After hopes for a bipartisan January 6 commission collapsed last week, Democrats may have a new plan to investigate the attack on the Capitol: A select House committee, which would not require Republican support to establish. Such a committee would differ from the proposed bipartisan commission in several key ways, but could still take steps to ensure accountability for those involved in the insurrection. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, anticipates leadership moving in this direction…  

While Allegany County officials have already voted to finalize the county’s $96.5 million fiscal year 2022 budget- some changes are expected to be made this month as additional dollars will be required to go toward education. That action made necessary as the result of the state Kirwan Education reform legislation. The Board of Education asked for $31.2 million in funding from the county for the coming fiscal year, which was just $1 above last year’s request. County Administrator Jason Bennett said however that expenses associated with the Kirwin Bill  will  dramatically increase expenses for the county in coming years. The…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced this week that the state reached its goal of vaccinating 70% of adults in the state by Memorial Day. Hogan said that the state's aggressive vaccination efforts will continue “to make sure no arm is left behind."  Hogan made the announcement, saying President Biden set a goal for 70% of the country's adults to get the shot by July 4th and that Maryland set the goal of doing that by Memorial Day. He thanked Marylanders for helping the state achieve this pandemic milestone well ahead of much of the nation…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced more details about a weekly lottery style drawing of prizes for state residents who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine that will kick off Father’s Day and run through August  4. The Father’s Day giveaways will include a $1 million prize; two full, four-year scholarships to any higher education in the state (residents ages 12 to 25 are eligible); two custom-outfitted pickup trucks; 25 weekend getaways to state parks; five lifetime hunting and fishing licenses; and five custom hunting rifles and five custom hunting shotguns…

Gov. Larry Hogan Tuesday announced that the State of Maryland will discontinue enhanced pandemic federal unemployment benefits and reinstate work search requirements early next month. In a statement, Hogan said the enhanced benefits will end on July 3 and the work requirement begins the week of July 4.  “Our health and economic recovery continues to outpace the nation, and we have reached the benchmark set by President Biden of vaccinating 70% of adults,” said Hogan. “While these federal programs provided important temporary relief, vaccines and jobs are now in good supply. And we have a critical problem where businesses across…

Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is using a helicopter equipped with an aerial saw to trim trees and maintain electrical clearances along six difficult-to-access transmission line corridors in Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. The work began on May 20 and is expected to conclude in mid-July. Maintaining proper clearances around transmission lines and electrical equipment can help reduce the frequency and duration of tree-related power outages, especially those associated with severe weather such as spring and summer thunderstorms. “Taking this step to safeguard our high-voltage power lines is an important part of our vegetation management program…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), local jurisdictions, and their partners operate COVID-19 testing sites and mobile testing teams throughout the state. This weekly advisory provides information about testing site locations and hours operated by local health departments and MDH.  Reminder: All Marylanders 12 and older are now eligible for vaccination. Directly schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination site or find a pharmacy, hospital or local health department near you to make an appointment. Some local health departments are no longer offering testing services to focus on vaccinations, but you can find a local testing site from more than…

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will restore MD 56 (Big Pool Road) bridge traffic over I-70 (Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) to its original pattern tomorrow, June 2. Crews will be working on the bridge deck and will remove the temporary traffic signal. Two-way traffic will be restored on the bridge by the end of the day.   MDOT SHA contractor Concrete General, Inc of Gaithersburg, will be performing the work. The shift is part of a project to rehabilitate the MD 56 bridge over I-70. Originally constructed in 1964, the bridge is safe for travel, but the bridge deck surface is nearing the end of its service life. Learn more about the project here.      …

On Monday, May 31st, 2021 a Cumberland Police Officer was on Patrol in the area of Queen Street and Virginia Avenue when he stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation.  The driver was contacted and made aware for the reason of the stop.  A Cumberland K-9 assisted with the stop and based on the alert of the K-9 for the presence of CDS, a search was conducted.  A passenger; identified as Robert Kyle Miller was found to be in possession of a quantity of heroin and uncapped hypodermic syringes.  He was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and possession…

On Monday, May 31st, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Joseph Henry Dowell charging him with malicious destruction of property and discharging a firearm in the City.  The summon was issued by District Court in reference to an incident that occurred on May 28th, 2021 at a Grand View Terrance property.  On that date, Dowell is alleged to have fired a shotgun damaging a window according to the complainant.  He signed and received copies of the charging documents and was released pending trial at District Court.   Joseph Henry Dowell, age; 57, Cumberland, Maryland.