Senator  Ben Cardin said this weekend, while he supported using the budget reconciliation process to bypass a Senate filibuster for the Inflation Reduction Act, using that approach for bill after bill is not his preference, but said in this case there was no other choice. The Senate on Sunday afternoon passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a 755-page bill that includes major climate, tax and health care overhauls. Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote using the reconciliation process.  Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, is calling for more bipartisan unity on key legislation…

After a hiatus of several years, the Friday After Five series returned to downtown Cumberland last month and proved a tremendous hit with large crowds packing the mall and filling up businesses. That success led to scheduling bands for August, September and October. It begs the question why the Downtown Development Commission made the decision years ago to end the popular events. Sandra Saville, who served as Chair of the DDC when the series was ended, tells WCBC News that there were a number of reasons, but  primarily it was due to  dwindling crowd numbers. At the time there were…

In May of this year, Columbia Gas of Maryland filed a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission to approve revised  rates for further upgrading and replacing portions of the company’s underground natural gas distribution pipelines. Approval of the proposal would result in the average total bill for a residential customer jump from $106 a month to $119. The PSC has scheduled a virtual public hearing for Tuesday, August 23rd at 7 p.m. Callers to WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” are not waiting for the hearing to express their dissatisfaction with the proposed rate increase…

Left over funding from the $2 million Invest Allegany program has been allocated  by the County Commissioners to ten area business owners. The capital grant program introduced in February was  made possible by federal COVID-19 pandemic relief aid. After the initial round of $1.8 million in grant awards to 12 recipients were announced last month, nearly $150,000 remained. Those receiving funding this go around are:  Ottaviani’s Tasting Room, $18,000; Buttercup Boutique, $18,000; Katherine James Realty, $18,000; Footprints to Hope, $18,000; Steadfast Properties, $18,000; Fox’s Pizza Westernport, $5,000; Valley View Ventures Frostburg, $18,000; Shoes Diesel Performance Frostburg, $18,000; and Clatter Cafe…

Although there has been no love lost between West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin in recent years- the Republican governor said this week he won’t criticize the Democratic senator for supporting the Inflation Reduction Act. Manchin’s support for President Biden’s legislative package paved the way for it to gain approval. The proposal has been widely criticized by Republicans and did not receive a single GOP vote in the senate. Although the two men have been at odds on a number of issues- Justice said he hopes the two men can have an amicable relationship moving forward…

On 08/08/2022, at approximately 1240 hours, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Tahoe traveling Eastbound, on Interstate 68, near the 50 mile marker.  Upon making contact with the operator, Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.  During the search, Deputies located a quantity of fentanyl, and a loaded Springfield Hellcat 9mm handgun. Additionally, Deputies located packaging material and various controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia which further indicated an intent to distribute the fentanyl.  A large sum of U.S. currency was also located, which is believed to be derived from the sale of…

Olivia Newton-John, the Australian singer whose breathy voice and wholesome beauty made her one of the biggest pop stars of the '70s and charmed generations of viewers in the blockbuster movie "Grease," died on Monday, according to a statement from her husband. She was 73. "Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time," her husband, John Easterling, wrote in a statement on the singer's verified Instagram account. "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and…

Frederick County officials are decertifying the results from the primary, and its elections board will rescan all mail-in and provisional ballots. WBAL reports officials noticed a problem in the recount of the Democratic Primary for County Council in the third district, where three votes separated the candidates. The problem discovered was a discrepancy between the total number of votes in the certified results and the number of accepted mail-in and provisional ballots. Officials believe the discrepancy is due to human error

Actor Eddie Deezen is reportedly not competent to stand trial for allegedly burglarizing a nursing home because of a mental disorder. The actor, who played geeky Eugene Felsnic in the “Grease” musical films and Eddie in the 1980s sitcom " Punky Brewster,” also has been transferred to the Maryland Department of Health for treatment. The Cumberland native and Maryland resident, 65, is considered a danger to himself and others and will remain under the health department’s care until the court believes he no longer poses a threat, the site said, citing the commitment order. The type of disorder was not…

The Garrett County Sheriff's Office reports a Lonaconing man was killed early Saturday when his vehicle struck a concrete wall on state Route 135 near Bloomington. The Cumberland Times News reports  Aaron Matthew Beckner, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 3 a.m. crash by Tri-Towns EMS personnel. Police said Beckner's vehicle was traveling eastbound when it failed to negotiate a right-had curve.  Also responding to the scene were firefighters from Bloomington and Westernport. The investigation is continuing by the sheriff's office.