Maryland Delegate Justin Ready spoke with WBFF-TV at length about the Maryland Blueprint for Education. Sustainability and affordability continue to be big sticking points with lawmakers like Ready who say it’s too much too fast. Some counties have issues paying for the expensive mandates, adding spending to already tight budgets. Ready says changes need to happen before future budget sessions…   “We’re going to be in a similar boat if we don’t make some major restructuring to Blueprint, and we need more flexibility as well as maybe less commitment to huge mandated spending increases year after year after year.”

After being on the injured list since the opening series in Miami in March, second baseman Nick Gonzales returns to the major league team.  Also returning is reliever Kyle Nicolas.  The Pirates sent first baseman Nick Solak to the minors and cut reliever Tanner Rainey after he lost Sunday's game in San Diego.

Cecelia Street in Cumberland is now open to two-way traffic.  The city took the action Tuesday afternoon as the Rolling Mill project continues to take shape after years of delays.  

The Ocean City Council voted this week to approve new regulations aimed at limiting the size and placement of tents and canopies on the beach. The new rules, which take effect immediately, are designed to address increasing complaints about blocked views and crowded conditions during peak season. The ordinance will ban all tents except for small baby tents, prevent canopies from being set up before 10 a.m. if left unattended, and limit canopy size to 10 feet by 10 feet.

Each year, the Appalachian Regional Commission releases a list of county comparisons with national averages. This year, Allegany County is listed as an “At Risk” county with seven areas within the county being marked as distressed. The ratings are determined based on three-year averages of unemployment, per capita market income, and poverty rates. This year, 90 Appalachian counties are listed as “at risk.” The designations determine match requirements for ARC grants. The maximum A-R-C grant share for Allegany County is 70%.

The beginning of June sees new laws going into effect after being passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed off on by Governor Moore. A law setting a cap on settlement amounts for child abuse cases caused a rush of case filings before the May 31 deadline.  The Next Generation Energy Act gives electric customers two rebates in the coming year to offset rising energy prices. And there will be stiffer penalties for drunk driving convictions – those found guilty will be assessed 12 points on their license.

Robert Rudd Reinhard passed away on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, a day befitting the pride he took in his United States Naval Service. Known to his family and friends as “Rudd,” he was a deeply creative thinker, a man of many interests who quietly earned many awards and performed countless good deeds. Rudd possessed deep knowledge of music, geography, history, and many other topics. He was an artist at heart, known for being a storyteller from the time he was a little boy, put in charge of holding his fellow classmates’ attention when the teacher was absent, to his…

Cecelia Street will be open to two-way traffic today, 6/3/25, at approximately 12pm. Street parking will be available along the southern curb line heading eastbound towards Maryland Ave.  

The Town of Carpendale, West Virginia has discovered an issue with its water tower.  Until repairs can be made, residents are being urged to conserve water.  Updates will be made as work progresses. No timeline has been determined for the repairs.

On Sunday, June 1, 2025 at approximately 7:42 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 700 block of Park Street for a shoplifting complaint.  Officers located the suspect, Christopher Kaylor, in the 200 block of Park Street and placed him under arrest.  Police contacted the staff who reported that Kaylor stole items and left the store.  Kaylor was issued a criminal citation for theft and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Christopher Lee Kaylor          AGE: 38           Cumberland, MD CHARGE:  Theft less than $100