U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) reintroduced the Farewell to Foam Act, bicameral legislation to phase out single-use plastic foam food service products, “loose fill” such as packing peanuts, and non-medical disposable coolers – materials known to cause harmful health effects and pollute waterways. This bill prohibits the sale and distribution of these items beginning January 2028 while aiming to support the transition to alternatives. Additional Senate cosponsors of this legislation are Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif),…

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general that today won a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration to block its illegal policy to freeze funding for essential federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. Chief Judge John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island today granted the preliminary injunction after Attorney General Brown and the coalition sued the Trump administration to stop the funding freeze.   “Federal funding plays a critical role in Maryland’s efforts to keep our communities safe, educate our children, and protect our infrastructure….

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on James Hendershot II.  The warrant was issued as the result of Hendershot violating probation on an original charge of Violate Protective Order.  Hendershot was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  James William Hendershot II    AGE:  33     Cumberland, MD    

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Cory Sisk.  The summons was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Sisk at the District Court of Allegany County.  Sisk signed for his copy of the summons and he was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Cory Alex Sisk                   AGE:  32                    Cumberland, MD CHARGES:   Violate Protective Order, Malicious Destruction of Property less than $1,000  

Allegany College of Maryland will soon start to look different as solar energy comes to the campus. With the recent award of $414,000 from the Maryland Energy Administration in addition to previous money received, plans can go ahead for adding solar panels and other photovoltaic systems.  Solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Allied Health building, but visitors will also see energy generating additions to parking areas…     “Solar-powered parking canopies with EV chargers will be constructed. And that’s really great because not only can you park under the solar canopies which can be great, with…

Advocates for senior citizens are supporting Maryland bills that would require increased inspections for assisted living facilities and the installation of video surveillance in common areas. Currently, such facilities do not have the same oversight as nursing homes.Tammy Bresnahan with AARP Maryland says much of her focus in Annapolis this year is on assisted living…     “So they look a lot like what’s in a nursing home, but people are privately paid for that. The regulations really only require initially for the licensure to have the inspection and if there’s a problem, they have to go out. So they…

University of Maryland Global Campus is working with Amazon Web Services to promote the AWS Cloud Institute, a training program for learning entry-level cloud computing roles. Learners can build a digital job skills portfolio and receive skill and career services throughout the program. The virtual program has four start times throughout the year with the next one starting April 7.  More information is at umgc.edu.

The American Red Cross is offering free A1C screenings for anyone donating blood in March. Diabetes affects one in ten people but a fourth of those are undiagnosed. Jason Keeling with the Allegheny Highlands Red Cross says the free screening enables them to give donors much-needed health information…     “One of these ways is the A1C testing so they can understand if potentially they have high levels of this which could indicate potentially type two diabetes. We want to try to help give donors the most information we can about their current health status.”

Pipe installation operations will be performed on Knobley Road, County Route 9, between Fairview Valley Road and Georges Run Road, in Mineral County, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use an alternate route if possible. Exact schedule is weather dependent.​ ​

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at approximately 6:47 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Knox Street for a disturbance.  Police had received multiple calls for a man causing a disturbance.  Officers eventually contacted the man who was identified as Jeremy Livengood.  Livengood had already been told earlier by police not to cause any further disturbances.  Several people in the area had gathered to witness Livengood’s disruptive behavior.  Officers attempted to arrest Livengood and he resisted.  After a brief struggle, Livengood was taken into custody and transported to Central Booking.  He…