Congressman David Trone questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland this week at a House Appropriations meeting about problems around staffing shortages in Federal prisons such as FCI Cumberland in Mexico Farms.  Attorney General Garland, is asking for $205 million dollars for hiring and retention of staff to cut turnover, spending that Trone agrees on…    

Frostburg State University and the West Virginia School of Pharmacy have a new partnership that will give FSU students a shorter route to a Pharmacy degree. Dr. Matthew Crawford, Chair of FSU’s Chemistry department, says the college has been searching for another school to partner with… Dr. Crawford explains that the partnership with WVU essentially takes a year off the time required for a Pharmacy degree…

Citizens are able now to donate toward the purchase and placement of a new town clock through the efforts of the Let’s Beautify Cumberland Committee.  The clock will be located at the intersection of Greene and Washington Streets in Hendershot Park, named after former city councilman Butch Hendershot. Ed Mullaney of Let’s beautify Cumberland said the clock will be adjacent to Downtown… Greg Hendershot is the chair of the clock committee and said donations can be made through the Community Trust Foundation. Construction is continuing around the proposed location of the clock:

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at approximately 11:42 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Park Street.  One of the occupants, Dana Harris, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Harris was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Dana Renee Harris         AGE:  42           Ridgeley, WV CHARGES:  CDS: Possess Paraphernalia

The City of Cumberland Shade Tree Commission is seeking to fill a Board member vacancy. This membership seat requires City residency and the availability to attend meetings. The Shade Tree Commission is a 9-member commission created to advocate sound urban management practices, to preserve and enhance the beauty of Cumberland, and to study the problems and determine the needs of the city with regard to tree planning and maintenance programs. The Mayor and City Council appoint 7 members of this 9-member commission for 4-year terms. Please fill out the interest form at the following: https://tinyurl.com/ycxxhrtk

Allegany County Tourism has launched the 2024 Visit Mountain Maryland Destination Guide to inspire visitors to explore Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland.  This year’s guide features 92 pages of photos and content highlighting the region’s outdoor economy, arts culture, and history. The county’s official travel guide features lodging, dining, camping, event, trail, and museum guides.  70,000 guides were printed for Maryland travel and welcome centers and travel centers in target markets within Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Migratory birds including the Baltimore Oriole and mallard ducks will be better protected on their long journeys with new legislation.  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and House Representative Rick Larsen introduced reauthorizing the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Larsen says the Act will enable the US Fish and Wildlife Service to support partners in the conservation of habitats…

Fifty-eight highway cones, each clad in an orange safety vest, represent transportation  workers killed on West Virginia Highways at the Fallen Worker Memorial in Williamstown.  National Work Zone Safety week runs through April 21st and West Virginia’s Division of Highways will have the cones in place to remind drivers of work zone safety. Governor Jim Justice at the kickoff to the 2023 road construction season, made a plea for drivers to be careful on highways…

A controversial bill that has been tried five previous times in the Maryland General Assembly failed once more this past session.  Often referred to as assisted-suicide, the End Of Life bill introduced again in the House and Senate would have allowed the terminally ill to end their lives with the help of a cocktail of medicines prescribed by a physician.  Senator Mike McKay said the major change in the bill this time around was the inclusion of nursing homes…   

Regulating the use of alcohol in Constitution Park was discussed at length during Tuesday’s Mayor and City Council work session.  Ryan Mackey, Director of Parks and Rec for the City has been getting questions about the ability to bring alcohol into the park.  City Administrator Jeff Silka presented a plan that would require prior permissions since it appears many people already bring such drinks to picnics… The permit would allow alcoholic beverages in specific areas and come with an extra permit charge…