The Republican members of the Senate’s Executive Nominations Committee issued the following statement following this afternoon’s vote on Juvenile Services Nominee, Vincent Shiraldi “The Republican members of the Senate’s Executive Nominations Committee are deeply committed to their responsibility to consent to and advise the Governor on his appointees to his Cabinet. Following discussions within in our caucus and hearing concerns from our colleagues in the House of Delegates, we cannot in good faith support this appointee. While the Acting Secretary of Juvenile Services may be academically qualified for this role, our caucus is concerned his radical reform philosophies would further…

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) today announced the availability of 2023 annual report and personal property tax return filings and extension requests for businesses registered in Maryland. All domestic and foreign business entities must file an annual report or request an extension by April 17, 2023, to maintain their "good standing" status with the department. “SDAT is committed to ensuring that our online filing system remains effective, easy and efficient for all of our customers,” said SDAT Director Michael Higgs. “We have both further incentivized them to take advantage of the award-winning Maryland Business Express platform and lessened…

The Fort Hill Scholarship Fund (FHSF) recently announced the named Board of Directors’ scholarships that will be awarded to three graduating seniors at the 15thAnnual Awards and Recognition Banquet to be held in May. This year, in addition to honoring Fort Hill’s first principal, Victor Heisey, who has a permanent scholarship in his memory, the FHSF Board of Directors will posthumously honor the outstanding community contributions of Charles “Buck” Jankey and Dr. George E. McKenney. Mr. Jankeywasa1958graduateofFortHillHighSchoolandservedintheArmy.HeretiredfromKelly-Springfield.Helovedall things Fort Hill,especially theFClub,fans, andathletes.Hewasacoachanda scorekeeperforbasketball,softball,andbaseball, as well as a devotedFClubofficer and footballprogram coordinator. A 2019 recipient of the FortHill“DeedsNotWords”awardforhiscontributionsoverseveraldecades, coaches andathletescouldalwaysdependon Mr….

On 02/14/2023 at approximately 5:00 AM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to 800 block of Shriver Avenue for a disturbance. Upon arrival officers observed Michael Anthony Butler Jr yelling loudly and hitting himself. Butler was placed under arrest and issued a criminal citation. Butler is free pending trial in District Court. Arrested – Michael Anthony Butler Jr (35) Cumberland, MD Charge – Disorderly Conduct  

On 2/14/2023 at approximately 8:00 PM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to 700 block of Maryland Avenue for a violation of a protective order. Upon arrival officers contacted Bret Bonner. Officers learned that Bonner was served a Final Protective Order and that a protected party was at the residence. Bonner was placed under arrest and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center. Bonner received a hearing before a District Court Commissioner and was released on his own recognizance. Arrested – Bret Michaels Andrew Will Bonner (26) Cumberland, MD Charge – Violate a Protective Order  

On 02/14/2023 the Cumberland City Police Department served three Bench Warrants on Margaret Grace Yates. Yates violated the pre-trial release conditions from three pending court cases. Yates was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center held without bond pending a hearing in Circuit Court. Arrested – Margaret Grace Yates (40) Lonaconing, MD Charges – 3 counts of Violate Pre-trial Conditions

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council on Tuesday met with the developer of the former Memorial Hospital property to get a briefing and an overview of the planned project. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation voted last month to transfer the land in South Cumberland to RAZ Development which has plans to make a $36 million investment. The 9-acre tract, located along Memorial Avenue, is being acquired by the Bethesda-based real estate developer with the plan being to turn it into new market-rate apartments, town homes, and single-family homes.  RAZ president and ceo Zac Elyasi sees Cumberland as having unlimited potential…

The Allegany County Board of Education on Tuesday officially recognized February as African American History Month and- as part of the presentation- the board received a brief history of the integration of schools in Allegany County in the 1955-1956 school year. Honored during the meeting were graduates that were part of the first integrated classes at Fort Hill High School: William Peck; Harold Hilton and Judy Leath.  Mr Peck talked about the difficulties he and other black students faced during that first year…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is coming under fire and could be subject to an ethics investigation for his use of COVID-19 money. Justice signed off on spending more than $23 million on his COVID-19 vaccination campaign, an incentive program that gave away pickup trucks, rifles and lawn mowers. The “Do It For Babydog” sweepstakes, named for Justice’s English bulldog, was the governor’s 2021 statewide prize drawing in which residents had to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to gain eligibility for a variety of prizes… Following the sweepstakes, the state’s vaccination rate barely budged.  A report has now been released  from…

Despite some recent encouraging numbers, Maryland Congressman Andy Harris says the Biden administration has dropped the ball when it comes to border security. According to a new report, migrants and asylum seekers attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border 156,000 times in January — a 40% drop from December, which administration officials are crediting to new border policies rolled out last month. Still, those new measures, and the president’s decision to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in January, faced sharp criticism from the right. Harris, Maryland’s lone Republican representative, said Biden is putting border resources to poor use…