Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:  “Early this morning, I was briefed on an incident that occurred near the residence of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family. I want to thank the US Marshals Service and Montgomery County Police for acting quickly to apprehend the suspect and prevent him from causing any harm. Maryland State Police and the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center are providing assistance with the investigation. “The heightened security at the homes of the justices began after a request Governor Youngkin and I made to Attorney General Garland last month. We will continue to partner…

On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on David Evans III.  The warrant was issued as a result of Evans failing to appear for his court case.  Evans was originally charged with a traffic offense.  He was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $2,000 bond. ARRESTED:  David Robert Evans III     AGE:  30            Cumberland, MD   On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Patrick Smith Jr.  The warrant was…

On Tuesday,  the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Melissa Saunders.  The warrant was issued in connection with a missing person/fugitive investigation that began on May 18, 2022.  Investigation revealed that Saunders was harboring the subject at her residence.  Charges were filed against Saunders and a warrant was issued.  She was arrested and later transported to Central Booking.  Saunders was seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.   ARRESTED:  Melissa Dawn Saunders                AGE:  39                 Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Obstruct Justice, Obstructing & Hindering, Harbor Felon/Fugitive, Contributing to the…

Governor Larry Hogan says there are busy times ahead for the Appalachian Regional Commission- with West Virginia and the western Maryland region now viewed as ARC priorities. Hogan was appointed last fall as ARC Chair- and he now oversees the anti-poverty federal agency that covers 13 states. West Virginia is the only state entirely within the ARC. The three western Maryland counties are Washington, Allegany and Garrett. Hogan says that while the western region economy has improved- it still lags behind the rest of the state- and that will be one of his focal points…

More than four years since it was created- the Canal Place Task Force has yet to issue a final report or  recommendations- and it is becoming a point of frustration for the Canal Place Authority.  The seven-member task force was created in March 2018 by legislation to examine if Canal Place can be enhanced to attract more tourists and increase revenues or if it should be divided and sold off to private investors. The Coronavirus pandemic slowed the process somewhat- and that means the future of the property remains in limbo. Canal Place executive director Dee Dee Ritchie said she spoke recently…

One of the bills passed by the 2022 Maryland General Assembly partially restores state highway user revenue. That money comes from a portion of the gasoline tax, and is distributed to counties, cities and towns to pay for road maintenance.  For cities like Cumberland and counties like Allegany- the revenues are vitally important enhancements for local projects.  Highway user revenue was severely cut by the state to help balance its budget during the 2008 and 2009 recession. This legislation will enable the municipalities, counties and Baltimore City to receive a total of 20% of highway user revenue instead of the…

The Annual WCBC.Chessie Federal Credit Union High School Student Salute Scholarships were presented at Tuesday evening's Allegany County Board of Education meeting. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Juli McCoy announced the winners… Abigail Spangler, of Fort Hill, received a $5000 award to attend Frostburg State University, while Haley Llwellyn, of Mountain Ridge, and Noah Logsdon, of Allegany, will receive $500 awards to attend FSU in the fall.  Mary Clites, WCBC General Manager, was on hand for the presentation… The program has been in place for 26 years and nominees are saluted with features throughout the academic years on WCBC.  Winners are selected…

The WCBC Chessie Federal Credit Union Scholarships were awarded at Tuesday evening's Alleganny County Board of Education Meeting. Abigayle Spangler, of Fort Hill, received a $5000 award to attend Frostburg State University, while Haley Llwellyn, of Mountain Ridge, and Noah Logsdon, of Allegany, will receive $500 awards to attend FSU in the fall.  Mary Clites, WCBC General Manager, was on hand for the presentation.. The program has been in place for 26 years and nominees are saluted with features throughout the academic years on WCBC.  Winners are selected by the Chamber's Education Committee, after consulting with Frostburg State University to see which…

A new poll shows a lopsided race is shaping up between the two Democrats running for attorney general, to replace retiring Brian Frosh. WBAL reports if  the primary were held on Tuesday, Congressman Anthony Brown of Prince George's County would defeat former state first lady and Judge Katie Curran O'Malley. A poll for Baltimore Sun Media and the University of Baltimore has Brown in front, 42% to 29%.  The poll shows 27% of Democrats remain undecided, possibly giving O'Malley an opening to win a good portion of them over. However, the poll shows even among women, Brown is favored by…

Maryland's latest COVID-19 surge may be losing some steam as new cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations are all down as of Tuesday. Hospitalizations are under 500 people, the positivity rate is down more than 3-tenths of a point to 8.18%, and the number of new cases remains under 2,000 with 1,826 currently. The COVID-19-related death toll now sits at 14,384 people in the state. To date, 11,909,644 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Maryland with 4,653,013 fully vaccinated.