by Geoff Fox
It seems just like yesterday 2023 was starting and we were looking back at the previous year, but it’s now 2024 and we’re setting forth on a brand-new calendar.
There were ups and downs in Hancock in the past 12 months, so let’s take a look back at some of the headlines from 2023…
January
The Hancock Museum in the basement of Town Hall reopens.
The BFS Travel Plaza begins its grand opening as the convenience store and Little Caesar’s open.
Gary Lee Jersild, Jr., 45, of Kearneysville, is arrested after allegedly assaulting a 15-year old Hancock teen.
Pennsylvania State Police investigate a bank robbery in Fulton County.
February
John Franklin Houndersheldt III, 31, of Hancock, is arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing his wife with a screwdriver at a Hancock restaurant.
Washington County looks to buy the road supply area along Sideling Hill west of Hancock.
Hancock residents can now “have it your way” at Burger King as the fast food giant opens its doors at the BFS Travel Plaza.
MDOT begins public input on options, along with a study, to extend MARC Train lines possibly west to Hancock.
Tim Smith, Roland Lanehart, Jr., and Preston Hall announce their intent to run for Hancock mayor. Josh McCusker and Richard Strong announce for council.
March
Town lobbyists alert town officials to a cannabis reform bill with questions regarding an impact on the town’s partnership with Trulieve.
Hancock senior Josie Foltz takes gold in shot put at the Maryland State Championships.
Virtual Reality goggles come to Martha’s House.
A rare sight in Hancock as an early March snow falls on the area.
John Phillip True, 66, is sentenced to five years in jail for misdemeanor embezzlement from local organizations.
New traffic cameras are operational in the school zone on Main Street near Hancock Elementary and Hancock Middle-Senior High School.
Hancock Town Council joins Hancock Rotary.
April
Roland Lanehart, Jr., is elected mayor of Hancock, defeating incumbent Tim Smith and Preston Hall with a total of 134 votes compared to Smith’s 74 and Hall’s nine. Richard Strong and Josh McCusker win seats on town council.
Ryan Horton, 34, is found unresponsive in his cell at the State Correction Institute in Somerset, Pa., and later declared dead. Horton was serving time for the 2016 murder of Hancock resident Edward Gilhart.
Town of Hancock purchases Weavers Restaurant and parking lot across the street for $195,000.
May
Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David Sovine and County Commissioner Wayne Keefer get a walk-thru of Hancock Elementary and Hancock Middle-Senior High School.
Hancock High School graduate Stephen Starliper is named Teacher of the Year in Summers County, W.Va.
After missing for decades from Hancock Presbyterian Church, a cannon ball that had struck the church in 1862 was returned.
Town photographer Sam Judge passes away.
June
Town of Hancock approves a $1.7 million budget for fiscal year 2024.
Jennifer Barnhart is awarded the Herbert A. Young Scholarship.
LancoPennland’s Hancock plant receives a state economic grant to buy equipment.
Hancock Post Office celebrates 60 years at the location along Pennsylvania Avenue.
After being budgeted $1 million for revitalization of Main Street in former Gov. Larry Hogan’s budget, new Gov. Wes Moore calls back the money.
After almost a decade absence, the Barge Bash returns to the C&O Canal for the first time.
July
Smoke from Canadian wild fires drift south and into the Hancock area.
Sideling Hill Financial opens on Main Street in the former Return Engagement storefront.
Work begins on a new basketball and pickleball court where the tennis courts used to be in Widmeyer Park.
Town officials look to revive old pool house in Widmeyer Park for public use.
A bomb threat shuts down a portion of Main Street for about two hours. First responders did not find anything during their search.
A birdbath is placed at Town Hall and dedicated to town photographer Sam Judge
August
County officials make a stop in Hancock for a special meeting asking the town what they can do to help Hancock.
Debbie Cohill celebrates 25 years leading Interfaith Service Coalition.
In a first for Hancock government, Town Manager Mike Faith holds a virtual Q&A with citizens on Facebook Live.
Hancock Police and the Town of Hancock sponsor National Night Out with activities, music, food, and fireworks.
Seeing a shortage of participants, Hancock Senior Center asks the town for assistance in attracting new people.
Pennland Pure wins top cheddar prize in national competition.
America’s 9/11 Ride roars by Hancock as hundreds of motorcycles roll through I-68 and I-70 on their way to Washington D.C. and New York City to honor those lost in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
A bald eagle flew into power lines along Main Street causing a brief disruption in power in that area. The eagle was killed in the incident.
Town officials decide it’s time to fix the wet basement in Town Hall, home of the Hancock Museum.
September
A brush fire east of Hancock is fed by heat and dry conditions.
Much needed rain finally falls on the Hancock area.
Historical Society President Dan Murphy gives a presentation on 300 years of Hancock history.
Washington County adds Hancock Town Hall as an early voting site. The state later votes in November not to approve the site.
October
Hancock resident Shannon McKinley is named to the Washington County Community Funding Board.
Hancock is transported back to Medieval Times as La Belle Compagnie and other reenactment groups set up camp in Joseph Hancock Park.
An architect come before town officials and lays out big ideas for Main Street and the East End of End of town.
November
For the 76th year, Hancock Rotary presents their annual Halloween Parade.
Dan Murphy is honored for 45 years in Hancock Rotary. Murphy also says he is stepping back with his involvement in the annual Halloween Parade, handing off the reigns to Autumn Williamson. Murphy will still be involved, just not as chairperson.
An accidental fire destroys a home on Casper Road, west of Hancock. No injuries are reported.
Clarence Martz donates a piece of exploded cannon he found in Gettysburg to the Hancock Historical Society.
Stephen Keith Duvall, 57, was killed in a vehicle accident west of Hancock on National Pike as he was pulling out of a parking lot. His passenger and the driver of the other vehicle were also injured in the accident.
The town Christmas tree in Joseph Hancock Park is lit during Miracle on Main Street, which saw vendors set up along Main Street earlier in the day.
A second Christmas tree in Widmeyer Park is supposed to be lit, however vandals cut the wiring on the lights before it could be lit.
December
Hancock Panthers Marching Band took to the streets of Berkeley Springs in that town’s Winter Fest parade.
Twelve Christmas trees decorated by various organizations, businesses, and churches filled the gym at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as part of the first annual Festival of Trees.
Hancock the Elf returns to Hancock only to be “elfnapped” on his second day in town.
The Maryland Building Officials Association recognizes Hancock resident and councilman David Kerns as Inspector of the Year at their annual conference and awards ceremony.
Over 200 people gather for the annual Lions Club Christmas feast at the Hancock American Legion.
