Maryland’s Governor-elect Wes Moore says he will use a mantra he learned from his days in the military: “leave no one behind” as a guide for his administration. Moore, a Democrat,  was activated in the Army following the September 11 attacks, and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2005 to 2006. He attained the rank of captain in the 82nd Airborne Division. Moore says spending over a year criss crossing the state and talking to thousands of Marylander’s made it clear to him that not every family is being provided the assistance or services they need… Moore said under his administration no region and no…

In the final meeting for two of its three members, the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates voted  to increase state revenue projections for fiscal 2023 to $23.74 billion, an uptick of $55.8 million, representing less than one-quarter of one percent of annual revenues. The modest increase for the current fiscal year indicates that revenue collections are generally performing as expected since September’s report, which took a more conservative approach. The more substantial reduction for fiscal 2024 reflects a decrease in capital gains income and unchanged projections in withholding, sales and use, and corporate income taxes, three of the state’s biggest revenue sources….

After serving a total of  46 years in public office,  retiring State Senator George Edwards may have saved the best for last with his sponsorship and successful passage of legislation that will create a $50 million fund to invest in economic growth in Western Maryland over the next four years. Based largely on that achievement as well as his lengthy public service career, Senator Edwards has been named WCBC’s 2022 “Person of the Year”.  The award, patterned after Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year”, has been presented by WCBC since 2002- and  goes to an event or person deemed to…

Downtown Development Commission executive director Melinda Kelleher reports that the Winter Wonderland Window Decorating Contest is going strong but the deadline is fast approaching. The contest  provides an opportunity for downtown businesses in the DDC primary and secondary districts and non-profits, schools/clubs, and organizations to create a window display. The purpose of the event is to decrease vacant store-front windows, enhance existing business windows, and provide opportunities for promotion and awareness of businesses and community groups. A spring contest was held earlier this year and it proved to be a tremendous success… Contest winners will be determined by a public vote which…

The Pirates and left-hander Rich Hill are in agreement on a one-year, $8MM deal, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. The deal is pending a physical. Hill, 43 in March, has one of the most unique baseball stories. He had some success as a starter early in his career, which began with the Cubs. Back in 2007, he made 32 starts for the Cubbies, tossing 195 innings with a 3.92 ERA. However, injuries and underperformance led to an extended period of struggle for Hill. He didn’t reach 60 MLB innings pitched in any season from 2008 to 2015, often struggling with his health or…

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Forest Conservancy District boards invite Maryland fifth graders to participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for 2023 is: “Trees Are Terrific … and Cool our Communities!” All entries must be delivered to a local Maryland Forest Service office by noon on Jan. 20. Students are encouraged to share their appreciation for Maryland’s forests and trees through original works of art. Poster size must be no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches and no larger than 22 by 28 inches. Posters must be drawn in acrylic, crayon, ink, marker, paint…

The City of Cumberland and the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) invite everyone to the New Year’s Celebration, featuring the Annual Ball Drop and Fireworks Spectacular at midnight. Join us on the Downtown Mall on Saturday, December 31 beginning at 10:30 PM as DJ Jimmy Hook provides musical entertainment on the McCoury Stage. Mayor Raymond Morriss and City Council members will mingle as we prepare for the countdown to the Ball Drop at midnight. Immediately following the Ball Drop, the Fireworks Spectacular will begin over the downtown area. A special order from the Mayor and City Council will allow open containers (no glass) on the mall…

On Monday, December 26th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police arrested Anne Grove, 66, of Cumberland MD. Grove was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court. The warrant alleged that Grove failed to appear in court on August 13th, 2021, on a previous charge of second degree assault. She was taken before the District Court Commissioner for her Initial Appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held on $2500 bond. Arrested: Anne Grove              Age: 66 Charges:  Bench Warrant – Failure to Appear On Monday, December 26th, 2022,…

Just a few months after a controversial plan to relocate the Union Rescue Mission to North Centre Street was made public, a community meeting has been scheduled to discuss and develop plans to help aid the impoverished population  in and around the Cumberland area.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January12th in the LaVale Library at 6:30 PM. Pastor David Ziler,  director of the mission, said the goal  to discuss plans and collect information to help develop a program that  works best for the community.  He says, current homeless, past homeless, community members, community leaders and the URM will  sit…

U.S. Congressman David Trone and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen announced this week $97,600 to boost broadband services and support educational programming at the Evergreen Heritage Center (EHC) Foundation in Frostburg. The combined funding, with $48,800 made available through Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and $48,800 from the State of Maryland and Allegany County, will be used to create a smart outdoor classroom designed to deploy broadband services to the EHC facility and support students in Allegany County. Congressman Trone said this will provide a boost to the entire region…