Cars torched in Maryland

As firefighters were working on two vehicles set ablaze in York County, crews in Maryland were dealing with two more just three miles across the state line.

Two vehicles – 1995 Saturn and a 2000 Toyota Camry – were torched on Andrews Court in Parkton, Baltimore County, just after 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, said Baltimore County Police Cpl. Mike Hill.

Officials are considering the fires arson, and Hill said investigators will be meeting with the investigators in York County to see if the arsons are related.

about 35 minutes before the Parkton fires, only five miles north in Hopewell Township, someone torched a car on Hershey Circle. less than an hour before that, about 10 miles north of the Hopewell fire, someone set fire to a car in Windsor Township.

Hill declined to say if playing cards – found at seven fires in York County since January – were at the Parkton fires.

York Area Regional Police said their department is part of a cooperative investigation.

Southern York County Regional Police said there is no update on the five vehicle arsons in their area, which occurred between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.

Jail time given in sex assault

The Orrtanna man accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl will spend up to 23 months in jail.

Hanover Police said they charged Michael a. Mendoza, 26, of 11 W. Mountaintop Drive, after they found him and the girl in a vehicle on July

19 around 3 a.m.

The girl said she had sex with Mendoza at Moul Field, and that Mendoza knew she was only 14.

Mendoza later admitted to having sex with the girl and said he thought she was joking about her age, according to court documents.

Mendoza pleaded guilty to statutory sexual assault Monday in York County court. he was sentenced to serve 11½ to 23 years in prison. he was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.

he originally faced charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact but those charges were dismissed.

AARP offering driver safety course

The AARP Driver Safety Program is being offered in the area for drivers 50 or older. The classroom course can earn drivers at least a 5 percent discount on their auto insurance premium.

For those participants who have previously taken the class, a one-day four-hour refresher course is available. to qualify for the refresher course, proof of taking the eight-hour course must be provided.

The following classes are scheduled:

March 17 and 19, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Lutheran Retirement Village at Utz Terrace, Hanover. Call 646-2434 to register.

May 10, 1 to 5 p.m., at Hanover Wellness and Education Center, 400 York St., Hanover. This is a refresher course. Call 632-7873 to register.

April 19 and 21, noon to 4 p.m., at Windy Hill Senior Center, 50 N. East St., Spring Grove. Call 225-0733 to register.

The fee for the class is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. For more information, call Michael Staub, AARP Driver Safety Program Instructor at 637-0371.

Easter Egg Hunt planned at mansion

The second annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Hanover Area Historical Society and first Methodist Church, will be held Saturday, March 27, starting at 10 a.m., on the grounds of the Warehime-Myers Mansion.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at first Methodist Church. there will be two categories of children ages 2-4 and 5-8. Children are invited to take their own baskets, or Easter bags will be provided.

there will be prize eggs and no prior registration is necessary.

News in brief, Friday March 12