Congressman David Trone visited Frederick and Montgomery Counties to speak with local workers and businesses, visit community centers, and meet with recipients of his requested Community Project Funding.   On Monday, Trone kicked off his district tour by presenting $1.5 million in Community Project Funding to the Asian American Center of Frederick, where he spoke with leaders of the Asian American community. The funding will go toward a new space to serve as its new Asian American Service Center for community programs and services. Trone then toured Comus, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly concrete in Woodsboro, to learn more about…

The Community Trust Foundation will once again be a major sponsor of the George Washington Whiskey Rebellion Festival to be held Sept. 9 at Allegany Museum. CTF has been the major sponsor for the past five years. While the state and federal governments are generous in funding capital projects, operations and programming are funded privately and the annual fest is the major fundraiser for the museum. The Community Trust Foundation is a grant-making public charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of people in Allegany, Garrett and Mineral counties. The group brings together the financial resources of individuals, families…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), in partnership with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), today announced more than $81 million in funding to Jurisdictional Emergency Medical Services Operational Programs (JEMSOPs).  The funding, made available by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), offsets costs incurred by eligible emergency medical service (EMS) jurisdictions that delivered ground emergency medical care and transportation (ambulance) services to Medicaid participants between October 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.  “We welcome these federal dollars to directly reimburse some of the costs of providing emergency medical services in the state,” said MDH…

The WMHS Foundation has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Sophia E. Powell Nursing Scholarship, supporting those pursuing an advanced degree as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP).  Applications are due by 5:00 pm on July 1, 2022. Established this year by Bob Powell in honor of his Aunt Sophie, the fund will pay $20,000 to one qualified applicant – $10,000 each for the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. Powell met with the Foundation and UPMC Western Maryland administrators to determine an effective way to support the hospital after his aunt received exemplary care there, following…

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:  “Early this morning, I was briefed on an incident that occurred near the residence of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family. I want to thank the US Marshals Service and Montgomery County Police for acting quickly to apprehend the suspect and prevent him from causing any harm. Maryland State Police and the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center are providing assistance with the investigation. “The heightened security at the homes of the justices began after a request Governor Youngkin and I made to Attorney General Garland last month. We will continue to partner…

On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on David Evans III.  The warrant was issued as a result of Evans failing to appear for his court case.  Evans was originally charged with a traffic offense.  He was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $2,000 bond. ARRESTED:  David Robert Evans III     AGE:  30            Cumberland, MD   On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Patrick Smith Jr.  The warrant was…

On Tuesday,  the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Melissa Saunders.  The warrant was issued in connection with a missing person/fugitive investigation that began on May 18, 2022.  Investigation revealed that Saunders was harboring the subject at her residence.  Charges were filed against Saunders and a warrant was issued.  She was arrested and later transported to Central Booking.  Saunders was seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.   ARRESTED:  Melissa Dawn Saunders                AGE:  39                 Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Obstruct Justice, Obstructing & Hindering, Harbor Felon/Fugitive, Contributing to the…

Governor Larry Hogan says there are busy times ahead for the Appalachian Regional Commission- with West Virginia and the western Maryland region now viewed as ARC priorities. Hogan was appointed last fall as ARC Chair- and he now oversees the anti-poverty federal agency that covers 13 states. West Virginia is the only state entirely within the ARC. The three western Maryland counties are Washington, Allegany and Garrett. Hogan says that while the western region economy has improved- it still lags behind the rest of the state- and that will be one of his focal points…

More than four years since it was created- the Canal Place Task Force has yet to issue a final report or  recommendations- and it is becoming a point of frustration for the Canal Place Authority.  The seven-member task force was created in March 2018 by legislation to examine if Canal Place can be enhanced to attract more tourists and increase revenues or if it should be divided and sold off to private investors. The Coronavirus pandemic slowed the process somewhat- and that means the future of the property remains in limbo. Canal Place executive director Dee Dee Ritchie said she spoke recently…

One of the bills passed by the 2022 Maryland General Assembly partially restores state highway user revenue. That money comes from a portion of the gasoline tax, and is distributed to counties, cities and towns to pay for road maintenance.  For cities like Cumberland and counties like Allegany- the revenues are vitally important enhancements for local projects.  Highway user revenue was severely cut by the state to help balance its budget during the 2008 and 2009 recession. This legislation will enable the municipalities, counties and Baltimore City to receive a total of 20% of highway user revenue instead of the…