FINA, swimming’s international governing body, is facing backlash over the new "gender inclusion policy" that was approved Sunday setting the standard for transgender athletes’ participation in the sport. The "gender inclusion policy" will only permit swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events. In March, Lia Thomas made history in the United States as the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship, the 500-yard freestyle. Thomas said last month on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that she was aiming to become an Olympic swimmer. She also disputed those who say she has an unfair biological edge that ruins…

Following through on a pledge made last year, the Cumberland Mayor and City Council is expected to approve $20,000 annually for the next three years to support the Canal Place Concert Series Project. The large crowd that attended a Del McCoury Band show at Canal Place in May of last year-  led city officials to begin exploring adding more entertainment in the future at that location.  At the time Mayor Ray Morriss said this is a stepping stone to let people see how the stage and festival area at Canal Place can fit into the arts and entertainment activities downtown…

President Joe Biden said Monday that he’s considering a federal holiday on the gasoline tax, possibly saving Americans as much as 18.4 cents a gallon. Such a move would be welcome relief for Marylanders who are facing an automatic gas tax hike come July 1st. Despite calls for a special session to stop the gas tax hike or to consider a gas tax holiday- legislative leaders seemingly are content in accepting the status quo at this point.  Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade, a candidate for state senate, says it is irresponsible and tone death for lawmakers to ignore the situation…

UPMC Western Maryland recently received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2022. The hospital was one of 240 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor. The award recognizes UPMC Western Maryland’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that it has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. Dr. Christopher Hass, medical director of Cardiology, said receiving this and other awards is a testament…

Mariela Roca, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, and 12-year Maryland resident is a candidate for Maryland’s 6th Congressional seat- and she is running in part because of her frustration with the Biden administration. Roca initially filed to run for Congress in District 8 before gerrymandered maps were overturned- and now joins a crowded field of Republicans in the 6th District currently represented by Democrat David Trone.  Roca, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a Medical Logistician currently working as a contractor for the Department of Veterans Affairs after deploying to Afghanistan in 2007. The Biden administration’s handling for…

Having received FDA approval Friday, Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for use in young children is now available in Maryland.  Specifically, the FDA authorized two doses of Moderna for children ages 6 months to 17 years and three doses of Pfizer for children ages 6 months to 4 years.  Previously, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for ages 18 and older, while Pfizer was authorized for ages 5 and up. Testing, vaccinations, and treatment for COVID-19 are available locally through primary care providers, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities.  The Allegany County Health Department continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and testing…

Straight A Honor Roll Seniors: Bailey Albright, Claudia Baker, Demetri Bascelli, Genevieve Batman, Emily Blough, Liam Brady, Rachel Bush, Jordan Chaney, Jocelyn Crabtree, Isabel Cramer, Breanna Crippen, Ethan Duckworth, Emilee Dye, Maleah Emrick, Solomon Green, Paul Haberlein, Brayden Hedrick, Lillian Jackson, Patrick Joseph, Erica Kasecamp, Ryland Kienhofer, Gavin King, Sofiia Kucher, Halie Leek, Tucker Leighty, Wyatt Leighty, Kathryn Loar, Anna Martz, Kateria McKenzie, Emily Metheny, Erica Metheny, Brooklyn Moreland, Sydney Nines, Sabrina Orner, Brianna Palasik, Aidan Paulman, Kendall Pennell, Phoebe Puffenbarger, Ava Pyles, Drake Rose, Alicia Rumsley, Brianna Sarver, Kathryn Schram, Lila Spencer, Faith Stevenson, Olivia Thomas, Daniel Vozhol, Grace Watson,…

Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert "Rocky" Reed is the recipient of the 2021 "James C. Robertson, Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year" award. "Deputy Reed exemplifies the overall desire and commitment our investigators embrace to ensure the safety of Maryland's citizens," stated State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. The award was presented to him during the Maryland State Fireman's Annual Convention and Conference in Ocean City. Deputy Reed was nominated by his supervisor, Chief Deputy Jason Mowbray, former commander of the Western Region. Reed was praised for his consistent performance throughout the year. Reed was in the top ten employees statewide…

The We Are Fort Hill Committee recently announced three Fort Hill High School alumnus as the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees. The newest members of the HOF include Mr. William Edward Peck, Sr., Class of 1956; Commander Jared Thomas Jacobs, Class of 1993; and Mr. Larry DeMar Boggs, Class of 1969.               William Peck graduated from Fort Hill in 1956 as one of three of the first integrated students to do so. Peck was a member of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s Intelligence Division. He also graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, in 1980 and the Florida Law…

In a memo to top supporters obtained by WBAL NewsRadio, a top advisor to Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Schultz accused the Democratic Governors Association of interfering in Republican primaries across the country. Doug Mayer said the Democratic Governors Association is behind push polls designed to boost Shultz's opponent, Delegate and Trump-endorsed candidate Dan Cox. Schultz has been endorsed by Gov. Larry Hogan. Schultz was a former commerce secretary for Hogan. In a Baltimore Sun poll released earlier this month, Schultz led Cox 27% to 21% with 40% undecided.