Governor Larry Hogan today submitted 131 appointments to the Maryland State Senate. Secretary of Appointments Chris Cavey presented Senate President Bill Ferguson with the names of the “Green Bag” nominees, including 62 women—nearly half of all appointees. Dating back to 17th century England, the term “Green Bag” refers to the green satchel that is used once every year to bring the gubernatorial nominations to the Senate. Locally two Allegany County residents received nominations, both to the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority. They are Bradford Nixon and Jeremy Bender.

The Cumberland Times News reports electronic data obtained during investigation of alleged illegally killed deer in West Virginia led to charges of fishing violations in Maryland. According to police West Virginia Natural Resources Police in December received warrants to seize multiple cellphones and their contents at the Keyser, West Virginia, residence of Colton Broadwater.  In January, 223 charges involving at least 27 antlered bucks taken illegally in Mineral, Grant and Hampshire counties in West Virginia from mid September to late December were filed against eight area residents. Broadwater was charged with roughly 90 counts that include illegal wildlife possession, conspiracy…

Lawmakers in the Maryland House of Delegates outlined a tax-relief package on Friday that would steer about $300 million over five years to working and middle class families, partly by cutting the state's sales tax on goods like diapers, car seats and diabetic care products. House Speaker Adrienne Jones made the announcement with other House leaders and delegates who are sponsoring the legislation. The speaker said despite federal assistance to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the record amount of state relief approved last year, families are still struggling to make ends meet and afford basic necessities. “As the price…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that $50 million in grant funds will be made available to boost economic development activity, stimulate private sector investment, and grow jobs in the state’s rural regions. Five rural regional councils, representing the Upper, Mid and Lower Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, and Western Maryland, will submit proposals to the Maryland Department of Commerce outlining how they plan to use up to $10 million available through the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund. "Today we are taking the next important step forward in our efforts to help rural Maryland come back better and stronger than ever before,"…

MLB has announced that the first week of spring training games have been cancelled.  MLB statement: “We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of Spring Training games until no earlier than Saturday, March 5th.  All 30 Clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands.  The Clubs have adopted a uniform policy that provides an option for full refunds for fans who have purchased tickets from the Clubs to any Spring Training games that are not taking place. We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to each side. On Monday, members…

Potomac Edison crews remain on the scene in a number of areas including Cumberland and Corriganville with power outages that resulted from downed trees . Estimated return to service is 10 PM

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maryland continue to fall, with the number of patients now at 627, according to data released Friday by the Maryland Department of Health. Hospitalizations fell by 30 patients over the past 24 hours. During a surge in cases from the Omicron variant last month, the number peaked 3,462 patients.  

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of February 18, 2022, there are currently 4,768 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been 16 deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 6,162 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 62-year old female from Kanawha County, an 89-year old male from Wood County, a 63-year old female from Randolph County, an 83-year old male from Wood County, a 62-year old male from Randolph County, a 63-year old male from Kanawha County, an 89-year old female from Fayette County, a 71-year old…

Governor Larry Hogan today provided an update alongside the U.S. Marshals Service on a large-scale, multi-agency law enforcement operation focused on apprehending violent fugitives and wanted gang members during the first two weeks of February, leading to dozens of arrests throughout the Baltimore area.  The governor also urged the Maryland General Assembly to pass his emergency crime bills, including tougher penalties for violent offenders and real transparency to track the sentences that are handed down by judges for violent crimes. "The main focus of this aggressive, multi-agency sweep was to remove some of the most violent repeat felons from the streets…

Scene now clear 9AM: Allegany County Emergency  Services  reports an overturned vehicle on fire on Interstate 68 West near mile marker 32.  The occupants escaped without serious injury. Emergency units are on the scene.