The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold two virtual public comment hearings on the request by Maryland Water Service, Inc. to increase its rates by nearly $2 million—or more than 103 percent over current revenues. The utility’s customers and other interested parties are welcome to take part in the hearings which are scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 2022 and Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Public Utility Law Judge Kristin Case Lawrence will preside over both hearings which will start at 6:30 p.m. Each hearing will begin with a presentation by Maryland Water Service.   The private company, a subsidiary of Illinois-based…

Maryland lawmakers are entering the first full week of  the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis with an unprecedented budget surplus. Lawmakers will be weighing how to manage a whopping $4.6 billion budget surplus, which is the result of unexpectedly large revenues resulting in part from federal pandemic aid.  Delegate Jason Buckel of Allegany County is the House Minority Leader and he said Republicans will be pushing for tax cuts… Despite Buckel’s leadership position, Delegate Wendell Beitzel says it seems as though the so-called war on rural Maryland is, unfortunately,  alive and well…

The District 1 Delegation is discussing what funding bills to submit in the 2022 session of the Maryland General Assembly. District 1C Delegate Mike McKay, in an appearance on Monday’s Dave Norman Program, said final decisions haven’t been made yet, but there have been discussions centered on specific local needs.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday, returned to his office Monday to conduct a media briefing on the virus and also updated the state on his recovery… Justice said he was isolated in his office and had been wearing a mask around staff, which he removed when he began the briefing, since no one was around.

Advisory: High Wind Warning until 10:00PM Monday * WHAT…West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. * WHERE…Portions of western Maryland, central, northwest and western Virginia and eastern West Virginia. * WHEN…Until 10 PM EST this evening. * IMPACTS…Damaging winds will blow down numerous trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * AFFECTED AREAS: GARRETT … EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY … CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY … WESTERN HIGHLAND … EASTERN HIGHLAND … NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE … CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE … WESTERN GRANT … EASTERN…

Due to the extreme weather conditions, City of Cumberland trash collection has been suspended Monday, January 17, 2022, Residents in these areas who did not receive collection today will receive double trash pickup on their next regularly scheduled collection day: thursday 1/20/22.  Any questions may be directed to the Public Works Department at 301-759-6620 or publicworks@cumberlandmd.gov or Burgmeier's Hauling at 301-777-0416.

On Sunday January 16, 2022 the Cumberland Police responded to a business on the 100 block of Baltimore St for a report of a female that had been assaulted.  Upon arrival officers contacted the victim along with staff members of the business.  Staff members were able to point out the male suspect to the responding officers. He attempted to flee the scene, however was detained after a brief disturbance.  Through the investigation officers learned that the female victim had been detained against her will for several days by the male suspect while at his residence on Greene St.  She had…

Maryland has a historic $6 billion surplus that comes from unexpected tax revenue- and  Comptroller Peter Franchot has a plan for how to use it. The state’s chief fiscal officer, in an interview with WCBC News, said that he wants to see investments in the rainy day fund and high priority infrastructure projects. His immediate priority however would be to enact another round of economic survival payments for the most financially insecure, but this time, increase the amount to $2,000… He says, in addition, the state must provide immediate financial support to our child care industry. Over the past 20 months,…

After a year of being asked whether or not he is seeking a run at the White House- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is now facing those same questions about the U.S. Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other top Republicans are stepping up a personal campaign to persuade Hogan to run for the Senate and help the party's chances of regaining control of the chamber. Hogan, who is prevented by term limits from running for reelection, has long resisted the idea of challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Chris Van Hollen. He has been asked about a Senate run during a…

Allegany County NAACP Branch 7007 will hold its annual MLK Day celebration today beginning at 7 p.m. Due to COVID restrictions  this years event will be a virtual conversation panal celebrating the life and times of the slain civil rights leader. Tifani Fisher, president of the local branch, tells WCBC News that instead of the usual examination of Dr King’s historic “I Have A Dream” speech- the focus will be on the less well known “Letter from Birmingham Jail” which is considered one of the most important written documents of the civil rights era.  Ms Fisher said that the current debate over voting…