Hampstead Area

State officials told a group of Hampstead area residents last night that they are still unsure how their wells became contaminated by a toxic gasoline additive. Herbert Meade, chief of oil control for the Maryland Department of the Environment, told about 40 people at the Hampstead Town Hall that officials have investigated four possible sources for the methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, in their wells. Investigators have checked a Shell Jiffy Mart service station in town and three residences, including one where they discovered a leaking underground gas tank.

State officials told a group of Hampstead area residents last night that they are still unsure how their wells became contaminated by a toxic gasoline additive. Herbert Meade, chief of oil control for the Maryland Department of the Environment, told about 40 people at the Hampstead Town Hall that officials have investigated four possible sources for the methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, in their wells. Investigators have checked a Shell Jiffy Mart service station in town and three residences, including one where they discovered a leaking underground gas tank.

The Hampstead Business Association will meet at 7 p.m. today at Dean's Restaurant, 832 S. Main St.The association provides a voice for the merchants and professionals of the Hampstead area. New members are welcome. Members will be contacted soon to survey their needs and opinions on several issues.Agenda matters for the HBA include: increasing membership and active participation, sponsoring a community service program or event, assembling a Hampstead Bypass committee and increasing public awareness of the organization.

EXPLORE WHAT Hampstead has to offer during the annual Hampstead Business Expo, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at North Carroll High School, off Hampstead-Mexico Road. The expo is an annual showcase of businesses and services in the Hampstead area. Sponsored by the Hampstead Business Association, it showcases the small businesses integral to the community. This year, more than 80 Hampstead-area businesses will have exhibits at the expo. It's a chance for neighborly conversation with the people behind the storefronts of Main Street and beyond.

Vandals, apparently armed with a pellet gun, a slingshot and a bag of marbles, roamed from Manchester through Hampstead to Westminster over the weekend, shattering more than 30 windows of cars and homes.The vandals, believed to be at least two people riding in an automobile, broke two side windows of a marked state police car while it was parked on Main Street in Hampstead.That damage was discovered early Saturday morning when Tfc. George Prager prepared for duty.Manchester area residents reported two vehicles were struck with projectiles, apparently before the vandals moved south to the Hampstead area.

50 years agoWhile urging the maintenance of peace, Senator Tydings declared at the dedication of a $6,000 war memorial at Hampstead that "we must keep our nation strong on land, sea and air. Never, never, never, will there be the luxury of time to get ready, for war will strike here if it comes again. Unless we dedicate ourselves to the cause of peace, we will be back here again 30 years from now," the senator warned an audience of more than 500 who gathered for dedication exercises at the entrance to Hampstead High School, where the stone memorial was erected.

Hampstead Business Expo promoting small businesses and services available in the Hampstead area will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at North Carroll High School.Hampstead Business Association, with about 220 members, sponsors the annual expo. New members are welcome. Reservations for exhibition space should be made before Saturday.Career opportunities will be presented by Carroll Community College, Western Maryland College, Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Hampstead, DARE and Carroll County Office of Tourism.

Hampstead's Town Council will meet in an emergency session at 7:30 p.m. today to discuss the trash contract recently awarded to Hughes Trash Removal.Town Manager Len Bohager said Hampstead's attorney, Richard Murray, recommended the meeting. Mr. Murray was concerned that the other four bids may not have been properly disqualified. If that is the case, the council's vote Tuesday night to award Hughes the contract could be challenged in the courts and overturned, Mr. Bohager said.The low bid of $76,969 was submitted by Frederick Sanitation for the first year of the contract.

A stolen credit card that was used to call an adult entertainment line in California helped state police crack about 25 cases of mail theft in the Hampstead area, authorities said.A 16-year-old boy from Hampstead was arrested Sunday on 45 counts of theft under $300, 41 counts of unlawful letter opening, DTC one count of credit card theft, four counts of credit card fraud and theft conspiracy involving two others -- a 17-year-old Hampstead boy and an 18-year-old Manchester man.The 16-year-old was not named and the two older suspects have not been charged, said Tfc. Chris Hannon of the state police barracks in Westminster.

EXPLORE WHAT Hampstead has to offer during the annual Hampstead Business Expo, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at North Carroll High School, off Hampstead-Mexico Road. The expo is an annual showcase of businesses and services in the Hampstead area. Sponsored by the Hampstead Business Association, it showcases the small businesses integral to the community. This year, more than 80 Hampstead-area businesses will have exhibits at the expo. It's a chance for neighborly conversation with the people behind the storefronts of Main Street and beyond.

Hampstead officials are relieved to learn that Black & Decker Inc., the fifth-largest employer in Carroll County, plans to retain its operations outside town, even though the company is selling its factory and distribution center. The Towson-based company confirmed Friday it is selling its 800,000-square-foot factory and distribution center and accompanying 280 acres on Hanover Pike to a Boston redeveloper. Black & Decker will lease back half the building and retain most of its operations, including light manufacturing, customer service, product-service operations and packaging.

A stolen credit card that was used to call an adult entertainment line in California helped state police crack about 25 cases of mail theft in the Hampstead area, authorities said.A 16-year-old boy from Hampstead was arrested Sunday on 45 counts of theft under $300, 41 counts of unlawful letter opening, DTC one count of credit card theft, four counts of credit card fraud and theft conspiracy involving two others -- a 17-year-old Hampstead boy and an 18-year-old Manchester man.The 16-year-old was not named and the two older suspects have not been charged, said Tfc. Chris Hannon of the state police barracks in Westminster.

Hampstead Business Expo promoting small businesses and services available in the Hampstead area will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at North Carroll High School.Hampstead Business Association, with about 220 members, sponsors the annual expo. New members are welcome. Reservations for exhibition space should be made before Saturday.Career opportunities will be presented by Carroll Community College, Western Maryland College, Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Hampstead, DARE and Carroll County Office of Tourism.

50 years agoWhile urging the maintenance of peace, Senator Tydings declared at the dedication of a $6,000 war memorial at Hampstead that "we must keep our nation strong on land, sea and air. Never, never, never, will there be the luxury of time to get ready, for war will strike here if it comes again. Unless we dedicate ourselves to the cause of peace, we will be back here again 30 years from now," the senator warned an audience of more than 500 who gathered for dedication exercises at the entrance to Hampstead High School, where the stone memorial was erected.

County Commissioner W. Benjamin Brown has sent a scathing letter to the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission calling for a residential building moratorium in the Eldersburg and Hampstead areas."

County Commissioner W. Benjamin Brown has sent a scathing letter to the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission calling for a residential building moratorium in the Eldersburg and Hampstead areas."

A 14-year-old who could run "like a deer," according to a state trooper, led officers on a stolen vehicle and foot chase before he was captured in a Hampstead corn field about noon Thursday.The Hampstead boy, who had previously been incarcerated at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School for juvenile offenders in Baltimore County and vowed never to go back, was living at his parents' house under a house arrest program, authorities said.State police said the boy, whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile, stole his mother's car Wednesday night and wrecked it in the Hampstead area.

Retired Baltimore officer hired as Hampstead's 4th 0) policemanRaymond J. Trawinski was ceremonially sworn in as Hampstead's fourth police officer at a Town Council meeting Monday night.The veteran of 23 1/2 years with the Baltimore City Police took his real oath July 6, when he started the $20,500 job.He has an A.A. degree in law enforcement from Essex Community College. In Baltimore, he spent five years as a patrol officer, followed by 19 years as a detective investigating burglary, homicide and automobile theft cases.

HOW CAN television best serve the Hampstead area?Representatives from WMAR-TV, Channel 2, have approached the Hampstead Business Association, and at the association's Feb. 7 meeting, they'll try to find what viewers in our area want."

Hampstead's Town Council is expected to welcome a new member tomorrow as it considers resumes of three residents to fill the term of Councilwoman Jacqueline Hyatt, who resigned last month. It doesn't appear, however, thenburg, Seth Shipley and Haven N. Shoemaker Jr. -- are in their late 20s or early 30s, live in one of the newer Hampstead developments and support the slow-growth policies pursued by council members who took office in the spring.Even after Mayor Christopher M. Nevin said he would welcome diversity on the council, these are the only three who have applied.