Wantz

The Russians are coming, and they will be bringing musical instruments. The Moscow Symphony Orchestra will take the stage Wednesday at Carroll Community College's Scott Center Theater for the CCC Foundation's Partners Campaign Starry Night gala. "The college is very excited to be bringing this cultural experience here because it is part of the strategic plan to bring cultural offerings to the college for the whole community," said Sylvia Blair, Carroll's community relations coordinator.

A vacant old log house in Westminster was extensively damaged in a two-alarm blaze that erupted about 9 p.m. Friday, fire officials reported.The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal, said Pleasant Valley Fire Chief Bill Wantz.One firefighter suffered burns of the ears battling the blaze that was brought under control in about 45 minutes but required about 3 1/2 hours to completely extinguish, the chief said.The firefighter, who was not identified, was treated at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.

Westminster Municipal Band, which expects to lose its rehearsal room when the local Fire Department moves this fall, has found temporary practice space."

Award-winning children's author Robert Lawrence (R.L.) Stine of Goosebumps fame and four other nationally recognized authors will speak and sign books at Carroll Community College's eighth book fair this weekend. Wes Unseld, former Baltimore and Washington Bullets center, coach and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, will be the honorary chairman of the event. "I'm looking forward to enjoying myself," said Unseld, a Carroll County resident. "I understand it's a fabulous event." Random House Inc., a publishing company with a distribution center in Westminster, partners with the college for the event.

On January 28, 2005 MARGARET ROBINSON CRUNKLETON STARKEY, a resident of Broadmead, Cockeysville, MD; beloved wife of the late Norman Sleight Starkey and devoted sister of Virginia Wantz of Westminster, MD and John Crunkleton of Baltimore, MD and the late Richard Crunkleton. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the family owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, Inc., 6500 York Road (at Overbrook) on Wednesday, February 2 from 1 P.M. to 1:30 P.M., at which time a Funeral Service will begin.

Red Ribbon Week promotes drug-free life The Carroll County public school system will participate in Red Ribbon Week, which began yesterday, along with schools, government agencies and social service organizations across the country. Red Ribbon Week is a celebration of positive choices and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle that touches the lives of 80 million young people and adults annually. Red Ribbon Week is a time for communities to come together in the fight against drugs. Schools will observe the week with activities, including essay and poster contests, assemblies, theme days and morning announcements about drugs.

Taneytown officials have promised that plans for three badly needed athletic fields won't be jeopardized by a developer's request to extend a storm water management pond into a city park.The pond is designed to control runoff for a Food Lion supermarket and Wantz Chevrolet dealership being built on the 9.56-acre Wantz commercial property that adjoins the city-owned Taneytown Rod and Gun Park. Property owner Leonard Wantz Jr. is negotiating with city government to acquire about one-half acre of the 7.5 acres that the city has earmarked for ball fields.

Investigators have narrowed their inquiry into the fatal beating of a Westminster pizza deliveryman, who died of head injuries March 2, nine days after he was found unconscious in an alley, police said yesterday. Chad Lee Weller, 36, was a part-time student at Western Maryland College and worked for Best Pizza in the first block of Pennsylvania Ave. He was found lying in Wantz Alley behind the pizza shop. His missing pickup truck was found abandoned a short distance away. "About 20 officers, including investigators from the sheriff's office and the state police, conducted door-to-door interviews [March 14]

TODAY MARKS the official opening of the Gathering Place, Taneytown's community center, which will be open three days each week. Many residents say they have wanted the center for a long time. "People have wanted this for many years," said Susan Reifsnider, one of a handful of people who worked tirelessly for the center and who will be volunteering to provide programs at the center. Darryl Hale, a Taneytown council member, agreed. "I decided when I ran for office, I was going to try and make it happen," Hale said.