Fall fire season has started throughout West Virginia and continues through the end of the year.  The Department of Forestry reminds residents to confine outdoor burning to between the hours of 5pm and 7am with all fires out by 7am. Violation of the burning law is punishable with a fine of up to $1000. Debris burning is West Virginia’s most common cause of wildfires, averaging more than 35% of all wildfires over the past ten years. Over 20,000 acres of land were burned by wildfires in the state in 2022.

US Senators Chris VanHollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone announced $200,000 in funding for the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The funds will support local manufacturing businesses and create job opportunities in Western Maryland. The federal funding is awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s ARISE Program to provide support to manufacturers of renewable energy, hydrogen power, smart grid improvements and green buildings. The lawmakers said the fund will generate quality job opportunities while building the clean energy economy of the future.  

Frostburg State University Police Chief, Cynthia Smith, presented members of her team with awards for their selfless responses to dangerous situations earlier this year. On March 24, S/Cpl. Livingston, Sgt. Dunn, Cpl. Sanabria and Cpl. Robinette responded to the scene of an incident involving gunfire to assist in suspect restraint, render aid and assist with crime scene control. For their efforts, both officers were presented with a Bravery Ribbon and a citation. On May 7, Sgt. Lewis, Cpl. Shoemake and Sgt. Bevan, who was off duty at the time, responded to the scene of a crime also involving gunshots. The…

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Larry Casey Jr.  The warrant was issued as the result of Casey violating the conditions of his probation.  He was originally charged with violating a Protective Order.  Casey was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Larry La Verne Casey Jr.        AGE:  53           Cumberland, MD CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On Saturday, October 14, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Michael Wallace.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that…

Frostburg State Football team rallied on offense after being held scoreless in the first quarter, defeating Concord on the road Saturday afternoon by a final score of 34-3. Frostburg received the ball first, gaining 11 yards on their first drive before being forced to punt. The Mountain Lions took over on their opening possession, marching down to FSU's seven yard-line to complete a 23-yard field goal for a quick 3-0 lead. Both teams struggled to get their offense going to finish out the quarter, with both sets of defenses stepping up. Junior Jeremiah Baxter was credited with a broken up pass,…

Governor Wes Moore yesterday evening delivered remarks at the 33rd annual Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala, hosted by the Maryland State Department of Education. The event recognized and celebrated Maryland’s teachers, highlighting Maryland’s 24 local teachers of the year and the 2024 Maryland Teacher of the Year, Mary Kay Connerton, who teaches at Annapolis High School. “When a teacher sees a child for who they are, they change that child's life. I'm in awe of our tremendous educators, who have gone above and beyond to unleash the potential in our students–no matter their race, background, religion, or family lineage,”…

Gov. Jim Justice celebrated the completion of a new gold and blue paint scheme on the Charles Chuck Yeager Bridge in Kanawha City while also commemorating the 76th anniversary of Yeager’s historic sound barrier breaking on October 14, 1947. The ceremony was highlighted by a flyover of a World War II era P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft, the type Yeager flew during his time in the U.S. Army Air Force in the war. The Governor was joined by Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston, West Virginia Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller, and Victoria Yeager, wife of deceased Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, during…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey issued a statement following a hearing Friday in the Kanawha County Circuit Court regarding the distribution of settlement proceeds from the West Virginia First Qualified Settlement Fund.   “I’m deeply disappointed by the decision to award an egregious amount of attorneys’ fees in the opioid cases, especially after my Office negotiated one of the lowest, if not the lowest, fee rates in the nation.     We negotiated a fee rate of under 8%, whereas the court awarded the attorneys for the counties and cities a substantially higher number. While I have great respect for…

Maryland Office of Social Equity will host its second Technical Assistance Informational event for prospective or verified social equity applicants for the Fall 2023 Cannabis Application Licensing Round. Attendees will hear presentations from industry leaders and experts. Topics include social equity verification, license application timelines, state-sponsored technical assistance programs, and essential processes. Interactive discussions and Q&A sessions with subject matter experts will focus on critical areas such as business formation, strategic partnerships, financial planning, taxation, and fundraising. WHEN: Monday, October 16, 2023, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM WHERE: Princes George's Community College - Center for Performing Arts (Proscenium Theater and Atrium) 301 Largo…