The state of West Virginia has liberalized transfer rules for high school athletes.  Previously a student athlete had to sit out one year of eligibility but House Bill 2820 has essentially set up a transfer portal system similar to that at the college level.  Thus students may now transfer from one high school to another and maintain athletic eligibility.  Governor Jim Justice allowed the bill to become law without his signature.

The first quarterly virtual Town Hall meeting to discuss downtown construction will be held on June 27.  Melinda Kelleher, executive director of the Downtown Development Commission, says that questions should be submitted by noon on June 26.  The purpose of the Town Hall meeting is to address questions and concerns about Baltimore Street renovations.

The State of West Virginia celebrates its 160th Birthday today with a special celebration at the state capital in Charleston.  The state was officially accepted into the Union by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as a result of several northwestern Virginia counties creating a Unionist state government during the Civil War. Events at the capital today include remarks by Governor Jim Justice, the announcement of the winner in the West Virginia Punch Contest and cutting the official birthday cake – “Ms. Van’s BlackBerry Skillet Cake.”

On Monday, June 19, 2023 at approximately 1:16 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 100 block of Baltimore Street for a trespassing complaint.  Officers contacted the staff who wished for Rason Patterson to leave the property.  Patterson was causing a disturbance and refused to leave.  He was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.  A search of Patterson revealed that he was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  Patterson was transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County…

On Monday, June 19, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Robert Mock.  The warrant was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Mock at the District Court of Allegany County.  Mock was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $10,000 unsecured personal bond. ARRESTED:  Robert Dale Mock        AGE:  74         Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Assault-1st Degree, Assault-2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment

Energy costs are rising around the country and the Western Maryland region is no exception.  Effective June 1, the Energy Supply Charge for Potomac Edison customers is increasing 23%.  The increase affects those customers who are “non-shopping” – customers who use the energy that Potomac Edison purchases at auction versus those who select a competitive energy supplier.  Potomac Edison Communications Representative Hannah Catlett spoke to WCBC about the increase and options for residential users…

Open Space funding for Western Maryland will be bringing some much needed updates for several projects in the region.  Funding for the next phase of the Town of Westernport’s water distribution project, acquisition of a conservation easement as well as updating of high school sports facilities in Garrett County and the improvements of the Cresaptown Sports Complex and Piney Plains Community Park are just a few of the projects recently announced my Senator Mike McKay.  Funding for smaller projects and often overlooked areas of the county are of special interest to Senator McKay…

When the new board for the Senator George Edwards Fund convenes in July, it will have new members and most likely be starting a search for an executive director.  The board is being reorganized under legislation passed this past session that changes the makeup of the board, eliminating the representation of the Chambers of Commerce and the Maryland Municipal League.  Once the new board is seated, Andrew Sargent, Senior Business Development Representative for the Maryland Department of Commerce, will no longer have a vote but believes the role of executive director is needed for the organization…

The Greater Cumberland Regional Airport is continuing construction on infrastructure and runway upgrades as well as an area for a business park.  Most recently, it was announced that Ryan Shaffer, long-time airport manager was departing the position and the search is now on for his replacement.  Allegany County Commissioner Bill Atkinson who sits on the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority, said that the area at the airport is under-utilized but there are ideas to manage the land now that it is more usable…

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,422,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Shepherd University. This funding, which was secured through a Congressionally Directed Spending  request made by Senator Capito, will be used to establish an agricultural small business incubator at the Shepherd University Agricultural Innovation Center focused on launching small-scale agricultural enterprises.