Regarding the COVID-19 relief bills, Senator Ben Cardin told WBAL Radio that most economists agree that the economy is not close to where it was pre-COVID, and that “going big” with the President’s $1.9 trillion Rescue Plan is what is needed to make sure things don’t get worse. There are, however, no shortage of critics of the plan with questions concerning just how much of the money will actually be targeted for COVID relief. Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, says that the money will be used to not only deal with the direct cost related to COVID-19 but to deal with the…

With members of the public in attendance at a meeting for the first time in a year, the Allegany County Board of Education heard from a number of parents Tuesday night, many upset that the board is not yet allowing for all students to return to school on a full-time basis. The board voted 3-2 during last night’s session at the Career Center to approve a new schedule that will see full days in place for four days a week beginning March 22nd- and five days a week starting on April 12th-  albeit continuing with the split A/B configuration. Parents…

On March 9, 2021, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Garrett County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division responded to the 400 block of Garrett Highway for a report of a person wounded by a suspected gunshot.   Responding deputies found 54-year old Brenda Sue Sines, Eglon, West Virginia, in a vehicle that had crashed into the embankment. Deputies located Sines in the vehicle, deceased, and learned that she had succumbed from an apparent gunshot wound. Further investigation led to the development of Steven Douglas Reall, 69, Oakland, as the suspect for the shooting. Reall’s vehicle was located at…

Delegate Wendell R. Beitzel (R – District 1A) had a hearing on Tuesday for HB 1127, the “Garrett County – Memorial Hospital – Board Membership and Meetings,” a bill requested by the Garrett Memorial Hospital Board. This bill would make small structural changes to the Memorial Hospital Board, reducing the number of members from fifteen to nine. This bill would also reduce the number of required meetings the board has from at least ten annually to at least six annually. This bill was requested by the Garrett Memorial Hospital and is supported by the Garrett County House Delegation, of which Delegate Beitzel is the sole member. The Delegate…

According to a new Goucher College poll, two-thirds of Marylanders support legalizing marijuana.  As Democrats in the General Assembly look to pot as a potential revenue source, support is the strongest it's been since the Goucher poll started asking the question in October 2013. Two years ago, 57% of Marylanders supported the legalization of recreational marijuana. Support is stronger among Democrats, with 77% in favor, but 50% of Republicans and 60% of independents support legalizing marijuana. Pollster Mileah Kromer notes that recreational use is now legal in 13 states, including neighboring Virginia and the District of Columbia…

The Board of Revenue Estimates voted today to slightly decrease the revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2021 by 0.004 percent to $18.8 billion, representing a $779,000 decrease from the December estimates. Additionally, the Board revised the projection for Fiscal Year 2022 to $20.1 billion, representing a 1.5 percent increase, or $299 million change, from the previous estimates.  Due to emergency legislation and veto overrides, today’s revenue estimates actually represent a 2.3 percent increase for FY21 and a 2.4 percent increase for FY22, or $424.0 million and $473.3 million, respectively. The largest share of the difference is directly attributable to the extraordinary…

Governor Larry Hogan, Tuesday, announced awardees from the Fiscal Year 2021 application round for three state revitalization programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The Community Legacy program, the Strategic Demolition Fund, and the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative will provide more than $27 million to 157 projects in 19 counties and Baltimore City that support community development and economic growth. The Strategic Demolition Fund awarded more than $8 million to 11 projects including three in Allegany County totaling $625,000. Those projects: $500,000 to go toward the demolition and predevelopment activities for the old Allegany High School…

City Hall will be reopening to the general public on Monday, March 15, 2021. The public will be allowed into City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the purpose of making payments with the Tax and Utility Department or conducting business with the Community Development Department. All visitors will be required to wear face masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines while inside the building. No more than four visitors are permitted in the lobby at any one time. Admittance to other offices will be accommodated by appointment only, with individuals contacting the appropriate staff member or department, in advance, by phone or email…

Bishop Walsh School will be closed Tuesday due to a burst pipe. There will not be virtual learning today. 

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The public schedule for Governor Larry Hogan for Tuesday, March 9, 2021 includes the following:  3:30 PM: Governor Hogan will provide a COVID-19 update. Governor’s Reception Room State House