The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin work Tuesday, March 29, on a safety and resurfacing project on US 40 Alternate (Old National Pike) in Washington County. Crews will work weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on the section of the roadway between MD 68 (Lappans Road) and MD 67 (Rohrersville Road), as well as a section of MD 34 (Potomac Street) from King Road back to US 40 Alternate.  Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete in early May. During work hours, crews will use a flagging operation in both directions of…

The state's highest court on Wednesday will begin to hear arguments in a challenge to the state's legislative district map for the state. Special magistrate and retired Court of Appeals Judge Alan Wilner will spend the next three days hearing arguments in a legal challenge to the map filed by six Republican lawmakers, and two voters.  They argue the map approved by a legislative commission violates the state constitution, breaks up communities and draws boundaries to favor Democrats over Republicans.  This lawsuit and a similar one filed against the state's congressional map forced the court to order this year's primary to be…

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) announced key provisions in the final Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations package signed into law by President Joe Biden that they worked to secure in order to support our federal workers through improved compensation and working conditions. The Omnibus Appropriations Act also enables critical maintenance projects at federal facilities in Maryland.   “There are more than 2 million federal employees across the United States who devote their lives to serving the public, whether by caring for our veterans, providing health guidance to keep us safe during this global health crisis, or…

The Cumberland Police served a Criminal Summons on William Leo Miles, age 46 of Hagerstown MD.  The summons charged Miles with Malicious Destruction of Property and Disorderly Conduct.  The summons was issued as a result of a property dispute that occurred on 3-3-22 on the 100 block of Springdale St where it is alleged that Miles damaged another’s property and caused a disturbance. 

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan yesterday saluted agriculture as he recognized state farms that had been in the same family for over a century. Governor Hogan said the program has been playing catch up after being eliminated under former Governor Martin O’Malley for eight years…

A program similar to one that had been providing rental assistance during the pandemic has been announced for West Virginia homeowners who may have fallen behind on bills during the past couple of years. Erica Boggus is the Executive Director for the West Virginia Housing Authority…  

Coronavirus numbers are down across our area and most of America, but are we done with the pandemic? Dr. Clay Marsh says he’s been keeping an eye on Western Europe, which usually runs a few weeks ahead of our region in cases, and there is cause for concern.  

Troopers arrested and charged a Allegany County man early this morning after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of possession of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Justin Allen, 20 of LaVale, Maryland. Allen is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child pornography. He was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail. Beginning in November 2021, the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit conducted an investigation into the possession of child pornography online. The…

The Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Reginel Dechalus, age 36 of Cumberland MD.  The warrant charged Dechalus with Second Degree Assault, Trespassing on Private Property, and Telephone Misuse-Repeat Calls.  The charges were a result of an incident that occurred on March 20th, 2022 at a residence on the 200 block of Industrial Blvd.  Police were called to the residence and contacted a female victim.  She advised that Dechalus had come to her residence and entered it without her permission.  Dechalus refused to leave the property after the female victim requested him to leave.  He eventually left the residence,…

A new poll finds President Biden's approval rating below 50% in Maryland, a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by a 2-1 margin. A Goucher College poll finds 48% of those surveyed either "strongly approve" or "approve" of the job Biden is doing, while 47% "strongly disapprove" or "disapprove." A similar poll in March of last year gave Biden a 61% approval rating, and a poll in October gave him a 53% approval rating. Meanwhile the state’s Republican Governor, Larry Hogan continues a 7 plus year run of strong approval ratings. Pollster Mileah Kromer Since the so-called “honeymoon” period in the…