The opioid crisis and Maryland’s policies on abortion were among the topics tackled by Governor Wes Moore during an appearance of CBS’s “Face the Nation”. Moore was in Washington for the winter meeting of the National Governors Association. On the continuing opioid epidemic, Moore noted Maryland is expanding Narcan in schools and has appointed Emily Keller to serve as Special Secretary of Opioid Response… On abortion Moore said Maryland will remain a safe haven for women and will ensure access..

Republican state lawmakers in Maryland are pushing a package of crime-fighting bills that they hope will pass, unlike in previous years. The Senate Republican Caucus said its crime package is designed to address violent crime and hold repeat violent offenders accountable. Democrats and Republicans agree there is a serious gun problem, but they don't see eye to eye on how to address it. Topping the GOP wish list is the Gun Violence Accountability Act which would increase the penalties for illegally possessing a firearm from three to five years. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, beginning his third term in the…

This month marks the three year anniversary of the Western Maryland Health System officially becoming UPMC Western Maryland. Less than a year later, Michele Martz was appointed president. Mrs Martz, who has worked for the hospital system for 34 years, spent much of her first year plus dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Talking with WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, Martz said after being in Coronavirus  crisis mode for much of the past three years- there is finally a return to normalcy at the health system with COVID numbers declining…

A bill that would follow federal law and raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21 in West Virginia is making its way through the Senate but may face some obstacles among legislators as it has in the past. Senate Bill 266 would not only officially raise the age to 21 but also further eliminate tobacco use in schools, prohibit the use of lit tobacco products in a motor vehicle while individuals 16 years of age or under are present and designate prohibited areas of regulation of tobacco, tobacco-derived products, and alternative nicotine products for political subdivisions. The bill…

Minimum relative humidity values will drop to 20-25 percent across the eastern West Virginia panhandle into areas of western Maryland. During the afternoon to early evening, increasing westerly winds are expected with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph. The main overlap between lower humidity and gusty winds will be between 2-5 PM. Fuel moisture will continue to dry through the day given gusty downsloping flow. The combination of decreasing fuel moisture, low relative humidity, and gusty westerly winds will enhance the threat for the spread of wildfires. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged during this time. Please refer to your…

The Western Maryland Health System Auxiliary is offering five scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year, each worth $2,000. Applications are due by March 31, 2023. Go to www.wmhs.com and search for scholarship programs to download your application. The Auxiliary supports efforts that benefit the UPMC Western Maryland workforce and the patients they serve.

Virginia lawmakers are making their final push to build a new FBI headquarters in their state, while Maryland officials try to persuade the federal government to put it in Maryland. The Washington Post reports that the jockeying is happening as the General Services Administration gets closer to a decision in the decade-plus-long effort. In a letter to the GSA and FBI submitted Feb. 3, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, and most of the Virginia congressional delegation made a detailed case in hopes of swaying the federal government to prefer a site in Springfield, Virginia, instead of locations in Landover and Greenbelt in Maryland….

On Sunday, February 12th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to the 400 block of Independence St for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed numerous subjects in the street yelling at one another. The investigation revealed that a female subject had been sitting in a vehicle, repeatedly blowing the horn, attempting to disturb a particular subject’s peace. This awakened several other neighbors in the area who then went to check on the female. When approached by the neighbors, the female then began a verbal confrontation with them.  As a result, Tina Louise Slawinski, 52, was placed under…

On Sunday, February 12th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested William Joseph Dibuono, 54, of Cumberland MD. Dibuono was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County Circuit Court on January 17th 2022. The warrant alleged Dibuono failed to appear in Circuit Court on that day for a previous fraud charge. He was taken before the District Court Commissioner for his initial appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond. Arrested: William Joseph Dibuono        Age: 54 Charges:  Bench Warrant – Fail to Appear

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council recently contracted with Richard Reinhardt of Percy Public Affairs to serve as a lobbyist with a focus on dealing with the General Assembly.  Percy Public Affairs is a public affairs & government relations firm headquartered in Prince George’s County – however Reinhardt has a familiarity with Allegany County having previously worked with the firm of Alexander & Cleaver which had been home to former Maryland House Speaker Casper Taylor for several years after he left public office. In addition,  Reinhardt has worked on behalf of the Allegany County Museum and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad….