As gas prices continue to climb, Maryland's governor and comptroller are recommending each other take action to minimize the impact of a scheduled summer gas tax increase. In a letter to Comptroller Peter Franchot on Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan called for the state’s CFO to “halt or minimalize” the impact of a forthcoming increase in the state’s gas tax, saying the price bump is “unconscionable” amid record prices and steep inflation. Franchot, in a written response, said his staff and attorneys have been exploring if he has the legal authority to prevent the increase, which is automatically triggered by state…

In a vote last week, the Senate declined to advance the bipartisan $48 billion Small Business COVID Relief Act (which included a $40 billion replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund).  The bill received 52 “yes” votes, which was eight votes shy of the amount needed to begin debate on the bill. This is likely the death knell for the replenishment bill, which was first proposed last summer and would have funded the 265,000 restaurant and bar operators that applied and were denied funding. Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, was part of a bi-partisan effort hoping to see the legislation…

The Washington Commanders have bought land in Woodbridge, Virginia, for what could be a potential site of the NFL team’s next stadium, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the team had not announced the acquisition. The Commanders paid approximately $100 million for 200 acres of land in Prince William County and are still considering other locations in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, the person said. This site is just over 20 miles outside D.C., about a 45-minute drive from RFK Stadium, which…

The Cumberland Times News reports upcoming hearings have been set in Mineral County for some of the eight original defendants in a massive deer poaching case. West Virginia Natural Resources Police conducted an investigation that led to 223 charges involving at least 27 antlered bucks taken illegally in Mineral, Grant and Hampshire counties from mid-September to late December against Tyler Biggs, his father Christopher Biggs, Dalton Dolly, Colton Broadwater, his father Gregory Broadwater, Ivy Rodehaver, Robert Horner Sr. and his son Robert “Beau” Horner Jr. Eight local residents, described in police reports as friends, fathers and sons, boyfriend and girlfriend, are…

Allegany County Emergency Services dealt with a number of traffic situations late Monday afternoon. Just before 5, units were called to a truck fire at the 43 mile marker on Interstate 68, the Johnson Street exit. Later a vehicle accident with possible injuries was reported on I-68 West at the Industrial Blvd ramp. Both accident scenes have since been cleared. 

Gov. Jim Justice today joined local and state education leaders, along with several other officials, for a pair of events announcing Wheeling Park High School and Clay-Battelle Middle/High School as the latest additions to the student-powered WV GameChanger Opioid and Substance Misuse Prevention Education Program. “Whether we like it or not, we all know how drugs cannibalize our state and our people. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is, drugs touch all of us in some way or another – even our kids” Gov. Justice said. “We have an obligation to give our students a pathway…

There's a new top dog in town and while he may not have political aspirations just yet Cumberland mayor Ray Morris is sure to have him prepped first first public meeting with the morning mayor Dave Norman. The staff at WCBC welcomes Churchill to the Cumberland canine crew.  

The Cumberland Police were called to a residence on the 400 block of Furnace St for a report of an assault.  Upon arrival the Officers contacted a male and female at the residence and learned that the two had been arguing, which escalated into a physical altercation.  Through the investigation it was determined Katie Marie Blume, age 26, of Cumberland, MD had been the aggressor and the male victim had visible injuries.  She was placed under arrest for Second Degree Assault and taken to Central Booking for her initial appearance before the District Court Commissioner.  She is awaiting her hearing. …

The Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Daniel Monrose Jr, age 37 of Frostburg MD.  The warrant charged Monrose with Fail to Appear for a court date for original charges of Concealing a Dangerous Weapon, two counts CDS Possession-Not Marijuana, and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.  Monrose was searched following his arrest and CDS paraphernalia was located on him.  He was issued a Criminal Citation for the paraphernalia and taken to Central Booking for the Warrant.  Monrose had his initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner and was held on a temporary commitment at the Allegany County Detention Center.  Arrested: …

The Baltimore Street Bridge was officially renamed the Casper R. Taylor Jr. Bridge in a dedication ceremony held Saturday afternoon at the Western Maryland Train Station platform.  A group of citizens attended an early February meeting of the Cumberland City Council with the proposed name change to honor Taylor, the former Speaker of the House who represented the city in Annapolis for nearly 30 years, and after a few months of planning friends, family, community and business leaders and elected officials gathered to pay tribute to the man who was instrumental in dozens of key projects for the region during a distinquished…