53 a.m. on November 15 to the 500 block of East Market Street following reports of an intoxicated man who had been escorted from an establishment. Investigators say the man, later identified as 42-year-old Jon E. Holland of Orlando, Florida, returned to his vehicle, retrieved a handgun, and displayed it in front of the business before driving away.

Police located Holland in a nearby parking lot and conducted a traffic stop. He was arrested and charged with brandishing a firearm, carrying a handgun while intoxicated, and driving while intoxicated. Authorities recovered a loaded and unsecured firearm inside his vehicle.

Holland is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond. Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500.

By Jimmy Key

He says a lot of the opposition is based on ‘politics.’

Frederick, Md (KM). Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins continues to strongly support his agency’s affiliation with the 287g program. That’s where the staff at the County Detention Center determine the immigration status of individuals brought into the jail facing charges.

During a recent appearance on WFMD’s “Morning News Express,”  Jenkins said he will fight efforts by some elected officials in the General Assembly to end the programs. “And I will do everything I can at the state level to fight that legislation. I will mobilize sheriffs, police chiefs,  every resource I can,” he says.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater has put a position statement in her 2026 Legislative Package calling for banning local police cooperation with federal immigration efforts. In a recent appearance on the “Morning News Express,.” she said many residents feel less safe with 287g. But Jenkins says the program has made the county more safe. “Listen, I don’t how many people come to her and say ‘I don’t feel safe.’ I can tell you how many people come to me and say, ‘Sheriff, keep doing what you’re doing because we do feel safe,'” he said. “As a matter of fact, I’ve had people to come to me and say ‘listen, I moved into Frederick County because it’s a safe place because of this program.'”

He also says there’s another benefit. “The reason we’re not seeing ICE raids in Frederick County like you do in Chicago, Baltimore it’s because what we’ve been doing here for 17 and 18 years is so effective is we don’t have the priority criminal targets. That’s why you’re not seeing the ICE raids,” Jenkins says.

He also takes issue with critics who say deputies pull over divers because of their race. “You know what. I’ve been policing in the county 36 years, and I’ve never witnessed or never experienced in our agency, or any agency, any officers taking any action based on race. I’ve just never seen it,” he says. “Does it happen occasionally? Maybe it does in other jurisdictions. I just do not believe right here it does. I really don’t.”

He says a lot of the debate over 287g and other federals immigration  enforcement programs is based on politics, not public safety. “Personally, I think anybody who doesn’t view this program as beneficial it’s political. The Democrats don’t like it; the Republicans do,” he says.

Senator Karen Lewis Young says she plans to introduce a bill to limit how law enforcement can participate in immigration enforcement. “They’ll go down there this year. again, and they’ll force legislation to try to end this program. again  led by Karen Lewis Young,”  he says. “I don’t think she cares about public safety. It’s all about politics.”

By Kevin McManus

She was  named Executive Director of the Md. State’s Attorney’s Association.

Frederick, Md (KM) A long time prosecutor with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office is moving on to a new position. Deputy State’s Attorney Kristen Brown was named to and  has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association.

In this new position, Brown will support elected State’s Attorneys across Maryland, distribute statistics involving prosecution, evaluate and approve Victim Protection and Relocation Program funding, testify before Maryland legislative committees in Annapolis,   and prosecute conflict cases.

Since 1999, Brown has been with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office where she worked in the District Courts, as a prosecutor with the Special Victims Unit,  Chief of Violent Crimes, and as Deputy State’s Attorney.  As result of her new position, Brown will retire from the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office where she has worked for 26 years.

“This is a tremendous personal and professional loss for me and my office,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement. “Kirsten has been an outstanding prosecutor and a  leader who has done countless good for the citizens of Frederick County. The silver lining that she will   continue her good work on the state level with the MSAA.”

By Kevin McManus

It will be held on Wed,. Nov. 19th.

Frederick, Md (KM) An Open House and Resource Fair will be held on Wednesday, November `19th at the Veterans Services Center at Goodwill  at 1750 Monocacy Boulevard. Suite A in Frederick.

The event will take place from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and it will feature more than 20 of the best veteran and first responder service providers in Frederick such as Reforge, the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, Warrior Canine Connection and Guitars for Vets.

The Fair honors the three-year anniversary of the Veterans Services Center at Goodwill.

The event is open to the public.

By Kevin McManus

She will officially take over on Nov. 21st.

Beth Woodring, Acting Director, Division  of Economic Opportunity.  (Photo from Frederick County, Md Government)

Frederick, Md (KM) Beth Woodring has been named Acting Director of the Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity. Her appointment becomes effective Friday, November 21st.

Woodring brings more than two decades of economic development, financial operations and public service experience to the job, according to a news release from the County Executive’s Office.

“We are home to one of Maryland’s fastest growing and most diversified economies, and Beth Woodring will continue our work to retain  and grow local business,” says County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, in a statement. “She shares our commitment to collaboration and will be an active partner to our business community and resource for companies who want to invest and  grow here.”

Woodring joined the Frederick County Office of Economic Development in 2019, and serves as  the Division of Economic Opportunity’s Director of Financial Operations.

She replaces Lara Fritts who was recently named President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Chamber in Wisconsin.

In a news release, the County says it will advertise this position this month, and conduct “an open and complete process” to locate a new permanent Director for the Division of Economic Opportunity.

By Kevin McManus

New jobs listed

Lrg Animal Caretaker II (2163156)

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Feeding and housing of laboratory animals including nonhuman primates (NHP)
General laboratory animal housekeeping
Cage cleaning, changing and sanitation
Providing occupational, structure, social and edible enrichment to ensure animal well-being
Cleaning tasks associated with the upkeep of a research animal facility
Wage range: $38,700.00 – $66,500.00

Protocol Navigator II (2163146)

As part of the Protocol Navigation/Protocol Development Program (PN/PDP), the Protocol Navigator II:

Provides protocol development and implementation support for NIAID intramural research protocols conducted domestically and internationally.
Serves as the point-of-contact and project manager for an assigned portfolio of projects.
Orchestrates meetings with Principal Investigators (PIs) and other key research staff to identify the level of support needed, creating timelines and managing protocol start-up logistics.
Works directly with PIs and Medical Writers (MWs) on the design, plan, production, and revision of study documents, including applying clinical and regulatory knowledge to the review of protocol and informed consent documents.
Ensures activities are conducted in a logical and timely manner and in accordance with policies and guidelines…and much more!
Wage range: $ 90,500.00 – $155,625.00

Project Manager V, CONNECT, CGR (2163155)

Cancer Genomics Research Labs (CGR) is recruiting a Project Manager V that will be responsible for oversight of the entire lifecycle of baseline and follow-up Connect biospecimens. As part of the Connect Biospecimen Team, oversight will include biospecimen collection, handling, shipment, processing, and sample use for scientific purposes across Connect partnering recruitment sites, processing laboratories, biorepositories, CGR and DCEG. There are additional responsibilities and limited travel required.

Wage range: $124,300.00 – $213,625.00

Administrative Assistant (2162986)

The Administrative Assistant provides essential support across multiple service areas, including tax preparation, planning, bookkeeping, payroll, and business setup. The role requires phone and in person communication and coordination on behalf of tax professionals acting as a liaison between clients and agency partners to include with, but not limited to, tax preparation support, tax planning assistance, payroll, and IT assistance; also schedules appointments and manages the office calendar, collects and gathers tax documents and information, and prepares and maintains essential reports and spreadsheets. Seasonal position with opportunity for permanent role.

Starting wage: $15/hr.

Executive Director of Camps (313003)

Responsible for overseeing the development of all operational areas of Association Camps Programming and Camp West Mar. This position will be responsible for recruitment, training and support of all assigned staff delivering the highest level of programming to YMCA members, guests and program participants through experienced, quality, efficient and courteous delivery of services. Application deadline: November 24th.

Salary: $62-65K/yr

Business Operations Manager (2163407)

seeking an experienced and dynamic Business Operations Manager to oversee and optimize operations for Commercial, Federal Contracts, and other Public Sector projects. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of strategic vision, financial acumen, and operational expertise to drive efficiency and innovation across MTC’s IT services and office lease management offerings. This role requires a strong leader who can navigate complex regulatory environments, manage cross-functional teams, and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Wages: $90-120K/yr

Landscape Porter (2163633)

Join Ruppert Landscape as a Landscape Porter in Frederick, MD, where you’ll help maintain a high-visibility commercial site with tasks like trash removal, light cleaning, and debris control. This full-time role offers steady hours, and year-round employment with a supportive, family-oriented company that values growth, training, and work-life balance. Enjoy competitive benefits, a company-issued phone, and the chance to be part of a team that takes pride in its people, customers, and community.

Wage Range: $18-$20/hour

Assistant Field Manager (2163634)

Join Ruppert Landscape as an Assistant Field Manager – Landscape Maintenance, where you’ll lead daily operations, mentor crew members, and ensure high-quality service on commercial contracts. This hands-on role offers full-time hours, and the chance to grow within a supportive, employee-owned company that values training, customer care, and environmental stewardship. Enjoy competitive benefits, flexible work-life balance, and a family-oriented culture with year-round opportunities.

Wage Range: $18-$20/hour

Crew Leader – Landscape Maintenance (2163636)

Join Ruppert Landscape as a Crew Leader – Landscape Maintenance, where you’ll lead crews, manage materials, and build strong client relationships to ensure high-quality service on commercial contracts. This leadership role offers the opportunity to mentor team members, oversee daily operations, and contribute to a company that values growth, training, and environmental stewardship. Enjoy a supportive, family-oriented culture with competitive benefits, year-round stability, and room to grow in an employee-owned organization.

Wage Range: $45,000 – $53,000

Still Recruiting:

Automotive Care & Detailing Technician (2162089)

Community Coordinator (2163128)

Office Manager (2163254)

Digital Designer (2163262)

Enterprise Account Executive (2162540)

Field Technician (2161238)

Construction Material Field Technician (2162482)

Medical Assistant (2163365)

Youth Development Specialist (2163366)

Facilities Services (2163368)

Maryland State Police say 53-year-old David Comer of Westminster was struck and killed around 9:45 last night on westbound Route 140 near Gorsuch Road.

Westminster, Md. (DG) – Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in Carroll County.

Troopers say 53-year-old David Comer of Westminster was struck and killed just before 9:45 Friday night along westbound Route 140 near Gorsuch Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Comer and another pedestrian were running from the grassy median when they tried to cross the westbound lanes. That’s when Comer entered the roadway and was hit by a Kia Optima.

The driver, 18-year-old Bridget Dautermann, and her passenger, 18-year-old Edgar Herrera, were not injured in the crash. But police say immediately afterward, the second pedestrian – 24-year-old Zachary Comer, David’s son – assaulted Herrera. Both were taken to the hospital. Charges against Zachary Comer are pending.

All lanes of Route 140 were shut down for about three hours.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation.

PSEG plans to build the Md. Piedmont Reliability Project.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater

Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County has joined other local governments and other parties in asking the Public Service Commission to dismiss the application from Public Service Enterprise Group to construct the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. “We are joining a motion to actually dismiss the case due to the fact the schedule that the Public Service Commission has put out is really not going to allow this project to move in the time frame that they have to,” says Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, who was a guest recently on WFMD’s “Morning News Express.”

PSEG has asked for approval by the PSC by March, 2026, with the line up and running by June, 2027   PJM, which manages the regional grid, says the region could be subject to potential power blackouts and voltage collapse by June, 2027  if nothing’s done. . The PSC’s schedule pushes final briefs to February, 2027.

MPRP is a proposed 67-mile electric transmission line beginning in northern Baltimore County, continuing through central Carroll County and into southern Frederick County, ending at the Doubs substation in Adamstown. Opponents say Maryland won’t be seeing any of that electricity transmitting through those wires. Instead, it will be going to northern Virginia to power data centers.

Fitzwater says these electric lines will pass over a number of agricultural properties. “The route is proposed to go through land that is under agricultural easements.; land preservation easements, in some cases. floodplains or other natural sensitive areas,” she says. “These are in some cases farms where property owners have spent generations working this land, and putting their own investments into preserving this land.”

Even though local governments have no say in whether utility projects  like MPRP, are approved or denied, Fitzwater says she and other officials and citizens can  let the PSC know how they feel. “What we are doing is really amplifying the voice of our residents, especially the property owners that are being impacted by the proposed route,” she says.

In her comments on WFMD,  County Executive Fitzwater says PSEG has done everything  wrong when it comes to public outreach for the project. “From the beginning, this company—this New Jersey based company, PSEG—is just done really a poster child for how not to do community engagement, No communication with folks in the community that are going to be impacted by this; complete lack of transparency,” she says.

Despite the controversy about MPRP, Fitzwater says Maryland has some energy problems. “Pretty common knowledge that Maryland is an importer of energy and not a generator of energy,” she says. “And so this question is coming up. But we can’t let the need for change to impact these lands that we’re seeing happen with this proposed project.”

By Kevin McManus

The project is currently the design phase.

Frederick, Md (KM) Citizens are invited to a community meeting on Thursday, November 20th on the proposed westside community center in Frederick.  It will be held at Butterfly Ridge Elementary School starting at 6:30 PM.

The project is in the design stage, and residents will get an update on where it stands. They will also get the chance to offer their ideas on what they want in a community center in their neighborhood.

Butterfly Ridge Elementary School is located at 601 Contender Drive. Those attending the meeting need to use the Recreation Center entrance at the rear of the school building.

By Kevin McManus

The county says crews will replace pip in the area, repair pavement.

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Department of Highway Operations says a section of Horine Road in the Jefferson area will be closed for three days starting on Wednesday, November 19th. This will allow crews to replace a pipe and repair the pavement.

The closure is expected to last through the overnight hours.

By Kevin McManus

Officials say the felines were exposed to rabies.

Thurmont, Md (KM) The Frederick County Health Department is asking residents in Thurmont for help in finding a stray female cat and one of her ten-week-old kittens. These two cats were seen on Apples Church Road and Seiss Road, and have been exposed to rabies.

The mother cat has short hair calico with a bushy tail. The kitten is all black.

Anyone who sees them should not approach or touch them. . Call the Health Department’s Community Health Services at 301-600-3342, , or Animal Control at 301-600-1544. The Health Department says the cats need to be vaccinated against rabies and undergo a quarantine to ensure the health of the two felines and the health of the people around them.

Another kitten in this same litter became sick, was taken to a vet and tested positive for rabies on November 4th. Thurmont residents and Animal Control have been working to trap the kitten and its mother since then. Three other kittens from the same e litter have already been caught and treated.

The Health Department is recommending people who have had contact within any of these cats after October 22nd, 2025, to get ahold of  their health care provider and notify the Community Health Services Office. If any pets or livestock have come into contact with these cats, you need to contact you veterinarian, and notify the Health Department Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.

Rabies is a virus that infects mammals and spreads through the saliva of the infected animals, usually through a bite. Symptoms of rabies include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, being unusually friendly and atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals coming out during the daytime. Rabies is always fatal to humans if they become infected, and post-exposure treatment is not obtained.

“Rabies can be prevented by avoiding contact with stray or wild animals. Making sure your pets are vaccinated is another key action you can take to protect yourself and others,”: says Barry Goltfley, Director of the Health Department’s Environmental Health Services, in a statement.

By Kevin McManus

The Red Cross is assisting the occupants.

Town house fire, 19 Horizon Drive, Frederick, Md. It occurred on  Friday morning.   (Photos from Frederick  County Fire  & Reservies  Services..)

Frederick, Md (KM) There were no injuries from a town house fire in Frederick Friday morning,

Fire and Rescue officials say crews were dispatched just after 8:45 AM to 19 Horizon Drive off of South McCain Drive, and found flames showing from an end unit town house. The Rapid Intervention Dispatch was requested bringing in more personnel.

Fire fighters had the flames doused in about 25 minutes.

The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the occupants, four adults and one child.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

By Kevin McManus

Columbia, Md. (DG) – Howard County police have charged a Guilford Park High School paraeducator with a third-degree sexual offense after investigators say he had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old student off school property.

Detectives allege 26-year-old William Nelson II of Elkridge met the teen through a dating app and engaged in sexual intercourse in his vehicle on November 12. Police say the student reported the incident to school staff, who immediately contacted authorities. Nelson was arrested at the school the following day.

Investigators say there’s no indication the two had any prior interaction at the school before meeting on the app, but the case remains under active investigation. Nelson is being held at the Howard County Detention Center, and school officials say he was placed on administrative leave as soon as they learned of the allegation.

Police are urging anyone with information—or any other potential victims—to call 410-313-STOP.

Frederick, Md. (DG) – A Miami man has been federally indicted for the murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend in Frederick County, Maryland. Thirty-five-year-old David Turner faces charges of interstate travel to commit domestic violence resulting in death, and using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death.

Authorities say Turner traveled from another state to Lake Linganore on August 25, 2024, where he broke into the home of his former spouse, Crimea Baker. Turner fatally shot Baker and a second victim, Sean Lange. Baker’s four children were in the home at the time but were unharmed.

Turner was arrested in Florida in September 2024 and was returned to Frederick County last December. Federal prosecutors announced the indictment on Thursday as the investigation continues.

Frederick, Md. (DG) – Maryland State Police say their Child Recovery Unit investigation has led to the recovery of two juvenile girls and the arrest of two men on human trafficking charges.

Deion Taurence Philip, 32, of New York, and Antoine Miles, 57, of Maryland, are both charged with sex trafficking of a minor and related crimes. Philip is being held without bond in Baltimore County, while Miles is in Minnesota awaiting extradition.

The investigation began in September when police discovered a missing juvenile being advertised online for sexual acts. She was found in a Towson hotel. On November 4, Philip was arrested in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and another missing girl was recovered at the scene. Two days later, Miles was taken into custody at a Minneapolis airport.

Authorities say Philip and Miles may have trafficked additional victims and urge anyone with information to call Maryland State Police at 410-694-4700.

It’s designed to restrict where data centers can go.

Frederick, Md (KM) The next steps in the development of overlay zones for critical digital infrastructure or data centers in Frederick County are expected to begin next month This is an effort to limit data centers to areas where the infrastructure already exists, .and restrict this development to no more than one-percent of Frederick County’s landmass.

The County Council will hold a workshop on the proposed overlay zone on Tuesday, December 2nd beginning at 5:30 PM at Winchester Hall. A public hearing on the Livable Frederick Master Plan and potential changes to the CDI Overlay Zone is expected take place on Tuesday, December 16th.

After that, the Council can take a vote on the proposed ordinance.

During this time, the county says signs will be posted on properties affected by the overlay zone. Letters will also be sent to property owners affected by the overlay zone. They will contain information on changes the Council may consider and that includes potential changes to the Eastalco Community Growth Area, land use and zoning designations, water and sewer classifications, and the Priority Preservation Area and  Rural Legacy Area Maps.

The County will also hold two community benefit listening sessions:   one in Frederick;   and the other in Adamstown. This will allow citizens to provide suggestions and ideas so the community benefits from these developments.

County Executive Jessica Fitzwater says she does not want to see Frederick County became like Northern Virginia when it comes to data centers. “Residents have been clear that they are open to responsible data center development, but will not tolerate the sprawl we’ve seen in Northern Virginia.  With our partners on the County Council, we responded to the community and regulated data centers more heavily than any other industry in Frederick County,”  she says in a statement.. “We  did it the Frederick County way–by being inclusive, collaborative and innovative in our approaches to this rapidly changing industry.”

“This county is working to prevent over development and preserve our quality of life. We are committed to avoiding sprawl while allowing a modern industry to invest in Frederick County,” says County Council President Brad Young, in a statement. “The upcoming workshop and  hearing will give residents another opportunity to participate in this planning process.”

By Kevin McManus 

They concern SHA’s 2025 Americans With Disabilities Act Transition Plan.

Baltimore, Md (KM) Marylanders are  invited  to take part in one of two virtual meetings being  held next week sponsored by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration. Spokesman Charlie Gischlar says they will be held on Monday, November 17th, and Wednesday, November 19th. The times will be from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM on both days.

Gischlar says SHA wants to get feedback from citizens on the Draft 2025 Americans With Disabilities Act Transition Plan. “And the purpose of the Transition Plan is to ensure that we as an agency–SHA—develop reasonable and accessible travel routes along the roads that we maintain–which are the numbered, non-tolled roads–for all individuals because we’re serious about safety, but including those with disabilities. So we really want people to go to one of these meetings and take the survey,” he says.

The survey will ask respondents to share their experiences and make suggestions. The meetings can be found at roads.maryhland.gov, which is also where the survey can be accessed.

Gischlar says SHA already makes it a little easier for individuals with disabilities to access its roads, bridges and other facilities. “For people who are visually impaired, we have detectable warning systems at the ramps off of sidewalks,” he says. “There are little things,  bumps. If they feel the bumps, and know they’re about to enter into another roadway. So that’s a big safety mechanism that’s in place,”

Gischlar says these meetings are open to everyone, both those with disabilities, and those without. “It’s for all highway users,” he says. “That includes people in vehicles; on bicycles; those on foot, pedestrians; and even scooters. A lot of people are using scooters. So it’s all highway users. We are serious about safety and that’s our number-one priority.”

Here are some details on these two virtual meetings:

Monday, November 17, 2025, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 🔗 Join via Microsoft Teams link HERE, or call in at 1-667-262-2962, ID: 172976547#

Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 🔗 Join via Microsoft Teams link HERE or call in at 1-667-262-2962, ID: 798430406#

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on disabilities. It also requires state and local governments to develop plans to address areas of non-compliance.

By Kevin McManus