Hagerstown, MD
Police & Fire
'Crackling Noise, Glow' On Maryland Porch Alerted Family To Fire, Investigators Say 'Crackling Noise, Glow' On Maryland Porch Alerted Family To Fire, Investigators Say
'Crackling Noise, Glow' On Maryland Porch Alerted Family To Fire, Investigators Say A faulty extension cord is to blame for a Washington County fire that left a family displaced and destroyed a home in Hancock on Sunday afternoon, according to investigators. Four dozen firefighters from the Hancock Volunteer Fire Company responded at around 3 p.m. on July 21, when the occupants of a White Oak Ridge residence reported that a blaze has broken out in their home. According to the Maryland Fire Marshal, one occupant inside the home heard a crackling noise, and observed a glow outside the home, which turned out to be the flames that broke out on the front porch. The occupant wa…

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
News
Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal
Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal The man who made several bomb threats targeting a retirement home on different occasions has been arrested, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Hagerstown resident John Calvin Walls, 60, is facing charges following an investigation into voicemails that were left at the Williamsport Retirement Village in Washington County. According to investigators, Walls allegedly "threatened to blow up the tranquil home offering assisted living, rehabilitation, long-term care, and respite care."  On Monday, investigators from the fire marshal's office responded to the retirement home when an emp…

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by Zak Failla
Chambersburg, PA
News
Rescue From Greencastle Farm Silo With Help From Washington County Crews (PHOTOS) Rescue From Greencastle Farm Silo With Help From Washington County Crews (PHOTOS)
Rescue From Greencastle Farm Silo With Help From Washington County Crews (Photos) Someone became trapped in a grain silo in Pennsylvania on Friday morning — and was freed with the help of emergency crews from Maryland.  The call to a report of someone "trapped in a grain silo" in the 14000 block of Williamsport Pike in the Greencastle-Antrim area came into Franklin County 911 at 11 a.m. on June 14, according to the Washington County Division of Emergency Services. Around 10:50 today, Qnt27 alerted for confined space rescue in Franklin County Pa (Greencastle) units from Co3 arrived... Posted by Longmeadow Vol. Fire Co. on Friday, June 14, 2024 Soon…

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by Jillian Pikora
Towson, MD
News
Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG
Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG A Baltimore woman has been indicted by a Washington County grand jury in a 135-count indictment stemming from a years-long investigation by the Maryland Attorney General's Office into a human and sex trafficking ring, authorities announced. Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, has been charged following a two-year multi-agency investigation, which helped the AG's Organized Crime Unit to identify nearly a dozen women from Hagerstown who were allegedly trafficked by her and her organization at hotels and motels throughout Maryland. According to the AG, in December 2021, the Baltimore Police Department …

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Schools
Washington County High School Evacuated, Dismissed Early For HazMat Situation Washington County High School Evacuated, Dismissed Early For HazMat Situation
Washington County High School Evacuated, Dismissed Early For HazMat Situation Some students in Washington County got an unexpected half-day while fire crews investigated a HazMat situation at Boonsboro High School on Monday morning. Shortly after 9:45 a.m. on June 3, the Washington County Division of Emergency Services and fire and rescue personnel from multiple agencies were called to the building, which had to be evacuated after "a substance was discovered in the mechanical room."  Be advised at this time the Boonsboro Fire Department and Washington County DES HazMat crews are investigating a HazMat... Posted by Boonsboro Fire Department on Monda…

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Lifestyle
Curious Cat Rescued Hours After Crawling Into Car Engine In Maryland Curious Cat Rescued Hours After Crawling Into Car Engine In Maryland
Curious Cat Rescued Hours After Crawling Into Car Engine In Maryland A ferocious feline in Maryland may have used one of its nine lives after being caught in a precarious position that required intervention by first responders in Washington County. Crews from the Hagerstown Fire Department made a special save this week after a cat found itself trapped in the engine well of a parked vehicle.  The driver said that she was driving in the area when she spotted a cat going under her car, prompting the first call to the department, though they initially found nothing under her vehicle. She then went home, and slept more soundly than the cat that had navigate…

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by Zak Failla
Lusby, MD
Lifestyle
Dozens Of 'Zombie Deer' Test Positive For Disease In Maryland: Department Of Natural Resources Dozens Of 'Zombie Deer' Test Positive For Disease In Maryland: Department Of Natural Resources
Dozens Of 'Zombie Deer' Test Positive For Disease In Maryland: Department Of Natural Resources Dozens of white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, a neurological disorder found in several species that results in death. According to a recent report from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 52 animals tested positive for the disease in 2023, including two in new parts of the state.  The deer were sampled in Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties. Of the positive samples, 49 came from within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties), while one positive …

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Police & Fire
Poorly Placed Portable Space Heater To Blame For Maryland House Blaze: Fire Officials Poorly Placed Portable Space Heater To Blame For Maryland House Blaze: Fire Officials
Poorly Placed Portable Space Heater To Blame For Maryland House Blaze: Fire Officials A portable space heater is to blame for a blaze that created several heroic neighbors in Washington County, fire officials say. At approximately 11:20 p.m. on Monday, April 22, crews from the Hagerstown Fire Department were called to the 700 block of Chestnut Street following reports of a house fire with people trapped inside a two-story home. Chestnut Street Fire Update The Hagerstown City Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the cause of the Chestnut Street... Posted by Hagerstown Fire Department on Thursday, May 2, 2024 Upon arrival, officials say that firefighters were met by …

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Obituaries
Motorcyclist Killed In Maryland Crash Remembered As 'Good Friend With Heart Of Gold' Motorcyclist Killed In Maryland Crash Remembered As 'Good Friend With Heart Of Gold'
Motorcyclist Killed In Maryland Crash Remembered As 'Good Friend With Heart Of Gold' A motorcyclist who was killed in a midday crash in Washington County this week is being remembered as a curious mind who was not afraid to try new things. On Monday afternoon, officers were called at around 12:20 p.m. to investigate a reported crash involving 35-year-old Hagerstown resident Francis Walter, who was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of West Wilson Boulevard and US Route 11. Police say that Walter was heading east through the intersection when he was struck by a car making a left turn from Wilson Boulevard toward the southbound lanes of Virginia Avenue. Google Maps st…

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Traffic
Tractor-Trailer Crash Shuts I-68 (DEVELOPING) Tractor-Trailer Crash Shuts I-68 (DEVELOPING)
Tractor-Trailer Crash Shuts I-68 (Developing) A tractor trailer crash closed all lanes of I-68 in Washington County early Wednesday, May 1. As of 8:15 a.m., all lanes were closed in both directions at Mountain Road near Exit 74, the Maryland State Highway Administration said. The MDOT site shows two vehicles were involved in a crash. ALERT: WASHINGTON COUNTY; CRASH I-68 EAST AT EXIT 74 MD 903 MOUNTAIN RD; ALL LANES CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS; USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE — MD State Highway Adm (@MDSHA) May 1, 2024 Daily Voice has reached out to Maryland State Police for details. This is a developing story. Check back for more. Want…

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Police & Fire
Maryland Domestic Murder Suspect Apprehended In Pennsylvania, Police Say Maryland Domestic Murder Suspect Apprehended In Pennsylvania, Police Say
Maryland Domestic Murder Suspect Apprehended In Pennsylvania, Police Say A suspect was apprehended in Pennsylvania hours after an apparent homicide victim was found in Washington County in Maryland over the weekend, officials say. Hagerstown resident Cleo Hermon Brown, 50, was apprehended in Harrisburg late on Sunday afternoon in connection to the death of Renee Elizabeth Shoemaker, authorities announced.  At approximately 10:30 a.m. on April 28, officers from the Hagerstown Police Department were called to conduct a welfare check in the 400 block of McDowell Avenue, where they found Shoemaker's body in the home she shared with Brown. According to inv…

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by Zak Failla
Hagerstown, MD
Police & Fire
Bystanders Help Neighbor Out Of Burning Home In Maryland Bystanders Help Neighbor Out Of Burning Home In Maryland
Bystanders Help Neighbor Out Of Burning Home In Maryland Neighbors are being credited for helping rescue a Washington County resident out of a burning home overnight in Hagerstown. At approximately 11:20 p.m. on Monday, April 22, crews from the Hagerstown Fire Department were called to the 700 block of Chestnut Street following reports of a house fire with people trapped inside a two-story home. Upon arrival, officials say that firefighters were met by flames coming from several windows on the second floor, with one resident already safely outside and another being assisted by bystanders to get out of the home. Hagerstown Fire Department Both …

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by Zak Failla