Gov. Jim Justice announced today that, 11 months through Fiscal Year 2022, year-to-date collections of more than $5.225 billion are a record $1.107 billion above the YTD estimate and 16.3% ahead of last year, breaking the all-time state record for total collections through the month of May. This marks the first time in state history that cumulative collections have ever exceeded $5 billion at any point on the calendar, with another month still remaining in this fiscal year. “I hate to sound like a broken record…but we have ANOTHER broken record!” Gov. Justice said. “Celebrating records never gets old, especially…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced the first reported heat-related death of 2022 in Maryland. The death occurred in Baltimore County; the decedent was a male aged 65.    “As this tragedy shows, heat-related illness, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, can result in serious ailments and even death,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Dr. Jinlene Chan. “During hot weather, Marylanders are urged to take precautions to avoid overheating and check on friends and neighbors that may be susceptible to heat-related illness, especially older adults and people with chronic disease.”   From May through September, MDH monitors…

The Cumberland Times News reports an Everett woman has been charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy who died Sunday of strangulation and asphyxiation. According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers responded to UPMC Bedford late Saturday to 137 East First St. in Everett for a report a child “choking on baby wipes.”   The toddler was airlifted to UPMC Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh where he died late Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday, police arrested Chelsea Renae Cooley, 31, who was charged with criminal homicide, strangulation and related charges before she was ordered jailed without bail during…

The Cumberland Police arrested Matthew Schafer Zink, age 38 of Cumberland MD.  The police were called to the Downtown Mall several times for Zink causing a disturbance and causing problems at a business on the Mall.  After being told to cease his behavior, he continued to create disturbances and was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace.  He was issued two Criminal Citations and released from police custody.    Arrested:  Matthew Schafer Zink  Age:  38  Cumberland, MD Charges: Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace

The Cumberland Police were called to a residence on the 100 block of Grand Ave for a report of an assault.  Upon arrival Officers contacted the male and female residents.  Through the investigation it was learned that Brittnie Nicole Turner, age 30, had assaulted the male resident.  Officers observed injuries that were consistent with the victim’s statements.  Turner was placed under arrest and charged with Second Degree Assault.  She was taken to Central Booking for her initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner.  Turner is awaiting her hearing.    Arrested:  Brittnie Nicole Turner  Age:  30  Cumberland, MD Charges:  Second Degree…

Following last week’s assault at Robb Elementary School in Texas that saw 19 children and two adults killed- schools across the country began to react and in some cases reevaluate their school safety policies and procedures. In Maryland, some school system’s increased security and made counselors available for students and staff. Allegany County Board of Education vice president Robert Farrell tells WCBC News that tremendous progress in school safety has been made in the past ten to fifteen years. At one time Farrell served as the school system’s chief of security…

Just before the Memorial Day holiday, Governor Larry Hogan allowed nearly 300 bills to become law without his signature.  Hogan also vetoed 18 bills, including one which allowed voters to provide several ways for a missing signature on a mail in-ballot after it had been received by a local elections board. In his veto message, Hogan said the bill did not validate a signature and he raised security concerns. Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause of Maryland, told WBAL radio she was perplexed by Hogan’s veto of those key election bills…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports  there are currently 2,184 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been three deaths since the last report, with a total of 6,948 deaths attributed to COVID-19.  DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 107-year old female from Berkeley County, a 76-year old female from Barbour County, and a 92-year old female from Hampshire County. During his first COVID-19 briefing in more than a week, Governor Jim Justice express concerned that new variants are spreading…

The Western Maryland field representative for U.S. Senator Ben Cardin confirmed Tuesday that $12 million in federal funding is being earmarked for the River Park at Canal Place project. Robin Summerfield made the announcement during the regular meeting of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority.  Plans for the river park will include docks, a whitewater river course, viewing area and trail along the Potomac River behind Canal Place. Two separate earmark requests- one for the North Branch Water trails; and one for the River Park Connecting Trail- were submitted… The news was not all good however as executive director…

The City of Cumberland Community Development Department, on behalf of E-Z Out, Inc., would like to notify the public that beginning on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, East bound Oldtown Road will be closed at the intersection of Virginia Avenue. The operation will occur between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. daily until the project is completed. The closure is necessary to allow E-Z Out, Inc. to demolish the structures located at 6 and 8-10 Virginia Avenue. East bound Oldtown Road at the intersection of Virginia Avenue will be closed and signs will direct traffic around the construction site via Virginia Avenue…