Greensburg man found dead after going through ice at Deep Creek Lake

Triblive

A Greensburg man died over the weekend after the side-by-side vehicle he was riding on went through the ice at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.

Maryland Natural Resources Police public information officer Vincent Dortenzo said David T. Linsenbigler, 58, of Greensburg, was found submerged Saturday with the side-by-side vehicle. Linsenbigler was removed from the water and taken to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., where he died the next day.

The side-by-side reportedly broke through the ice at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the area of the Glendale Road bridge, Dortenzo said. The driver, a 59-year-old man, was taken to Garrett Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The driver was not identified in information provided by police.

Only legally registered snowmobiles can be used on the ice covering the lake, Dortenzo said. UTVs and ATVs are prohibited.

“We remind individuals to use extreme caution when operating on the frozen lake surface within the Deep Creek Lake Natural Resources Management Area,” he said. “Operators should carefully evaluate ice conditions, especially in the area of bridge crossings where road salt and other debris can cause fluctuations in ice thickness.”

Natural resources police were assisted by state police, volunteer firefighters and Garrett County sheriff’s deputies and emergency management. Anyone with information is asked to call authorities at 410-260-8888.

Deep Creek Lake, a 3,900 acre man-made reservoir, is about 85 miles south of Greensburg.

Draft Water & Sewer Plan Amendment Public Comment Period

Garrett County Government Department of Public Works
Utilities Division

Garrett County is updating its 2014 Water & Sewer Plan with the 2025-01 Amendment, ensuring the county’s water and sewer systems meet future demand, support community growth, and prevent infrastructure failures. This amendment includes water service expansions, sewer system upgrades, and infrastructure replacements for Grantsville, Gorman, Chestnut Ridge, and Jennings.

🔗 To review the amendment:
Draft Water & Sewer Plan Amendment #5

Amendment Summary
Grantsville Water System Expansion
Section Updated: 3.2.2.1 Town of Grantsville – Service Areas, Problem Areas, and Future Needs
Map Update: Figure 3-4

Extends water service along Hemlock Drive to replace private wells, some with E. coli contamination.
Supports planned housing development and ensures access to safe, reliable drinking water.
Gorman Water System Improvements
Section Updated: 3.2.6 North Branch Potomac River Watershed – Problem Areas and Future Needs, Planned and Recommended Improvements
Map Update: Figure 3-12

Replaces Mountain Road Well #2, which collapsed in 2023, leaving the system without a backup water source.
A new groundwater well will restore system redundancy and prevent future water shortages.
Grantsville Sewer System Expansion
Section Updated: 4.1.2 Casselman River Watershed – Problem Areas and Future Needs, Planned and Recommended Improvements
Map Update: Figure 4-2

Extends sewer service north along Hemlock Drive, upgrading it from a future project to an immediate priority.
Reduces septic system failures and supports community growth.
Chestnut Ridge Sewer System Upgrades
Section Updated: 4.1.2 Casselman River Watershed – Problem Areas and Future Needs, Planned and Recommended Improvements
Map Update: Figure 4-4

Replaces the failing Chestnut Ridge Pump Station to prevent sewer overflows and backups.
Conducts an Infiltration & Inflow (I&I) study to identify and fix leaks, reducing excess flow to the wastewater treatment plant.
Jennings Sewer System Rehabilitation
Section Updated: 4.1.2 Casselman River Watershed – Problem Areas and Future Needs, Planned and Recommended Improvements
Map Update: Figure 4-6

Replaces the Maple Grove Pump Station to improve sewer system reliability.
Removes old septic tanks and installs 74 grinder pumps for better wastewater collection.
Replaces failing gravity sewer mains with a new 4-inch force main, preventing frequent blockages.
Why This Matters
These improvements will:
✔ Provide safe drinking water to more homes.
✔ Reduce sewer backups and overflows that threaten public health.
✔ Improve system reliability to prevent costly failures.
✔ Support future growth and development.

Public Hearing & How to Provide Input
Garrett County encourages residents to participate in the review process and provide feedback on this amendment.

Public Hearing Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Location: Public Business Meeting of the Commissioners
203 South Fourth Street, Room 209 – Frederick A. Thayer, III Courthouse, Oakland, MD 21550 Time: 4:00 P.M.

🔗 The draft of the proposed amendment is available for review online:
Draft Water & Sewer Plan Amendment #5

✉ Submit Written by March 26, 2025
Mail to:
Water and Sewer Plan Amendment
Attn: Siera Wigfield, Senior Planner
203 South Fourth Street, Oakland, MD 21550

Email: swigfield@garrettcountymd.gov

Life before the lake - Lake Brown

Taylor Made Deep Creek Sales is a proud sponsor of the Deep Creek Lake Centennial and we are going to share info about the history of DCL with you here!

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Milestone Monday – today we’ll be looking at what life was like Before the Lake, regulations that govern the area, who has owned the lake over the years and major public works projects.

Before the lake: Lake Brown

In 1892, R. T. Browning – grandson of Meshach Browning – became Fish Commissioner.

In 1893 he oversaw the construction of another dam on Deep Creek near the site of the current Glendale Bridge, forming Lake Brown, named for the current Governor

He stocked Lake Brown with a variety of fish and it was open for public fishing ‘ may be the first publicly funded fishing spot in Maryland

For more information on the Centennial or about Deep Creek Lake, visit dcl100.com

We’ll be celebrating the lake’s 100th birthday in style with events and projects throughout 2025.

#deepcreeklake#dcl100#deepcreekmaryland#centennial

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555276152057

Garrett County Government to allocate funding in support of local rural transit system

Garrett Transit Service will receive an allocation of $367,000 to help stabilize and evaluate its operations.

The Garrett County Government Board of County Commissioners in Maryland is working to support its local public transportation network, Garrett Transit Service (GTS), to help ensure its continuity—at least for the short term.   

The Garrett County Government says that maintaining a rural transit system like GTS is no easy task. Funding challenges, federal regulations and staffing shortages have made it increasingly difficult for GTS to meet the needs of a geographically dispersed population. The Garrett County Government says that while it isn’t directly responsible for managing or funding the local public transportation network, it recognizes how much of a lifeline this transit service is to the Garrett County community. GTS helps to connect residents to work, medical appointments and essential services and provides special programs to assist its senior members, individuals with disabilities and low-income families. 

When the Garrett County Community Action Committee (GCCAC), the administrator of the GTS program, announced a budget shortfall and proposed limiting services to in-county trips only, the Garrett County Commissioners pledged support to sustain these services. 

“While public transportation isn’t something the county directly funds, as soon as we knew the need, we were able to step up with this one-time allocation,” said Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards. “This allocation gives Community Action and GTS the time and resources they need to evaluate operations and plan for a sustainable future.” 

GCCAC has a projected transportation program deficit of $489,709 for its 2025 fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30, 2025. To address this shortfall, the commissioners will allocate $367,000 to maintain the transportation services. 

Garrett County Government notes that the difference between the GTS program shortfall and the funded amount is based on dutiful coverage through the county’s fiscal year, ending June 30, 2025. Any additional county funding allocations beyond June 30, 2025, must be evaluated during the upcoming fiscal year 2026 county budget process. 

According to the Garrett County Government, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic medical transportation services generated significant revenue for GTS but have endured a sharp decline in recent years. During the pandemic, federal relief programs provided crucial budget supplements to GCCAC, offering support until 2024. Simultaneously, GTS increased wages by approximately 30 percent over the past three years to meet minimum wage requirements and stay competitive in the labor market. 

Full article here.

Seasoned For Success - Rob Ross with Jay Ferguson

I had a blast interviewing a few months ago with my good friend, client and mega-mortgage lender, Rob Ross, of Intercoastal Mortgage. Rob and I realized we lived at the same West Virginia University dorm (WVU – Arnold Hall), at the same time, in 1fall of 1997 – just on different floors. Rob is a fantastic lender with an amazing team and I consider them part of the Taylor Made family! Posting his contact info below.

Rob Ross

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🎙️ Seasoned for Success EP #4 – Join your host Rob Ross as we dive into ALL things real estate in the beautiful Deep Creek Lake area with special guest Jay Ferguson from Taylor Made Real Estate! 🏡 Jay is not only a Realtor, Broker, and Owner but also shares his top tips on being a successful real estate owner and investor. 💼

In this episode, we’ll cover: ✅ What it takes to buy a vacation rental or Airbnb in Deep Creek Lake ✅ Tips on managing your property – can you cash flow? 💸 ✅ Jay’s favorite concerts, places to eat, travel recommendations, and more! 🌍🍴

Tune in and get the insider scoop on Deep Creek Lake real estate! 🌅

#DeepCreekRealEstate #VacationHomes #AirbnbSuccess #RealEstateInvesting #DCLLiving #TaylorMadeRealEstate #TheRossGroup #MortgageTips #SeasonedForSuccess

#DeepCreekLake
#DeepCreekRealEstate
#VacationRental
#AirbnbInvesting
#RealEstatePodcast
#RealEstateInvesting
#InvestmentProperty
#TaylorMadeRealEstate
#ShortTermRental
#RentalIncome
#PropertyManagement
#CashFlow
#MarylandRealEstate
#LakeLiving
#VacationHomes
#SeasonedForSuccess
#RobRoss
#JayFerguson
#RealEstateTips
#PropertyInvesting

Rob Ross
The Ross Group at Intercoastal Mortgage LLC
Executive Vice President | Production Manager
Email: RRoss@icmtg.com Cell: 703-568-3749 NMLS ID: #189110
Residential Lending | Construction Lending | Portfolio Lending | Bridge Loans
LICENSED in 24 States!!
VA Branch | 11325 Random Hills Rd suite 600, Fairfax, VA 22030

Ghost Towns of the Upper Potomac

Interesting article with plenty of photos documented some popular areas in and around Garrett County.

Jay’s note: I have always realized the Potomac River was a vital part of the history of Garrett County and many coal towns relied upon the waterway in some capacity. I was likewise amazed that you could/can buy land for next to nothing along the Potomac River here in Garrett County & West Virginia, but as you wind down the river towards Virginia, downstate Maryland and Washington DC, it was priceless. My wife and I actually did a little Potomac town hopping ourselves a few years back, but it was close to Williamsburg and Harpers Ferry where we picked up our trail. This story hits much closer to home.

On the way home from my ride with Neil Peart, a few weeks ago, I stopped for lunch at the Penn Alps restaurant. Their gift shop had an interesting-looking book titled Ghost Towns of the Upper Potomac. I bought a copy, and almost immediately started planning a ride to visit the remaining towns mentioned in the book–and to search for any evidence of the towns that no longer remain.

Day One: Crossing and Recrossing the Potomac

The North Branch of the Potomac River separates Garrett County, MD from West Virginia. In the late 1800s and through the early 1950s, it was dotted by numerous small lumbering and coal-mining towns. My goal was to trace the Upper Potomac, and these towns, as far as I could.

It’s always good to get an early start…

I recrossed the Potomac into Maryland at the twin towns of Blaine, WV and Kitzmiller, MD. There were still a number of houses here, but generally they were newer replacements, and only a few of the older original buildings survived the disastrous flood of March 1924. A rocky and somewhat narrower Potomac was in evidence, but there was little sign of the quaint town pictured in the book. Note the rustic building on the far bank of the river, however: I believe it is the same one pictured on the left in the old photograph (Coffman’s Department Store).

Much more detail and many more fascinating photos can be found here.

Maryland's Fracking Ban At Risk!

Sharing verbatim from my friends at Engage Mountain Maryland

When Maryland passed a ban on fracking in 2017, legislators, citizens, and nonprofit organizations let out a sigh of relief. At the time, it was the only legislative ban in the United States, making it a landmark achievement. The years-long battle also showed powerful gas and oil executives that citizens have the power to choose.

Three state Senators, including Mike McKay, who represents Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties, have cosponsored a bill to upend the ban and allow fracking in the state. Interestingly, none of the bill’s sponsors live in Garrett County. The Education, Energy, and Environment Committee will hear testimony on bill SB0878, “Oil and Natural Gas – Hydraulic Fracturing – Authorization,” at 1:00 PM on February 27th in Annapolis. Your opinion can greatly influence the outcome of the hearing, like it did in 2017.

The committee and the cosponsors of the bill need to know that people from Garrett County and beyond have not changed their minds about fracking. Horizontal gas drilling has been proven to cause significant environmental damage, negative health impacts, and disruption of businesses and residents. The technique uses massive amounts of water that is removed from local water sources during the drilling process.

When fracking was still a consideration, it was estimated that 438 wells would be drilled by 2025, which would require 3.5 billion gallons of water. That demand during the drought of 2024 would have been catastrophic. The process adds an undisclosed chemical cocktail to the water, turning it into toxic wastewater when it’s extracted from the well. The disposal of fracking waste is an ongoing quandary.

This is just one of many reasons to write to the committee. The button below will take you to a dedicated web page to walk you through the steps of submitting written and oral testimony, as well as submitting letters to the committee members in advance of the hearing. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert on natural gas development to know it’s not right for Garrett County. You’ll also find a list of talking points, expanded information on fracking, and a sample letter to get you started. What you think matters! Help your state’s representatives make informed decisions based on people who live in Maryland.

Thank you from your friends at Engage Mountain Maryland.

Public Hearing: County Road Name Changes

Garrett County Government Department of Community Development
Planning & Land Management Division

Public Hearing: County Road Name Changes
The Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland, will hold a public hearing on February 18, 2025, to consider and potentially adopt the following road name additions and changes as part of the Garrett County Road Name Index, in accordance with the Garrett County Address Ordinance.

Proposed Road Name Additions & Changes
Tax Map
Former Name
New Road Name
67 N/A Azalea Lane
67 N/A Magnolia Way
49 N/A Enclave Lane
49 N/A Nature Run
95 N/A Bovie Bend
29 N/A Moon Ridge
200 Flat Street Polk Street
200 N North Street Polk Street
The Board of County Commissioners will officially adopt these road names following the public hearing, and they will become effective on February 18, 2025.

For further information or to provide before the hearing, please contact the Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management at swigfield@garrettcountymd.gov

January 2025 Market Stats

Blast from the Past - Dominick's Pizza

I saw this post on Facebook and wanted to learn more about the history of this legendary DCL business.

Dominik’s Pizza was located near the post office on Deep Creek Drive in McHenry. It was operated by local restauranteur Brenda McDonnell from 1988 until 1995. Turns out from reading the in the Facebook post, I had several friends who worked there over the years. It then morphed into Pizzazz Pizzeria in 1996 which was located in the lodge at Wisp Resort. When I was in high school, I spent plenty of time warming up in the lodge with a HUGE slice of pizza at Pizzazz. Brenda has owned and operated many different businesses here at Deep Creek Lake – Ace’s Run, Brenda’s Pizzeria, Trader’s Coffee House and most recently Firewater, a waterfront kitchen + bar. Brenda is a Garrett County ALL STAR and has contributed in so many ways to our community. She was interviewed by my colleague Terah Crawford back in 2022:

I also found this snippet with a little more background from the Lakefront Magazine:

Dominick’s & Pizzazz Pizzerias
The yearly visitors to Deep Creek Lake might enjoy the whopping 26-inch Abbondanza pizza at Brenda’s Pizzeria overlooking the lake, but they may not know the vibrant history of that delicious pizza. The lineage of Brenda’s amazing Italian food started at Dominick’s Pizzeria in February 1988 on Deep Creek Drive in McHenry, near the post office. Up until 1995, locals could all be found enjoying all types of Italian food including the favorite that Brenda McDonnell sent over from her treasure trove of old recipes.

In 1996, Brenda moved to the Wisp Resort and opened Pizzazz Pizzeria. It is within the walls of Pizzazz that I personally first tried ranch dressing on pizza. Brenda claims that there is “nothing special” about her ranch that she serves to this day at her namesake restaurant on 219, however many locals know the truth. While the pizza was to die for at Pizzazz, the true seekers of authentic Italian fare gravitated towards the meatballs.

Do you have memories of Dominick’s? Old photos or stories? We’d love to hear them! Email: DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com