Today, the House Republican Caucus reelected their leadership team by unanimous acclamation. Delegate Jason Buckel (District 1-B Allegany County) and Delegate Jesse Pippy (District 4 – Frederick County) were re-elected to serve as Minority Leader and Minority Whip. The Leader and Whip run for their leadership positions as a team. First elected to serve as Minority Leader in 2021, Delegate Buckel previously served as Chief Deputy Minority Whip. “I am thankful to be selected by my friends and colleagues to continue to serve as the House Minority Leader,” said Delegate Buckel. “We will face many challenges during the upcoming 90-day…

Due to inclement weather, Garrett County Public Schools will open two hours late on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Code Orange for employees. Administrative offices will open at 10:00 a.m.

Senator Chris Van Hollen has now become the most senior member of the Maryland delegation in the United States Senate and Congress.  Van Hollen takes the helm from Senator Ben Cardin who retired at the end of 2023.  Robin Summerfield who is now Van Hollen’s field representative for Western Maryland, says Van Hollen will be the lead in keeping “Team Maryland” focused on constituent issues…   “We’re going to have a lot of continuity. Obviously, everyone brings their own personal style and interest to the team. I think there will be a tremendous amount of continuity. Senator Van Hollen will…

Maryland’s delegation on Capitol Hill has four freshman members as the new term begins.  Sworn in on Friday were Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Congressmen Sarah Elfreth, Johnny Olszewski, and April McClain-Delaney. All four are Democrats.  Olszewski told reporters his new role builds perfectly with his experience in education and government…    “I started my career as an American Government and History teacher so so this is a very special full circle moment for me to now become a member of the United States Congress after teaching young people about the importance of our American democracy.”

A second attempt to find a developer for the former Memorial Hospital land is now in progress. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation announced late last week that a new open request for bids has been published to develop housing on the seven acres.  The CEDC had made an agreement with RAZ Development in 2023 that would have put over 250 housing units on the site, but the CEDC and the developer parted ways last year after common ground for the design  could not be reached.

On Monday, January 6th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Bond St for a harassment complaint. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a subject identified as Robert Rodriquez Jr, 39, of Cumberland MD, had been at the residence, harassing and threatening the caller. At the time, Rodriguez was advised to leave the property and create no further disturbances involving the caller. Throughout the day, Rodriquez returned to the home and threatened the caller two additional times. As a result, he was placed under arrest and taken before a District Court Commissioner for…

On Monday, January 6th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Eric Daniel Winterstine, 32, of Ridgeley WV. Winterstine was arrested on an active Body Attachment issued by the Allegany County Circuit Court on November 1st, 2024. The Body Attachment was issued as a result of child support noncompliance. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held on $100 bond. Name:    Eric Daniel Winterstine                                 Age:   32 Charges:    Circuit Court Body Attachment

Yesterday’s storm dumped up to a foot of snow in parts of West Virginia. Governor Jim Justice had declared a state of emergency for all counties in the state ahead of the impact of Winter Storm Blair. Secretary of Transportation Jimmy Wriston said that the state’s road crews were primed and ready in a state of preparedness that started last week…   “Paying attention to these weather forecasts and monitoring the changes that those go through. Communicating with our national guard partners. Communicating with our first responders and fire trucks. And even tow trucks. That’s critical on our interstates to…

The incoming Governor of West Virginia says plans are already in place to work with the Trump administration.  Patrick Morrisey will be sworn in as governor on January 13 in Charleston but told reporters he has been talking about ways to team up with the incoming president… “Along the way in the upcoming months, we’re going to have a number of announcements of projects we’ll work on with them and different initiatives that might require waivers from them. So it’s an exciting time. West Virginia is on the cusp of important, new transformation.”

Maryland’s legislature convenes on Wednesday with over 500 bills already prefiled. Governor Wes Moore also has bills he wants to submit, including changing up some of the timelines in the state’s Blueprint for Education plan. Western Maryland Senator Mike McKay tells WCBC he agrees with Moore that a pause is needed, but the governor may have trouble getting Democratic backup…    “Will he have house leadership and senate leadership in agreement to trim the Blueprint down? He will definitely get pushback in the House. There are a lot of delegates who covet the teachers’ endorsements and I’m sure that the…