Governor Larry Hogan today submitted a $1.08 billion supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2022 that expands critical rental assistance programs, restores key funding for transportation infrastructure projects, and increases funding for minority-serving colleges and universities. Rental Assistance. Based on the recommendations of a bipartisan advisory group, the supplemental budget allocates federal emergency rental assistance of $258 million, including:  $193 million through the Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership, which supports local rental and utility assistance programs. An additional $143 million in federal assistance was allocated directly to eight jurisdictions with populations over 200,000. All local programs are expected to be open for…

On Wednesday, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Cumberland Police Department partnered with Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) assigned to the Finzel Scalehouse, conducted a joint commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety operation on I-68 Eastbound from Frostburg, MD through the City of Cumberland.  The operation focused on speeding CMV's in the 45 and 40 MPH speed zones which have resulted in numerous brake fires and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) collisions in an effort to reduce these incidents.    The initiative results are as follows;   28 – CMV's stopped for traffic violations   18 – CMV…

The City of Cumberland, in partnership with the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, will hold a special livestream event on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in which the Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project will be discussed and the final artist renderings will be shared with the public. Mayor Ray Morriss and the project’s designer, William Cochran, will provide updates on the project’s status, funding and design elements, and will discuss what the public can expect during pre-, during and post-construction phases. “I’m very excited to share the artist renderings with everyone,” said Mayor Ray Morriss, “William Cochran has created a design that is equally beautiful and…

More than 140,000 Marylanders now have health insurance since the state's Health Benefit Exchange launched its Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period one year ago Governor Hogan on Wednesday said the program’s success is a testament to his administration's commitment to helping Marylanders weather the pandemic. “We are pleased to announce the tremendous response to this special enrollment period, which is one of the nation’s longest in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the Governor in a statement. “This program’s success is a testament to our commitment to ensure Marylanders have access to the resources they need to weather the pandemic…

The Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department Advisory Board is seeking to add a local high school youth to its membership. This Board membership seat is open to any local high school age youth, 16 to 18 years of age, with an interest in Community Recreation facilities and programs. The Parks and Recreation Board is a 5-7 member appointed Board, with members chosen from the community at large, and one member serving as a representative of the YMCA. Each board member serves a 3-year term. The Board meets monthly as a group with the mission of fostering planning for recreational activities…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that federal officials have told him to expect "a fairly dramatic increase" in vaccine allotments starting March 29. In remarks at a Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force vaccination clinic at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Family Life Center in Upper Marlboro, Hogan said the increased supply will make good use of all the infrastructure built out by state and local governments. To date, vaccine clinics have been operating far below their capacities…

City officials voted Tuesday to issue a tax exempt series of general obligation bonds in order to finance or reimburse the costs of projects authorized for debt funding;  and to refinance debt incurred in recent years. Cumberland City Administrator Jeff Rhodes said the financial moves will lead to a cost savings for the city…

Starting this Monday, Allegany County students will begin transitioning from half-day to full-day instruction as the public school system continues its phased in re-opening plan.  The desire on the part of many parents to see their kids return to the classroom  was evident during this months school board meeting as a number of community members made emotional pleas to the board to re-open. The majority of those parents addressing the board talked about their kids suffering from depression and anxiety since schools have been closed. Student board member Mitchell Septoff however said that those parents who are assuming a student’s…

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has announced that his office has processed more than 1 million tax returns since the tax filing season began February 12.  Despite the later start to the tax season and the additional complexity of simultaneously implementing the RELIEF Act, the agency has processed more returns this year than at the same point in last year’s tax season.  As of March 15, 1,056,729 returns have reportedly been processed…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has announced the state is expanding the list for pre-existing medical conditions to be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. All adults over the age of 16 who live in West Virginia will be able to get the vaccine with the certain listed medical conditions.  Justice also announced they will begin vaccinating essential workers of all ages due to their front line status and to help keep businesses open…