U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his vote to pass a continuing resolution to keep the federal government running while negotiations continue on full fiscal year 2024 appropriations legislation. “While I’m glad we came to an agreement to temporarily avert a shameful government shutdown, we’re on the clock, barreling towards the next two deadlines. A shutdown would hurt our economy, cause major disruptions to vital government services Americans rely on, and force the nearly 200,000 federal employees working in Maryland to go without a paycheck during the shutdown. The Senate is – and has been – ready to pass funding bills to cover…

A six-home development in Prince Georges County could be a harbinger of things to come in Western Maryland.  Completely powered by solar energy, each of the six homes will have its own solar panels and battery, sharing power with other homes through an underground network.  Pepco Energy purchased the batteries, which cost between $30- and $50,000 each, for the project. Paul Pinsky of the Maryland Energy Administration says this is rare project in the state…    

The lockdown at the Maryland State House in Annapolis was lifted just before 7pm Thursday evening.  The Department of General Services issued the following statement: This afternoon, the Annapolis City Police Department received a call from an individual threatening to target the Maryland State House. "The Annapolis City Police immediately notified the Maryland Capitol Police, Maryland State Police, Anne Arundel County Police, and security personnel in the House and Senate buildings about the potential threat. Within minutes of receiving the information, Maryland Capitol Police placed the Maryland State House, Government House, and House and Senate Office Buildings on lockdown, directing occupants…

UPDATE-  State and Capitol Police are canvassing the State House building. Nothing suspicious has been found.   The shelter-in-place order was extended to the House and Senate office buildings   Maryland State House in Annapolis is on a security lockdown. People have been told to shelter in place as law enforcement checks the threat. More information as it becomes available. 

Governor Wes Moore today announced that EVAPCO, Inc.​, a global designer and manufacturer of evaporative cooling and industrial refrigeration products, is expanding its Taneytown operations for the second time in a decade. Located at 5151 Allendale Lane, the Carroll County manufacturer will add 45,000 square feet of office space to its headquarters over the next two years. EVAPCO plans to create 275 new jobs in Taneytown, bringing its employment to more than 840 workers in the county. “EVAPCO has been one of Maryland’s powerhouse companies for decades and its reach now extends across the globe,” said Gov. Moore. “We’re thrilled…

Join the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and United States Postal Service in celebrating Harriet Tubman Day and the First Day of Issue Stamp Dedication Ceremony honoring members of the Underground Railroad!  Saturday, March 9th at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park, 4068 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek starting at 10am. USPS will be selling ten new Forever Stamps to honor 10 abolitionists: Catharine Coffin, Frederick Douglass, Thomas Garrett, Laura Haviland, Lewis Hayden, Harriet Jacobs, William Lambert, the Rev. Jermain Loguen, William Still, and, last but not least,Harriet Tubman. This event is free and open to the public….

Gov. Jim Justice announced today the launch of the 2024 West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) Core Maintenance Program, marking another significant stride in the state's commitment to infrastructure upkeep and investment. With over 25,110 potholes already patched along 3,811 miles of roadway, the program aims to continue the momentum of prioritizing core maintenance during the upcoming paving season.  Gov. Justice also unveiled the 2024 WVDOT Project Map. The map tracks not only core maintenance projects in every community and every county in the Mountain State, but also lists every paving project, bridge project, slide repair project, and Roads to…

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) announced that Congressman David Trone (D-MD) earned an ‘A+’ rating on the organization’s 2023 National Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard affirms Trone’s commitment to defending the historic climate and environmental justice investments passed in the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Trone received a 97% score, while the average Member of the House of Representatives received a 49 percent score.   “I’m honored to receive an ‘A+’ rating from the League of Conservation Voters for my efforts to fight for environmental justice and tackle the climate crisis head-on," said Congressman David Trone, who…

Today, February 29, 2024, West Side Elementary School was placed in a HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators were then able to give the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal with no disruption to school operations.

Two significant approvals came through at Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting in Annapolis.  A one million dollar grant was authorized for the Bittinger Fire Station in Garrett County for design, construction, renovation, reconstruction, and capital equipping of the Fire Station. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant.  The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad was granted $200,000 that was previously approved in the 2023 capital budget. This grant also required no matching funding.