Despite increasingly high gas prices, AAA Mid-Atlantic is predicting a pretty busy Memorial Day travel weekend in Maryland, and that means law enforcement will be out in full force to keep the roadways safe.  In Maryland, more than 814,000 residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more – 90% of those by car. Gas prices in Maryland heading into the holiday is in the  $4.60 per gallon of regular unleaded, which is up almost $1.60 from last year. With such heavy travel expected, Maryland State Police and local law enforcement will focus on distracted drivers, aggressive drivers- and as…

Although there were a number of activities leading up to it this week- DelFest 2022 officially opened on Thursday afternoon with the Del McCoury Band taking the stage at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The bluegrass and Americana music festival returns to it’s regular Memorial Day weekend slot after a two year hiatus resulting from COVID-19. The four days of music will take place through Sunday. Thursday’s performers included Robert Earl Keen, Leftover Salmon and Anders Osbourne. Before taking the stage to kick-off the festival Thursday, the bluegrass legend himself stopped by WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show’ to talk about the return…

Maryland’s House Minority leader Jason Buckel says he is disappointed by the lack of action coming from the General Assembly’s presiding officers- as they are rejecting calls for a special session to stop an automatic gas tax increase from taking effect July 1. In a joint statement, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones said eliminating the legislatively mandated gas tax increase will not reduce prices at the pump and will cost the state when it comes to road safety. Earlier in the week, Comptroller Peter Franchot called on the governor and state leaders to call a special…

While the results may not yet be  visible- Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says he believes significant development, growth  and economic vitality are right around the corner. Housing developments at the site of the former East Side school; Memorial Hospital campus and possibly the former Allegany High School site are all on the table; the Carver building has been targeted for redevelopment into a community center; commercial development in the Rolling Mill neighborhood is close at hand and plans continue to redesign the downtown mall. Progress at the Footer Dye Works Building; Grow West MD moving into the former Kelly-Springfield Tire…

The Cumberland Times-News reports a gathering and bike ride will be held Friday to honor downtown business owner Doug Hutchins, who died recently following a long illness. Hutchins, the owner of Cumberland Trail Connection at Canal Place, died May 13 at age 58. Hutchins, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was known for his passion for his friends and community. In addition to being an avid bicyclist and repair specialist, he helped prepare Thanksgiving meals for the under privileged, taught bike safety in the schools, visited City Council meetings to propose solutions to issues. One of his passions was seeing Canal Place…

With a significant budget surplus and a stronger than anticipated revenue stream- the Allegany County Commissioners officially adopted the FY 2023 budget on Thursday. Commissioners President Jake Shade, overseeing his final county budget as he is now seeking a state senate seat, said this was by far the easiest of his time in office. Not only has the county been able to meet all of the budget requests of the outside agencies while preserving a surplus- but for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century- a cut to the income tax was approved…

WBAL reports Gov. Larry Hogan has sent a letter to Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott requesting a comprehensive update on the city's crime plan.  "The murders, shootings, and violent crime in the streets of Baltimore continue to be the most urgent issue facing our state," Hogan's letter said.  Hogan's letter comes weeks after multiple shootings in Baltimore, including incidents where multiple people were shot,  and the morning that the formerly accused murderer of Safe Streets worker Dante Barksdale was found not guilty.  "When we met in Annapolis to discuss your crime plan in February, I received assurances that your approach would lead to…

The Cumberland Times News reports a gathering and bike ride will be held Friday to honor downtown business owner Doug Hutchins, who died recently following a long illness. Hutchins, the owner of Cumberland Trail Connection at Canal Place, died May 13 at age 58. The event, A Ride for Hutch, will be at 5 p.m. with riders and non-riders welcome. Anyone wishing to stop by is welcome with riders organizing relaxed rides on the trails or to Lake Gordon.

The Maryland Department of Health is alerting consumers to the voluntary recall of Jif peanut butter products by parent company J.M. Smucker Company due to potential salmonella contamination. For more information and a list of UPC codes, please also see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration release.  Consumers should check their homes for Jif peanut butter products that have lot code numbers between 1274425 and 2140425, and only if the first seven digits end with 425. 

On Wednesday officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Angela Miller for Failure to Appear. The District Court issued a bench warrant on May 11, 2022 after Miller failed to appear. The original charges stemmed from traffic stop conducted on  March 23, 2022. Miller was issued the following traffic charges; Driving with suspended privileges, driving without a license and Driving an uninsured vehicle. Miller was also issued additional Traffic warnings. Miller was seen by a District Court Commissioner and was released on her own recognizance. Arrest: Angela Faye Miller, Age 37, Cumberland Maryland Charges; Driving with…