Western Maryland College

An ROTC cadet at Western Maryland College recently received the ROTC Medal for Heroism, the highest award given to cadets by the Army, for helping to save the life of the driver of an overturned UPS van in August 1996.Dudley "D. J." Cobb, 23, a former Severn and Laurel resident who lives in Westminster with his wife, was honored earlier this month in a ceremony at the school where he is a senior majoring in exercise science.Cobb was traveling to Lynchburg, Va., with the college soccer team when a United Parcel Service truck swerved and overturned ahead of the team's southbound vehicle on U.S. 29 in Virginia.

FireWestminster: Firefighters from Reese, Manchester and Pleasant Valley assisted Westminster at 8: 58 p.m. Tuesday, responding to a building fire in the first block of College View Blvd. Units were out 29 minutes.Westminster: Firefighters from Reese assisted Westminster at 2: 15 a.m. yesterday, responding to a smoke detector alarm in the 400 block of Logan Drive. Units were out 16 minutes.PoliceWestminster: An employee of Western Maryland College told police Tuesday that someone stole items from a costume room at the college.

FireWestminster: Firefighters responded at 7: 44 p.m. Thursday to a fire alarm in the 600 block of Gist Road. Units were out 10 minutes.PoliceWestminster: Westminster Fire Department reported Wednesday that someone damaged freshly poured concrete at the side of the new fire station on John Street. Damage was estimated at $100.Westminster: A student at Western Maryland College told police that property was stolen from her dorm room. The loss was estimated at $3,000.Pub Date: 10/12/98

Western Maryland College is seeking student and nonstudent musicians to play in its Concert Band. The 60-member band is open to musicians ranging from high school students to seniors. Starting Aug. 29, the band will practice from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Wednesdays in the addition to Levine Hall off Main Street. The fall semester concert will be held Dec. 7 and will feature a newly arranged work featuring soundtrack highlights from Pearl Harbor. Interested musicians can call Linda Kirkpatrick at 410-857-2550 for an interview.

1836: Westminster banker born John L. Reifsnider was born Oct. 19, 1836. Reifsnider began working at his father's Westminster business when he was 14. He excelled in his work. The wholesale and retail business was renamed Reifsnider and Son four years later. In addition to running his father's business, Reifsnider also participated in the tobacco trade, was president of Westminster's largest bank, served as a trustee of Western Maryland College and was president of Westminster Gas Light Co. until his death in 1905.

A new brochure will tout Westminster retail businesses to newcomers, tourists and Western Maryland College students.City housing and community development staff members and the Westminster Business Association compiled the information for the brochure. The city used part of a $5,000 state grant awarded several years ago to hire a graphics artist to design the brochure and for printing costs, said Karen B. Blandford, supervisor of housing, community development and personnel.Sponsors printed 5,000 copies of the brochures, which are being distributed to businesses, the local tourism center, city and county government offices and Western Maryland College.

PoliceWestminster: A resident of Webster Street reported that someone broke into his automobile while it was parked near his house and stole property Thursday. He estimated the theft at $1,007.Westminster: A student at Western Maryland College told police that someone broke into his vehicle while it was parked on the campus and stole property Thursday. He estimated the theft at $150.Westminster: A resident of Charles Street reported that someone stole hubcaps from his vehicle while it was parked near his house Thursday.

Florence Ellen Earp, a retired piano teacher, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease July 12 at Ridge Overlook Assisted Living in Westminster. She was 94. Born Florence Ellen Rowe in Mechanicsburg, Pa., she earned a degree in music education and English at Westchester College. In 1938, she married Dr. James Pearsall Earp, a sociology professor at Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College. He died in 1984. Mrs. Earp taught music for 15 years at Westminster Junior High School and gave piano lessons at home.

Western Maryland College's plan to reduce interest costs by refinancing a bond issue is scheduled to go to the Westminster City Council for approval tonight.The council will meet at 7 p.m. in the Westminster fire hall on East Main Street.Other items on the agenda include action on rules that would allow merchants to place sandwich board signs on sidewalks, but would bar neon or flashing lights; and a proposal to increase the minimum charge for restoring water service after it is cut off from $10 to $50.City Public Works Director Thomas B. Beyard said the city has the legal authority to charge its actual cost but historically has billed customers only the $10 minimum set by the city code.