Shoppers may notice some big updates to the downtown construction project.  With a window of moderate weather, workers are beginning to install pavers on the western block of Baltimore Street. Over the next two weeks, concrete work on curbs will continue on South Liberty Street, as well as the crosswalk at the intersection of north Liberty and Frederick Streets.  And Silva cells are being put in along Baltimore Street – these help to grow large trees and help with stormwater.  Pedestrians should continue to use crosswalks and signage will be in place.

An initial hearing on Republican Senator Mike McKay’s bill to reorganize Canal Place is scheduled for March 1 in Annapolis.  A meeting of the Canal Place Board this past Friday resulted in a 6-1 vote to send a letter to the Senator opposing the legislation that would separate Canal Place and the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area.  Jeremy Bender, board member who voted against the letter, asked Board Chair Janice Keene if there had been any discussion with the Senator… Tina Cappetta, Superintendent of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, also had questions about how the bill affects…

Allegany County Emergency Medical Services has placed two portable ventilators into service, allowing more advanced treatment in the field and to better serve critically sick or cardiac arrest patients.  Recently, 15 staff members completed Critical Care Master Vent Program training. This is a first for EMS use in Allegany County. The transport ventilators will be installed on an ambulance housed in LaVale while another will go into operation with a chase car.

Pennsylvania is investing in the revitalization of its downtowns. The new Main Street Matters program will build on the existing successes of the current Keystone Communities Program in supporting downtowns, main streets and surrounding neighborhoods. Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis said it will address a wide variety of needs throughout communities and invest in their future prosperity…    

The Maryland U.S. Senate race is down one contender.  Brigadier General John Teichert who had announced his candidacy in October, pulled out of the race late last week and endorsed Larry Hogan for the seat becoming available due to Ben Cardin’s retirement.  Teichert praised Hogan’s collaborative style of leadership in a speech to his supporters…    

At a recent interview, Larry Hogan was asked why, after many times saying he would never run for the U.S. Senate, he decided to go ahead and throw his hat into the ring.  Sounding very much like the reluctant candidate, he said that he felt he could not stant back and complain about things if he wasn’t willing to be part of the solution…    

Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones has put forth a group of bills she is calling a “Decency Agenda.”  The group of five bills according to the Speaker will promote respect and prevent intolerance and hate from taking root in our institutions and schools. Included are bills directed toward libraries, election influence, discrimination based on sexual orientation, leadership in county schools, and anti-bias training for teachers…

One Democrat in the running for the Sixth District Congressional seat has bowed out.  Geoffrey Grammer, a physician and retired U.S. Army Colonel, announced his decision on Monday. He had announced his candidacy in November. That leaves the race for the seat currently held by David Trone being pursued by seven Democrats and six Republicans…[

Martin Lewis Stanback, 33 and identifies as homeless, was served with two (2) District Court Bench Warrants for Violation of Probation. His original conviction was for: Burglary-4th Degree-Dwelling and Malicious Destruction of Property / Valued < $1,000 where he was sentenced to 3-years with 2-years 11-months suspended and 60-days suspended with 3-years supervised probation in one case; and Trespass: Private Property and Disorder Conduct where he was sentenced to 90-days with 45-days suspended and 60-days suspended with 3-years supervised probation in the other case. He is being held without bond. James Derik Lewis, 37 of Cumberland, was served a District…

James Kirk, 31, a logging truck driver, lost his life Monday morning when his truck crashed at Black Oak Bottom near McCoole on Route 220.  The crash occurred between 4 and 5am and that section of road was closed through the morning, reopening just after Noon.