DDC  Executive Director Melinda Kelleher was on the Dave Norman show Tuesday morning to discuss happenings in the downtown Cumberland area.  Construction is continuing on the mall project and that means certain events are moving locations for the season.  One of those is the Farmer’s Market that opens this Thursday. Kelleher also mentioned that there would be music at some of the Farmer’s Market events, starting with the opening day.

Similar to a “gap year” that students often take in European countries, Governor Wes Moore has signed into law the SERVE ACT – an opportunity for students graduating from high school to have a service year in the state for a non-profit organization.  High school grads must be apply to the program and can do so up to 3 years following graduation.  The Governor signed the bill into law on Monday. Students in the program will be assigned sites, mentors, be paid $15 per hour and upon completion of the service year will receive $6,000 for college. The program reflects…

Speaker of the House Cas Taylor continues to be remembered across the region following his passing on Monday at the age of 88.  Dick Graham, who served as sergeant of arms in the House of Delegates and was assigned to Taylor for eight years of his state police career, remembers Cas as being someone everyone could relate to – Graham remembered the Speaker’s love of his home region – Funeral arrangements for Taylor are a public viewing on Friday from 4-7pm at Scarpelli Funeral Home followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7pm and a Mass of Christian Burial at…

AFSCME officials held a press conference late last week addressing an extreme staffing shortage throughout the state’s correctional system in Maryland.  Across the state, a correctional officer shortage of 3,400 officers has caused a detrimental effect on existing employees and inmate management. AFSCME President Patrick Moran addressed the issue succinctly. Locally, NBCI is short 60 employees while staffing at WCI is down 73 people.

In January 2023, student data was published on The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) website reporting on the past school year’s MCAP standardized testing. Investigative Reporter, Chris Papst of Fox 45’s Project Baltimore News, examined the data and revealed that 23 Baltimore City Schools had zero students proficient in math. The news report went viral and was covered nationally. Shortly after, MSDE took the data down. When the data was reposted in March, much of it is now missing. As a former teacher, Delegate Kathy Szeliga of Baltimore County commented, “Maximum transparency in student and school achievement data is…

 Comptroller Brooke Lierman on Wednesday will mark the passage of her first 100 days as the 34th Comptroller of the State of Maryland and the first woman to hold the position, underscoring the new team she has built, partnerships with the General Assembly she has forged, and realignment of the office that has begun.    “Because we worked so diligently between November and January, my team hit the ground running and has been working in close partnership with our staff and division leaders to strengthen the overall function of the agency while delivering on commitments made during my campaign and transition…

All – The Baltimore Street Bridge will continue to be closed until 6am Wednesday morning, 4/26/23, to allow crews to repair the water main and complete work on the storm sewer main. The detour route will remain in effect until Wednesday morning. Water service may be intermittent.

On Monday, April 24, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court bench warrant on Damian Cline.  The warrant was issued as the result of Cline violating the conditions of his probation.  He was originally charged with CDS: Possess with the Intent to Distribute Narcotics. Cline was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where he is currently being without bond pending his appearance before the court. ARRESTED:  Damian Joshua Cline     AGE:  25          Mount Savage, MD

On Monday, April 24, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Candice Mallow.  The summons was issued as the result of a theft report that was filed on April 17, 2023.  On this date at approximately 7:40 PM, the alleged victim reported to police that he had items stolen from his residence in the 400 block of Columbia Street.  After further investigation, a suspect was developed and identified as Candice Mallow.  Police filed for charges against Mallow at the District Court of Allegany County.  Mallow signed for her copy of the summons and was released pending trial….

Governor Moore released the following statement regarding the death of Former House Speaker Casper R. Taylor, Jr.: “Former House Speaker Casper R. Taylor’s work in Cumberland and his efforts to create One Maryland have left an impact on this state that will reverberate for generations to come. Speaker Taylor served Maryland with distinction for nearly three decades, as a member of the House of Delegates and one of the longest serving Speakers of the House in the history of our state. We are so grateful for his years of public service, and celebrate his many accomplishments which Marylanders benefit greatly…