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Our Town Theatre Presenting "Face Off Unlimited"


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Our Town Theatre will host a comedy performance by Face Off Unlimited. The three-man touring show will present A Whole ‘Nother Level! on Friday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m., at the theatre in Oakland. “Completely unscripted and based on audience suggestions, three master improvisers fuse together live music, poetry, physical comedy, and performance art,” a spokesperson said. “Face Off sets out to prove that all things, no matter how seemingly different, are all connected in this non-stop comedy thrill ride.” The show has toured colleges and universities along the East Coast and received rave reviews, the spokesperson noted. The Huffington Post called it “a can’t-miss act” of the 2011 Chicago Improv Festival. The actors recently headlined at the Queens Fringe Festival. New York Times said the troupe is “really funny,” and CBS News New York said seeing the show is “one of the best things to do in NYC.” The trio – Joe Tex, Jay Painter, and Alexander L. Hill – have been seen on TruTV, MTV, and Funny or Die, as well as off-Broadway. Last month Face Off performed as part of the opening of the West Virginia Governor’s School of the Arts. Hill is originally from Oakland, and is the son of Richard and Melodee Hill. The show at OTT will be free to the public, with donations accepted. A pre-show “happy hour” will be held from 7 to 8, with beer and wine for sale by the glass. All guests must be 18 years or older. Reservations are required by calling 301-334-5640 or can be made online at www.ourtowntheatre.org. The trio will move on to Davis and Elkins College for a show on Saturday. Both Painter and Hill are D&E alumni. More information about Face Off Unlimited can be found at faceoff-unlimited.com.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Maryland Crime Rate Now Lowest Level Since 1975


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Aug. 18, 2011

Governor Martin O’Mal-ley announced yesterday that total crime in Maryland is at its lowest level since 1975. According to 2010 year-end crime data compiled by the Maryland State Police and submitted to the FBI for use in the national crime statistics report, total crime in Maryland was down 5.1 percent – its lowest level since modern crime tracking began in 1975.

Additionally, violent crime decreased 6 percent and property crime was down 4.9 percent. Currently both the violent crime and property crime rates (per 100,000 people) are the lowest ever on record in Maryland. Since 2006, total crime in Maryland has decreased 12 percent and violent crime has decreased 17 percent.

Among violent crimes, homicides dropped 3.2 percent in 2010, with 14 fewer people murdered last year in Maryland than during the year before. The data for 2010 also show reductions in robbery (-7.9%), aggravated assault (-5.6%), burglary (-0.6%), larceny/theft (-5.7%), and motor vehicle theft (-8.1%).

“The most important responsibilities we have in government are to create jobs and protect the public’s safety,” said Governor O’Malley. “Working together with state and local law enforcement, with our partners and neighbors in communities across Maryland, we have helped drive crime down to its lowest level in recorded history. As we continue to make our streets safer, we improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses.”

Sixteen jurisdictions reported reductions in total crime, with three reporting double-digit reductions between 2009 and 2010. Seventeen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in violent crime (murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault), with eight reporting double-digit decreases. Fifteen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in property crime (breaking and entering, larceny/theft, and motor vehicle theft), with three jurisdictions reporting reductions of 10 percent or more.

The declines in crime come at a time when state and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying their use of technology and information sharing. As a result, more criminals are being taken off the streets of Maryland communities.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Back To School Nights Planned Across County


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Aug. 18, 2011

Southern Garrett High School will be holding a back-to-school night for parents, students and staff on Monday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The school encourages parents and students to visit their child’s advisor and assigned teachers during their visit. There will be an abbreviated bell schedule.

The cafeteria staff will be available for lunch money deposits.

Northern High School will be holding its back-to-school night Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

All four northern-end elementary schools (Grantsville, Accident, Route 40, and Friendsville) will hold their back-to-school nights on Monday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. Northern Middle School has scheduled its event for Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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County Commissioner Meeting TODAY re: tax increases

Starting at 4:05 PM today at the county courthouse, the County Commissioners will be holding hearings on proposals to increase several real property related taxes in Garrett County. These include the Recordation Tax, the Transfer Tax, and the Rate of Interest for Overdue Property Taxes. Some of the proposed increases require legislation.

Also scheduled are hearings for rate increase in the Hotel Rental Tax and the Admissions and Amusement Tax.

The specific increases under consideration, if any, are not posted in the public notice. According to the commissioners’ office, the county will make a presentation on the projected needs and shortfalls in budget and revenue over the next few years and provide information on why the increases are being considered.

The information below as taken from the commissioners’ agenda.

4:05 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Tax Rate Increase for Recordation Tax

4:10 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Tax Rate Increase for Admissions and Amusement Tax

4:15 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for Hotel Rental Tax

4:20 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for County Transfer Tax

4:25 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for Rate of Interest for Overdue Property Taxes

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Info Sought On July Burglary Of Concession Stand


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Aug. 18, 2011

The Garrett Bureau of Investigation is seeking information concerning a burglary that reportedly occurred during the evening hours of July 16.

Unknown suspect(s) reportedly forced entry into the concession stand at Broadford Lake Park and removed $350 worth of property and caused approximately $100 in damage to the buildings. Anyone with information on this crime or any crime may leave an anonymous tip at www.garrettcountycrimesolvers.org or call the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office at 301-334-1911.

Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $300. Anyone who has sent a tip online at the above-mentioned web site is reminded to check his/her crime ID number at the site, as recent rewards have been authorized to certain tipsters.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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State's Attorney Will Not Pursue Escape Charges


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Aug. 18, 2011

Charges against two men implicated in Deandre Kelly’s escape from the county jail in January were not prosecuted by State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch during recent Garrett County Circuit Court proceedings.

Richard Demoan Hall Jr., 27, Frederick, and Eric Mandrell Nibbins, 27, Washington, D.C., were both indicted by the March 2011 grand jury with one count of conspiracy to commit first degree escape, first degree escape, two counts of first degree assault, two counts of second degree assault, and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony/crime of violence.

Five drug-related charges against Hall were also not prosecuted by the state’s attorney: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess CDS with intent to distribute, CDS distribute with a firearm, and two counts of possession of marijuana.

The drug charges stem from a traffic stop conducted by Maryland State Police on eastbound I-68 near Friendsville on Jan. 22. Hall and Kelly were passengers in a car driven by 27-year-old Frostburg area resident Amber Lynn James, who was stopped for traveling 83 mph in a 65 mph zone.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Civic Club's Publicity Book Wins First In Nation


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Multiple hours of researching, designing, cutting, pasting, and other creative activity paid off in a big way for the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) Civic Club of Oakland this year, as the organization’s publicity book, which records all the activities, news releases, invitations, programs, and other club events for an entire year (2010), was deemed to be the very best such book in the country. The book won the state of Maryland contest in June, and then this month was announced as the national winner. Members of the local club recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to the national headquarters to receive the award. The honor is timely, as the club has launched into a celebration of its 100th year of existence, having been founded in 1911. A series of events celebrating that milestone will take place this fall. More information will be published as these celebrations near. Pictured above at the D.C. event this month, from left, are Kris Yusko and Judi Schiff, both local members; Josephine Miller, state president; Carlene Garner, national GFWC president; Betty Ellington, local member and book compiler; Barbara Frantz, local president; and Ellen Fritz, local member and book compiler.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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So Many Choices To Make


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Thanks to cooperative (and generally sunny) weather, as well as the efforts of the event’s organizers, participants, and vendors, the Garrett County Agriculture Fair continues to offer an array of exhibits, food, rides, and games for patrons of all ages. Above is young fairgoer Jackson Doyle of Salisbury, Pa., who, undeterred by hands already full, scans a kiddie-pool sized sea of rubber ducklings in hope of choosing a winner. The fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 20, at the fairgrounds in McHenry. Photo by Barb Law.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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The 66th Crowning



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The annual crowning of the Garrett County Farm Queen was conducted in the new exhibit hall at the fairgrounds in McHenry on Sunday evening. Only two candidates entered the competition this year, with Katelyn Gnegy being chosen as the 2011 Farm Queen and Annie Graham as the first runner-up. Gnegy is pictured above in the front. At left is 2010 Farm Queen Kara Savage, and Graham is on the right. Queen Katelyn will reign over the many activities of the Garrett County Fair through Saturday night.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Algae Growth At Broadford Lake Prompts GCHD Swim Advisory


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Aug. 18, 2011

Persons are advised to avoid swimming at Broadford Lake in Mtn. Lake Park today because of the growth of blue-green algae, according to Steve Sherrard of the Environmental Health Division of the Garrett County Health Department.

This is an advisory, not a posting of a complete closing. If persons opt to swim in the water, they should follow certain precautions outlined below.

Blooms of algae, called microcystis aeruginosa, have been observed in Broadford Lake, the officials reported. These blooms appear as a greenish substance floating on the water’s surface. Sherrard said the algae thrives in hot weather, which the county has experienced this month. While a few cold nights appeared to have stopped the growth, a tester from the health department went out this morning and spotted the algae again on the surface.

Persons should not swim in the water where these blooms are visible. They should not drink, swallow, or inhale the water. Pets should be kept away from the water.

If water contact occurs, persons should be sure to wash off with fresh water.

According to a press release from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the following have been reported where blue-green algae blooms are present in recreational waters:

Contact with water may cause either irritation or allergic reactions of the skin.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 – toll free