U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) released the following joint statement on the Continuing Resolution and cost-share provisions for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore: “Following the tragic collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore in March, we led a federal response that was both immediate and all-encompassing. Working alongside Governor Wes Moore, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and Team Maryland, this all-hands-on-deck approach was necessary to face a catastrophe of the magnitude we experienced in Baltimore on March 26. Since that day, we have fought to deliver the full support of the federal…

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at approximately 11:05 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a shoplifting complaint.  Police contacted the staff who reported that Gabrielle Miller stole items from the store and left the area.  After further investigation, police located Miller on Kentucky Avenue and issued her a criminal citation for the theft. ARRESTED:  Gabrielle Renee Miller   AGE:  18   Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Theft less than $100

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at approximately 3:38 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Glenn Street.  Two of the vehicle occupants were identified as Joshua Warnick and Melvin Roe Jr.  A police K-9 was utilized and alerted to the odor of drugs in the vehicle.  A search was then conducted.  Warnick was found to be possession of suspected Alprazolam and Roe was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine.  Roe also had an active arrest warrant through West Virginia.  They were arrested and transported to police headquarters.  Warnick was issued a criminal…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council motioned to table the new parking rates for Baltimore Street.  Councilwoman Laurie Marchini motioned to pull the order from the agenda and Councilman Richard Cioni agreed to think on the matter a little longer.  Since the last Open Work Session when the council agreed to move Baltimore Street’s new parking rates along, Marchini says she has been made aware of concerns she would like to think on before making a decision… “I just want to consider it a little further after our discussions at the last meeting in the Work Session.  Different things have…

Maryland Delegate Justin Ready may have put it best Tuesday calling the budget crisis in the state a “self-inflicted wound.”  Maryland’s Joint Republican Caucus is urging restraint to curtail the state’s $3 billion dollar budget deficit in response to Tuesday’s Spending Affordability Committee Report.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel remarked that even Governor Moore understands tax increases are not the answer…     “The Democratic response to these budget problems is raise our taxes higher. But at the same time, voices like Governor Moore, and we appreciate him for taking this position, he seems to recognize one of the biggest…

Former Administrator of the Social Security Administration and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley continues to campaign for chair of the Democratic National Party. O’Malley left the Social Security position after less than a year in the job to pursue the DNC Chair.  He said the average family is living to pay bills, has little interest in the stock market, and Democrats need to get back to grassroots…     “The number one issue is we’ve got to restore a brand that people want to run on rather than a brand that people want to run from. So, our number one…

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers of scammers impersonating collections officials. Taxpayers may receive a request for gift cards to resolve outstanding tax debt. The request can come in the form of an email or phone call where a fake agent states false information and demands payment. Rodney Bearman, IRS Public Affairs Officer, tells WCBC that the IRS follows a protocol in asking for any payments… “The IRS wants taxpayers to know that we would never call to demand payment or request a specific payment such as a gift card, prepaid debit card, or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS…

The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce has elected new officers for 2025 to lead the organization’s efforts. Rob Collette of Cumberland Healthcare Center will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Julie Westendorf of the Allegany Arts Council will be First Vice Chair and Crystal Bender of Service Master of Allegany County will be Second Vice Chair.  The Chamber Board is comprised of 18 members representing a wide variety of industry and community.  The board will convene in January to set specific goals and objectives for the year.

The Maryland Department of Health has reported the first three cold-related illness deaths in Maryland for the 2024-2025 winter weather season. The deceased individuals were adult males, two in their 60’s and one in their 30’s. The deaths occurred in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.  Marylanders in need of warming centers or overnight shelter can contact the local health department or call 2-1-1 and provide their county location and ZIP code to get information about locations, hours of operation, and available accommodations. 

On Tuesday, the electoral college voted across the United States in all 50 state capitals and Washington, D.C.  West Virginia’s four members of the electoral college cast their ballots Tuesday afternoon for Donald Trump.  The four electors were from Wood, Kanawha, Berkeley, and Nicholas Counties.  Donald Trump won the November 5th race in West Virginia with 70% of the popular vote.  In Maryland, all ten electoral votes went to Kamala Harris, where she won 63% of the vote.  In Pennsylvania, 19 electors voted for Donald Trump Tuesday as he edged Kamala Harris with over 50% of the vote.  On January…