Maryland Treasurer Dereck Davis used his opening comments at this week’s Board of Public Works meeting to urge lawmakers to do something to curb growing incidents of gun violence- and he provided a brief history lesson as well. Davis, a Democrat, said that all too often  groups such as the NRA, point to any proposed gun control measure as a violation of the Second Amendment. He says while they are picking up on the ”right to keep and bear arms” section- they are overlooking some key language…

Saying that soaring gas prices is  just one of the issues causing a fiscal crisis for many Marylanders- Comptroller Peter Franchot noted that half a million people across the state are badly in need of some assistance. Franchot agreed that efforts have to be taken to undo the 7 cent gas tax hike that went into effect automatically on July- as well as creating another gas tax holiday.  Franchot says however it is not just the price at the pumps that has many Maryland families struggling- and some additional steps need to be taken.  He called on the state to…

For several years now Cumberland residents have been hearing talk of  revitalizing the downtown area- with a plan that will see the pedestrian mall reopened to one-way traffic and limited parking. Cumberland  Mayor Ray Morriss is quick to point out that this is much more than a beautification project. Morriss says while creating a vibrant business climate and tourist attraction are a big part of the reason for this endeavor – perhaps the most important part of the plans will be replacing aging underground utility lines as well as creating  broadband and fire suppression access for downtown businesses and residents…

That was Allegany County Commission President Jake Shade after a heated exchange with a county resident regarding coal truck traffic in Lonaconing.  Jack Nightingale lives at the base of Jackson Mountain, a heavily traveled route for coal trucks.  Nightingale provided over a dozen pictures from a recent truck accident in the area and demanded that the county do more to protect the residents.  Nightingale has appeared before the commissioners before but told them Thursday that more needs to be done.  Commissioner Shade reacted strongly to Nightingale’s contentions.  

 Deputy State Fire Marshals are asking for assistance identifying a person who was seen running from the area of an early Thursday morning vehicle fire in LaVale. At around 5:45 a.m., LaVale Fire Department responded to the LaVale Automotive Service located at 12 National Highway after a passerby reported the fire. Firefighters arrived and discovered the bulk of the fire was contained to the hood of a 1999 Grand Cherokee and were able extinguish it before it spread to any other vehicles or the building. Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded the fire was arson after a suspect poured a flammable…

A grand jury has indicted the West Virginia man accused of shooting and killing three coworkers at a Maryland machine shop and then shooting and wounding a state trooper who was responding to the incident. Joe Louis Esquivel, 23, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, was indicted June 29 in two separate criminal cases, including charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and use of a firearm in a crime of violence, said Christine Remsburg, Assistant State's Attorney for Washington County, Maryland. Authorities say Esquivel arrived June 9 for his normal shift at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg. He allegedly worked until he left the building…

The Maryland Board of Public Works Wednesday approved funding for a number of local projects during the regular meeting: An amended grant agreement for $137,500 to be disbursed in equal quarterly installments for Fiscal 2023 to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. $85,000 for Cresaptown Recreation court reconstruction. $49,125 to replace Potomac Valley Athletic Association’s Weber Field fence, and construct new dugouts, backstops and bullpen. $4,085 to purchase and install an electric scoreboard for the Oldtown Lions Field. Approval of the $51,780 timber sale of 257,507 board feet of saw timber, and 365 cords of pulpwood, on 47 acres in Savage…

The National Weather Service confirmed two brief tornadoes formed Tuesday afternoon in Maryland.  WBAL reports an EF1 tornado lasted about four minutes and caused significant tree damage in the northwestern part of Bowie. The weather service said a supercell thunderstorm spawned a brief tornado between 5:31 p.m. and 5:34 p.m. The tornado had peak winds of 90 mph and lasted for about a mile with a width of 125 yards.  No fatalities or injuries were reported from the storm. The weather service said the tornado caused extensive tree damage in the Somerset subdivision just north of Bowie with multiple reports…

Gov. Jim Justice is proposing a 10% personal income tax reduction, that he says will put $254 million, “back into the hands of the people of West Virginia.” Justice announced this during a press conference on the fiscal year 2022 general revenue collections. He says this will be a permanent tax cut and, “not a temporary stimulus.”

On July 6th, officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Stephanie Holtman. The Criminal Summons stemmed from an incident on July 2nd, 2022 when Holtman harbored a runaway juvenile and obstructed the officer’s investigation into the incident. An application for charges was submitted against Holtman and the Criminal Summons was issued. Holtman signed for her Criminal Summons and was released pending her initial appearance at District Court. Arrest: Stephanie Holtman, age 39, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Obstructing and Hindering, and Contributing to the Condition of a Minor.   On July 6th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police…