It is one of the busiest days in the Maryland General Assembly – Crossover Day is today – that means any bill that a chamber would like to see passed must be voted over to the other chamber for consideration. One bill with a large amount of attention is the Business Services Tax, adding 2.5% surcharge for different services. While doubtful it gets out of the house, House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it is a bad deal for the state…     “This bill, quite frankly, will create tremendous negative, adverse consequences for Marylanders. For job creators, for employees,…

The recent improvements that CSX has invested in the Cumberland yards are paying off for the railroad.  A significant reconfiguration of the yards in Cumberland has allowed CSX to handle merchandise traffic that had previously been routed through New York. The railroad has reduced train starts by 1,000 per week, saving CSX about $4 million dollars a month. CSX says they have not seen any significant traffic changes due to tariffs imposed on incoming goods.

A non-profit that makes many prescription drugs more affordable has come to Maryland. Governor Wes Moore made the announcement late last week that Good Pill, a home delivery pharmacy will now be available in the state, offering prescriptions at just $2 per month. Good Pill is owned by SIRUM a company working to expand healthcare access…     “SIRUM turns unopened, unexpired medicine into life-saving prescriptions instead of what they normally are – turning them into waste. They’re the nation’s largest redistributor of surplus medicines and they provide medications to families through their pharmacy service called Good Pill.”

This Wednesday’s meeting of the Maryland Board of Public Works has two large projects on its agenda for Western Maryland.  Funding through the Maryland Stadium Authority would bring a NCAA lighted soccer field to the Western Maryland Regional Sports Complex at Frostburg State University. Also on the agenda is a contract with Harbel Construction for the repair and restoration of the historic Casselman Bridge in Grantsville at a cost of $8.1 million dollars. The bridge has been closed since December of 2020 due to structural concerns.

Nearly 5,000 families become homeless due to an eviction each year. Maryland House Bill 709 would let local jurisdictions put eviction laws in place to prevent landlords from evicting tenants without good cause. Erica Puentes with Progressive Maryland says the law would help keep families stable…    “Good cause laws require transparency and accountability from corporate landlords for why they’re choosing to evict a tenant. Good cause would prevent people from being evicted unless the landlord provides a good reason.”

On Saturday, March 15, 2025 at approximately 7:18 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 400 block of Seymour Street for a trespassing complaint.  Officers contacted the complainant who reported that Tara Miller was trespassing on the property.  There was a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign at the residence.  Officers contacted Miller who had been previously told by police not to return to the property.  She was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial.

On Sunday, March 16, 2025 at approximately 9:08 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue for an assault in progress.  Police contacted an alleged victim who reported that she had been assaulted by Kayden Brewington.  Officers observed that the victim had sustained injuries.  After further investigation, Brewington was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $2,500 unsecured personal bond

The Cumberland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile, Ladainian Howard. Ladainian is a 14 year-old black male, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 135 pounds. He was last seen on Bellevue Street in Cumberland, MD on March 16, 2025 at approximately 5:30 pm, wearing a black shirt, black pants, and black hat.  Anyone with information as to his whereabouts please call the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Cumberland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile, Gabriell Scarlett. Gabriell is a 15 year-old white female, approximately 4 feet, 9 inches tall and 100 pounds. She was last seen in the 600 block of E. First Street in Cumberland, MD on March 16, 2025 at approximately 8:30 pm, wearing a white shirt with red lettering and black shorts. Anyone with information as to her whereabouts please call the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600. Callers can remain anonymous.

On Saturday, March 15, 2025 at approximately 4:27 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of W. Oldtown Rd. for an assault.  Police contacted the alleged victim who reported that she was assaulted by Jason Poling who had already left the area.  Officers observed that the victim had sustained injuries.  Officers located Poling in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue and placed him under arrest.  Poling was later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond.   ARRESTED:  Jason Ross…