Congressman David Trone (D-MD) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to prioritize addressing the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) role in illicit synthetic opioid trafficking during his upcoming meeting with Foreign Minister Qin Gang early next month. Rep. Trone sent the letter amid record-breaking fatalities from drug overdoses in the United States. During the most recent twelve-month period available, fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids claimed the lives of 73,000 Americans – equal to 200 deaths per day.    In the letter, Trone highlights the recommendations by the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, which…

Allegany County Emegency Services reports a winter weather advisory is in effect * WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches along and east of the Allegheny Front, with and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch, mainly west of the Allegheny Front. Trace amounts of ice are expected east of the Allegheny Front towards the end of the event. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE…Portions of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia. * WHEN…From 5 AM to 7 PM EST Wednesday. * IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could…

On Thursday, January 23rd, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Emily Rebecca Goetschius, 31, of Cumberland MD. Goetschius was arrested on two active Bench Warrants issued by both the Allegany County District and Circuit Courts. Both warrants allege Goetschius failed to follow the terms and conditions of her probation that stemmed from previous CDS arrests. She was taken before the District Court Commissioner for her Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held without bond. Arrested: Emily Rebecca Goetschius Age: 31 Charges: Bench Warrant – Violation of Probation x2 On Thursday,…

A threat was phoned to Braddock Middle School late last Thursday afternoon forcing the cancellation of all evening activities and an increased police presence when the school re-opened Friday morning. Fortunately the threat turned out to be a non issue- however it is just the latest in what has become alarmingly routine at schools across the nation. While there have never been any major problems or dangerous situations at Allegany County schools- upgrading security system wide is a priority. Allegany County School Superintendent Jeff Blank said that  ultimately the  goal is to have a school resource officer in every building-…

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman announced Monday  that processing of personal income tax returns for Tax Year 2022 has begun and federal and state individual income tax returns are now being accepted. Federal and state corporate income tax return processing started on January 12. The federal and state individual income tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 18 instead of the traditional due date because April 15 falls on a Saturday and federal offices in the District of Columbia, including the Internal Revenue Service, are closed on Monday, April 17 in observance of the local Emancipation Day holiday…

A new central location opened for Chessie Federal Credit Union on Monday with the 122 Union Street branch officially in business and serving customers. The move saw the closure of the 141 Baltimore Street branch which has served customers there since 1988. Chessie’s president and CEO Scott Kline called it a difficult decision to close the downtown mall branch and no plans for a future use of the building have been announced. While it may take some getting used to for  older customers, Chessie’s marketing assistant Karly Lamp says she believes the new location will provide a convenient option that…

The number of migrants processed by U.S. authorities along the southern border soared to a monthly record high in December, before President Biden announced tougher enforcement measures that have reduced illegal entries. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the U.S.-Mexico border reported  a 7% increase from November, fueled by record arrivals of migrants from Cuba and Nicaragua, according to the agency statistics.  U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” said that the problem is not going away- and it is time for action to take the place of bipartisan bickering… The Maryland Democrat said that unfortunately…

According to a Fox Business review of grants and loans, West Virginia Senator Joe Machin played a role steering millions of dollars in federal funds to organizations linked to his wife Gayle  over the past several years. In response to an inquiry, a spokesperson for Manchin said the senator was committed to using his role on the Appropriations Committee to "fight for" West Virginia causes and noted that other lawmakers were also involved in funding efforts benefiting his wife's employers. During an appearance on “Meet the Press”, Manchin was not asked about that story, but there was a great deal…

U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach so that most adults and children would get a once-a-year shot. Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they’ve received or when. The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. The FDA is asking a panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in on the new approach at a meeting Thursday. The agency will present data suggesting most Americans have enough protection to move to a once-a-year shots

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced nearly $430,000 in grant funding to expand CenteringPregnancy sites in Maryland. The funding will help provide critical prenatal services to eligible pregnant people in priority jurisdictions in the state. “CenteringPregnancy benefits pregnant people, babies, and health care providers,” said MDH Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Jinlene Chan. “Pregnant people and providers take the journey together, leaving no one behind, and investing in the well-being of both parent and baby.” Maryland has identified group prenatal care as a promising intervention with the potential to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and preterm births, and…