The latest Goucher College poll finds the most competitive race for Maryland governor would be between a "moderate" Democrat and a Republican "like Larry Hogan".  The hypothetical matchup would find the Republican defeating the Democrat 49% to 44%, which is just outside the poll's margin of error. The poll does not name individual candidates. The poll also asked voters about the most important issue they would consider in choosing a candidate for governor. Goucher Poll and political science professor Mileah Kromer…

The state’s Sports Wagering Applicant Review Commission delayed a vote to award sports betting licenses to five Maryland casinos last week, despite the governor urging the commission to proceed more quickly. Members of the commission met for more than two hours in closed session, then said in open session that they needed to continue gathering information before making decisions on the five sports betting licenses.  The commission requested each sports wagering facility applicant to submit supplemental ownership information. The closed session included legal advice from the Maryland Attorney General’s office. Governor Larry Hogan urged the commission to expedite the launch of the…

With Christmas fast approaching, the popular Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Polar Express excursions are expected to begin in December. Holiday themed trains and family-friendly excursions have been the focal point of the tourist trains new executive director Wes Heinz. A series of Halloween Pumpkin Patch trains as well as weekly end of summer ice cream excursions proved extremely popular with each selling out in short order. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, a member of the railroad’s board of directors, said the hope remains to have a completely restored 1309 steam engine leading the way by the end of the year…

This announcement was just passed along by Allegany County Sheriff Craig Robertson: "Just got word that the Allegany High School Marching Band won first place today in the Atlantic Coast Championships, as well as the Color Guard and Percussion Band. Will be set up a welcome home escort this evening. Any Fire, EMS for Law Enforcement agency wanting to assist please let me know. Once I get a rough Idea of I time, I will let you all know. I’m thinking around 6pm."

Congressman David Trone (MD-06) invited President Biden to sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Cumberland, Maryland, located in Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District. Cumberland is the site of the National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, which was America’s first federally funded, designed, and constructed infrastructure project.    Trone voted to send the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the President’s desk last night. The bill will be transformational for Maryland, injecting billions of dollars of new federal funding to rebuild our infrastructure, create millions of jobs, and leave behind a cleaner environment for generations to come.  …

On Saturday, Cumberland Police responded to an E. Second Street residence for the report of a breaking and entering in progress. The caller stated that Arthur Tejeno Bunbasi Jr, was inside of her house when she got home. When officers arrived in the area, Bunbasi was immediately located and detained. Officers talked with the female caller who advised when she entered her residence, she was confronted by Bunbasi and assaulted. Bunbasi then took some of her medication before fleeing. A search of Bunbasi’s was conducted and the victim’s medication was located on him. He was arrested and charged with assault,…

Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Allegany County. Maryland DNR photo       The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a controlled burn on Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area between now and November 22 as weather and other conditions allow. Residents or drivers who see smoke in the area southwest of Rawlings should be aware that it may appear to be a forest fire, but is deliberate and controlled and there is no need to report it to authorities. The fire will create smoke but it will be a controlled flame targeting underbrush and ground cover debris. Access to…

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 $17,624,885 in federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health to strengthen the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases across the state. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the notion that preparedness through a robust public health infrastructure can save lives,” said the lawmakers. “This funding will bolster the state’s current public health response efforts and ability to better prevent the spread of future infectious diseases….

  Photo by Bob Geary                       Hunters harvested 54 black bears during Maryland’s 18th annual black bear hunt. Official results have been compiled and reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources following the five-day hunt held Oct. 25-29 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Abundant natural food in the mountains of Western Maryland slowed bear movements, and warm and sometimes wet weather conditions made hunting difficult. Hunters harvested 34 female and 20 male bears under these less-than-ideal conditions. “Mother Nature proved challenging this year for our bear hunters,” Wildlife and…