Sugarloaf Mountain closedThe county's Office of Transportation Engineering is conducting the Stronghold Square Rehabilitation project at Comus Road and Sugarloaf Mountain Road, also known as Stronghold Square.
The square and entrance to Sugarloaf Mountain will be closed to the public until further notice, according to David Webster of Stronghold Inc. The only access permitted will be to the Strong Mansion for weddings and receptions.
Robert Shen, county engineering manager, said the project includes removal and reconstruction of road pavement, storm drainage improvements, new curbing and reconstruction of the sidewalks.
The 60-working-day contract equates to about three months, Shen said, weather permitting.
The intersection is open to traffic with minor delays, Shen said. Signs will be in place at least two weeks before any temporary closing.
VA authorizes emergency payments to students
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has authorized emergency payments of up to $3,000 for students who applied for educational benefits but have not received their money for books and housing, according to a press release from the department.
Starting today, students can go to a VA regional office with a photo ID and course schedule to request the advance payment, which would be deducted from future payments. The department will send representatives to schools with large veteran populations that are not near a regional office.
The department has about 25,000 applicants whose claims are pending and who may be eligible for the advance payment.
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays eligible service members and veterans a stipend for books and a monthly housing allowance. The department pays tuition directly to the colleges, in some cases as much as full in-state tuition.
Charles Murray to speak at Urbana library
Charles Murray, best known as the author of the best-seller "The Bell Curve," will discuss his latest book, "Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing America's Schools Back to Reality," on Sunday at the Urbana Library.
Murray, who lives in Burkittsville , will speak from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the library's community room.
In addition to being a political scientist and author, Murray is a father of four and a W.H. Brady Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington.
Murray holds a bachelor's degree in history from Harvard University and a doctorate in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
DNR checks for invasive crayfish
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, along with Hood College, Mount St. Mary's University and the University of Maryland Appalachian Laboratory, has launched the third year of a Monocacy River survey for a non-native, invasive species known as the rusty crayfish. DNR field crews will conduct surveys across the watershed during most of October and will be contacting private landowners to gain access to the river.
The rusty crayfish, discovered in the Monocacy in 2007, was likely introduced by anglers as discarded bait. It is established in the northern portion of the river.
The 2009 survey is intended to determine how far it has spread within the watershed over the past year and to study the potential for its control.
To prevent the spread of invasive species, anglers are urged to never release live unused bait or move live fish or crayfish from one body of water to another. Anglers are reminded that possession and use of live crayfishes are prohibited in the Upper Potomac, Middle Potomac, and Lower Susquehanna River basins. All crayfish caught, possessed or used as bait must have heads removed immediately upon capture.
For information, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.
Police Activities League announces fall schedule
The Frederick Police Activities League program has resumed at the Sagner PAL Center and at Hillcrest Elementary.
The Sagner PAL Center, open from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, offers computer classes, homework assistance, open gym, reading club, health and nutrition, and cooking classes. A karate program has resumed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Hillcrest Elementary PAL program, open from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, offers open gym and karate. Karate will be from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
To register your child please visit one of the locations, or go to www.cityoffrederick.com/police to download a registration form.
The PAL program, a recreation-oriented juvenile crime prevention program, relies on athletics and recreational activities to create and cement the bond between police officers and kids on the street.
For information, call Michele Bowman, the department's community outreach coordinator, at 301-600-2091.
Air Force band to play at CHS
The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band will perform Oct. 9 at Catoctin High School.
The 7 p.m. concert is sponsored by the Thurmont Town Commissioners and the Thurmont Park Commission. It is free and open to the public.
Formed in 1941, the Heritage of America Band will perform traditional classics, marches, contemporary selections and feature a soloist and patriotic music.
This is the band's sixth performance in Thurmont since 1997.
Admission is by ticket only. To order tickets, call George Wireman at 301-271-7966.
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