Westminster Fire

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company recently held its 121st annual installation and awards banquet. Top fire responders for 1999 were: Jay Wallace, Kevin Utz, Jack Lippy, Mike Spencer, Dave Franklin, Shane Holmes, Charlie Tolle, Jeff Alexander, George Thomas and Bryan Tolle. Top ambulance responders for 1999 were: Mike Schlotthober, John Wilson, Scott Jeznach, James Falise Jr., Tracy Lewis, Mike Spencer, Jeff Ausherman, Ray Ingram, Kristen Lippy and Charlie Simpson. Administrative officers for 2000 are: James E. Bangerd III, president; Robert Schultz, first vice president; Terry Haines, second vice president; Tracy Lewis, secretary; Richard Koons, assistant; and David Franklin, treasurer.

An early morning fire Tuesday has claimed the life of an 80-year-old Carroll County man. Firefighters found the body of Stanley J. Kundin in the basement of the wood-frame ranch home in the 3200 block of Old Washington Road In Westminster. A preliminary investigation has found that the fire likely started in Kundin's separate living quarters in a new addition to his son's home. Family members were alerted by a smoke alarm sounding at about 1 a.m., said Deputy Fire Marshal Bruce D. Bouch.

After nearly a century at 66 E. Main St., the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company needs more elbow room.Company officials confirmed last week that the group, organized in 1823 and incorporated in 1879, is looking for land to build a new home. The fire company built the first section of its current building in 1895."We're trying to stay close to the city, but we need to find a place suitable for our needs," said former president Gary L. Hooper.James E. Bangerd III, the company's current president, was unavailable for comment.

Families in Carroll County are gearing up for Independence Day festivities - stocking up on hot dogs, chips, and soda for backyard barbecues and reunions, buying fireworks from temporary stands and attending carnivals. "The Fourth of July is a family day," said Jeff Alexander, Westminster fire chief. "Everybody has their own traditions and celebrations. But we want to make it a safe holiday." To ensure safety at the county's biggest Independence Day celebration, the Westminster Fire Department helps with the Carroll County Farm Museum festivities, Alexander said.

THE DECISION by the Carroll County commissioners not to purchase the Westminster fire hall should be seen as a temporary setback but not a defeat of efforts to recycle the structure. As the most architecturally striking building on Main Street in the county seat, it is far from being a white elephant. In the right hands, in fact, the edifice could be the focal point of revitalization for Westminster's commercial district.Obviously, the Westminster Fire Company is interested in selling the building.

Dryer fires causes school evacuationMore than 1,000 students and teachers at West Middle School in Westminster were evacuated yesterday after a dryer caught fire, officials said.Westminster Fire Lt. Fred Plunkert said towels or clothing caught fire in a dryer in the girls locker room about 2:30 p.m."We don't know if the dryer overheated or whether it was on the right setting," he said.Mr. Plunkert said the dryer sustained minor damage. He said there was no smoke damage to the school on Monroe Street.

Bill Brehm knew something was up when Westminster Fire and Hose Co. Chief Jay Nusbaum came looking for the coat Mr. Brehm had burned in a fire last year shortly before the annual fire company banquet."

Two people were injured and six were left homeless Sunday when a two-alarm fire destroyed a house on Frock's Sunnybrook Farm in Westminster.One unidentified female resident was treated at Carroll County General Hospital for smoke inhalation. Firefighter Jim Starry, 29, of the Westminster Fire Company was treated for first-degree burns of the face, neck and ear.Both were released, a hospital spokeswoman said.The more than 75 firefighters dispatched from stations in Westminster, Reese, Pleasant Valley, Manchester, New Windsor, Hampstead and Winfield were interrupted in their efforts when outside electric meters and some ammunition in one of the apartments exploded.

A Carroll Circuit judge ordered yesterday that a Westminster man continue mental health treatment until his sentencing in November after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife and a police officer in unrelated incidents. Daniel J. Mebust, 30, pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of second-degree assault, violation of a protective order and malicious destruction of property. According to prosecutor Clarence W. Beall III, Mebust violated a protective order in July 1999 by visiting his wife's home and struck a Hampstead officer with a ceiling tile after he was arrested.

A Pimlico man is the ninth person arrested on drug charges as part of a four-month undercover operation by Westminster police, authorities said.The investigation was aimed at street dealers to reduce the availability of drugs such as crack cocaine and marijuana on the street, police said.The arrest Wednesday followed eight others since Jan. 31.The investigation began in October, and police have said they expect to make six more arrests.Louis D. Fortune, 34, was charged with possession and distribution of cocaine, conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

A Carroll County woman suspected of starting a fire at a Westminster restaurant on Aug. 4 was arrested yesterday, authorities said. Joan Glover Ecker, 35, of the 100 block of Brookview Court in Westminster was charged with first- and second-degree arson in an early morning fire that caused approximately $10,000 in damage to Harry's Main Street Restaurant, closing the business for four days, police said. Ecker, the opening breakfast cook at the restaurant, was being held yesterday afternoon at Carroll County Detention Center awaiting a bail review, authorities said.

Firefighter safety promotion Tuesday On Tuesday, the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department will join with fire service organizations across the United States and Canada to bring attention to the rapidly rising number of firefighter deaths and injuries in our nation. This day will be dedicated to issues involving personal and organizational firefighter safety. I'm appealing to the public to recognize the sacrifice and dedication of these brave volunteer and paid emergency services personnel.

Carroll County school officials will develop countywide emergency evacuation guidelines in response to parents who complained that Westminster High's policy requires disabled children be taken to a stairwell to wait for firefighters while other students leave the building, schools Superintendent Charles I. Ecker said yesterday. "We're going to develop some countywide guidelines, which we do not have at this point, to assist schools," Ecker said at a news conference. "Each school has to develop its own emergency evacuation plan, depending on the facility."

Carroll County school officials will develop countywide emergency evacuation guidelines in response to parents who complained that Westminster High's policy requires disabled children be taken to a stairwell to wait for firefighters while other students leave the building, schools Superintendent Charles I. Ecker said yesterday. "We're going to develop some countywide guidelines, which we do not have at this point, to assist schools," Ecker said at a news conference. "Each school has to develop its own emergency evacuation plan, depending on the facility."

Fire starts on truck carrying explosives A pickup truck carrying explosive devices caught fire and pulled into the parking lot behind the Winchester Exchange Building off Railroad Avenue in Westminster shortly before 9 a.m. yesterday. The truck driver quickly unloaded his cargo and set it away from the vehicle and then used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. "It appeared to be the brake rotor that caught fire," said fire engineer Ivan Browning of the Westminster Fire Department.

Carroll County's largest senior housing community has decided to voluntarily install sprinkler systems in its new developments, at a cost of $300,000. Although not bound by law to install the systems in its residential units, Carroll Lutheran Village said its population merits the extra safety measure. "We see it as a real significant safety factor and if we're going to help them age in place, we're going to help them do so safely and securely," said Hermine Saunders, director of church and public relations for Carroll Lutheran Village.

Two people were injured and six were left homeless when a two-alarm fire destroyed a house on Frock's Sunnybrook Farm in Westminster on Sunday.One of the residents, an unidentified woman, was treated at Carroll County General Hospital for smoke inhalation, and a firefighter was taken to the same hospital for injuries suffered at the scene. Both were released, a hospital spokeswoman said.More than 75 firefighters dispatched from stations in Westminster, Reese, Pleasant Valley, Manchester, New Windsor, Hampstead and Winfield were interrupted in their battle when electric meters mounted on the outside and ammunition in one of the apartments exploded.

Name: Wilbur C. WellerHonored by The Carroll County Sun for: Forhis 50 years of volunteer service with the Westminster Fire Department; while working full time for Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., he alsoserved the fire department in several capacities including line officer, assistant chief, chief and presidentAge: 80Residence; hometown: WestminsterEducation: Graduate of Westminster High SchoolFamily: Widowed in 1976; daughter: Ann Norvell of Westminster; three...

Two of downtown Westminster's most notable redevelopment projects will receive awards from Gov. Parris N. Glendening this week on behalf of his Smart Growth initiative. The Old Firehouse on East Main Street, by David Max of the Max Group, and Paradiso Italian Restaurant on Distillery Drive, by Salvatore and June Romeo, will be honored in the category of redevelopment and revitalization in a ceremony Thursday in Annapolis. "We're very pleased that both projects we nominated were selected," said Karen K. Blandford, the city's manager of housing and community development.