Nancy Kopp, a pioneering figure in Maryland politics whose fiscal expertise has undergirded the operations of state government for the past half-century, announced this week that she will resign as state treasurer later this year. Kopp was elected to the House of Delegates in 1974, and rose to the position of speaker pro tem. She quickly became recognized as one of the legislature’s leading figures on fiscal matters, and was tapped by her colleagues to become state treasurer following the resignation of Richard Dixon. Kopp said it was Cumberland’s Casper Taylor who actually helped pave the way for her to…

With a centerpiece of President Joe Biden's climate change strategy all but dashed, Democratic lawmakers headed to the White House Tuesday searching for new ways to narrow and reshape what had been his sweeping $3.5 trillion budget plan. An invite list of nearly 20 centrist and progressive lawmakers were to meet separately with Biden as Democrats review a “menu” of alternative emission reducing strategies — one of the most crucial issues for voters who support the president and his party. Among the climate-change-fighting proposals being considered are a carbon tax, a methane emissions fee, tax breaks for energy providers who hit certain…

Allegany College of Maryland invites new and current students to register for courses for the spring 2022 semester. Registration opens Nov. 1. Full-term courses begin on Jan. 12. Students may preview available courses online at www.selfservice.allegany.edu/Student/Courses.      New students are asked to meet with an advising specialist prior to registration. Current ACM students may also meet with an advising specialist or their program advisor regarding questions about their degree or certificate program. In-person and virtual advising appointments are available by calling 301-784-5654. Navigate, a free mobile app to empower current ACM students to explore majors, manage their path to graduation and stay on top…

A clean city only happens through a collective commitment. Join Mayor Raymond Morriss, City Council Members, Let’s Beautify Cumberland volunteers and City Staff this Saturday, October 23 for a Fall Neighborhood Cleanup! The Neighborhood Cleanup will begin with the distribution of trash bags and gloves on Saturday morning between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. at six locations throughout the City:  Southern States  Dollar General on Greene St.  K-Bar  First United Bank in White Oaks  Cornerstone Baptist Church  City Hall Plaza Participants may clean any area/street/neighborhood they would like over the course of the weekend. If you have more than six trash bags…

A joint investigation by the Garrett County Sheriff's Office and the Preston County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of a Detroit man; a Morgantown man; and and man and a woman from Oakland on kidnapping and murder chrages. 41 year-old Jimmy Lee Barkley of Oakland was taken by force from his residence to a cabin located in Eglon, West Virginia. He was shot and killed in the early morning hours of October 13. The investigation has led to the arrest of four individuals. 

Maryland State Treasurer Nancy Kopp announced Monday that she would be stepping down from the position by the end of the year. Kopp has been elected to five four year terms as treasurer, having first been elected in 2002.  She is a member of the Board of Public Works, which approves state contracts, along with the governor and the comptroller.  The General Assembly’s Senate president and House speaker will appoint a committee to review candidates for the opening when Kopp steps down.

On Monday, October 18th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Virginia Avenue establishment for a male that was reported to have overdosed in the restroom.  When officers arrived, that male was found unconscious face down on the floor with CDS paraphernalia in plain view of the officers.  The 32-year-old Cumberland male was treated at the scene and transported to UPMC emergency room by the Cumberland Fire Department for further evaluation.  

Congressman David Trone, in a recent conversation with the CEO of Planned Parenthood Maryland, Karen Nelson, discussed the Women’s Health Protection Act, misconceptions about Planned Parenthood and Texas’ new abortion law.  Trone, a Democrat who represents Western Maryland, said he firmly believes that no Member of Congress should interfere with a woman’s ability to make decisions about her own body. He noted that recent polls show 77% of Americans support a woman’s right to choose… While its not surprising that a conservative, Republican leaning state like Texas would push for anti abortion laws- Nelson pointed out that Maryland had a number…

During yesterday’s media briefing, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice admitted that he was feeling under the weather, and would be getting a COVID test as soon as the session was over. Justice said he is fully vaccinated, and has been tested several times for Coronavirus, and said he would be getting another test Monday afternoon. One of the media questions dealt with the concept of herd immunity, and whether it technically exists.  Governor Justice said, at some point, the number of people either vaccinated or with traditional acquired immunity through infection will reach a threshold….