The Maryland State Highway Administration is ready to assist hundreds of thousands of travelers “Reach the Beach” this summer by improving the driving experience along state roads heading to the Eastern Shore. The SHA has improved the road surface on east and westbound US 50 and the Ocean City Expressway. The Coordinated Highways Action Response Team or CHART will enhance patrols on the Eastern Shore beginning May 18. These enhanced patrols will help disabled vehicles, remove road debris, and assist with clearing crashes to keep lanes open and traffic moving.

A Maryland woman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to destroy the Baltimore Region power grid.  Sara Clendaniel of Catonsville spent months plotting, planning and taking steps to inflict grave damage to Maryland’s power grid in furtherance of her white supremacist ideology. She and Brandon Russell who is awaiting trial believed in “accelerationism,” a white supremacist concept that the current system is irreparable, therefore violent action is necessary to precipitate societal and government collapse. Plans included taking out at least five power substations around Baltimore.

Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Monday, May 13, 2024 Joshua Bookheimer, 32 of Frostburg, was served a Grand Jury Indictment for the following charges: 2 Counts of CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, 2 Counts of CDS: Possession with intent to Distribute-Narcotics, CDS: Distribution: Narcotics, and CDS: Distribute-Other. Bookheimer was released on his own recognizance after a bail review in Circuit Court. Seth Allen Wigger, 39 of Rawlings, was served two (2) District Court Arrest Warrant for 4 counts of Violation of…

Maryland’s Primary Election saw a bit of a stunner with Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks pulling off the win for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate from Congressman David Trone. Trone did have the majority of votes in Allegany County.  Governor Wes Moore had supported Alsobrooks’ campaign. On the Republican side, it was no real surprise that Larry Hogan came out on top, although Robin Ficker came very close to beating Hogan in Allegany County, falling  short by less than 25 votes with all precincts reporting.  In the District 6 Congressional race, Neil Parrot was declared the winner with…

West Virginia primary election has 20 Democratic delegates and 32 Republican delegates. Republican Governor Jim Justice is term limited and running for Senate. Republican candidate for Governor is Patrick Morrisey with 74,774 votes and Steve Williams with the Democratic party running unopposed. Incumbent Senator Joe Manchin a Democrat has chosen not to run for reelection with Governor Justice as the front runner receiving 137,605 votes and Democrat, Glenn Elliott receiving 45,955 votes. The race for Attorney General has voters supporting John McCuskey, Republican receiving 116,158 votes and Teresa Toriseva, Democrat receiving 49,8003 votes.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a new Superintendent. Orlando D. Lilly is the 11th Superintendent of the DNR Police unit. The former Baltimore County Police Major and Navy veteran assumes the rank of Colonel. He takes over the post most recently held by Col. Adrian Baker, who retired in January 2023. Lilly has 29 years of experience in law enforcement with the Baltimore County Police Department. In his remarks following the swearing in, Lily said that he believes in the power of equity…

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and John Fetterman have introduced legislation to boost federal funding for state and local transit agencies to improve service, safety, and reliability for riders. The Moving Transit Forward Act creates a new federal funding program to provide transit agencies with additional resources to supplement operating budgets and help cover the costs of adding new routes, service frequency, and preventing cuts to current services. Recipients of funding must maintain the same level of non-federal funding as the most recent fiscal year to ensure that service is expanded or previously cut services are restored.

Mayor Ray Morriss had some good news about the Cumberland Gateway Project recently.  Morriss shared with WCBC’s Dave Norman that a meeting was held with the developer and in addition to demolition and grading, work is also being done at the new building on the site…   

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month and this year’s theme is “Look twice – save a life.”  Tuesday at the Motor Vehicle Administration offices in Hagerstown, Senator Mike McKay and Delegate Terry Baker were on hand as a proclamation for the month was presented to ABATE of Maryland.  Christy Nizer of the Motor Vehicle Administration reminds drivers that responsibility by all is key in highway safety…

Governor Jim Justice has ordered all United States and West Virginia flags at the Capitol Complex and state-owned facilities in West Virginia to be displayed at half-staff from midnight until sunset on Wednesday, May 15 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is part of National Police Week in West Virginia. The governor said the members of West Virginia's law enforcement play an essential role in safeguarding our rights and freedoms. It's crucial to acknowledge and respect the immense responsibilities of these men and women who courageously put their lives on the line to provide this public service.