U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), author of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and a senior member of the Senate Finance and Senate Foreign Relations committees, praised the House of Representatives Thursday after bipartisan passage of the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act. The legislation passed the House 424-8. In addition to revoking free trade privileges for Russia, similar to the No Trading with Invaders Act (S. 3725) Senator Cardin introduced earlier this month with Senator Rob Portman, the legislation would reauthorize the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and extend potential sanctions to enablers of…

Maryland lawmakers have voted unanimously to approve the emergency gas tax holiday to help battle the rising gas prices here in the State. On Thursday, both the House and Senate voted to pass the emergency bill. The chambers must sign off on each other’s bills before they go to Gov. Larry Hogan's desk for final approval and signing. This is expected to happen as early as Friday. The bill will temporarily eliminate the tax on gasoline, saving around $.36 per gallon across Maryland. The average price per gallon in Maryland is currently $4.21 per gallon. Both chambers must reconcile each…

With the Sunday in the Park Concert Series returning for the 2022 season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), the Parks and Recreation Department is in search of local musical performance groups or individuals to round out the 2022 schedule. Musical acts will perform under the stars on Sunday evenings at the Constitution Park Amphitheatre from 7:30-9:00 p.m. on the agreed upon Sunday, and are compensated for their performance. Interested persons or groups should contact Diane Johnson, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, by calling 301-759-6636 or sending an email to diane.johnson@cumberlandmd.gov.

The Dapper Dan Club of Allegany County, Inc. has announced the date of Sunday, May 1 for the 2021-22 Dapper Dan Sports Award Banquet. It will be slated to begin at 4 p.m. in the Ali Ghan Shrine Club Ballroom with appetizers and drinks served prior to the start of the ceremony.  “We are pleased to bring back the banquet after a year absence due to the pandemic,” Dapper Dan dinner chairman Adam Sterne said. “It is a prestigious event held yearly to recognize the area’s athletes and volunteers with nearly 30 awards presented.” The format will stay as the…

Rocky Gap Casino Resort, located at 16701 Lakeview Road NE, donated $5,000 in support of local programs through the 18th annual Hooley Plunge. In addition to the donation, 12 Rocky Gap team members participated in the plunge on Saturday, March 5. The 12 brave team members at Rocky Gap joined hundreds who dove into the ice-cold water of Lake Habeeb to raise money for local organizations supporting the developmentally disabled including the Special Olympics of Allegany County, Friends Aware, the Boy Scouts and more. 

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin work next week on the final phase of the MD 51 (Oldtown Road) bridge deck replacement project in Allegany County. Beginning Monday, March 21,and continuing through the end of summer, crews will work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays to remove the existing deck, install temporary shoring and dig out the abutments on the bridge, which is over the C&O Canal. Traffic on the bridge during construction will be reduced to one alternating lane, with use of temporary traffic signals on each end to alternate traffic through a…

The Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Dustin Ray Miller, age 40, of Harrison WV.  The warrant is the result of an investigation from December 2021 when Miller was observed setting fire to paper products at a business on Ali Ghan Road.  He had fled the area when officers arrived.  Miller was apprehended in West Virginia and extradited to Allegany County, where he was served his warrant.  The warrant charged Miller with Second Degree Malicious Burning, and Malicious Destruction of Property, Less than $1,000.  Miller was taken before the District Court Commissioner for his initial appearance and released on…

An officer of the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol on Front St when they observed a male and female arguing.  The female yelled for assistance from the officer, claiming that the male had stolen an item from her.  When the officer stopped to assist, the male fled on foot and refused the officer’s commands to stop.  After a short foot pursuit, the officer was able to apprehend Robert Gene Gray, age 36, of Cumberland MD.  Gray was issued two criminal citations for Disorderly Conduct and Fail to Obey a Lawful Order. He was released from the police station after…

Work continues on legislation that would give Marylanders a 30-day break on the state gas tax. Governor Larry Hogan said he's optimistic the bill will come to his desk this week. Maryland's current gas average of $4.25 a gallon is actually below the national average. Concerns raised during bill hearings in a House and Senate committee include extending the 30-day period and making sure station owners are reimbursed. Some House committee members want to extend the 30-day tax break to cover at least two holiday periods. A House committee did not extend the holiday, but members did vote to amend the bill…

Gun safety advocates and mental health professionals say legislation under consideration in Annapolis will strengthen gun safety and storage laws, and they're urging senators to pass it. WBAL reports supporters hope the same measure will not just reduce gun violence but also youth suicides. In an effort to continue to keep guns away from children, there are tougher gun laws under proposal in Annapolis this week as health experts say there's an ongoing crisis in the country concerning children and guns. Gun safety advocates took aim at irresponsible gun owners during a Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing held this week…