Preservation Maryland has honored US Senator Ben Cardin with its President’s Award for his commitment to preserving Maryland’s rich and diverse heritage. Cardin received the award at the annual Phoenix Rising awards. Cardin was recognized for being a longtime champion of preservation legislation, including the Historic Tax Credit and training in historic trades.

Maryland sports wagering market again had the better month over casino gambling in October. Thirteen retail and 12 mobile sportsbooks combined to generate almost $6 million in contributions to the state.  Each sportsbook pays 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. Through the first four months of Fiscal Year 2024, sports wagering has contributed more than $14.9 million to the Blueprint fund. October of 2023 was the best month so far for sportsbooks, with a statewide handle of over $483 million.

On Tuesday, November 14th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Nathin William Schroth, 18, of Cumberland MD. Schroth was arrested on an outstanding Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on November 7th. During that incident, the city police responded to the 500 block of Henderson Ave for a destruction of property complaint. Upon arrival, officers contacted a female victim who advised officers that Schroth had fired a water pellet gun at them and the business. As a result of the investigation, an application for charges was submitted. Schroth was taken to the…

For the first time in 34 years, an Orioles rookie has been named the best in the American League.Gunnar Henderson won the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year Award on Monday night, and he became the first Baltimore player to earn the honor in unanimous fashion, receiving all 30 first-place votes cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The 22-year-old infielder’s 150 points made him the clear winner over the other two finalists: Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee (67) and Boston first baseman Triston Casas (25).

Valley Street Crossing will be closed to thru traffic between North Centre Street and Henderson Avenue today till Friday, November 17th, in order for paving of the crossing to occur.  Signage will be in place to detour passenger vehicles around the road closure. Traffic is expected to be restored on Friday morning, November 17th. 

State and Federal government leaders were on hand Monday in Baltimore to announce the commitment of local hiring for major infrastructure projects including the new Frederick Douglas Tunnel for Amtrak. President Biden announced $4.7 billion funding for the new tunnel just last week… Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su says thousands of jobs will be needed in the next few years and the Biden Administration’s Workforce Hubs, set up around the country to jumpstart construction, will provide the needed labor for essential transportation projects…

According to Mayor Ray Morriss, Cumberland is on good financial footing.  Speaking recently with WCBC, Morriss said that even with some recent spending, the city’s financial future seems secure… The City of Cumberland’s projected revenues are coming from updated property tax assessments as well as income taxes due to higher wages being paid to workers in the community…

Is it déjà vu?  Yet another government shutdown is facing lawmakers.  A 45-day spending bill passed back in September averted a shutdown then, but November 17 is now a new deadline.  With that shutdown, about 150,000 federal employees in Maryland would be affected.  Loan programs have already been put in place should employees be faced with no pay.  US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg  told reporters that Republicans have created an image of Federal workers that’s inaccurate… The Secretary said a shutdown, especially before the holidays, could have disastrous effects on travel and security…

Maryland’s Department of Emergency Management has launched Maryland Travel Safety Week, encouraging Marylanders to practice safe travel habits. AAA is projecting that over 55 million Americans will travel over the Thanksgiving holiday – 49 million choosing to drive. Top holiday destinations this year are Florida, California, New York and Las Vegas. MDEM Secretary Russ Strickland urges all residents to be alert and be prepared. Plan to leave plenty of extra time to deal with the inevitable delays.

President Biden’s granddaughter found herself the victim of an attempted late-night carjacking in Georgetown over the weekend.  Naomi Biden-Neal, daughter of Hunter Biden, was not in the vehicle but Secret Service agents nearby saw three people break the window of the unoccupied SUV. One agent opened fire on the suspects who fled in a red car.  It’s not clear if the suspects knew whose car they were attempting to take. More than 750 car-jackings and thefts have occurred this year in the Washington area.