When staff of the Union Rescue Mission held a community meeting earlier this month designed to address issues pertaining to the area’s homeless population- a wide range of topics was expected – and the crowd on hand did not disappoint. One woman asked how the shelter deals with  LGBTQ individuals and if there are special accomodations made. Pastor David Ziler, executive director of the mission, said that there is no discrimination and individuals are taken at their word… He said safety is always the first and foremost concern…

At the start of the new year, Maryland’s minimum wage increased to $13.25 per hour- and Governor Wes Moore plans on pushing to accelerate the process. The latest bump in minimum wage pay is part of an ongoing effort to reach $15 per hour, which will take place on Jan. 1, 2025 but some lawmakers are looking to expedite the process- and the state’s new governor, Wes Moore, ran on a campaign promise of accelerating the process and raising minimum wages to $15 per hour this year. Delegate Terry Baker, who represents Allegany and Washington counties, says the escalating wage…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s first state budget proposal unveiled last week nameed public education as one of his top priorities. The budget for fiscal year 2024 includes a $500 million investment to the fund of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, which was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 to transform public education in the state into a world-class education system. The Blueprint is set to increase education funding by $3.8 billion each year over the span of 10 years. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it appears that much of the half billion allocation will be earmarked for system wide salary…

A new bill in Maryland's General Assembly proposes a pilot program that would encourage a shift to a four-day workweek for state employees in both private and public sectors. House Bill 181, The Four-Day Workweek Act of 2023, would encourage state and municipal government agencies to shift employees to work only four days out of the week. If passed, the two-year pilot program would begin July 1, and expire in 2028. A state tax credit would be offered to private businesses in order to incentivize them to shift workers to a shorter workweek. Officials claim the businesses would need to shift…

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the plea and sentencing of Darvin Kevin McCoy, 36, of Odenton, Maryland, on charges including drug kingpin and supervision of a criminal organization, which relate to a long-term investigation into a fentanyl distribution ring that was operating in Howard County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County.   On January 23, 2023, McCoy pled guilty before Judge Stephanie P. Porter of the Howard County Circuit Court to several charges, including drug kingpin, supervision of a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit robbery, solicitation of robbery, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm…

The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) announced today that Triton Construction Inc. was recently awarded a contract for $45,563,870 to replace three pairs of bridges on Interstate 79. The contract is from a bid letting conducted by the West Virginia Division of Highways on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.   The project will replace the Narrow Bridges near Exit 136, the Little Creek Bridges near mile marker 140, and the Wades Run Bridges at mile marker 160 at the West Virginia state line. The bridges were built between 1966 and 1968.   The bridge replacement project is in conjunction with…

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) today approved the qualifications of three sports wagering facility applicants and two mobile sports wagering applicants. The businesses are expected to be considered for license awards during the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission’s (SWARC) next scheduled meeting on February 15.   Under Maryland’s sports wagering law, the MLGCC conducts background investigations to determine whether an applicant has demonstrated the honesty, integrity, good character and financial stability to be qualified for a sports wagering license. SWARC evaluates applicants’ suitability and determines whether awarding a license to an applicant is in the public interest….

Bus #68 for Allegany High School will not be running this morning but will be running this afternoon

On Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at approximately 11:09 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 68 westbound prior to the Beall Street exit.  The officer contacted the operator, Shawn Lee Jr, and two other occupants.  A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted.  During the search, a handgun was located under a seat.  Officers learned that the handgun was stolen out of Hagerstown, MD.  As a result of the search, Lee and one of the passengers, Magloire Ahadji, were arrested.  Lee and Ahadji were transported to Central Booking.  They were later seen…

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served three bench warrants on Teresa Roy. Circuit Court bench warrant: Violation of Probation on original 2nd Degree Assault charge. Held without bond. District Court bench warrant: Violation of Probation on original Driving without a license charge.  Held without bond. District Court bench warrant: Violation of Probation on original Driving while Impaired by Alcohol charge.  Held without bond. Roy was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where she is currently being held without bond pending her appearance at the Allegany County Circuit Court.   ARRESTED:  Teresa Jean Roy         AGE: …