FMD

Those who spoke said it was top heavy with administrators.

Frederick, Md (KM) Testimony was taken on Wednesday by the Frederick County Board of Education on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget for the School System. The spending plan totals 988 million dollars which is a five-percent increase compared with last year.

It’s “unrealistic”: and “must be trimmed”  were the comments from Tom Newmark.  He noted that the teachers’ union says local teachers make the  eighth highest salaries in the country. “Yet the union has the audacity to come here year after year to portray themselves   as significantly underpaid,”  he said. “We have a 40 percent failure rate in English; 70 percent in science; 75 percent in algebra. Despite some of the highest pay in America, our SAT scores are in the bottom half of the state. Can we even justify higher pay with such poor results?”

Other criticism leveled at the School System had to do with too many administrators who make large salaries. “So I’m assuming we’re going to need to re-evaluate the salaries of the administrators, and bring that money down to the teachers, and those who are supporting the students,”  says Patty Worsely, to the applause of the audience at the Frederick County School System’s Central Office on East Street, where the hearing was held.

Missy Dirks, the President of the Frederick County Teachers Association, urged the Board not to balance the budget at the expense of local educators. “There is no program or curriculum that can teach itself; no meals that can serve themselves; or school buses that can drive themselves,”  she said. “It is the caring and dedicated educators that make this system run. It is those dedicated educators that support our students every single day that need the support of your budget decisions.”

The School System is facing a deficit of $21.7 million. The Board of Education is expected to discuss this proposed budget during its meeting next Wednesday.

Other citizens took the Board of Education to task for other issues besides the budget. Cindy Rose called for the School System end its diversity, equity and inclusion program. She noted that the Trump Administration is working to end DEI, and has threatened to withhold federal funding for governments, universities, school systems and other entities which continue these programs. “My request is that you put a halt in what you’re doing, keep your status in your budget–don’t add one penny more to it–until you figure out what kind of money you’re going to get. And to go to the DEI. You guys spend way too much time in the classroom trying to proselytize and propagandize children,” Rose  said.

The Board of Ed also came under fire for a novel entitled “Push,”  written by Sapphire. It contains graphic language and scenes about a man who rapes his daughter. Jennifer Eberhart said she found that book in a school media center. “What is FCPS’ position on porn in our schools? Is FCPS saying ‘yes’ to porn in our schools? Remove this book ‘Push’ or it will set a precedent for other pornographic books to be allowed into our schools,” she demanded.

Eberhart also called for a better process of screening books allowed in schools, which includes someone reading these books, and getting parents involved in the process.

By Kevin McManus

No injuries reported; some dogs in the house were safe.  

(Photos from Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services) 

Brunswick, Md (KM) No injuries were reported from a house fire in Brunswick on Wednesday afternoon.

Units from Frederick, Loudon and Jefferson Counties responded to 4 Concord Drive at around 1:30 PM, and saw smoke coming the attic area. The Rapid Intervention Dispatch was called to the scene to bring in more fire fighters.

The Frederick Scanner Facebook page says fire fighters were operating on the second floor to put out a small fire. Personnel operating in the basement found dogs inside kennels. The dogs were safe, and Animal Control Officers were called to the scene to take care of the canines.

Officials say the fire was brought under control by 1:45 PM, and declared our before 2:00 PM They say the fire was confined to the attic and second floor, and there was no extension.

Crews performed ventilation of the house.

By Kevin McManus 

Several dealt with where to get the revenue for fully funding the School Board’s request.

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Council on Tuesday voted down 17 budget amendments. Two were meant to show citizens how much it would take for the county to fully fund the Board of Education’s budget request for fiscal year 2026.

Councilman Steve McKay introduced an amendment that would cut $24,125,860 from the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to help pay for all of the School Board’s budget request. “I took this as an exercise than, and determined that okay six-and-a-half percent, this is a meat cleaver, this a bludgeon approach. Six and a half percent across the board county department’s budget. That how you come up with $24-million,” he said.

He said county government services would be affected, including the Division of Fire and Rescue Services, and the Sheriff’s Office. “We’re talking about 69 fire fighters. This isn’t a decrease in the increase, These are people who are let go in order to accomplish this. 45 to 50 deputies,” said McKay.

The Council voted down that amendment, including its sponsor Steve McKay. But he said the Council needs to have discussions about how to fully fund the School System’s budget requests.

The panel also defeated an amendment to raise the property tax rate from $1.11 per $100 of assessed value to $1.25 per $100 of assessed value. It was sponsored by Council Vice President Kavonte Duckett, who said this would also show how much was needed to fully the Board of Education’s budget request. “The amendment is just to demonstrate the significant hike needed to fully fund the Board of Education’s request.,” he said. “I’m the first to tell you that implementing this increase now would add an additional financial burden on many of our residents many of whom are already experiencing economic hardships.”

Council President Brad Young noted that Frederick County is the fastest growing county in Maryland; and as its school population continues to grow, the need for additional teachers, classroom space , school buildings and other needs will grow.  He said additional funding is needed, but raising the property tax rate is not the answer. “We need additional revenue, but I’d like to see it by attracting more businesses here to support that than putting it  on the backs of residential taxpayers,” he said.

The Council also voted down an amendment to reduce the negotiated cost of living adjustment for fire fighters from 2.5 percent to 2 percent.

Several amendments proposed by Councilman Mason Carter were defeated as well. One would remove $394,697 in funding from the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and place the Director of that agency within the County’s Division of Human Resources. That person would have a salary of $95,000 annually. “Inherently, the work of the Office of Equity and Inclusion is also the work of HR,” he said. “And I think by moving forward with this cut it will  eliminate redundancies in our system in moving this amendment forward.”

But Council Vice President Duckett said the Office of Equity and Inclusion is still needed in Frederick County. “If HR was doing the job, these offices wouldn’t be needed,”  he said. “Clearly, there’s a disconnect in our system. And until we are ready to address the inequities that exist, these conversations continue to happen.”

The Council must adopt  a budget for fiscal year 2026 by May 31st of this year.

By Kevin McManus

Montgomery County Police say it was ruled a homicide.

Gaithersburg, Md (KM) A death investigation is underway in Montgomery County.

Police say at around 11:51 PM last Saturday, officers were dispatched to the 9800 block of Brookridge Court in Montgomery Village where a vehicle crashed into a town house. They examined the vehicle and found Henry Krishawn Gilbert, 20, of Clarksburg in the driver’s seat with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gilbert’s body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office which conducted an autopsy, and ruled the death a homicide. There is no suspect at this time.

Anyone who has information on this incident is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Persons who submit tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging between $250  to $10,000.

Residents can  call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS {8477} Tips can also be submitted on line to www.crimesolversmcmd.org, and clicking the “Submit A Tip” Link.

By Kevin McManus

Police say the victims were released from the hospital.

Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick Police continue to investigate a double shooting on Monday night along Key Parkway. The two victims were medivaced to Shock Trauma. Authorities say the two men were treated at the hospital, and discharged early Tuesday morning.

At around 6:43 PM, fire and rescue personnel and police officers responded to the 1100 block of Key Parkway for reports of a shooting. They found one of the victims in the 200 block of Baughmans Lane, and the second victim in the 1100 block of Key Parkway.   Both were flown to Shock Trauma by two Maryland State Police helicopters, according to the Frederick Scanner Facebook page.

Frederick Police were at the scene for several hours on Monday conducting their investigation.

By Kevin McManus

Design work expected to be completed by next year.

Frederick, Md (KM) After many years of discussion, work is expected to begin soon on the US Route 15 widening project. That’s according to Secretary Paul Wiedelfeld with the Maryland Department of Transportation. “The Governor with the General Assembly did provide some additional funding so we can get that project started as quickly as possible,” he said.

The project calls for the widening of US Route 15 from Interstate 70 to Md. Route 26 in Frederick from two to three lanes. “We’ re looking at finishing design sometime in ’26, and then putting it out for bid and getting under construction. Probably in ’28 by the time we get through the final design and the bid process. It takes roughly about four years. It’s a $160-million project–a little more than $160-million.  It’s a big project,” he says.

Secretary Wiedefeld was asked why it takes so .long for road projects to move from concept to design to actual construction. “Basically, you’re working around traffic. You got to do that very carefully and we got to where we minimize the impact on the existing line. So that can be a little bit longer to do a project then if you’re doing in it in a greenfield type of environment,” he explained.

The widening of US Route 15 had been the top transportation priority in Frederick County for the past several years.

On another topic, Secretary Wiedefeld tried to answer a question from some Frederick County residents about why can’t the MARC train operate on weekends instead of just rush hour times during the weekdays. He says the State Transportation Department is discussing that with CSX. “We don’t own that railroad. That’s CSX. It’s part of negotiations with them because they have served us long there. Actually, there’s an AMTRAK line that runs there once a day. You have to fit it around their schedule as well,” he says,.

Expanding the MARC train service won’t be cheap. “So there would have to be  most likely some investments made to that system, So that is something that  we will  be working with CSX on to see how we can do that,” says Wiedefled.

State officials say the MARC train system carries an average of 14,000 riders each day. The Brunswick line transports 3051 passengers each day, according to 2024 statistics.

By Kevin McManus

Five Maryland Fallen Firefighters Among Those Being Honored on May 3-4, 2025.

EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the
44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Maryland firefighters:

Lieutenant Richard E. Blankenship Jr., age 47, of Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, died on December 20, 2021, from complications of cancer.

Deputy Fire Chief William Francis Goddard III, age 70, of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, died on September 1, 2025, from complications of cancer.

Firefighter/Paramedic Robert A. “Bobby” Jones, age 62, of the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company, died on January 20, 2022, from complications of COVID-19.

Deputy Chief Craig E. Ralston, age 63, of the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department, died on February 3, 2022 from complications of COVID-19.

Michael Warfel, age 65, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, died March 20, 2018, from complications of cancer.

Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.

“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.

“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”

There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.

·         The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.

·         The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.

Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.

There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.

Schedule

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Candlelight Service 

Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm ET 

Streaming begins at 7:00 pm ET

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Memorial Service

Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm ET

Streaming begins at 9:30 am ET

Location

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park

National Emergency Training Center (NETC)

16835 S. Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

55-year-old Richard Patrick A. Parks of Silver Spring died after transport to a local hospital.

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, on northbound Georgia Avenue at Aspen Hill Road in Silver Spring.

The decedent has been identified as 55-year-old Richard Patrick A. Parks of Silver Spring.

At approximately 9:59 p.m., a silver 2024 Acura Integra was traveling northbound through the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Aspen Hill Road when, for reasons still under investigation, the driver struck a pedestrian crossing the roadway.

Upon arrival, 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel located Parks in the roadway suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

The adult male driver of silver Acura remained on scene with no reported injuries.

The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating this collision. CRU detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call 240-773-6620.

It will be take place at the upper-level parking lot of Keys Stadium.

Frederick, Md (KM) Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off day is scheduled for this Saturday, May 3rd.

The Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling says residents can bring by hazardous wastes from their homes including pesticides, fluorescent bulbs ( both compact and tube), lithium-ion batteries, button batteries, solvents and anything else labeled hazardous waste.

The drop-off center will be located at the upper level parking lot of Keys Stadium at 21 Stadium Drive from 8:00 AM until 12:00 noon..

It’s open to Frederick County residents only, and those who drop by should bring proof of residency.

The County also says the lines can be long, and those coming to the drop-off event should be prepared to wait longer than 10 minutes. No walk-ups will be accepted, and people should stay in their vehicles until directed.

Anyone coming should enter Stadium Drive through New Design Road as left turns into the event are prohibited. They could cause traffic delays or accidents.

Residents are urged to follow all signs and directions from Frederick County staff and the on-site contractors.

For a list of acceptable and unacceptable items for Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day go on line to www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/HHW.

By Kevin McManus

Both were flown out to a trauma center.

Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick Police are investigating a double shooting early Monday evening. .

The Frederick Scanner Facebook page says at around 6:43 PM, fire and rescue personnel were dispatched to the 1100 block of Key Parkway. They found one of the shooting victims in the 200 block of Baughmans Lane. The second victim was located in the 1100 block of Key Parkway. . Police say both were flown to Shock Trauma for medical treatment.

No suspect has been apprehended.

Police were at the scene for several hours Monday night conducting their investigation.

By Kevin McManus

He says it appears the school wants the building to expand programs.

Frederick County Council President Brad Young

Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick Community College needs to be more open when it comes to why its child care center is closing on May 16th. That’s according to Frederick County Council President Brad Young. “The biggest thing we’re calling for is more transparency in this process,”: he says.

Young and three other elected officials, Delegate Kris Fair, Senator Karen Lewis Young and Frederick City Council President Katie Nash, all signed a letter to FCC’s President and Board of Trustees asking for a pause on the upcoming closure of the Children’s Center to allow parents who have kids at the center to find other child care options, and to give the school time to figure out how to keep the center open.

In January, FCC President Annesa Payne Cheek announced the Carl and Norma Miller Children’s Center would close after 30 years. She cited the cost of operating the facility, noting that the center suffered financial losses of $1.3 million between 2020 and 2024. Young put those loses into perspective. “The four years that they put up that they say they lost a $1 million, two of them were right in the middle of COVID, and they knew they couldn’t operate. So we knew that was going to be a loss,” he says.

Young said the children’s center was developed to allow parents, including single parents, to attend college and train for a better job. Anyone who couldn’t afford child care and college could get some assistance to pay for it. The children’s center was also open to FCC employees and the general public.

President Cheek said after the closure, the center’s building would be renovated into a workforce center, and a location for the Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy and Dental Programs. But Young says there are other locations where these centers could be located in the city of Frederick. “I know for a fact that Frederick Health has a huge campus out there on Monocacy Crossing that has whole floor that’s empty,” he said. “And I think would want to partnership with the college to develop more medical professionals.”

And Young noted that the closure of the children’s center comes at a time when there are   fewer day care centers in Frederick County. “COVID, unfortunately, closed a lot of day care centers, and the amount of day care spots in Frederick County, are not nearly sufficient to meet demand. And the cost is astronomical,” he said.

Young says decision to close the child care center is based on more on the future use of the building, and not much to do with the cost of operating the children’s center.

“Again, what I’m hearing is they want  space to provide other programmatic issues that  they have at the college. and therefore they’ve made the decision that they don’t  want to support having a child care center on campus,” he says.

By Kevin McManus

He was also given prison time for sex trafficking.

Acrelius Dunbar Lyle  (Photo from Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office0

Hagerstown, Md (KM) A sentence was handed down on Monday in Frederick County Circuit Court for a Hagerstown man for sex abuse of a minor and sex trafficking. The State’s Attorney’s Office says Arcelius Dunbar Lyle, 58, was given 35 years incarceration, suspending all but 20 years to serve.. He pleaded guilty to those charges on September 26th, 2024.

Lyle was arrested on June 29th, 2023 following an investigation by a Multi-Agency Prostitution and Human Trafficking Operation. It says Lyle met the victim at work, and began grooming her. . He trafficked her for about seven months before police made contact with the victim.

After his hearing, Lyle was ordered held without bond, and was ordered to have no contact with the victim.

During his time in the Detention Center, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says it learned of a 30-minute call made from jail by Lyle to the victim who was told to sexually abuse her four-year-old daughter. That case has been referred to Washington County Authorities where the abuse occurred.

“Unfortunately, these cases are much more pervasive than the public realizes,” says Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement. “Fortunately, Frederick County has taken the lead in developing  interagency task forces to aggressively seek out these predators, and has prosecutors like ASA (Assistant State’s Attorney) Carpenter that obtain lengthy sentences for these terrible offenders,”

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Lindsey Carpenter, who is with the Special Victims Unit, represented the State of Maryland in this case.;

As part of his sentence, Lyle will be placed on five years supervised probation after he’s released from prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender for life, and be subject to Lifetime Sex Offender supervision.

By Kevin McManus

The victim was assaulted with a knife.

Hagerstown, Md (KM) A Hagerstown man has been charged following a domestic incident last weekend.  Aisheem Rashad Yarberough, 42, was arrested and charged with 1st-degree assault, 2nd-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.

Hagerstown Police say on Sunday afternoon at 1:30, officers were called to 300 block of South Locust Street for an assault involving a knife. When they arrived, authorities learned that a woman had been cut on the neck and arm by her boyfriend. She was taken to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of her injuries which were not considered life threatening.

Officers say they used surveillance cameras to take Yarberough into custody who was located in the area of South Locust and East Antietam Streets. . He is currently being held without bond.

By Kevin McManus

New jobs listed

Supervisor, Facilities Planning (2154032)

The Supervisor of Facilities Planning has the primary responsibilities of preparing the educational facilities master plan (EFMP) including enrollment projections for the school system as a whole and for each school, preparing the six-year capital improvement plan (CIP) including budgets for all major construction projects, preparing original and amended funding applications for construction and renovation projects submitted to the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction, and the management of the site acquisition, architect selection and predesign process for Frederick County school construction projects. This position also prepares the educational specifications for all new schools, additions and renovation projects, coordinates attendance area boundary studies, feasibility studies and other facility related studies, oversees FCPS review of county and municipal residential development plan referrals and submission of plan review comments and APFO reports to local Planning Commissions as well as the GIS efforts of the facilities department. This position also serves as FCPS representative on state and local planning related issues.

School Bus Driver (2154672)

Drive a bus for Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) and earn great pay and benefit package, along with flexible schedules that work great for everyone, including college students, veterans, and others! Training is provided if you don’t yet have a CDL (a great savings!). Hiring now for benefited and part-time positions. Great wages starting at $24.78/hr… and we will pay more if you’re an experienced driver! Drive children safely to and from schools on regular routes and school-sponsored field trips; follow the route description as it is written; and maintain the discipline of student riders.

Operations & Program Coordinator (2155246)

The Operations & Training Coordinator is critical in ensuring the smooth functioning of techfrederick’s operations and programs. This position provides essential administrative, membership, financial, and programmatic support, working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, committees, and community partners. While the role is predominately remote, team members are expected to be engaged, responsive, and available to support in-person events. Occasionally, organization-sponsored events and networking require early morning and evening hours. The ideal candidate brings a proactive and solution-oriented mindset to day-to-day operations and is comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced nonprofit environment. Application deadline is May 9th.

Estimator/Project Manager (2152719)

The role involves managing phone calls and emails to coordinate site estimates, developing construction estimates using company software for management approval, and coordinating schedules using Google Suite and other tools. Responsibilities include supervising construction to ensure industry standards, overseeing quality control of subcontractors and staff, and training less experienced team members while managing their schedules and duties. Additionally, the position includes managing the purchasing, maintenance, and inventory of company equipment, as well as the purchasing, delivery, and storage of project materials. The role also involves verseeing all client-related duties, from project initiation to final signoff, invoice collections, warranty work, and cleanup. Marketing efforts such as emails, phone calls, attending events, and direct marketing are part of the responsibilities, along with performing other tasks as coordinated with the owner, Steve Hartman, and the HHS team. Compliance with all federal and state safety regulations is also required.

Production Specialist (2150146)

Trail Grid Pro, located in Frederick, MD, is a fast-growing small business specializing in high-quality automotive and motorcycle parts through its family of brands. They are hiring a full-time Production Specialist Team Member to handle tasks such as product assembly, order fulfillment, shipping, and warehouse operations, with a starting pay of $20/hour. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, physically capable, a team player, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Employees enjoy benefits like paid time off, health and dental coverage, on-the-job training, and fun perks like Free Lunch Fridays and monthly haircuts.

To apply, send resume to [email protected] (Subject line – Production Specialist)

Community Impact Manager (2154861)

SOS Safe Ride is seeking a part-time Community Impact Manager to oversee program operations, engage with community stakeholders, and manage volunteers to support its mission of preventing impaired driving. The role involves coordinating ride services, managing logistics, recruiting and retaining volunteers, and ensuring the success of the program. The ideal candidate should have leadership experience, strong community engagement skills, and the ability to work both daytime and late-night shifts. This hands-on position requires a commitment to public service and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment, with flexible office hours and required evening and weekend work.

To apply: Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to [email protected]
(Subject Line: Community Impact Manager)

For more information go to:

https://www.frederickworks.com/

Critics claim he violated the Logan Act; Rep. McClain Delaney disagrees.

Sixth District  Representative April McClain Delaney

Frederick, Md (KM) Senator Chris Van Hollen has come under fire from some citizens over his trip to EL Salvador earlier this month to meet Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia. They claim Van Hollen violated the Logan Act which prohibits US citizens form engaging in unauthorized diplomacy with foreign governments. “I don’t believe he violated the Logan Act,” says 6th District Representative April McClain Delaney.

McClain Delaney says Van Hollen’s trip was mostly to highlight how immigration agents did not follow process when it comes to the deportations of individuals who should not be in the US. “He cares about what happens and how ICE {Immigration and Customs Enforcement} and other entities. follow process  and legal practice they’re conducting these immigration raids,” she says.

Van Hollen met with Abrego Garcia, but he didn’t bring him back to the US. “I’m not sure that he thought he was going to walk out with Mr. Garcia,” says McClain Delaney. “I think  what he was there to do was to highlight the process, and highlight that we should follow the courts.”

Years earlier, a judge granted Abrego Garcia protection from being deported to his native El Salvador due to concerns about his safety if he returned there. After Abrego Garcia and other persons were deported to the CECOT prison in El Salvador, the US Supreme Court ruled that the administration must facilitate his return to the US.

The Trump Administration says it made “an administrative error” in deporting Abrego Garcia, but says it cannot bring  him back to the US.

But there was another reason for Van Hollen’s trip. “I think also for his family to check on him that he was still healthy and that he was alive and okay,”:: says McClain Delaney.

The Trump Administration says Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS 13 gang. His attorneys and his family say he is not.

By Kevin McManus

It took place on Rt. 15 early Friday morning.

Xerxus Rashad Belvin   (top)                                                  Drugs seized during traffic stop (bottom)

(Phots from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office)

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says a “significant quantity”  of illegal narcotics was seized following a traffic stop early Friday morning,

At around 1:23 AM, deputies saw a BMW X7 heading northbound along Route 15 at a high rate of speed. . The vehicle was pulled over near the I-70 interchange, and contact was made with the driver.

As one deputy returned to a patrol car to do routine checks, a second deputy saw the driver, identified as Xerxus Rashad Belvin, 46, of North Carolina, trying to conceal an object wrapped in tape under the driver’s seat. The vehicle was searched.  The Sheriff’s Office says two red square packages of suspected heroin, weighing between 589.5 grams to 599.0 grams–totaling nearly one kilogram–were confiscated.. Deputies also seized one large five-gallon Ziploc bag containing three separate bags of baseball-sized white rocks of suspected crack cocaine–a total weight of 519 grams. Authorities also found $3,818.00 of cash.

“This major seizure of heroin and crack cocaine was a great example of proactive patrol work by the deputies, strong situational awareness during the traffic stop and keen observation of the driver throughout,” says Sheriff Check Jenkins, in a statement. “This was textbook patrol work–from initiating the stop for the speed violation of locating the drugs inside the vehicle.”

Belvin was taken into custody, and charged with possession of drugs, importing 28 grams of cocaine into the state and possession of more than 1,1,97.5 grams of f heroin, along with numerous traffic offenses.

He is being held at the Adult Detention Center without bond. .

“My message to anyone thinking about moving illegal drugs into or through Frederick County: don’t. My deputies are still proactively doing their jobs, and they’re very good at what they do. If you’re trafficking this poison, I strongly suggest you take another route,”  Sheriff Jenkins says.

By Kevin McManus

Event features “A Walk Through History” highlighting Frederick’s role in the American Revolution.

Frederick, MD – Join us in a “Walk Through History” highlighting the role Maryland, and particularly
Frederick County, has played in the birth and development of our nation.
Come, see, and discover!
The opening ceremony begins at noon with Mayor Michael O’Connor and Ysela Bravo from
the County Executive’s Office. Members of the Butterfly Ridge Elementary School chorus will
perform. Historic venues and organizations, several with reenactors and others dressed in
period attire, participating include:

American Bayonet
African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society (AARCH)
American Friends of Lafayette
Antietam Camp #3 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and
Antietam Auxiliary Camp #3
Asian American Center of Frederick
Carrollton Manor Chapter, NSDAR
Catoctin Furnace
Daughters of Charity Provincial Archives
Frederick Chapter, NSDAR
Heritage Frederick
Historic Aviators
League of Women Voters of Frederick Maryland
Maryland Room – E. Burr Artz Public Library
Maryland State United Society Daughters of 1812
Monocacy Battlefield
Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum
Seton Shrine
Sgt. Lawrence Everhart Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
Snook Family Farmstead and Agricultural Center
South Mountain Heritage Society
Suffragist Movement

For more information, join the mail list for updates, and/or RSVP for your students or organizations to participate in the History Fair by contacting Joanne Baum at [email protected] or Ysabel Suarez, [email protected].

This is a free public event – available to children and adults to attend and participate at no
cost. For the latest information check the Events page for April 27 on Visit Frederick’s site – www.visitfrederick.org

Police say the call was originally for tampering with a motor vehicle.

Frederick, Md. (KM) A Frederick man faces a long list of drug, firearms and theft charges following his arrest on Wednesday. Carl Terrance Mobley, Jr. ,42, was taken into custody.

Frederick Police say officers were dispatched to the 500 block of North Bentz Street for a report of an individual tampering with a vehicle. The caller said a man was inside her car smoking a cigarette. When he was confronted, the man fled toward Market Street.

Officers located the man. The caller told police that was the individual she saw inside her car. The man identified as Mobley was taken into custody. As part of the arrest. police conducted a search of Mobley. Officers found quantities of crack cocaine, digital scales and a loaded Taurus 9 mm. handgun.

Mobley is charged with theft from a motor vehicle; possession of drugs with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm with a felony conviction; drug possession (not cannabis); theft less than $100; being a rogue and a vagabond; having a handgun on his person; having a loaded handgun on his person; use of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime; and distribution of drugs with a firearm.

Mobley was taken to the Adult Detention Center where he’s being held without bond.

In a Facebook posting, the Frederick Police give a lot of credit for this arrest to Officer Morton and the Directed Patrol Team.

By Kevin McManus

Police say the operator of striking vehicles suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Hagerstown, Md (KM) Hagerstown Police continue to investigate a fatal pedestrian accident Wednesday  afternoon.

Authorities say at around 2:40 PM, officers responded to the 900 block of Potomac Avenue for a report of a pedestrian struck.  Albert Sciblia, 55, of Hagerstown had been standing near his Ford F150 pick up truck with an attached trailer when he was struck by a Lexus sport utility vehicle. Sciblia was pronounced dead at the scene.

The operator of the SUV was a 39-year-old woman from Hagerstown who was taken to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The Hagerstown Police Crash Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene. The results of their investigation will be turned over to the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for review, and whether charges will be filed.

By Kevin McManus

Frederick-Carroll-Northwest Montgomery-Northwest Howard-1047 AM EDT Thu Apr 24 2025...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY APRIL 24 2025...The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a CodeORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday forthe Maryland Piedmont region.A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollutionconcentrations within the region may become unhealthy forsensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, peoplesuffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases andthe elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized byavoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.For more information on ground-level ozoneand fine particles visit the web sitemde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx.The National Weather Service, Sterling, Va.