Maryland has achieved a milestone goal for land conservation six years ahead of schedule. The Maryland the Beautiful Act of 2023 established goals of conserving 30% of the land in the state by 2030 and 40% by 2040. The Maryland Department of Planning reports Maryland has already met the 30% mark with more than 1.85 million acres of land conserved. Maryland’s total land area is about 6.1 million acres. The state’s “30 by 30” goal is consistent with President Biden’s executive order of conserving at least 30% of the country’s lands and waters by 2030.

From Allegany County Public Schools: Today, May 16, 2024, Beall Elementary School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.  

One of Allegany County’s new industries, Geocycle, is open in the Barton Business Park.  Company representative Paul Park was a guest Wednesday on the Dave Norman Show and said Allegany County is a great location for the international company that produces fuel from industrial waste products for their concrete plant in Hagerstown… Geocycle currently employs 11 people with plans to grow that number. Park said the company is pleased with their location in Barton…   

Downtown Cumberland’s Farmer’s Market is in full swing for the season.  Located on the festival grounds at Canal Place, the market runs throughout the summer on Thursdays beginning at 9:30am. This Thursday will feature music from the Frankfort Middle School Teal Steel Band from 11 till 12:30. Melinda Kelleher of the Downtown Development Commission, says the Farmer’s Market offers a variety of foods, flowers, and entertainment…    

Garrett County encountered two rare weather events over the weekend, one being the visibility of the Northern lights in the area and the other – two F-1 tornados that touched down in the county.  The National Weather Service traced damage from two tornados – one that carved a path three miles long and 75 yards wide through Asher Glade and another along Bear Creek. Estimated peak winds were around 90 miles per hour. No one was hurt during the events.

Larry Hogan is celebrating his primary victory in the Maryland U.S. Senate race.  The former Governor will now face Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in November’s General Election after her victory over David Trone. Hogan told a crowd gathered for his election night speech that he got into the race to make a difference in an America that is broken… Hogan said he is following in his family footsteps of putting country before party…

The City of Cumberland has City-owned property available for purchase through a Sealed Bid Sale.  The application for the sale evaluates the vision and plan for a property in combination with an offer price.  The goal is to return properties to the private sector for their highest and best use. Nine properties, ranging from buildable residential lots and lots adjacent to a candidate for rehabilitation, are open for bid until June 14.  Interested bidders must use the bid packet from the Community Development Department at 446 N. Mechanic Street. Additional details surrounding the properties can be found on the City’s…

Allegany County has traditionally been a Republican-heavy voter area.  In Tuesday’s Primary Election, Larry Hogan narrowly missed defeat in the county by fellow Republican candidate Robin Ficker by just 16 votes, according to initial poll numbers. Jeff Metz, sometime political commentator for WCBC, talked on-air Wednesday with Dave Norman, saying Donald Trump played a part in that tight race…    

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant and an arrest warrant on Shawn Holloway Jr.  The bench warrant was issued as the result of Holloway failing to appear in court.  He was originally charged with Theft less than $100.  The arrest warrant was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on May 9, 2024.  On this date at approximately 1:11 PM, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 700 block of Park Street for a theft complaint.  Police contacted the staff who reported that Holloway stole merchandise from the…

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Craig Wilson Jr.  The warrant was issued as the result of Wilson failing to appear in court.  He was originally charged with driving on a suspended license.  Wilson was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $1,000 percentage bond. ARRESTED:  Craig Keith Wilson Jr.       AGE:  39        Cumberland, MD