The seventh appeal hearing on the placement of nine wind turbines on Dans Mountain proved inconclusive on Wednesday.  The Allegany County Board of Zoning Appeals is deliberating an appeal from citizens group ANCHOR who wants a reversal of the county’s decision to grant zoning permits and certification to Dans Mountain Wind Force. The board is requesting additional information on groundwater and have scheduled a follow-up hearing for June 25th at 4pm.

The US Senate has just under four weeks to come up with a reconciliation for the “Big Beautiful” budget plan set out by President Trump. The bill includes extending the tax cuts passed in 2025 that are slated to expire at the end of the year.  Republican Committee Chair Shelly Moore-Capito told reporters she is predicting success with bill reconciliation…   “We will bring forward from the Senate a robust product that will protect the American people, that will unleash our American energy, but also make sure that those flourishing days of 2018 and 19 when we were on a…

The passage of a 73% trash rate increase did not go without comment at this week’s Cumberland Mayor and Council meeting. Before passing the new rate, former councilman Harvey May requested amending the increase, saying it negates the pledge they make at every meeting of “liberty and justice for all.” May said some citizens will not be included in the “all” phrasing…     “It will mean liberty and justice for some, not for all. Senior citizens, with a limited income, will still be subsidizing the cost for garbage for everyone else.”

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced on Thursday that his coalition of 24 attorneys general have succeeded in winning a preliminary injunction which halts the dismantling of AmeriCorps programs across the country. In late April, the Trump Administration closed $400 million dollars in AmeriCorps programs including the A-STAR program at Frostburg State University. The court order restores these programs for the time being.

Using the recent flooding in Allegany County as a prime example, Congresswoman April McClain-Delaney urged congress to continue funding for FEMA and NOAA, as well as the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. She pointed to the needs of her district in the Georges Creek area following the flooding in May. Delaney said funding is essential for services that protect all Americans…     “They’re essential pillars of our emergency response and national security. And contribute to our resilience. In my district and across the country, we must come together on a bipartisan manner to fund and respond to national emergencies…

After waiting for months and months, the Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have their starting quarterback for the upcoming season.  Aaron Rodgers will sign a one year deal and be at mini-camp next week.

A driver is dead following a crash on Interstate 70 in Howard County, Maryland early Thursday morning. Maryland State Police believe two vehicles collided and caught fire.  MSP troopers responded to eastbound I-70, west of Sand Hill Road, for a report of a two-vehicle crash just before 4:20 a.m.  Investigators believe the crash occurred between a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck hauling a trailer. Following the crash, both the tractor-trailer and the pickup truck caught fire.

An effort to mitigate devastating flooding in Ellicott City is moving forward with the announcement of two $5 million loans to complete projects that will divert storm-driven flash flooding away from downtown Ellicott City businesses.  Flood-prone Ellicott City has seen three major events since 2011, including what was called a once in a 1,000-year storm in 2016, when flooding along Main Street damaged buildings and killed two people.

The Johnstown Galleria Mall is set to implement significant changes that will affect several local businesses.  Starting next month, the mall will require all stores to operate six days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., a move that has prompted some businesses to close their doors, due to added costs in personnel.