In his first public appearance since losing his bid to become Maryland’s next governor, Comptroller Peter Franchot thanked those who supported him, but also made a call for open elections allowing independents to vote in the primary.  Franchot, who has served 16 years as comptroller following 2o years as a member of the House of Delegates,  finished third in last week’s Demcratic Primary behind Wes Moore and Tom Perez. Speaking during the regular Board of Public Works meeting, Franchot thanked those who have supported him both during the campaign and his career in public office… Pointing to how polarized  campaigns…

A deal that would have transferred ownership of the historic building at 19 Frederick St. to a local businessman for creation of a beverage and hospitality business fell through back in April- and since then city officials have regrouped still looking to market the aging structure for commercial use.  With the building  last occupied in 2009, the lack of a deal has resulted in multiple failed requests for proposals and a facility sitting vacant for 13 years. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC News that a major challenge in restoring the 118-year old building is the work needed on the…

After some years off, Friday After Five resumed in downtown Cumberland  this month and proved a big hit. During its original run, the concert series served as a major attraction each weekend in the summers, drawing large crowds to the Baltimore Street pedestrian mall with music, food, drinks and other activities. The Downtown Development Commission earlier this year made the decision to try to recapture that magic and opened the series with Queen City Fund and Soul- and it did not disappoint with brisk business at many of the downtown bars and restaurants.  Appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, DDC…

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement on Senate passage of the “CHIPS + Science” bill. “The United States Senate today showed the nation that we can, once again, work in a bipartisan fashion to pass bills that make life better for all Americans. Passage of the chips and science bill will make America more competitive by bringing crucial manufacturing capacity back home, and fostering innovation and scientific discovery. It will create jobs and lower prices.   “The measure we approved 64-33 will provide $54 billion in grants to domestic manufacturers and another $24 billion in tax credits through…

Former West Virginia Delegate Derrick Evans has reported to prison. Evans was sentenced to three months behind bars for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. According to the Bureau of Prisons, as of Tuesday, Derrick Evans is an inmate at the FCI Milan in Milan, Michigan. Milan is in eastern Michigan and is around 50 miles outside of Detroit. 

WBAL reports a Maryland state delegate faces charges of misconduct in office, theft and embezzlement, the Maryland State Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday. Prosecutors said in a statement that the charges stem from payments for office rent and fundraising letters. Anne Arundel County Delegate Richard Impallaria, R-District 7, whose district encompasses portions of Baltimore and Harford counties, is accused of facilitating rental payments from the General Assembly to his personal landlord using state funds for a "district office" that was actually a building outside his district. "Elected officials are expected to be good stewards of the state's resources," Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T….

On Tueday officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Jennifer Beth Thompson. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when she failed to appear for her trial on July 1st, 2022. Thompson was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was held on a $3,000 bond. Arrest: Jennifer Beth Thompson, age 36, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Failure to Appear.   On July 26th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department conducted patrols of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and located Nicholas Kneisley to be in an area marked “no trespassing”. The officers continued their investigation…

Another day and another high profile Republican is rejecting Dan Cox as Maryland’s GOP gubernatorial nominee.  Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford says he has no plans to support or vote for Cox.  A Donald Trump backed candidate, Cox easily defeated Kelly Schulz who was endorsed  by Governor Larry Hogan in last week’s primary election. Rutherford, who considered the idea of running for the office himself, says he can’t support Cox for many reasons. Most notably because of his conspiracy theories, his insistence that the 2020 election was stolen as well as his embracing of the January 6th attack on the Capital….

The Supreme Court ruling in June to overturn Roe v. Wade touched off a flurry of action in courthouses as conservative-leaning states seek to ban or restrict the procedure. But other states, including Maryland, have expanded access, and advocates say that more providers are needed in areas that may see an influx of patients crossing state lines. While this has been a hot button issue and sparked protests across the nation, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says it won’t be a major factor in the November elections. He says the battles and debates are being waged between the extremist wings of…

While it appeared as though the River Park  project had hit a snag earlier this summer- the news was all good during Tuesday’s meeting of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority. At the May meeting, there were indications that other sources of funding would have to be pursued if certain federal and state environmental conditions were not met. Those hurdles have been cleared as a result of a modification of the service area for the project. Executive director Dee Dee Ritchie reported that Water  and Land Solutions is still on board and work will continue toward a plan to…