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3 days ago
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A safe prom night is coming to Hagerstown — no RSVP needed
The Washington County Health Department will host a Sober Prom Night on Friday, June 13. According to a community announcement, the event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at University Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Hagerstown. Open to middle and high school students, the event promises fun, music and a safe environment. No RSVP is needed. For more information, email washingtongoespurple@ or go to 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: Middle and high schoolers invited to Hagerstown Sober Prom Night
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17-05-2025
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Maryland Transit Administration IDs one of pedestrians struck and killed by MARC train
The Maryland Transit Administration has confirmed the identity of one of the two people who were struck and killed by a MARC train in southern Washington County on May 6. One of the deceased is Summer Giffin, a 20-year-old woman from Knoxville, Maryland, according to emails from transit spokesperson Veronica Battisti. The Knoxville zip code includes the Sandy Hook area and other communities in the southern tip of Washington County as well as parts of nearby Frederick County, according to Giffin was one of two people who were on the train tracks when a MARC train heading from Washington, D.C., to Martinsburg, struck them and they died, Battisti has said. The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. May 6, on CSX tracks in the Sandy Hook area. In organizing a funeral and memorial GoFundMe for her sister, Destiny Giffin posted, "Please help show her love and celebrate her life that was taken to [sic] soon she was a hero in the long run losing her life to try help a boy not get hit by a train." When The Herald-Mail inquired whether circumstances of the crash were available, Battisti emailed on May 7 that the incident remained under investigation. The GoFundMe had raised more than $9,600 as of May 7. About 100 passengers on MARC Train 875 were transferred to another train to complete their trip after the incident, Battisti has said. The affected route handles Amtrak and freight traffic as well as MARC commuter trains, CSX spokesperson Austin Staton said. Traffic on those tracks resumed around 9:15 p.m. May 6, Staton said in an email. Both CSX and transit officials stressed the dangers of walking on or alongside railroad tracks. CSX has tracks along Sandy Hook Road in southern Washington County that cross the Potomac to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The tracks in that area are not far from the river with the route following the curves in the Potomac. On June 11, 1999, two male pedestrians from North Potomac, Md., were killed by a MARC train in the Sandy Hook Road area. Eyewitnesses told The Herald-Mail at the time that the men had finished inner tubing in the nearby Potomac and were sitting on their inner tubes on the tracks. Hagerstown WWII vet to make appearance: Gettysburg Film Festival celebrates WWII victory with special guests This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: MTA releases ID of woman struck and killed by MARC train
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17-05-2025
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Two pedestrians walking on tracks dead after being struck by MARC train in Western Md.
(This story has been updated with new information and to correct the destination of Train 875.) A Maryland Transit Administration official confirmed late May 6 that two people walking on train tracks in southern Washington County were struck by a MARC train and died. "We are saddened by this tragic incident and remind the public that it is never safe to walk on or alongside railroad tracks," Maryland Transit spokesperson Veronica Battisti said in an email to The Herald-Mail. "We express our condolences to the victims and their families." About 100 passengers on MARC Train 875 were transferred to another train to complete their trip, Battisti said. Train 875 was heading west from Washington, D.C., to Martinsburg, West Virginia, around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, when the train struck the two people walking on the tracks, Battisti said. The incident occurred on train tracks in the Sandy Hook area, east of the Harpers Ferry station, she said. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Earlier in the evening, CSX spokesperson Bryan Tucker, via email, confirmed an incident involving a MARC train on CSX tracks in southern Washington County. He referred further questions about the incident to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Tucker said a CSX special agent responded, as well as Washington County first responders. Transit posted messages on X, formerly known as Twitter, about police activity delaying a MARC train on the Brunswick line east of the Harpers Ferry station. CSX has tracks along Sandy Hook Road in southern Washington County that cross the Potomac River to Harpers Ferry. The Transit Authority posted after 6 p.m. on May 6 about the MARC Brunswick Train 875 being stopped east of Harpers Ferry station due to police activity and the train later being terminated with passengers to take Train 879. Train 875, according to the online MARC schedule, departs Union Station in Washington, D.C., shortly before 4:30 p.m., to head to Martinsburg. Battisti said May 7 that MARC Train Brunswick Line service was operating on a regular schedule that morning. Track 2 reopened around 9 p.m. May 6 with speed restrictions and all tracks were open at 10 p.m. May 6, Battisti said. CSX spokesperson Austin Staton said the route is used for freight and Amtrak as well as for MARC. Staton stressed that "this incident must serve as a reminder of the very real dangers of trespassing on railroad property and why it is important for the public to stay away from active railroad tracks and rail yards." More information about railroad safety can be found at Operation Lifesaver, a nationally recognized leader of rail safety education, according to Staton. A spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff's Office referred questions about the incident to CSX on the evening of May 6. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: CSX investigating MARC train fatalities in southern Washington County
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31-03-2025
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Martinsburg mayor proclaims Catholic Schools Week at local school
MARTINSBURG, — Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles officially declared Catholic Schools Week during a March 7 assembly at Saint Joseph School, according to a community announcement. While the national celebration took place Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, Knowles emphasized that the lessons taught in Catholic schools extend beyond a single week. A product of Catholic education himself, Knowles shared a personal story about standing up for a friend who was wrongly accused, highlighting the importance of honesty and bravery. 'That day, I learned that being honest and brave can make a big difference in someone's life,' Knowles said. He told the crowd that Catholic Schools Week is a time for students and staff to come together as a family to discuss how their school helps everyone grow into kind, honest and brave individuals. Knowles said that Catholic schools teach students how to live out their faith, make good choices, help others and develop traits such as respect, responsibility and thoughtfulness. Their teachers are superheroes who guide with patience and care, he added, using stories from the Bible and their own lives to educate children about truthfulness, courage and standing up for what is right, even when it's hard. 'Always remember that each one of you has a bright light inside, ready to shine out and make the world a kinder, better place,' Knowles said. The proclamation was shared in front of staff, students in kindergarten through grade eight, and their families in the school's packed gymnasium. 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. Eight Washington County Good Citizen award winners recognized by local DAR chapters This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: The mayor of Martinsburg officially declared Catholic Schools Week
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27-03-2025
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Road closures announced for commemoration event
A commemoration event will take place at the Vietnam War Veterans Monument on Saturday, March 29. According to a community announcement, Walnut Street will close to traffic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. between Antietam Street and Park Circle. West Baltimore Street will also close between South Prospect Street and South Walnut Street. Detour routes will be posted. Emergency vehicles will not be able to pass through these streets during the closures but can respond to service calls. For more information, contact the Department of Engineering at 301-739-8577 extension 125. 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. More road closures: Roadwork on Boonsboro Mountain Road planned for March 31 This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Road Closure on S. Walnut St. for Vietnam War veterans ceremony, 3/29
