Homepage Updates - 3rd Quarter 2003

September 18, 2003

 
Federal Workers Get Four Day Weekend
For the second straight day, Hurricane Isabel will shut down the Federal Government in the Washington Metropolitan area. Susan Bryant, deputy director of communications with the OPM, says there are "concerns of safety and security for federal employees" and only essential personnel should report.

Updated Weather Outlook
Bands of heavy rain and tropical storm force winds will continue... Through 11 PM expect periods of heavy rain and tropical storm winds gusting to 50 mph. Rainfall amounts of around 1 inch is possible in the heaviest rain bands. Expect dangerous conditions across the region to continue well into the overnight. The combination of strong winds and wet soil conditions will likely result in downed trees and power outages.  (9.18.03 - 9:02pm)

Tropical Storm Wind Warning Thru Friday
Inland tropical storm wind warning this afternoon through Friday morning. Flood watch tonight through Friday night. (9.18.03 - 3:37pm)

This Afternoon - High winds. Squalls and thunderstorms. Temperatures in the mid 60s. Northeast winds increasing to 30 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

Tonight - High winds. Squalls and thunderstorms. Temperatures in the mid 60s. East winds 35 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph.

Friday - High winds. Squalls and thunderstorms decreasing in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds 45 to 50 mph becoming southwest 30 to 35 mph in the afternoon.

Federal Government Closes, Frederick Schools & Metro Plan To Close Early
The federal government in the Washington area announced it would be closed Thursday, the District of Columbia government closed its offices and Metro announced it would close early in preparation for Hurricane Isabel.  The decision to give 350,000 federal workers the day off was made in "an abundance of caution," an Office of Personnel Management spokesman said. Federal workers were urged to follow news reports Thursday for an announcement on Friday's status.   Meanwhile, Frederick County schools plan to close 2 hours early Thursday, while Montgomery County schools are closed completely tomorrow. (9.17.03 - 9:58pm)
be prepared - hurricane disaster kit

Maryland Governor Ehrlich Declares State of Emergency
Ehrlich called the National Guard to active-duty status tonight so troops will be ready when Hurricane Isabel strikes Maryland later this week.  Ehrlich says it's simply a matter of readiness. He says state officials are not expecting the worst from the Category Two storm, but that could change.  The governor adds that the hurricane is still powerful enough to cause major damage and flooding even if it doesn't pick up strength as it crosses the Gulf Stream. He says flooding is biggest concern. (9.17.03)

Hurricane Watch In Effect
The National Weather Service has placed in effect a Hurricane Watch for much of the MD, DC & VA area.  Rainfall totals from Isabel for Thursday into Friday of 3 to 6 inches are expected in the Baltimore - Washington Area, over the Chesapeake Bay and across Southern Maryland. For the piedmont and mountain areas of Maryland...Virginia And West Virginia...rainfall totals of 6 To 10 inches are possible with isolated amounts of 12 inches or more. This could cause serious flash flooding and mudslides with potentially major flooding of some rivers.  Isabel is presently a Category 2 storm, however, conditions could become favorable for re-strengthening prior to landfall. (9.17.03)
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Tropical Prediction Center

Isabel Headed Our Way?
Current predictions have the path of Hurricane Isabel, currently a category 4 Storm with 150 mile per hour sustained winds, heading almost directly over Urbana in the 5 day storm track from the National Weather Service.  Look for the possibility of heavy rain and high winds Thursday into Friday.  With that comes the possibility for flooding and power outages.  Northeastern US Residents are being urged to prepare in advance for the potential impact of the storm. (9.15.03)
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Tropical Prediction Center

Field Of Screams!
The Frederick Keys will hold their “Field of Screams” beginning October 10 and ending November 1 at Harry Grove Stadium . The designated fright nights are listed their website promotional schedule and in the “stadium events” menu. The “Field of Screams” is rated PG-14. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for youth 14 years and under. The haunting begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 10:30 p.m. Please call 301-815-9900 or toll-free 1/877-8GOKEYS to find out more and ask about the discounts available to groups of 10 more. (9.12.03)
Frederick Keys Website

Neighborhood Watch Meeting
Due to recent break-ins, the Villages of Urbana are trying to form a neighborhood watch. Deputies Kevin White and Thomas Johann of the Frederick County Sheriff's office have agreed to meet with residents to go over the process for starting a neighborhood watch, and what steps will be needed to maintain a safer community. The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18th at 7:00pm in the Community Recreation Center. (9.12.03)

Intruder Enters Urbana Homes
Two homeowners awoke last week to find an intruder in their houses and the Frederick County Sheriff's Office is asking for help finding the perpetrator.  The break ins took place on Singleton Place and Sweetbriar Lane.  Sheriff's Deputies said the intruder probably made entry thru the basement door in both cases. (9.5.03)
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Free Satellite TV Offer!
UrbanaMaryland.com is offering a great deal on the Dish Network.  It includes, one month of FREE Satellite TV, FREE installation of up to 4 receivers in 4 rooms & no equipment to buy.
Click for more information or to sign up

Visitor Center Funds Shelved Till FY 2005
A new visitor center for the Monocacy Battlefield, with an estimated price tag of $3 million dollars has been moved off the National Park Service's funding for next fiscal year.  Originally, the project was to start in Spring or Summer 2004.  Funding is now tentatively set for FY 2005.  The existing center has flooded numerous times since opening in 1991 and is too small according to park caretakers.  The battlefield draws approximately 20,000 visitors a year.(9.3.03)
Monocacy Battlefield Website.

Urbana Elementary Open House
Urbana Elementary School will hold an open house on Friday August 22 from 2-4pm.  Students and parents are invited to meet principal Connie Banes, tour the school, find classrooms and more. (8.19.03)

VOU Summer Concerts Come To A Close
The final concert in the Villages of Urbana summer concert series will be held from 7-9pm on August 30th at the new swimming pool facility grounds.  The Liz Briones band will be the featured performer. (8.19.03)

Cultural Festival Coming to Frederick
The Frederick County Human Relations Commission will sponsor Frederick County's Cultural Festival 2003, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 6th at Baker Park and the William Talley Recreation Center in Frederick. Dina Boyd, event manager, calls the Festival "an "E-F" event: an exciting, entertaining, educational, ethnic extravaganza where family and friends can feast, fellowship, and have fun for free." For more info, contact Dina at 301-228-2461 or 301-693-4758 or dinae@fhtm.us. (8.14.03)

Residents Campaign for Post Office
UrbanaMaryland.com's webmaster John Yaglenski was featured in a front page article from today's Gazette Newspaper about bringing a Post Office to Urbana.  The letter writing effort began three weeks ago to Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Dist. 6) and it appears, his office supports the establishment of an Urbana location.  (7.24.03)
Read the Gazette Article Online
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Urbana Carnival Opens to Huge Crowd
The Urbana Volunteer Fireman's Annual Community Carnival is underway at the Urbana Fire House and Fairgrounds and will take place July 14 and running thru July 19. Carnival hours are from 6-10pm weeknights and all day on Saturday July 19. Featured will be bands, games, raffles, food and rides. Also on tap for 16th of July will be a spectacular fireworks display at dark. (7.14.03)
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