🌱 How the new Halfway Boulevard extension could change your daily drive

Good morning to you Hagerstown! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How the new Halfway Boulevard extension could change your daily drive
• How Hagerstown homesteaders are turning seed packets into food security
• Why Meritus Health-Hagerstown stands out for maternity care access

Also on today's calendar: Night on the Rocks Enchanted Frost Gala and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cooler; areas of morning fog, with a high of 47 and low of 43 degrees.
• Friday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., temps: high: 53, low: 24.
• Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 41 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Halfway Boulevard extension completed near Interstate 70 (heraldmailmedia.com) — Drivers near Hagerstown now have a new four-lane Halfway Boulevard extension connecting Greencastle Pike (Md. 63) to the growing industrial area by the Hitachi Rail plant. Washington County officials cut the ribbon Tuesday on the $10 million project, which includes new traffic signals and access points for future development that could further reshape travel and commerce just west of town.
   

2. Homesteading movement takes root in Hagerstown (dcnewsnow.com) — Hagerstown residents are flocking to a homesteading program born at the Washington County Free Library, where locals learn to grow and preserve their own food. Led by longtime gardener Terry Tuite, the Hagerstown Homesteaders are celebrating graduations this weekend and already signing up new students for 2026, helping more families gain food resilience and gardening skills.
   

3. The 2026 Best Maternity Care Hospitals in Maryland (chesapeakefamily.com) — Hagerstown parents-to-be may be reassured to see Meritus Health-Hagerstown named among Maryland’s best maternity care access hospitals, serving an area considered a maternity care desert. The statewide U.S. News rankings compare hospitals on safety, breastfeeding support, and newborn outcomes, helping local families weigh Meritus against other Maryland and nearby D.C. options.
   

4. December 17, 2025 (eyeonannapolis.net) — A Hagerstown woman’s allegation of being assaulted at a May softball tailgate has led to a second-degree assault charge against an off-duty Anne Arundel County police corporal, now suspended with pay during an internal investigation. The same Annapolis-focused news brief also covers a Maryland legislative special session, a county firefighters’ holiday coat delivery, and a local bartender’s Guinness-pouring championship.
   

5. Penn State Baseball Announces 2026 Schedule (onwardstate.com) — Penn State baseball’s 2026 schedule includes a neutral-site matchup against West Virginia in Hagerstown on April 15, bringing high-level college baseball to local fans. The rest of the slate spans trips from Arizona to the Bahamas and key Big Ten series as the Nittany Lions chase a long-awaited conference title and potential postseason run.
   

📸 Around Hagerstown

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Hagerstown

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Candlelight: Christmas Classics
  Cortland Mansion, 19411 Cortland Dr, Hagerstown
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Family Story Night (HAG)
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Mr. Jon Holiday Concert (HAG)
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  11:00 am
• Hagerstown Homesteaders
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  2:00 pm
• Holiday Party
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  4:00 pm
• Adult Holiday Night: Moonlight & Merriment
  Washington County Museum of Fine Arts , 401 Museum Dr , Hagerstown
  5:00 pm
• Night on the Rocks Enchanted Frost Gala
  28 South , 28 S Potomac St , Hagerstown
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• The Holiday Shop
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  9:00 am

📣 Hagerstown Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Storytime for Adults with All Abilities (HAG)
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  10:30 am
• Toddler Time (SMI)
  Smithsburg Library , 66 W Water St , Smithsburg
  11:00 am
• POP-UP MAKERSPACE @ Williamsport High School Community Hubs
  The Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway Bingo Hall , 17421 Lexington Ave , Hagerstown
  2:30 pm
• Writers Workshop
  Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch , 100 S. Potomac Street , Hagerstown
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• This little rascal under 2 and under 20 pounds still is looking for a home for the holidays.
  I think he’s perfect. https://www.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/ANHS-A-102281 (Nextdoor Fountainhead Manor)
• Good evening everyone!
  This Sunday between 2-4pm, a variety of local organizations have partnered to offer a meal and clothing distribution at the Otterbein Church in… (Nextdoor Gateway Crossing)

• The GIANT Company posted a job opening for PT Produce Associate - 6444 in Hagerstown. Apply here.
• Lakeside Book Company posted a job opening for Film Material Handler 1 - Days in Hagerstown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hagerstown here.

Ok Hagerstown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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