National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for portions of north central and western Maryland, central, northwest, and western Virginia, and eastern and panhandle West Virginia from 8 AM this morning to midnight tonight. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Calvary Christian Academy informed parents Wednesday that they are closed “due to staffing issues”. Talks were progressing between the church Pastor Lashbaugh and the school board to draft a new school constitution. However, when that document was released Wednesday, it did not reflect the promises or compromises that were made between the two parties. This triggered an email from Principal Dan Thompson stating that he was taking an extended leave of absence due to stress and issues that have occurred recently at the school in regards to the church leadership. 

Maryland Senate Bill 861 asks for the appropriation of $10 million dollars per year through 2031 for the Western Maryland Economic Development Fund, better known as the Senator George Edwards Fund.  Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss traveled to Annapolis to testify in favor of the bill, saying it has benefited many Cumberland area businesses…    “It’s donated to the Queen City Creamery, the 1812 Brewery, the Wills Hotel, and the Rosenbaum Building on Baltimore Street, and also Western Maryland Lemonade.” Frostburg Mayor Todd Logsdon also spoke in favor of the bill, saying it agrees with Governor Moore’s plans for economic growth,…

Maryland Senator J.B. Jennings has questions about the Moore Administration’s expansion of the state workforce amid continuing budget challenges. Various state agencies are asking for 900 more hires – Budget and Management Secretary Helene Grady says they are rebuilding core functions that have been empty. With the state facing a $3 Billion dollar deficit, Jennings thinks a hiring slow-down is in order…     “Just because you have a vacancy doesn’t mean we have to fill them at this time, and I think you do have to look at some agencies – I do know the prisons are very limited…

The tidal basin in Washington D.C. will soon be full of color from the many cherry blossom trees given to the United States from Japan in 1912 as a gift of friendship.  This year, the peak bloom time for the trees has been determined to be March 28-31. National Park Service Spokesman Mike Litters said visitors are welcome to see the trees at their peak…      “All the trails are open. All the roads are open. We had to cut down about 148 of the cherry trees but there’s still more than 2,500 trees that will be in bloom.”

Deputy State Fire Marshals charged a Baltimore County man in connection with setting his semi-truck on fire in October 2024. Robert Steven Silver, 42, of Cockeysville, was arrested yesterday with the assistance of the Baltimore County Police Department. Just before 8:00 p.m. on October 12, 2024, the Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched for a tractor-trailer on fire on Interstate 68 at the 50-mile marker. Upon their arrival, they discovered a fire inside a 2012 Volvo D13.  Firefighters controlled the fire within minutes, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate the cause. Investigators later concluded…

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was closed for a time Wednesday afternoon due to high winds.   Winds were clocked at over 55 mph at the site of the two-bridge span.  The closure lasted from around 1 p.m. until 2:40 p.m.

Public comment speakers at the Cumberland Mayor and Council meeting on Tuesday raised the subject of removing fluoride from the city’s water system. The issue of fluoridated water has been an ongoing issue for many years.  On hand to speak were Bernie Miltenberger from the Pure Water Committee and Dr. Mark Dinola, a holistic dentist.  Local citizen Carla Rigger spoke, saying recent studies show that fluoride is a dangerous additive and can even be deadly…     “Studies confirm that fluoride causes brain damage. When mixed with aluminum and fluoride it’s deadly. Increased risk of ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia. The…

On March 4, 2025, an Officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation in the Area of Centre St. The Officer then made contact with the driver and passenger. After the traffic stop was concluded, the Officers asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle. Officers then conducted a consent search of the vehicle and located suspected Crack cocaine. As a result, Daryl Boyer, 63, of Cumberland MD, was arrested and transported to police headquarters. He was issued a Criminal Citation and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrest: Daryl Boyer, age…

 A Cumberland man incarcerated at the Allegany County Detention Center for arson was served a criminal summons for damaging a fire sprinkler that led to $65,000 in damages at the YMCA where he lived. The incident occurred after setting his apartment on fire and before he was charged with arson. Staff told investigators that the resident, Donald Lee Martin Jr. intentionally damaged a fire sprinkler located in a stairwell on February 15. The vandalism led to severe flooding in the administrative section of the business, causing extensive property damage.