The NWS has issued a Special Weather Statement today 3/19/24 for an enhanced threat of wildfires, due to high winds and low relative humidity.

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Larry Hogan spoke at the Jewish Community Relations Council where he talked about being a long-time defender of Israel.  He recalled this last January when several University presidents failed to answer Congress on pro-Hamas protests on campuses.  Hogan had returned a fellowship to Harvard in October over such actions that he fervently disagrees with…    

How real estate is bought and sold in Maryland and throughout the country may be changing.  The National Association of Realtors recently settled multiple lawsuits around the rules governing homes for sale.  Liz Rhodes of Coldwell Banker in Cumberland says the issue has been building up for some time, resulting in class-action lawsuits… Rhodes says her office will be getting training soon on the new processes but that Maryland has been ahead of the country in how transactions are done. She says it may be a small change of who pays who in the real estate transaction…    

The Maryland State Board of Elections is involved in a lawsuit along with 23 other states dealing with inaccurate voting records.  The lawsuit, brought by Maryland Election Integrity and United Sovereign Americans says that elections system analysis revealed massive amounts of errors could have affected elections. Annapolis Attorney Ed Hartman who represents the organizations says it is not about going back over previous election results but to move forward and improve post-election processes.

A cross-filed bill from Senator Mike McKay and Delegate Jim Hinebaugh will likely be passed this session to help gun owners. Senator McKay says it will be a handbook similar to what people receive when they get hunting or fishing licenses, but will be for those with wear and carry permissions. The handbook will help to eliminate confusion on the rules around concealed-carry in the state…      

On March 18, 2024, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Carl Henry Baer. The Criminal Summons was issued by the District Court. The original incident occurred on February 20, 2024 at UPMC Western Maryland. Officers responded and were advised that Mr. Bear had assaulted an employee. Arrest: Carl Henry Baer, age 69, Westminster Maryland. Charge: Assault 2nd degree and False Imprisonment. Criminal Summons Served    On March 18, 2024, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Lucy Ann Houdershell. The Criminal Summons was issued by the District Court. The original incident…

Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller today joined the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration to celebrate National Transit Employee Appreciation Day and thank public transportation workers for their service at the Bush Bus Division in Baltimore. Joined by Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld and Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold, the appreciation event was the culmination of a week-long recognition of MTA transit workers.  “Public transit is key to the success of the region and ensures that all of Maryland’s citizens can achieve their full potential,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Public transit workers are truly worthy of recognition for their efforts to deliver…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will meet in public session beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, for the purpose of immediately closing the meeting to convene with the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors for the purpose of discussing the employment, assignment, demotion and compensation of named employees, to receive legal advice regarding possible consequences of a departmental reorganization and to discuss the acquisition of certain properties that were previously conveyed to third parties by the City.  Authority to close the session is provided by Section 3-305(b)(1),…

Moms Demand Action, a movement powered by 10 million moms, teachers, survivors, and students, issued Congressman David Trone a Gun Sense Candidate Distinction for his U.S. Senate bid. The distinction was earned over David’s three terms in Congress, where he helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 – a piece of landmark legislation that has been widely hailed as the most significant gun reform in a generation.  In Congress, David also supported the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, advocating for a nationwide assault weapons ban. In the Senate, he will fight to pass background check requirements, enact red flag…

Maryland Lottery scratch-off tickets sold in District Heights, Cumberland and Silver Spring were responsible for life-changing prizes last week. But the potential for even bigger prizes awaits, as the surging jackpots in Mega Millions and Powerball fueled substantial wins in Charlotte Hall, Hyattsville and Easton. The Lottery awarded the first of four $5 million top prizes on the $5,000,000 Cash scratch-off game on a ticket sold in District Heights. A $2,000,000 Gold Rush ticket gave a Cumberland resident the last of that game’s $2 million top prizes. And a $250,000 Cash Winfall ticket sold in Silver Spring paid a $250,000…