With Delegate Wendell Beitzel and Senator George Edwards retiring, the  District One Legislative Delegation is now reconstituted, with Jim Hinebaugh replacing Beitzel and Terry Baker filling the 1C seat that had been held by Mike Mckay who inturn will be replacing  Edwards in the Senate. Only Buckel, who serves as House Minority leader, is returning in the same seat. Mckay said despite the makeover- he is confident this group will work well as a team in representing the best interests of Western Marylanders…

Thanks to a local businessman and a video that went viral, an 82-year-old Navy veteran retired last week  from the LaVale Walmart with a large check in hand. The money was raised after Rory McCarty, who owns a Bug Boys franchise in Ridgeley, posted a TikTok video of Walter Marion and set up a GoFundMe account online to help him retire. The video went viral and donations poured in. Last Wednesday, Rory presented Walter S. “Butch” Marion with a check for $108,682 in the Walmart parking lot as friends, family, members of the media and the Cumberland Civil Air Patrol…

Outgoing Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said while his administration had a great eight years- he leaves with one major regret- failing to get control of the violent crime in Baltimore City calling it his Achilles’ heel. He said his administration made every effort to address the problem but unfortunately in the end he felt there was too much push back from Baltimore officials to achieve any significant accomplishments…

Closing out his term as states’ co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Governor Larry Hogan today announced $230,000 in grant funding for three Western Maryland projects to further support workforce development and critical industries. As the first Maryland co-chair since the 1980s, Governor Hogan hosted the annual Appalachian Regional Commission Conference at Rocky Gap Resort in Cumberland. Workforce Development and Makerspace Initiative, $100,000. The Hogan administration and ARC have provided funding for the startup and expansion of the Allegany College Makerspace. The Makerspace has been instrumental in providing training and certifications for many workers throughout the region—including the displaced…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public on the behalf of Columbia Gas of Maryland that between January and July 2023 there will be construction performed in the Downtown, Greene St., and Washington St. area of the City on the following streets:   Bedford Street Polk Street Hanover Street Centre Street Mechanic Street Market Street Cumberland Street Smallwood Street Spruce Place Fayette Street Johnson Street Bridge Street Greene Street S. Johnson Street Winton Place Paca Street   At intermittent times, roads will be closed or flagged to safely facilitate construction between 7am-5pm. Vehicles will be…

Governor Larry Hogan announced today that the Maryland Department of Labor has awarded more than $11 million in grants through the state’s Jobs That Build Initiative. The governor announced the $15 million, first-in-the-nation policy in October as a way to eliminate real-world barriers to careers in infrastructure and help keep pace with capital projects being funded by record levels of federal and state investments. To date, more than 1,800 Maryland workers will receive support from this policy initiative. “As anticipated, the Jobs That Build Initiative is successfully addressing a critical workforce need for infrastructure workers in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan….

 Public education, health insurance for government employees and restructuring the ailing Department of Health and Human Resources will be key priorities for West Virginia lawmakers during the new legislative session beginning this week. Also, tax cuts, if Republican leaders can agree on a plan for how to do it. Lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Delegates are planning to introduce legislation that would place teaching assistants in early-grade classrooms, Republican Senate President Craig Blair said during a preview of the upcoming session organized by the West Virginia Press Association Friday. The proposal comes after West Virginia scored historically…

Officers responded to the area of E. Industrial Blvd. near W. First Street for the report of a motor vehicle rollover accident with entrapment.  The area of E. Industrial Blvd. was closed for approximately 1 hour for investigation and removal of the vehicle. 

On January 8th, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Chandler Rhodes. The arrest warrant was issued as a result of a destruction of property that occurred on December 17, 2022, in the 100 block of Reynolds Street. An officer conducted an investigation into several slashed tires. The officer was able to observe video surveillance of the incident and filed for charges at District Court on Rhodes. Rhodes was placed under arrest and transported to central booking. He was later seen by a District Court commissioner, and released on an unsecured bond. NAME: Chandler Lafayette Rhodes AGE:…

On January 8th, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Karina Iser. The summons was issued as a result of Iser obstructing and hindering Cumberland Police officers, during an investigation of the whereabouts of a wanted subject.  Iser signed for her copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court. NAME:  Karina Michelle Iser  AGE: 25  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Obstruct Justice, Obstructing and Hindering, False Statement to an Officer. CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On January 8th, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Matthew Westfall. The summons was issued as a result…