With the difficulty in understanding just what the Blueprint for Education means for Maryland’s schools, it’s no wonder that help has had to be provided to the counties.  Allegany County School Superintendent Jeff Blank tells WCBC that someone chairs each of the five pillars of the Blueprint in the school system and now they have the help of a Strategic Planner, provided by the Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board…

Maryland’s opioid restitution funds are starting to trickle down to the city level. The funds came to the State of Maryland through legal settlements with prescription drug manufacturers and distributors who aggressively marketed the drugs and downplayed addiction and overdose risk. Recently, Cumberland Police Chief Chuck Ternent talked with the City Council about the funds already received by the City… More dollars will come in abatement funds that the city can use to support treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other programs.  Cumberland will be working with Allegany County jointly to fund services in the local communities…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of Meghan Conklin as the state’s first chief sustainability officer and Michael Hinson as the state’s first chief resilience officer. Through a whole-of-government approach, the chief sustainability officer and the chief resilience officer will work to address the current and future effects of climate change.  “Addressing the existential threat of climate change requires bold and decisive action. We must think strategically and we must address our present challenges to prevent future effects,” said Governor Moore. “I am confident that Meghan Conklin and Michael Hinson possess the leadership qualities necessary to meet this…

Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of Usherla DeBerry as acting director of the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The governor also announced the members appointed to the newly-created State Board of Sign Language Interpreters.  “It is vital that we provide all resources and access to opportunities for Maryland’s Deaf and hard of hearing community. I am confident that we have the right team in place to accomplish that goal,” said Gov. Moore. “I am grateful that Ms. DeBerry and the new board members answered the call to serve. I thank Acting Director Breen for…

The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police – Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Dale Franklin England, 58 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear. His original charges include: Displaying Expired Registration Plate, Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Displaying Registration Plate Issued to Other Vehicle, Driving Without License, Driving on Revoked Out of State License, and Knowingly Driving Uninsured Motor Vehicle. He is being held without bond pending a bail review in Circuit Court….

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today praised President Joe Biden’s nomination of Maryland attorney Nicole Berner to fill a vacant Maryland seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. “Nicole Berner has been fighting for civil rights and worker rights throughout her career and we are excited to have her bring this experience and deep knowledge of the law to the federal bench in Maryland. As the general counsel of the 2-million-member strong Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Ms. Berner oversees their legal work in complicated areas of the law, including labor,…

WV Secretary of State Mac Warner is issuing an important notice to West Virginia business owners regarding third-party solicitations to file 2024 Annual Reports on their behalf. According to Secretary Warner, the solicitations have the appearance of an official government form, but are not government approved, reviewed, or official notices in any manner. These are advertisements. Warner urges business owners to read the fine print in the solicitations. Third-party providers have been reported to charge businesses more than 500% of the statutory $25 fee and often advertise the wrong deadline for state compliance. Business owners can use free tools provided…

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the plea and sentencing of Marvin Singletary, 29, and Keontae Moore, 24, both of Baltimore, Maryland, on charges of participation in a criminal organization and distribution of fentanyl. The charges relate to a long-term investigation into a criminal enterprise that was operating and distributing large quantities of heroin and fentanyl in Southwest Baltimore. On October 18, 2023, Singletary and Moore each pled guilty, before the Honorable Judge Robert Taylor, Jr., of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, to participation in a criminal organization and distribution of fentanyl. Moore received a sentence of…

The following students from Northeast Elementary School earned Principal’s Choice for the first marking period of the 2023-2024 school year: Kindergarten Tyree Bell, Charlotte Bohannon, Tinsley Brant, Weylyn Garlitz, Lennox Gibbs, Jaezlyn Growden, Benjamin Kessler, Hadley Leedy, Madison Mayhew, Alethea Mihailovich, Jane Morris, Charlotte Rayman, Josie Thompson, Elias Weisenmiller, Kamryn Wilson, Bailey Broadwater, Dyani Brockenberry, Mason Day, Harvey Dentinger, Oliver Greise, Gage Hamilton, Ally Helmstetter, Ava Kortepeter, Carson McMillan, Denali Moyer, Talia Taylor, Hallie Wilder, Ophelia Yermakov 1st grade Zoey Fazenbaker, Ryleigh Helmick, Naithon Humple, Lillian Nolan, Arabella Weems, Bailey Whetstone, Weston Bennett, Meadow Elkins, Berkley Lewis, Joel Sheetz, Abel…

The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police – Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Tuesday, November 14, 2023 Cassyopia Sestarr Schell, 28 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Pre-Trial Release. Her original charges include: Rape Second Degree, Sex Offense Third Degree, Perverted Practice, and Sex Abuse Minor: House/Family. She is being held without bond pending a hearing in Circuit Court. William Moye III, 39 of Cumberland, was served a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Pre-Trial…