National Weather Service has issued a ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR WESTERN MARYLAND…EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE…AND THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY… Low humidity and gusty northwest winds will bring a greater risk of adverse fire behavior and rapid fire spread from 10 AM this morning through this evening. Relative humidity values will drop 20 to 30 percent, with west to northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 35 to 40 mph. Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities on whether you may burn outdoors on Saturday. If you do burn, use extreme caution since fires can increasingly…

The legislature is now a little over a quarter of the way through the 2025 60-day session, and bills are beginning to reach the House floor. One of the first to do so may seem minor to some, but it carries significant importance. House Bill 2053 updates state code to include the United States Space Force in the definition of the armed forces. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) was officially established on December 20, 2019, when President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 into law. Recognizing the Space Force in state code ensures…

 Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a Cumberland man in connection with setting his mother's vehicle on fire in early November 2024. Terry Lynn Ford Jr., 24,  was arrested Wednesday with the assistance of the Cumberland Police Department. Just after 8:00 a.m. on November 1, 2024, the Cumberland Fire Department was dispatched for a vehicle fire in front of 883 Patterson Avenue.  Upon arrival, they discovered a fire inside a 2005 Toyota Camry Solara. A joint investigation between the Cumberland Fire Marshal's Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal concluded the fire was intentionally set, causing around $5,000…

House Minority Leader Jason Buckel issued the following statement regarding Governor Moore’s plan to hire fired federal workers. “Maryland is facing a historic budget crisis and Governor Moore is proposing massive tax hikes and substantial funding cuts to meaningful state programs affecting Marylanders across the state.  Just a day after sitting before the House committees to defend his $1.4 billion tax plan to close the budget gap, he announces plans for a hiring spree. We all feel for the federal workers who have lost their jobs, but the sad reality is Maryland cannot afford to be a jobs program. This…

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in filing a second motion for enforcement in their ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration’s illegal and destructive freeze of federal funding. Despite multiple court orders, the administration has continued to block hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to the states from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This funding freeze threatens critical emergency preparedness and recovery programs to address wildfires, floods, cybersecurity threats, and more.    “FEMA funds help Marylanders to rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives after natural disasters,” said Attorney General Brown….

The City of Cumberland is opening the application period for local organizations to submit their requests for a portion of the Hotel/Motel Tax on March 1, 2025.  A standardized application form is now required to provide for consistency amongst all the applicants.  Awards are granted annually on the basis of merit, as determined by Mayor and City Council of Cumberland. This grant program is made possible through the Hotel/Motel Tax collection through the county’s lodging partners and is designed to help enhance the tourism experience, increase overnight stays in Cumberland, and increase visitor spending in-county.  Program Specifics are as follows:…

Shawn Cody Nida is listed as "Most Wanted" by the Allegany County Sheriff's office. There is an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest for Violation of A Court Order and Escape-1st Degree.  The original charges were Escape-2nd Degree and Con-Possession with Intent To Distribute. His last known addresses were in Frostburg, Maryland. If you have information, contact Master Deputy Shawn Fratz at 301-268-2911 or Master Deputy Larry Bennett at 301-876-3916 or submit a tip on the AlleganyMd SheriffApp.

A bill than would have placed vending machines selling condoms in nursery schools, preschools, and other younger education sites is dead on arrival in the Maryland Senate. Senator Mike McKay in on the Judicial Proceedings Committee that voted down the bill that had already passed in the House. Attention should be on pressing issues, according to Delegate Kathy Szeliga… "Shocking that this would be a priority of the Democrat Party in Annapolis. We have not solved the energy crisis. Every day my phone rings with people telling me they can't afford their energy bill. Yet, they're passing a bill to…

From Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, February 28, 2025, Beall Elementary School was placed in a brief SECURE status, as a precautionary measure in response to a faulty transformer in the area. Administration has given the “All Clear” and the instructional day has resumed as normal.  

From Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, February 28, 2025, South Penn Elementary School was placed in a 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.