Governor Wes Moore has announced 100 matching grants totaling $5 million to Maryland nonprofits, and heritage tourism organizations through the Maryland heritage Areas Authority.  The Maryland Heritage Areas Program provides $.24 billion in annual economic impact. Organizations receiving grant awards include museums, parks, historic sites, and other entities that steward and celebrate the cultural and natural resources located within Maryland’s 13 certified heritage areas. Locally, the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area received $329,500 in grant monies and Garrett County’s Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area received $205,000.

Millions of Americans are expected to lose Medicaid coverage as states review benefit eligibility.  Sharon Carte with West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare says that around 30,000 people on Medicaid in the state have been retained. That’s a 60% renewal rate… West Virginia residents can call 1-800-318-2596 or visit the West Virginia Department for Health and Human Services website to find out about eligibility.

A Civil Rights group, the Caucus of African American Leaders has voted to present a resolution for slavery reparations to the State of Maryland.   The resolution will be presented in Annapolis next week and to the Governor in August.  Carl Snowden, convener of the caucus, said he is hoping the state will organize a committee to look into how best to move forward with reparations. Evanston, Illinois is proceeding with a program that will give 140 black families $25,000 for home repairs, down payments on property, and interest or late penalties on property in the city.  An advisory group in…

On July 16th, 2023 at approximately 4:30 am, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Columbia Street for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with several individuals and advised them to discontinue creating a disturbance. The officers then remained in the area to prevent any further issues when they observed a physical altercation begin amongst the group. As officers separated the fight an officer was kicked by Makayla Sherman. The officers placed Sherman under arrest and continued their investigation. After speaking with other victims and witnesses it was learned that Sherman had continued…

On July 16th, 2023 at approximately 5:40 pm, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 100 block of Springdale Street for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they contacted Keri Donaldson, and learned she had an active Arrest Warrant for violation of probation. Donaldson was placed under arrest and a quantity of three different controlled dangerous substances were located during a subsequent search incident to arrest. Donaldson was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was held on a $7,500 bond. Arrest: Keri Ann Donaldson, age 33 Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Violation of Probation, Three Counts of Possession…

North Centre Street will be closed to thru traffic between Union Street and Frederick Street from 6:00 AM on Monday, July 17th to 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 20th. Signage will be in place to detour passenger vehicles around the road closure. Pedestrian traffic will also be re-routed around the construction at the intersection with Baltimore Street. Pedestrian access will be maintained to all businesses on N. Centre Street during the closure.

Charles Myers, an Allegany County resident from Flintstone, addressed the Commissioners at their monthly meeting over permitting issues.  Myers says that a site he is working failed an inspection, but he has no evidence of the Megco inspector ever being on his property.  Myers said he checked a camera on his property and can see that no one entered or left the day of the failed inspection… County Administrator Jason Bennett says that the county uses third party inspectors and that the situation is being looked into for Mr. Myers…

The Allegany County Commissioners have again postponed their decision on granting a tax credit for AES Warrior Run.  The commissioners tabled the request from AES for the second straight month.  County Commissioner Bill Atkinson said talks are being planned with AES.

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin will be one of the keynote speakers at a New Hampshire town hall event this week, sponsored by No Labels, a centrist political group.  He will be joined by former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. No Labels is looking for an alternative candidate to be included in the presidential election cycle.  The group says they will back a third-party candidate if enough voters who do not want either President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump in office. 

Friday’s 5:37AM jackhammer start to the day prompted noise complaints against Triton Construction from downtown residents.  City of Cumberland Engineer Matt Idleman said it was a special exemption and that construction equipment operating above 55 decibels is not allowed to start before 7AM… Idelman added that the city is trying to stick to the ordinances as much as possible and use a decibel meter on site to monitor sound levels…