Blake Cronk, of Westernport, has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a new state record holder for fallfish in the state’s nontidal division. Cronk caught the 3.2-pound fish on April 1 while fishing in the North Branch of the Potomac River, below the Piedmont Bridge in the Westernport area. Cronk’s catch broke the previous record 3.0-pound fish caught by Bryson Meyers of Oakland on June 16, 2023. he Department of Natural Resources maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting registrations for the 2024 Adopt-A-Highway Spring Cleanup set for Saturday, April 27. Adopt-A-Highway improves the quality of the state’s environment by encouraging public involvement in eliminating highway litter. Garbage bags, work gloves and safety vests are provided to volunteers. Groups must register by April 17th and inform their local DOH garage if they need supplies. To register, call 1-800-322-5530. Last year, nearly 3,000 volunteers removed over 85,000 pounds of litter from over 600 miles of roadway.

Blake Cronk, of Westernport, has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a new state record holder for fallfish in the state’s nontidal division. Cronk caught the 3.2-pound fish on April 1 while fishing in the North Branch of the Potomac River, below the Piedmont Bridge in the Westernport area.  Cronk’s catch broke the previous record 3.0-pound fish caught by Bryson Meyers of Oakland on June 16, 2023.  The Department of Natural Resources maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting registrations for the 2024 Adopt-A-Highway Spring Cleanup set for Saturday, April 27.  Adopt-A-Highway improves the quality of the state’s environment by encouraging public involvement in eliminating highway litter. Garbage bags, work gloves and safety vests are provided to volunteers. Groups must register by April 17th and inform their local DOH garage if they need supplies. To register, call 1-800-322-5530.  Last year, nearly 3,000 volunteers removed over 85,000 pounds of litter from over 600 miles of roadway.

Focus Frostburg 2024, a “Learn-in” for a Sustainable Future, will take place Wednesday, April 17, at Frostburg State University's Lane University Center. The full day event features programs, discussions and hands-on activities highlighting issues of sustainability and climate awareness. All presentations are open to the campus community and the larger regional community. Events kick off at 10 a.m., with presentations and workshops running through 4 p.m. Featured topics include sustainable agriculture, genetically modified organisms, energy efficiency, Native Americans and public-land partnerships, green religion, outdoor recreation and economic development, environmentalism and the U.S. Market System, sustainable smart-grid technology, writing about rare,…

The West Virginia Water Development Authority has approved 18 new Economic Enhancement Grant Fund projects.  Governor Justice made the announcement, saying the money is used for upgrading infrastructure such as water, sewer, as well as economic development, commerce, and tourism projects. Locally, the Frankfort PSD was awarded a $240,000 to continue upgrades of the Dawn View water storage tank and Baker Hollow pump station and Central Hampshire PSD has secured a $2 million dollar grant to decommission the Harvest Hills wastewater treatment plant…

Governor Wes Moore’s press conference giving an update on efforts to clear the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge had good news and bad news on Wednesday.  The bad news lies in the wreckage and the poor visibility that divers have in the water…   The Governor did say that progress has been made in getting the port running again…

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a costly settlement to victims of sexual harassment by the swimming coach at the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus.  A Department of Justice report found that allegations of sexual abuse by Coach Chad Cradok went back as far as 2015.  Cradok committed suicide in 2021.  Over $4 million dollars will be awarded to the victims.  UMBC President Valerie Sheares-Ashby addressed the Public Works Board about the incident… Comptroller Brooke Lierman commented on the settlement, sharing her personal experience with sexual assault…  

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at approximately 10:11 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the first block of Potomac Street for an assault.  Officers contacted the alleged victim who reported that she had been assaulted by Shawn Washington at a residence in the 100 block of Humbird Street prior to fleeing to her current location.  The victim sustained injuries consistent with her statement.  Police learned that Washington was in violation of his pre-trial release conditions.  Officers located Washington at the Humbird Street address. He was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking where…

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Micah Moore.  The summons was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Moore at the District Court of Allegany County.  Moore signed for her copy of the summons and she was released pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Micah Lorena Moore        AGE:  21          Cumberland, MD