South Branch Park's warehouse and the Sykes building will be the top priorities in the town's revitalization effort of the 10-acre park.

The town council on Oct. 14 voted 6-0 to approve a $139,120 stabilization budget for the park.

The town is leasing the park from Howard County for $1 a year for 35 years and is working to redevelop the park for recreational and limited commercial use.

The budget was recommended by a task force of Town Manager Matt Candland, Mayor Jonathan Herman, resident Al McEvoy and Main Street Manager Ivy Wells.

The town is looking to spend about $65,000 to fix the old apple warehouse and $36,500 to fix what is believed to be town founder James Sykes' old mill office.

A 10 percent contingency in each building budget is built in for cost overruns, Candland said.

The first phase also includes $10,000 to relocate the entrance of the park to eliminate an obstructed view. Also $15,000 is in the budget to pay supervisors and project managers for the work.

Councilman Frank Robert Jr. said he would like cameras to be added to the building security line item in the budget.

The town has $200,000 in bonds from the state and Howard County to put toward the park. As of Oct. 1, the town had spent $12,620 of that money.

-- Charles Schelle

VFW to host benefits awareness seminar

The VFW American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, will host a Benefit Awareness program on Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Poole Road in Westminster. Officers will be on hand to help with problems with Veterans benefits.

Veterans who would like assistance should bring discharge papers and any other forms that might be helpful. Contact Mike Sater at 410-239-2489.

Lippy's name to be on national memorial

Maryland State Police Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy of Westminster was one of four Maryland law enforcement officers memorialized Oct. 15 in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Seventeen officers from federal and state law enforcement agencies in the region, including Maryland and Virginia, who were killed in the line of duty, were honored at the event.

Lippy, who was a paramedic at the Gamber and Community Fire Co. in addition to being a state trooper, was killed in a helicopter crash last month while performing a medical evaluation of two critically injured teenagers from Charles County.

About 300 friends, family and law enforcement officers attended the Oct. 15 service, which included the honoring of the Maryland Transportation Authority's Cpl. Courtney Brooks, Prince George's County Police Sgt. Richard Findley and Smithsburg Police Officer Christopher Nicholson.

The names of the officers who died this year will be engraved on the memorial next spring and they will be officially dedicated during the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil in May 2009.

-- Michelle Zenarosa, Capital News Service

Seminar asks: What are teens thinking?

"What Are They Thinking?" a substance abuse awareness program for all ages, will be held Thursday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m., at the Portico at St. John's Church, Monroe Street, Westminster.

Keynote speaker for the evening is David McDuff, MD, an adolescent, addiction and sports psychiatrist. McDuff will address the developing adolescent brain, why teens make the decisions they do, teen addiction and tips for parents who want to communicate effectively with their teens.

Also speaking is former Baltimore Colt running back and NFL Hall of Fame member Lenny Moore.

Youth serving agencies in Carroll County will also be on hand at information booths. The event is free and open to the public and will include refreshments and a question and answer time.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The summit is sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners and hosted by Junction Inc., a substance abuse prevention and outpatient treatment agency. For more details call Junction at 410-848-6400.

Election day drive aids Carroll Food Sunday

The Democratic Central Committee will conduct an Election Day Food Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 4, in support of Carroll County Food Sunday.

Collection boxes will be placed at polling places where possible. For more information, call Martin Radinsky at 443-520-7750.

County to host session on airport assessment

Carroll County will host an open house for an environmental assessment of the proposed expansion at Carroll County Regional Airport at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the County Office Building, Room 003, 225 N. Center St., Westminster.

The public will have a chance to speak with project team members, ask questions, review exhibits and provide feedback.

Residents will be able to gather information about the development plan and environmental considerations.

In 2008, the county received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for an airport master plan update. The county is required to undertake an environmental review. For details, go to ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/airport/EA.

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