Lost in the hotly contested presidential election in November was a ballot question in Maryland giving lawmakers more of a say in how the state’s budget is crafted. That statewide referendum question was supported by 75% of voters. The budget referendum will allow lawmakers to increase, decrease and move money around in the state’s spending blueprint, subject to the overall cap set by the governor. Governor Larry Hogan’s state political committee, Change Maryland, launched a website in opposition to the measure. Republican lawmakers also spoke against it. In October, Hogan made clear his position on Question 1, calling it “a blatant cash and power grab…

Early COVID-19 vaccinations at Maryland hospitals, nursing homes, and local health departments arel continuing this week as the state allocates an additional 82,800 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.  Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan is focused on front line healthcare workers, long-term care residents and staff, and first responders. Through this week’s allocations, local health departments will be able to begin vaccination clinics for first responders, and hospitals will have enough doses to vaccinate all of their critical front line staff. These allocations will also continue the support of CVS and Walgreens as they vaccinate nursing home residents and…

After decades of debate, legislators are finally sensing strong support for repealing Maryland's state song, a Civil War-era call to arms for the Confederacy against “Northern scum” that refers to President Abraham Lincoln as a despot. “Maryland, My Maryland,” set to the traditional seasonal tune of “O, Tannenbaum,” was written as a poem in 1861 by James Ryder Randall and adopted as the state song in 1939. Lawmakers have tried to replace it since 1974. This year's nationwide protests against racial injustice may have made the difference. “Confederate-sympathizing language is not representative of who we are as a state any longer,” said…

Nearly 1,900 new coronavirus cases were reported in Maryland on Tuesday, as the state’s total surpassed 271,000, with 63 additional deaths.  The state’s calculation of the positivity rate increased from 7.4% on Monday to 8.1% on Tuesday. As of Tuesday morning, 271,061 COVID-19 cases had been reported in the state, an increase of 1,878 from Monday.  Hospitalizations decreased slightly on Tuesday, according to state health department data.  An additional 7,816 Marylanders were vaccinated against the virus over a 24-hour period, bringing the total to 28,615.

At the direction of Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources (DNR) have now provided more than $9 million in COVID-19 relief funding to farmers, watermen, and producers. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented hardship for so many, and while Maryland’s farmers and producers are certainly no exception, they have continued to work hard every single day to support our food supply chain,” said Governor Hogan. “We remain strongly committed to helping Maryland’s agricultural community as we weather this storm together.” This relief is part of the more than $600 million in emergency economic relief…

The State Fire Marshals office is investigating a Clear Spring house fire. The following report has been issued:   Location/Address:  11502 Dam #5 Road, Clear Spring, Washington County Type of Incident: structure fire Description of Structure / Property:  private woodworking shop Owner / Occupants: Michael Stains Injuries or Deaths: none Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $2,000  Contents: $10,000 Smoke Alarm Status:  none present Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: none present Arrests(s): none Primary Responding Fire Department: Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Department # of Alarms: 1       # Of Firefighters: 46 Time to Control:  1 hour Discovered By:  family member Area of Origin:  front interior of woodworking shop…

A Garrett County woman is facing assault charges following a stabbing incident in the Oakland Town Parking Lot on Monday. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were called to the scene for a report of an attack involving a knife. An investigation lead to the arrest of 30 year old April Georg of Oakland, who allegedly assaulted a woman in the parking lot with a pocket knife. The victim was taken to GRMC for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Georg is charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault and reckless endangerment. She's being held at the Garrett County Detention Center. 

Cumberland fire units were dispatched to Arch Street for a report of a structure fire late Monday afternoon.  Upon arrival, responders determined that smoke seen coming out of the structure was the result of a smoke bomb that had been set off inside the residence.  The incident remains under investiagtion.  

On December 28th, 2020, patrol officers with the Cumberland City Police Dept. observed a traffic offense on a passenger vehicle in the area of Industrial Blvd. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and contact made with the occupants. During the course of the traffic stop, a K-9 was utilized to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle which alerted positive for the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the arrest of two of the individuals. The driver of the vehicle, Dustin Davis King, 32, of La…

It will be several months before the COVID vaccine makes it to many people, including those at risk in the general population.  West Virginia Governor Jim Justice Monday said during his regular briefing that if you feel symptoms that you seek treatment immediately…