Maryland's gas tax increased seven cents a gallon last Friday- just before one of the busiest travel weekends of the year- and that has  Governor Larry Hogan renewing his call for lawmakers to hold a special session of the General Assembly to provide some relief at the pumps. The 7 cent hike July 1st was  due to a 2013 law that ties the state’s gas tax to inflation. During Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Public Works Hogan said he sees no reason why the legislature can’t convene a one day session to freeze the recent increase, or to create…

City officials expect work on the Baltimore Street bridge to begin this summer with completion targeted for spring of 2023.  Updates on a variety of city projects were given at a work session of the mayor and City Council held Tuesday at City Hall. Although there are a number of bridges in disrepair, most notably on the West Side, Bobby Smith, city engineer, said the Baltimore Street bridge will be the first to be reconstructed, with the process getting underway later this year.  The Baltimore Street bridge crosses Wills Creek and is not encumbered by CSX Transportation railroad property. The…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan directed the state police this week to suspend the state's “good and substantial reason” standard for permits to carry handguns- an action applauded by House Minority Leader Jason Buckel.  Hogan’s order came a little more than a week  after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar New York law last month. Delegate Buckel, who represents Allegany County in the General Assembly, said the New York law pertaining to handguns “is virtually indistinguishable from Maryland law”. Despite some loud protests from many Democrats, Buckel said the governor made the right call…

On Tuesday,at approximately 1:38pm an Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was on patrol in the area of Interstate 68 near Moose Curve when he made a traffic stop after witnessing a traffic violation. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the Deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle. The Deputy also observed what appeared to be a pistol magazine and several knives in the waistband of the front seat passenger. While speaking with the passenger identified as William Alexander it was learned that he recently smoked marijuana in the vehicle and was in possession…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of July 6, 2022, there are currently 2,040 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There were no deaths reported to DHHR over the last 24 hours, and total deaths remain at 7,069 deaths attributed to COVID-19. CURRENT ACTIVE CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (9), Berkeley (136), Boone (36), Braxton (30), Brooke (15), Cabell (91), Calhoun (2), Clay (9), Doddridge (3), Fayette (61), Gilmer (10), Grant (5), Greenbrier (56), Hampshire (11), Hancock (33), Hardy (14), Harrison (94), Jackson (12), Jefferson (64), Kanawha (221), Lewis (34), Lincoln (15), Logan (53), Marion (73), Marshall…

The Cumberland Times News reports city officials may be putting the $10 million downtown mall renovation project out to bid to prospective construction companies by Aug. 1. Known as the Baltimore Street Access Project, plans include reinstalling Baltimore Street through the downtown pedestrian mall following the replacement of underground utility lines. The plan also includes a new streetscape with plants and shrubs, as well as reimagined parklets. The latest timeline for the project was disclosed at a City Council work session held Tuesday at City Hall.

On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Thomas Lancaster IV.  The warrant was issued in connection with a burglary investigation that began on November 13, 2021.  Police contacted the alleged victim at police headquarters who reported that Lancaster had broken into her home on the previous evening.  She explained she heard a loud bang and observed Lancaster standing in her residence, holding a piece of her door jamb.  After further investigation, the officer filed charges against Lancaster at the District Court of Allegany County and an arrest warrant was issued.  Lancaster was arrested…

Allegany County Government recently announced more than  $1.8 in grant funding to 12 area projects through the Invest Allegany grant program. Invest Allegany was an investment program that launched in February of 2022 utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan to help accelerate Allegany County’s business community recovery and support redevelopment of the downtown cores of Cumberland and Frostburg as well as main streets across Allegany County.   Approximately $186,000 remains, and the commissioners are requesting those dollars go to a second round of funding. Commissioner’s President Jake Shade… The initial winners were: Au Petit Paris Building; Frostburg McMullen Building;…

Another weekend of violence in Maryland with several shootings and two people killed. Recent statistics from police show that approximately half of those arrested for homicide this year- are repeat offenders. In recent months law enforcement officers have been shot, one fatally, by a repeat violent offender.  Just last week an officer was struck by a vehicle in a hit and run while trying to make a traffic stop. It turns out the suspect is a 19 time repeat violent offender. The former Fraternal Order of Police President Gary McLhinney tells WBAL Radio the Police Commissioner needs to put some…

With just two weeks out until the primary, polls show Maryland's top-tier gubernatorial candidates are tied in their respective parties. Maryland’s current governor says there does appear to be some apathy among voters in this mid-tern primary. The latest poll results indicates the race is a toss-up in both the Democratic and Republican primaries. Of those polled, 35% remain undecided in the Democratic primary, while 63% who have decided said they could change their mind. On the Republican ticket, 44% are undecided and 47% said they could change their mind. Hogan, who has received some of the highest approval ratings…