FMD

It involved a Jeep and an electric =scooter.

Hagerstown, Md (KM) A Hagerstown man was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Washington County Tuesday morning.

The Sheriff’s Office says at around 6:45 AM, deputies responded to the area of Longmeadow Road and Cambridge Drive north of the city of Hagerstown. They say a Jeep Compass and an electric scooter were traveling westbound along Longmeadow Road when the two vehicles collided.

The driver of the Jeep was not inured. But the operator of the electric scooter was transported to Meritus Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The deceased is identified as Brandon Garrison, 36. .

This crash remains under investigation, and anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Master Deputy Keyser with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 240-313-2878.

By Kevin McManus

All outdoor burning is prohibited.

Washington County, MD – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners announces that the countywide burn ban will remain in effect for at least another week due to ongoing dry conditions and a forecast with minimal rain. Officials will continue to monitor weather conditions and reassess the ban on Monday, March 31, 2025, to determine if it should be lifted or extended further.

With little precipitation expected this week, fire risk remains elevated, and extending the burn ban is necessary to protect public safety and prevent potential wildfire outbreaks.

All outdoor burning is prohibited. Prohibited activities include:

• Campfires
• Open fire pits
• Burning of debris & brush
• Agricultural burns

Residents are urged to comply with the burn ban and avoid any outdoor burning activities to prevent the risk of uncontrolled fires.

For further information or updates on the burn ban, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].

Senator Bill Folden says it’s more taxes and fees.

Frederick County  Senator Bill Folden

Frederick, Md (KM) The 2025 Maryland General Assembly needs to vote on a balanced budget before its session ends next month. Governor Wes Moore, House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson have put together a plan to help close the state’s budget gap of over $3 billion. It relies less on personal income tax increases, and more on spending cuts. There is an increase in taxes on Maryland’s wealthiest citizens, and a reduction or no change when it comes to taxes levied on 94 percent of the state’s population.

There is no business-to-business tax, or a fee on retail deliveries as was discussed previously. . But there is 3 percent tax on data and information technology services.

“We can start by unpacking with just some baby wipes,” says Frederick County Republican State Senator Bill Folden. “It’s terrible.”

Folden, who was a recent guest on WFMD”s “Morning News Express,”  says it’s more of the same. “It’s just more fees and burdens on everyday Marylanders and small business owners. It’s just making it more difficult to live in state that we all live in and grew up in for many, and love,”  he says.

Senator Folden commented on the part of the plan that taxes at a 3 percent rate   data and information technology services. “A lot of people say ‘aw good, the business-to-business tax is gone.’ But the Governor was very strategic in his wording when he said there would be no broad business-to-business tax. And I posted about that saying ‘broad is just another way of saying we’re just going to focus in on a few that are going to get us the most money,'” he said.

“Regardless of what businesses it applies to, fellas, it’s going to affect those industries and it’s going to be passed on to the consumer. There’s no other way for them to survive,” says Folden.

Maryland needs to be more business friendly, and not rely mostly on federal workers who live within the immediate Washington DC area.

When this budget plan comes before the General Assembly, Folden says he expects Democrats will vote for it, including those in the Frederick County Delegation. “If you’re to see the delegation, it’s going to be along party lines,:” he says.  “The Democrats vote with what the upper left button says. There’s very few that vote their conscience and are willing to buck the system because they all have their own programs they want to get through.”

As for Senator Folden, he says it’s a “no”  vote. “I won’t do it until they do some serious cuts and go and take away the special interest programs that have been on the books, some of them 15 or 20 years, and start carving them out. because they don’t even keep track of the value of the programs in a lot of case,”: he says.

The General Assembly needs to vote on a balanced budget before it  adjourns  sine die on April 7th, 2025.

By Kevin McManus

They are in jail awaiting extradition back to Maryland

Hagerstown, Md (KM) Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a shooting in Hagerstown on Sunday. Ashley Pennant, 29, of Hagerstown, and Darryl Lee Robinson, 32, of Ashburn, Virginia were apprehended on Monday afternoon north of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.   Hagerstown Police say they are incarcerated at the Franklin County Jail on charges of attempted murder, and numerous handgun and conspiracy offenses. .

Authorities say the suspects are awaiting extradition back to Maryland.

Hagerstown Police say the shooting took place on Sunday in the unit block of East Antietam Street.  Officers arriving at the scene say they discovered a man was struck, but his injuries were not considered life-threatening. They say the victim and the suspects are believed to know each other, and there was no danger to the community.

By Kevin McManus

New jobs listed

Shipping & Receiving Coordinator (2152762)

The coordinator maintains sorter operation by removing full totes from the sorter; replenishing empty totes; scanning tote and location with hand-held scanner; and rearranging individual units in totes to ensure proper fill rates. Will also manage product deliveries by preparing, reviewing, and verifying receiving documentation and reports; process, count, separate, and scan product; operate computer software and basic applications to track and identify product; unload product from trailer manually or with powered equipment; organize inventory and transfer them to production stations; maintain records, logs, and forms (for example, shipping manifests); and much more.

To apply: email resume to [email protected] (subject line: Shipping & Receiving).

Pack Shed/Food Safety Manager (2153492)

Frederick County farm is seeking an organized, detail-oriented, team leader to manage our Pack Shed to oversee the day-to-day operations of orders coming through our operation. Ideal candidate will lead our pack team to wash, sort, and pack produce for upcoming orders while ensuring compliance with quality, timeliness, and food safety standards. This role also involves maintaining and improving food safety practices, managing inventory, and collaborating with key team members. Spanish proficiency is a plus as our team speaks both Spanish and English.

To apply: email resume to [email protected] (subject line: Pack Shed/Food Safety Mgr.)

Document Specialist (2151515)
Manpower is hiring temporary staff to assist during a 5-6-week period while systems are down .Responsibilities include delivering paper orders to medical staff, filing, scanning, copying documents, and maintaining communication between units. As the position progresses, tasks will expand to include entering scanned documents into the EMR system. The role requires walking, managing stairs, and staying flexible to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment. Candidates must be organized, proactive, and maintain a positive, helpful attitude throughout.

To apply: Contact the Manpower office at 301-694-8555 to schedule your interview process.

Part-Time Bookkeeper (2152282)

The Part-Time Bookkeeper position at Smoketown Brewing involves managing financial transactions, maintaining accurate records, reconciling bank statements, and assisting with tax filings, including sales and excise taxes. The role requires experience in bookkeeping or accounting, proficiency in software like QuickBooks, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of brewery operations and be able to collaborate with a small team. Benefits include flexible hours, competitive pay, and employee perks such as discounts on food and beer.

To apply: Bookkeeper | Smoketown Brewing go to this link

Senior Full Stack Developer (2152620)

Join Orases as a Senior Full Stack Developer and work on exciting projects across diverse industries, all while enjoying the flexibility of a remote-eligible role. Bring your 6+ years of expertise in LAMP stack development, PHP, SQL, and modern web technologies to a collaborative, growth-focused team. With great benefits like health insurance, 401k matching, performance bonuses, and fun team events, you’ll be empowered to thrive both professionally and personally.

To apply: BambooHR visit this link and hit the blue apply button.

Outbound Custom Software Sales (2152627)

Join Orases as a Custom Software Sales Executive and take your career to the next level by driving outbound sales for custom software, app development, and application modernization solutions. With 5-10 years of B2B sales experience and a proven track record in closing enterprise accounts, you’ll enjoy working with a dynamic team while leveraging your network and consultative selling skills. Orases offers competitive benefits, including health insurance, 401k matching, and a flexible work environment.

To apply: BambooHR visit this link and hit the blue apply button.

Technical Product Manager (2152628)

Orases is looking for a Product Manager to lead the development and delivery of custom software solutions that drive real business value for clients. With 7+ years of experience in software development and 3+ years in project management, you’ll guide teams through the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to launch, while ensuring client satisfaction and meeting business goals. Enjoy competitive benefits, including health insurance, 401k matching, and flexible work options, along with a fun, collaborative environment.

To apply: BambooHR visit this link and hit the blue apply button.

Production Manager (2153595)

Maryland Ensemble Theatre is seeking a full-time Production Manager to oversee all production operations, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of rehearsals, performances, and events. The role involves managing the technical team, ensuring venue readiness, recruiting design talent, and liaising between the production team and artistic directors. The position offers a salary of $42,000-$47,000 annually, with benefits like IRA matching, leave, and discounts.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by April 1, 2025.

Development & Engagement Manager (2153598)

Maryland Ensemble Theatre is hiring a full-time Development & Engagement Manager to lead fundraising, community outreach, and special event planning. The role involves creating and managing fundraising campaigns, building donor relationships, overseeing volunteer programs, and coordinating community initiatives. The position offers a salary of $45,000-$50,000 annually, with benefits including unlimited PTO, IRA matching, and discounts.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by April 1, 2025.

Project Manager (2152580)

At Postern, the Project Manager oversees the end-to-end needs of marketing projects, our clients, and the Postern team executing them. They are responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of projects and services for a portfolio of clients across a variety of industries, to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. They work with external clients, internal team members, contractors, and vendors while reporting to the Marketing Operations Manager. This position is temporary to full-time. Postern has a hybrid office environment (3 days in the Frederick, Maryland based office and 2 days remote). During the first 6 months onboarding phase, full-time in the office is required.

To apply: https://posternagency.com/careers-project-manager/

Estimator/Project Manager (2152719)

The role involves managing phone calls and emails to coordinate site estimates, developing construction estimates using company software for management approval, and coordinating schedules using Google Suite and other tools. Responsibilities include supervising construction to ensure industry standards, overseeing quality control of subcontractors and staff, and training less experienced team members while managing their schedules and duties. Additionally, the position includes managing the purchasing, maintenance, and inventory of company equipment, as well as the purchasing, delivery, and storage of project materials. The role also involves overseeing all client-related duties, from project initiation to final signoff, invoice collections, warranty work, and cleanup. Marketing efforts such as emails, phone calls, attending events, and direct marketing are part of the responsibilities, along with performing other tasks as coordinated with the owner, Steve Hartman, and the HHS team. Compliance with all federal and state safety regulations is also required.

To apply, send resume to [email protected] (Subject line – Estimator/PM)

But Delegate Fair believe it will be resolved before the session ends.

Delegate Kris Fair

Annapolis, Md (KM) It’s been on the minds of Maryland legislators since the 2025 General Assembly gaveled into session: the budget. The state’s projected deficit for fiscal year 2026 is over $3 billion dollars. When it come to the budget, Frederick County Delegate Kris Fair says he and his fellow legislators are “just razor-focused on figuring out how to effectively deal with this budget. So it has been a busy session since day one. It continues to be a busy session,” he says.

Last Wednesday, Governor Wes Moore, Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson announced that a budget deal had been reached. It will contain $2.3 billion in cuts which is $500 million more than the Governor had proposed originally  in his budget. Where those cuts will come from was not identified in the announcement.

This budget deal will also increase taxes on the state’s highest earners, but lower taxes on 94 percent of Maryland’s population.

The plan doesn’t include at a 75 cent fee on deliveries purchased on line, or a 2.5 percent tax on business-to-business services. But there is a three percent tax on data and information technology services. The Governor says that includes large website and cloud-computing services such as Amazon.

“I think it speaks volumes that prior to even the House floor reading the budget they had a press conference on Wednesday together with the Speaker of the House, the Senate President and the Governor saying ‘we have struck a deal,;” Fairs says. “‘We have the idea and the concept that we are going to move forward.'”

And Delegate Fair says he believe the legislature will pass a budget before the session ends on April 7th at midnight.. “These  hardworking folks down here have been really working night and day, burning the midnight oil as they used to say. And I think they will pull it out before the last day of session,”  he says.

Lawmakers are required to have a balanced budget by the end of the General Assembly session.

By Kevin McManus

He’s also charged with assaulting an employee.

Skylar Lee Turner ((Photo from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

Hagerstown, Md (KM) The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended a suspect in connection with a robbery of a business in Hagerstown.

On Thursday evening, March 20th, at around 8:00, deputies responded to D’s Vape Shop at 18728 North Pointe Drive for a robbery. They were told that a white male entered the store, and threatened to kill all employees. He stole marijuana-related products and attempted to flee the store when a clerk tried to stop him. The man assaulted the clerk and then ran out of the store.

Deputies say at around 8:27 PM, they were able to find the suspect near the Volvo entrance at Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown. Skylar Lee Turner, 25, of Hagerstown was taken into custody, and transported to Central Booking for processing.

The stolen property was recovered.

By Kevin McManus

She is being held without bond.

Frederick, Md (KM) A Frederick woman is charged with 1st-degree assault;, 2nd-degree assault, and reckless endangerment for a stabbing which occurred at the FSK Mall on Monday.   Marquisha Watts, 31, was taken into custody.

he Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says just before 12-noon, deputies responded to the mall for an assault with a knife at the Rainbow department store. They found a woman outside of the Barnes and Noble who matched the suspect’s description and was bleeding from her hands. Deputies rendered assistance and medics were dispatched.

Deputies entered the mall and went to the Rainbow department store. They learned Watts had entered the store as a customer, but staff and mall security noticed her unusual behavior   An employee attempted to assist Watts, but she became agitated and threw  shoes at employees   As she was being escorted out, the Sheriff’s Office says Watts produced pocketknife and cut an employee who had a small laceration on the left side of the face.

Both the victim and Watts were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Watts is being held without bond.

By Kevin McManus

The Health Department wants to know if the dog is in good health.

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Health Department is looking for the owner of a dog which bit a person on Wednesday along a trail at the Frederick Municipal Forest.

A man was running along the Three Saws Trail off of Hamburg Road at around 4:00 PM when he was bitten. Officials say the victim ran past a man and woman who had pulled off the trail  with their  bicycles and  their dog. They had stopped to let the victim run by.  But their dog bit the victim in the upper left thigh.

The dog is described as medium size, light brown in color. The Health Department says it needs to find the owner or owners  of this dog to see if the animal is in good health ten days after the incident. If not, the victim may need to undergo expensive rabies treatments.. The owner or owners are urged to call Frederick County Control at 301-600-1544.

Once the owner is  contacted, the Health Department will need to verify that the dog is in good health by Animal Control ten days after the incident before  the dog can resume its normal activities. If the dog is in good health, the victim will not have to undergo expensive rabies treatment. If the owner is not contacted, the victim will be advised to undergo the rabies treatments.

The Health Department says if anyone or a pet is bitten by an animal, get the owners name, address and phone number and call Animal Control at 301-600-1544. If the animal is wildlife, contact your pet’s veterinarian (if applicable) and call Environmental Health Services at 301-600-1717.  

If you have been exposed to an animal, which is confirmed or suspected of having rabies, call Community Health Services at 301-600-3342.

But if you have general questions about rabies, you can also call Environmental Health Services at 301-600-1717.

You can also go on line at FrederickCountymd.gov/RABIES for more information.

By Kevin McManus 

Sentencing is expected at a later date.

Frederick County Court House

Frederick (KM)  A former Frederick Pediatrician on trial this week for sexually abusing a girl who was his patient has been convicted on all four counts.  . The State’s Attorney’s Office says Ernesto Torres, 74, was found guilty by a jury on one count of sex abuse of a minor, and three counts of 3rd-degree sex offense.

Sentencing is expected at a later date.

By Kevin McManus

The cause is under investigation.

Photos from Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services

Frederick, Md.  (KM)  Two people were injured during a barn fire Thursday morning.

Frederick County Fire and Rescue says personnel were dispatched at 7:09 AM to the 9000 block of Reichs Ford Road and found a 30-foot by 60-foot outbuilding with extensive fire showing. The Rapid Intervention Dispatch was requested to bring in additional personnel.

Officials says fire fighters performed an aggressive attack on the fire and made entry into the building. They found one man who was unconscious. He was removed from the barn and turned over medics. The man was transported to Frederick Health Hospital.

A second person was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

It took 45 fire fighters 15 minutes to bring the flames under control. There were no damages to nearby structures.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Frederick County Fire  Marshal’s Office.

By Kevin McManus

Officials say a suspected improvised explosive device was found.

Boonsboro, Md (KM) The Maryland State Fire  Marshal’s Office is investigating an incident at Boonsboro High School Wednesday afternoon.

Bomb Squad Technicians were called to the school along with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. They say a suspected  improvised explosive device was found in a student’s backpack. The device was determined to be a hoax and was rendered harmless.

Explosives Detection canines conducted a sweep of the school, and no other devices were found. Deputy State Fire Marshals and Bomb Squad Technicians cleared the scene by 3:00 PM.

Two students were taken to the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack for questioning. They have since been released to the custody of their parents.

The Fire Marshal’s Office says any charges in this incident will follow consultations between the local state’s attorney’s office and the Department of Juvenile Services..

By Kevin McManus

It featured Representatives April McClain Delaney and Jamie Raskin.

Rep. Jamie Raskin                                         Rep. April McClain Delaney

Frederick, Md (KM) IT was a full house Wednesday afternoon during a town hall at Rosenstock Hall at Hood College featuring 6th District Representative April McClain Delaney and 8th District Representative Jamie Raskin. Both answered questions from the audience.

The event was billed as an effort to find out how Trump Administration polices were affected the 6th District.

Audience members were told to fill out a card with their questions which were read by the moderator of the event, Frederick County Council President Brad Young.

One question came from a federal worker who said they were going to be fired, and want to know what they should do. “Our office is open, and we’ve also been trying to partner and pair with corporations and with state governments and non-profits to help in the short run,”  said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.

Representative Raskin said there might be a legal remedy for federal workers who have been fired or are expected to be terminated. “I know the AFL-CIO is in the process of creating an army of volunteer lawyers–a lot of them people who’ve either lost their jobs or have  resigned–who will work with individual federal employees. So be in touch with the AFL about that,” he said.

Another important issue addressed during the town hall was Social Security, which could be in the chopping block under the Trump Administration. “We’re going to defend Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security with everything we’ve got,” Congressman Raskin said to applause from the audience.

Raksin said the plan by Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is to fire a large number of Social Security employees. “Then they’re going to impose all of these mandates. And then they’re going to say Social Security doesn’t work. Then we’re going rescue Social Security by privatizing it and going to Wall Street which has been the program they’ve had for decades,”; Raskin said, to the sound of boos in the audience. “Look, this is going to be the Battle of Gettysburg with these people when they come after Social Security.”

Last week, the US House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through September, 2025. Representative Raskin was asked how he voted. “I voted hell no,” he answered.. “This was no clean continuing resolution. This continued the attack on Medicaid, on health care and the social infrastructure. It also implicitly validated all of their lawless attacks on the federal government.”

Congresswoman McClain Delaney said she voted “no” because numbers in the continuing resolution did not add up. “As I looked at that budget, and across all of our colleagues, we could not figured out how the numbers worked,” she said. “$850-billion they had to take out of Energy and Commerce, It doesn’t work. It doesn’t compute unless they cut Medicaid.”

Rosenstock Hall had reached it capacity on Wednesday afternoon so the town hall was also streamed live on Facebook.

By Kevin McManus

It featured Representatives April McClain Delaney and Jamie Raskin.

Rep. Jamie Raskin                                         Rep. April McClain Delaney

Frederick, Md (KM) IT was a full house Wednesday afternoon during a town hall at Rosenstock Hall at Hood College featuring 6th District Representative April McClain Delaney and 8th District Representative Jamie Raskin. Both answered questions from the audience.

The event was billed as an effort to find out how Trump Administration polices were affected the 6th District.

Audience members were told to fill out a card with their questions which were read by the moderator of the event, Frederick County Council President Brad Young.

One question came from a federal worker who said they were going to be fired, and want to know what they should do. “Our office is open, and we’ve also been trying to partner and pair with corporations and with state governments and non-profits to help in the short run,”  said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.

Representative Raskin said there might be a legal remedy for federal workers who have been fired or are expected to be terminated. “I know the AFL-CIO is in the process of creating an army of volunteer lawyers–a lot of them people who’ve either lost their jobs or have  resigned–who will work with individual federal employees. So be in touch with the AFL about that,” he said.

Another important issue addressed during the town hall was Social Security, which could be in the chopping block under the Trump Administration. “We’re going to defend Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security with everything we’ve got,” Congressman Raskin said to applause from the audience.

Raksin said the plan by Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is to fire a large number of Social Security employees. “Then they’re going to impose all of these mandates. And then they’re going to say Social Security doesn’t work. Then we’re going rescue Social Security by privatizing it and going to Wall Street which has been the program they’ve had for decades,”; Raskin said, to the sound of boos in the audience. “Look, this is going to be the Battle of Gettysburg with these people when they come after Social Security.”

Last week, the US House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through September, 2025. Representative Raskin was asked how he voted. “I voted hell no,” he answered.. “This was no clean continuing resolution. This continued the attack on Medicaid, on health care and the social infrastructure. It also implicitly validated all of their lawless attacks on the federal government.”

Congresswoman McClain Delaney said she voted “no” because numbers in the continuing resolution did not add up. “As I looked at that budget, and across all of our colleagues, we could not figured out how the numbers worked,” she said. “$850-billion they had to take out of Energy and Commerce, It doesn’t work. It doesn’t compute unless they cut Medicaid.”

Rosenstock Hall had reached it capacity on Wednesday afternoon so the town hall was also streamed live on Facebook.

By Kevin McManus

It’s expected to address the need for additional child care in the county.

Frederick, Md (KM) A study has been launched to determine the need for additional child care in Frederick County. The Division of Family Services along with Parks and Recreation as well the Public Consulting Group will be looking at the accessibility, affordability and quality of child care in the county.

The County says this new study builds on the 2024 Child Care Market Study which concentrated on families with young children. This new study will gather additional information on families with children from birth through age 12.  including viable options for expanding child care services to better support underserved communities.

County officials say the study will also assess the possibility of a County-sponsored child care service and explore new approaches to addressing the lack of child care. The specific focus will include analyzing the geographic disparities in child care availably, specifically in underserved areas. It will also assess the feasibility of establishing new child care centers, and determining the most strategic locations for creating child care services The study will also engage stakeholders,  such as parents,, providers and community organizations, to make sure there is a wide range of perspectives when it comes to policy recommendations.

“Frederick County families continue to struggle with limited child care options, and a shortage of available slots,” says Kelli Goetz, the Director of the Frederick County Division of Family Services.

“This study will provide data-driven solutions to expand child care access and support our local workforce,” says Joe Hayden, Deputy Director of Frederick County’s Division of Parks and Recreation.

The new study will use surveys, focus groups and interviews to gather information.

For more information, go on line to www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ChildCare.

By Kevin McManus

Residents  receive text messages they have unpaid tolls.

Toll scam.  Frederick Police urge you to not to respond.  (Photo from Frederick Police Dept,)

Frederick, Md (IKM) Frederick Police call it a dangerous new scam that’s spreading across the nation. These scammers send out text messages telling the recipients that they have unpaid tolls, and must pay them immediately, or be fined.

Authorities say these messages look like they’re from local toll agencies, but they’re fake, and designed to steal your money and personal information.

Police say if you receive one of these text messages, do not click on any links; do not provide any personal or financial information; and delete the message immediately.

You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission or you cell phone provider, For the FTC, go on line to reportfraud.ftc.gov.

By Kevin McManus

She will be required to pay restitution.

Baltimore, Md (KM) Sentence was handed down on Monday, March 17th to a Middletown woman for felony theft. In Frederick County Circuit Court, Cheryl Leigh Gray, 50, was given five years incarceration with all but 60 days suspended. She will be placed on five years of supervised probation, and must pay restitution of $65,000. 

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office says Gray had been convicted on April 5th, 2024 for theft between $25,000 and $100,00  when she was working in the insurance industry. She was ordered at that time to pay restitution.

Officials say Gray borrowed $65,000 from a friend, claiming she needed the money for medical treatment. But she used that money to pay restitution from the earlier case.

Gray pleaded guilty on February 10th, 2025 to felony theft between $25,000 and $100,000  in this recent case.

This case was handled by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office Fraud and Corruption Unit, and the Maryland Insurance Administration.

By Kevin McManus  

He is charged with sexually abusing a girl who was his patient.

Frederick County Court House

Frederick, Md (KM) The trial of  former Frederick Pediatrician Ernesto Torres continued on Wednesday in Circuit Court.   The State’s Attorney’s Office says four witnesses were called to the stand.

Torres is on trial for four counts related to the sexual abuse of a girl who was his patient when she was between 9 and 11 years of age.

The trial is expected to resume on Thursday at 9:00 AM.

Torres also faces over 100 other charges of sexual abuse of children dating back many years.

By Kevin McManus

Lawmakers must pass a budget bill by March 31st.

Frederick County State Senator Karen Lewis Young

Annapolis, Md (KM) The 2025 Maryland General Assembly is nearing the end, and lawmakers have yet to adopt a budget bill.  That deadline is March 31st.

The state is facing a nearly $3 billion deficit for fiscal year 2026. The Governor has submitted a budget with two-thirds cuts, and one-third revenue generators.

“It’s going to painful. In fact, extremely painful. But we are getting close,”: says Frederick County State Senator Karen Lewis Young, who is describing what cuts will need to be made to bring this budget into balance.

But she says a number of programs which affect our core values will need to be cut, and a number of people will be affected. “To give people medical care that afford it overwise. To feed children that aren’t getting proper nutrition overwise. To help the elderly where they have no other place to go. And to assist those with disabilities to have a basic quality of life,” she said.

Lewis Young says what needs to be done is to “look for protections for the absolutely most vulnerable. The reality is we’re going to have to find some revenue and fee increases to fund that.”

However, a number of legislators don’t want to increase taxes or fees to close the budget gap. “When you got people pushing back on additional revenue, you just have to make some very, very challenging decisions,” says Senator Lewis Young.

The 2025 General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn Sine Die  on Monday, April 7th at 12-midnight. But Lewis Young says lawmakers may be back in session before the year is out. “We may be very well be back here in September because there’s a major unknown which is what the federal government is going to do going forward,” she says. “And so many of our programs that do help fund the most vulnerable with health care and services are federally subsidized.”

Through all these concerns about the budget, Senator Lewis Young says there is some good news. The Route 15 widening project is still in the Governor’s budget as is the downtown Frederick hotel and conference center.

By Kevin McManus

He is charged with sexually abusing dozens of children over several years.

Frederick County Court House

Fredeirick, Md (KM) The trial of a former Frederick pediatrician got underway in Circuit Court on Tuesday. Ernesto Cesar Torres, 74, is charged with sexually abusing dozens of children over several years.

The State’s Attorney’s Office says jury selection was completed on Tuesday, and a witness for the prosecution took the stand and completed their testimony.

The trial resumes on Wednesday at 9:00 AM.

Presiding over the trial is Circuit Court Judge William Nicklas.

By Kevin McManus