On the final day of the Maryland General Assembly, House members debated the final version of the fiscal year 2026 budget. It includes $1.6 billion dollars in new taxes and $1.3 billion in new fees.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it will raise the cost of living across the state…     “We are raising the taxes and fees on every single person at every single business that you know from the poor to the middle class to the upper middle class to the small businesses, to the McCormick’s, to the Northrop Grumman’s. But I’m telling you, at the…

Residents traveling through LaVale have been speculating for some time about the land being cleared at the entrance to the Country Club mall along Vocke Road.  Allegany County’s Economic Development Director Jeff Barclay tells WCBC he is not at liberty to name the developer as they want to make their own announcement soon, but the project bodes well for the area…   “They’re definitely moving forward. There may be good rumors out there, that’s a good thing. We’re hoping it spurs more development. I mean there’s other restaurants and other things that want to be in LaVale and we’re talking…

Municipalities across the nation have been involved for some time in litigation with companies that made, sold, or distributed prescription painkillers and were accused of fueling the opioid crisis. The City of Cumberland, too, has been involved in these cases. A recent case has resulted in a settlement that Cumberland will accept. Though there is no dollar amount assigned, Mayor Ray Morriss says it won’t be a large amount…     “It won’t be enough, I’ll say that. When you look at all of this from what the costs have been for our public safety, for our ambulance service, our EMT…

Maryland’s Department of Health this week celebrates the dedication and achievements of the state’s public health workforce in promoting health, safety and preparedness for Marylanders. Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said this year’s theme is “It Starts Here.”  He spoke about his beginnings in the healthcare workforce…     “My public health journey started as a primary care doctor where I was caring for people in the DC jail. Each of us brings our own history, expertise, and passion to our work at MDH. Together, our efforts support a safer and healthier Maryland.”

  On Monday, April 7, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Ronald Giles III.  The warrant was issued as the result of Giles failing to appear for court on original charges of CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis.  Giles was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  Ronald Lewis Giles III         AGE:  37            Cumberland, MD

West Virginia University saw its highest-recorded freshman retention rate this year with 93.8% of freshmen returning for the spring 2025 semester, according to Interim Provost Paul Kreider.  Kreider told the WVU Board of Governors last week the retention rate gives administrators great hope that many current freshmen will continue their journeys as Mountaineers in their sophomore year.

This week is Severe Storms Awareness Week in Maryland.  The theme is “Don’t Get Caught in the Storm—Be Ready.”  The Maryland Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service urge residents to be aware and prepare for spring weather hazards.  Typical spring dangers include floods, high winds, tornadoes, hail, and lightning. 

The Frostburg Mayor and City Council will meet Tuesday afternoon.  Agenda topics include next year’s budget, hotel/motel tax requests, and utility rates.

On April 6th, 2025 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Charles Jeffery Toles. The summons was issued after an officer observed Toles and was aware that he had an active warrant. Toles was placed under arrest, a search incident to arrest was conducted, and the officer located a device commonly used to inhale CDS on his person. Toles signed for his copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court.   NAME: Charles Jeffery Toles  AGE: 45  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: CDS possession of paraphernalia   CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On April 6th, 2025 the Cumberland…

In one of the final Maryland Democratic Senate press briefings on Friday, Senate President Bill Ferguson looked back on the past three months, saying this has been the most difficult session in his years in Annapolis, but he is pleased with the work done…    “We had to take a very balanced approach to a challenging fiscal climate in our state’s budget that started with a cut-first approach to make Maryland more efficient. We had to weigh those cuts against our state’s critical social safety net. I believe we landed at a place that allows us to fully invest in…