U .S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, Andy Harris, M.D. and David Trone (all Md.) today announced $599,029 in federal funding to the Maryland State Police and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office to support safety and protection for children across the state of Maryland through the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. “Our children are our future, and their safety is each and every parents’ priority,” the lawmakers said. “This funding will ensure that our communities have the resources they…

William Mandicott, assistant vice president of Student and Community Involvement at Frostburg State University, received the AmeriCorps Achievement Award at the 38th Annual Governor’s Service Awards for Outstanding Service and Volunteerism. Gov. Larry Hogan attended the event, hosted by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, to celebrate 20 individuals and organizations recognized for their outstanding display of dedication to service and volunteerism.  “This annual celebration recognizes a yearlong – and often lifelong – commitment of countless dedicated volunteers from the faith community, businesses and nonprofits, along with first responders and other public servants,” said Hogan. “The COVID-19 emergency made…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced new awardees for six state revitalization programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Nearly $63 million was awarded to 214 projects and activities that promote community development and economic growth. All 23 counties and Baltimore City received awards through one or more of the six programs. “These projects and initiatives support responsible redevelopment that is driven by local partnerships,” said Governor Hogan. “Our state revitalization programs spur economic growth in Maryland’s diverse and vibrant communities, attracting additional public, private, and nonprofit investment while improving quality of life for residents.” The…

At approximately 8:00 PM on Thursday December 9, 2021, officers from the Cumberland Police Department were called to a business in the 1000 block of Virginia Ave for a report of armed robbery.  Officers spoke to an employee of the business who advised that a white male subject entered the business and displayed a black semi-automatic style handgun.  The suspect then forced the employee to provide cash from the register.  After receiving a sum of cash, the suspect fled the area on foot on Virginia Ave, towards Industrial Blvd.  The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’ 9”…

The Maryland State Board of Education's new face mask mandate sets some fairly high metrics for COVID-19 vaccination and transmission rates. The mask mandate affecting all Maryland public schools could soon change, but only for local school districts where there are high vaccination rates and low community transmission. Given the 80% fully vaccinated rate conditions required to lift the mask mandate- it is unlikely Allegany County’s public school system will be able to act anytime soon. The overall county vaccination rate remains below 50%- one of the lowest in the state. While staff rates are high in county schools- students…

City officials are close to signing off on a deal that will lead to development of the vacant 19 Frederick Street building. That building was constructed between 1902 and 1904- and over the decades has been used as a post office, police station and an HRDC senior center-  but it has sat vacant for several years now. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation put out a request for proposals in October and there was immediate, significant interest. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss…                                         …

According to a Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center report, over just the first three months of 2021, fatal overdoses increased 5.7% from the same period of time in 2020 — 90% involved opioids. There were 612 opioid-related fatal overdoses in the state and 92.2% of those opioid deaths involved fentanyl. Local law enforcement officials last week pointed to crystal meth making a comeback as well. As a lifelong county resident,  Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr said it is disconcerting to see such a spike in drug activity…

Governor Larry Hogan Thursday afternoon vetoed the Congressional map passed by the State Senate and House of Delegates. Just about an hour later, the General Assembly voted to override the veto. It was a wide ranging press conference as Maryland's Chief Executive also provided an update on the COVID-19 situation, and criticized the leadership of the legislature for failing to bring his crime bills to any sort of vote. On COVID, Hogan said the Omicron variant is pushing to state’s numbers in the wrong direction, and he again encouraged everyone eligible to get a booster shot… Following the COVID update,…

Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed a redrawn Maryland congressional map on Thursday, and the General Assembly was scheduled to gather for votes to potentially override his veto later in the day. The Republican governor criticized the map approved this week by the House and Senate, which are both controlled by Democrats. Hogan said the new boundaries for the state's eight U.S. House seats are drawn even more unfairly than they were a decade ago, and he said they will be challenged in both federal and state courts. “This is not the end of the process," Hogan said, before signing the veto…

On Monday, a report was received about a potential threat to Fort Hill High School.  Law enforcement was immediately contacted, and the threat was investigated.  It was determined that there is no danger to students or staff at Fort Hill High School as a result of this incident.