In the supplemental budget recently released by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, adjustments to the state’s original budget plan were updated. One of the areas receiving more funding is the Developmental Disabilities Administration which will receive $300 million dollars in fiscal years 2025 and 26. The DDA is still facing budget cuts, but Delegate Jason Buckel agrees that funding is needed in the program…     “If we’re going to look out for anybody under a safety net approach to government, we should definitely be looking out for those that have special needs and children and families that need these services.”

Blair Christian Rattenni, 37 of Cumberland was arrested on a District Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. His original disposition was 12 months Unsupervised Probation Before Judgement for Driving Motor Vehicle on Highway or Pubic Use Property on Suspended License and Privilege. He was released on a $500 Unsecured Personal Bond. During the arrest, Rattenni threw a cigarette pack on the ground. Inside the cigarette pack contained CDS suspected to be methamphetamine and fentanyl. He was then charged additionally with two counts of CDS Possession-Not Cannabis and Removing the Label from Prescription. He was released on a $1,500 Unsecured…

From Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, March 11, 2025, South Penn Elementary School was placed in a brief SECURE status, as a precautionary measure in response to a report of a disturbance in the area. Administration gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.

On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Christie Gibson.  The warrants were issued as the result of Gibson violating probation on original charges of DUI and CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis.  Gibson was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Christie Renee Gibson       AGE:  49           Cumberland, MD BENCH WARRANTS SERVED On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Robert Rodriquez Jr.  The warrants were issued as the result of Rodriquez…

The Accountability and Implementation Board, the agency overseeing the Education Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, released a progress report at the 3-year point of the program.  Five pillars make up the program and the most improvement was seen in the Hiring and Developing High Quality Teachers and Leaders. Maryland is number one in the country for new teachers earning National Board Certification and has seen an increase of over 400% in teachers pursuing certification statewide. All teachers in the state received a 10% pay increase to retain and attract qualified educators.

With tax season now in full swing, many Maryland residents may be searching for assistance with completing tax returns.  During the past two years, State Comptroller Brooke Lierman has been focused on building a modern, responsive agency to help citizens with taxpayer needs.  New this year is Maryland’s IRS Direct File which will allow 870,000 residents to file federal and state taxes online…     “I just encourage people to file on line, I encourage people to check out Direct File and if you think you’re going to need help, make an appointment with our office. We have a limited…

On Monday, March 10, 2025 at approximately 3:55 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the plaza off of Queen City Drive for an assault in progress. The officer arrived in the area and witnessed Heidi Townsend push a male subject and then strike him in the face with her fist. The victim had sustained injuries from the altercation. Townsend was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Heidi Storm Townsend               AGE:  19   …

Maryland’s Freedom Caucus in Annapolis is both introducing bills and appealing to the federal government to try and bring relief to high utility bills in the state.  The caucus has two bills aimed at reducing harmful policies that have driven up electricity rates for consumers and provide long-term energy reliability for Marylanders. Delegate Mark Fisher said letter has been sent to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright asking to keep coal plants in Maryland open…     “That would provide immediate relief to the people of Maryland so that we would have supply meet demand and maybe even exceed demand, in…

A bill introduced by Democrat delegates in the Maryland General Assembly is not leaving a sweet taste with many.  The Sugary Beverage Distributor Tax adds two cents per ounce on any beverage or powder sold in the state. Advocates say it would help children cut down on sugary sodas, but House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it isn’t likely to pass in to law, although he says democratic lawmakers are looking everywhere to add taxes rather than cut spending…    “Furiously searching through the couch cushions for any dollar they can find of revenue because they just won’t cut –…

The West Virginia Senate Finance committee is currently looking at a bill that would make those convicted of deliberately killing a police officer or a first responder eligible to be executed. The state did away with the death penalty in the 1960s. Senator Mike Stuart is the sponsor of the bill and said such violence against law enforcement has gone unpunished too long in the state…     “The past few years, we’ve seen a real uptick in violence, of shooting of law enforcement in the line of duty. This has to stop. We need to be sure we put…