Latest news with #Hagerstown
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Maryland woman charged after police say she hit child on plane who called her "Miss Piggy"
Maryland woman charged after police say she hit child on plane who called her "Miss Piggy" Maryland woman charged after police say she hit child on plane who called her "Miss Piggy" Maryland woman charged after police say she hit child on plane who called her "Miss Piggy" A woman from Maryland is facing charges after police in Florida said she hit a child who made fun of her weight on a flight from Orlando. Charging documents WJZ obtained say she slammed the child's head into the window of the plane. Page 1 of Seminole County Circuit Court charging documents detailing the incident. Seminole County Circuit Court Page 2 of Seminole County Circuit Court charging documents detailing the incident. Seminole County Circuit Court The Incident 46-year-old Kristy Crampton from Hagerstown appeared in court earlier this week, facing child abuse charges after that disturbing incident on an Allegiant flight from Orlando to Hagerstown on Memorial Day. Charging documents state she "began hitting the [juvenile] with her fist and then a water bottle…and 'slammed' his head into the airplane window." Police did not detail Crampton's relationship to the child. She told authorities he became disrespectful during their trip to Disney World, and when they got onto the plane, "They got into an argument and [the juvenile] began calling her "fat" and "Miss Piggy." Police wrote, "She decided to take the phone away from him, and he got angry. He pushed her arm off of the armrest twice before she responded by smacking him." One witness told officers the "woman was not correcting the child, she was abusing him, whipping the [expletive] out of the kid." WJZ reached out to Crampton but did not immediately hear back. FAA tracks unruly passengers The behavior does not shock many travelers today. "I feel like we're living in a time where violence is high, and people are under stress. If I were you, humble yourself before you get on this plane" said Noemi, a passenger flying through BWI Marshall Airport. "I can only imagine what she does behind closed doors because if you're doing that in public..." Another passenger, Tony Lawson, told WJZ, "That's a kid! It's like if someone put their hands on your kid. It's not right." The FAA has tracked 637 unruly passenger reports so far this year. They trended downward after hitting a high of 5,973 in 2021. The agency said they saw only 1.6 incidents for every 10,000 flights last week. Also, during Memorial Day weekend, a man having a mental health crisis tried to open the exit door of a Houston-bound plane that diverted to Seattle. Past Maryland incident In 2023, WJZ Investigates covered a man's meltdown on a Southwest flight from Baltimore to Fort Lauderdale over a crying infant. "Really, out of nowhere, he just kind of blurted out, 'Shut that [expletive] baby up,' and everyone was just kind of stunned. Myself and a couple of passengers were kind of stunned and tried to calm him down." 'Take a breath. None of us want to be in a situation. Let's just calm down here.' And he doubled down," Mark Grabowski, who captured the video, told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren at the time. The FAA said they have "zero tolerance" for unruly behavior incidents. The agency fined passengers $7.5 million in 2023 alone. Jacob is taking his first-ever flight from BWI Marshall to Los Angeles on Friday. He hopes the skies are friendlier for him—and has this advice for fellow passengers: "They should keep themselves in check and just be patient."
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Potential Podcast, Hosted by David From, Honored with 2025 Communicator Award of Distinction
The American Potential podcast won a 2025 Communicator Award of Distinction for its episode "Eco-Regulation Gone Wrong," highlighting the unintended harms of Colorado's climate laws. Honored for excellence in political storytelling, the episode features Jesse Mallory and is hosted by David From. The American Potential podcast won a 2025 Communicator Award of Distinction for its episode "Eco-Regulation Gone Wrong," highlighting the unintended harms of Colorado's climate laws. Honored for excellence in political storytelling, the episode features Jesse Mallory and is hosted by David From. Washington, DC and Hagerstown, Maryland--(Newsfile Corp. - May 17, 2025) - The American Potential Podcast has been named a 2025 Communicator Award winner, receiving the prestigious Award of Distinction in the Individual Episodes Political category for its episode titled "Eco-Regulation Gone Wrong: The Unintended Costs of Colorado's Climate Laws." American Potential Podcast, Hosted by David From, Honored with 2025 Communicator Award of DistinctionTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA), the 31st Annual Communicator Awards received over 3,000 entries from leading agencies, production firms, in-house creative teams, and independent creators from around the globe. Judged by a panel of more than 500 experts from brands such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and the Smithsonian, the awards honor excellence, effectiveness, and innovation in communication across all platforms. This honored episode of American Potential features Jesse Mallory, a seasoned policy expert and Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity, discussing how well-intended environmental policies in Colorado are producing harmful unintended consequences-hurting working families, small businesses, and local economies. "This episode was personal," said David From, host of American Potential and Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity. "When we talk about climate laws, we're really talking about how policy decisions affect real people. I'm deeply honored to see our team's work recognized among such outstanding global creators. Huge thanks to our producers Monica Hoss and Matt West, our guest Jesse Mallory, and our marketing lead Jonathan Quick for helping make this conversation resonate. We're just getting started." Now in its third year, the American Potential Podcast continues to amplify stories of barrier-breaking Americans and highlight practical policy solutions across the country. With over 40 million views and downloads, the show has consistently ranked among the Top 20 News & Politics podcasts in the U.S. The honored episode and all past episodes are available on all major podcast platforms and at For media inquiries or interview requests, contact: mhoss@ About the Communicator Awards The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program recognizing excellence, effectiveness, and innovation across all areas of communication. Now in its 31st year, it offers equal opportunity for companies and creators of all sizes to be honored. For more, visit About the company: American Potential is a national award-winning podcast that shares how individuals are taking action in their communities to break barriers. While some guests are public officials or influencers, many are everyday Americans who decided that "enough is enough" and stepped up to make a difference. We explore policy solutions to the biggest challenges facing our country and highlight the people actively working to solve them. Through stories of both success and struggle, our goal is to inspire listeners to realize they, too, can do extraordinary things in their communities-and that they're not alone. David From, a Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity, is the host of American Potential. With decades of experience in advocacy and public policy, David brings a deep understanding of the issues and a passion for showcasing grassroots leadership and impact. American Potential is a national award-winning podcast, recognized with the Gold Award at the 18th annual w3 Awards in the News and Politics Podcast category. The w3 Awards are judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, honoring excellence in digital content across the globe. Contact Info:Name: David FromEmail: mhoss@ American PotentialAddress: 4201 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1000 Arlington, VA 22203Website: Video URL: To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
17-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SETC Pros Announces Millions of Independent Contractors and Self-Employed Americans Just Missed Out on Billions in Relief Money But There Still May Be Time to Claim
Millions of self-employed individuals missed billions in COVID-19 sick and family leave tax credits. If you filed your 2021 taxes late or got an extension, you might still be able to claim up to $32,220 by amending your return within three years of filing. Washington, DC (Hagerstown, MD), United States, May 17, 2025 -- An estimated 30 million self-employed individuals and independent contractors across the United States just missed out on tens of billions of dollars by not claiming their Sick and Family Leave Tax Credits available through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The deadline for regular filers passed on April 18th, 2025, due to IRS rules for amending a previous tax return. But there is good news: for those who filed their 2021 taxes late or filed an extension, there is still time to claim these credits and recover much-needed funds. Those who filed late or filed extensions for tax year 2021 in 2022 may still be eligible to claim up to $32,220 in tax credits. Individuals have three years after the initial filing to amend their taxes, meaning those who missed the initial deadline or filed extensions can still apply. For example, if individuals 2021 taxes were filed on June 2, 2022, they have until June 2, 2025, to amend to claim the available tax credits they missed out on that year. If individuals waited until October 15, 2022, to file 2021 taxes, they have until October 15, 2025, to do so. These credits are available for individuals in various professions, including Uber and Lyft drivers, beauty professionals, real estate agents, freelancers, contractors, small business owners, independent consultants, and anyone else who was self-employed or a 1099 contractor and faced disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. If individuals were self-employed in 2021 and missed work due to their own illness or to care for a family member, they may still qualify for these valuable credits. Ryan Umina, CEO of SETC Pros and a Top 40 Under 40 lawyer, explains: 'Several million self-employed individuals and independent contractors have missed out on billions in tax credits because they simply didn't take action before the deadline. The great news is that there's still time for those who filed late or filed an extension for 2021. We're here to help make the process simple, fast, and secure. Our data shows that around 40% of self-employed Americans filed late or filed extensions in 2021, leaving time for an estimated 10-15 million people to claim the credits they deserve. It's money that they're owed but didn't know about when they filed for 2021–no different than any other tax credit that their accountant or tax software forgot to claim.' SETC Pros is at the forefront of helping self-employed individuals recover their Sick and Family Leave Tax Credits. Since its founding, the company has helped over 250,000 clients uncover more than $200,000,000.00 in missed tax credits. Through strategic partnerships with and others, SETC Pros proprietary software platform makes the process simple, safe, and secure. The average refund amount for an individual is about $5,000.00 but varies based upon income and dependent care. 'We believe it's our duty to make sure people know about this opportunity and act before it's too late,' says Ryan Umina, CEO of SETC Pros. 'We're committed to ensuring that those who qualify get the money they deserve, as quickly as possible.' SETC Pros offers a free eligibility check, and most customers pay nothing until they receive their refund. To learn more, visit About SETC Pros: SETC Pros helps self-employed individuals claim the Sick and Family Leave Tax Credits established by the FFCRA legislation, having secured over $200 million in refunds for more than 250,000 clients. The company partners with for secure identity verification, offers industry-leading software, and provides an FDIC-insured Advance Loan to give clients fast access to their funds. For more information, visit For Media Inquiries: Contact: Scott Singer [email protected] 480-747-3944 Contact Info: Name: Scott Singer Email: Send Email Organization: SETC Pros Phone: 480-747-3944 Website: Release ID: 89159958 Should you detect any errors, issues, or discrepancies with the content contained within this press release, or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team will be available to promptly respond and take necessary steps within the next 8 hours to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. We value the trust placed in us by our readers and remain dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How veterans in Hagerstown can get free VA benefits help
Veterans can access important benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to a community announcement, a Disabled American Veteran Service Officer will be available at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 1101 Opal Court, Hagerstown. This service occurs on the third Thursday of each month by appointment only. The next visit is scheduled for Friday, May 16. The DAV Service Officer will assist veterans in applying for VA benefits, which are outlined in Title 38 of the United States Code. This service is available to service members, veterans, their spouses and dependents. To make an appointment, call DAV Service Officer Ernie Unger at 301-842-2562 or 301-331-0091. Appointments can also be arranged via email at michelobqt@ Veterans should bring specific documents to their appointment, including a copy of their Military Discharge, DD 214 or other service records, any VA Claim Number issued, and any VA correspondence or rating decisions. This service is offered free of charge to all eligible individuals. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. The Herald-Mail is growing its local news: Send your news to us This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Free VA benefits assistance for veterans in Hagerstown May 16
CNN
06-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Is this the future of flying? An FAA-certified airplane that can land on its own
Hagerstown, Maryland CNN — While passenger anxieties may be experiencing an uptick, one new design aboard a small aircraft is attempting to change the future of flying when it comes to safety. And it comes with just the push of one button. Aircraft manufacturer Cirrus is launching the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved autonomous safety system in a single-engine piston airplane. It's called, 'Safe Return,' and it is a shiny red button in the plane maker's SR Series G7+. Cirrus first certified Safe Return in its larger and more expensive Vision Jet in August 2020. CNN got a first-hand look at the Cirrus technology and how the planes are able to land themselves. How can a plane land on its own? The way it works is simple. Takeoff is the same – passengers feel the roar of the engine as the plane is maneuvered by the pilot to the runway swiftly and cautiously. In the air, it has features just like a regular plane. But, say there was a problem with the pilot. Now, Safe Return can step in. It comes in the form of a red button that sits overhead, closest to the passengers in the back. One press of the button, and the plane will route itself to the closest and most available runway. It entirely takes control of the airplane. 'The first thing it does is it makes a decision,' said Ben Kowalski, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Cirrus Aircraft, in an interview with CNN. 'There's an algorithm that decides: 'Where should we go? What it's doing is it's making a choice, almost just like a pilot would.' There's a 10-second grace window, should the emergency button be hit on accident, when the pilot is able to disconnect it. The aircraft's integrated flight decks have everything it needs to make the landing: it'll interpret the fuel state, weather, wind and more. Air traffic controllers will also be alerted that the aircraft is having an emergency, and passengers are also able to communicate with controllers, should they need to. Ivy McIver is the executive director of the SR Series product line at Cirrus Aircraft. She also is a pilot and flew the Cirrus plane demonstrated for CNN. 'The first time I did (an activation of Safe Return), it was sort of one of those things where on one side it was hard to give up control, but on the other side I felt so confident in the system because I had been part of the certification process and part of the flight testing that it really was just to watch the magic of engineering at work,' McIver said. It all comes together when the plane touches down, right in the center of the runway, and comes to a stop with no one touching the controls. Where might a Cirrus plane be used? Cirrus, founded in 1984, calls itself a leader in 'personal aviation.' 'We believe aviation makes the world better,' Kowalski said. 'We're biased, rightfully so, because we build airplanes, but we see the people that are buying and using our airplanes…, the vast majority put them into service for their business, to grow their business.' While some may utilize a Cirrus plane for their own personal use, mostly, the company's customers are business owners that can make use of the plane to lessen costs elsewhere. They aren't the typical 'aviation geek' type. 'The vast majority of people who are buying Cirruses in our space, they're not professional pilots,' he said. 'They're flying a couple times a week, maybe, so we're constantly creating a flight deck and a user interface, things that make it easier and safer and simpler to fly.' The company created its own Cirrus Airframe Parachute System – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on its planes. It allows the entire aircraft to float to the ground in case of emergency. The future for Cirrus is simple: introduce more people to the world of aviation and make them feel comfortable with it. 'What we've actually done is take an airframe powered by a power plant that's not digitally controlled or not controlled by a computer, an airframe that is kind of the entry point of aviation,' McIver explained. 'People are learning how to fly in this plane, and we are producing over 600 of these a year.' 600 a year that will now have a shiny red button onboard. '(Aviation) makes people more productive and are able to do more,' Kowalski said. 'I think we'll see this convergence in the future of as air as technologies for the airplanes keep improving, just like this.' CNN's Pete Muntean contributed to this report.
