Allegiant Airlines has announced enhanced flight services for spring through fall of 2025 from the Hagerstown Regional Airport.  Key updates include an additional weekly fight to the St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida airport. Flights will now depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday starting May 27 through August 12.  May 23rd will see the return of two flights per week to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with an additional two flights each week being added beginning on June 5th.  Allegiant has seen a 10% growth in total flights offered in 2025, many using the airline’s new Boeing 737 aircraft.

The Maryland House of Delegates passed House Bill 424 on Friday. The legislation that has also been introduced in the Senate is designed to expand the authority of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board.  Currently the board has power to limit the prices of high cost drugs for state and local governments, but the new law would expand that power to all Maryland residents. Several other states have similar boards, but Maryland’s was the first of its kind in the country.

Authorities in Virginia have arrested Jesse Glen Settle, age 38, of Winchester, in connection with a shooting death last week.  Hampshire County officials have said the shooting and killing of Joesi Dominion Martin, age 33, of Capon Bridge, was drug related.  The shooting occurred last Friday night.

The new president of West Virginia University has a top-notch salary coming his way.  Veteran higher education leader Michael T. Benson will earn an $850,000 base salary as the next president of WVU, a high dollar amount that is becoming increasingly common among top university leaders.  Mr. Benson signed a five-year contract with the Morgantown school over the weekend. He will take the helm as WVU’s 27th president this summer.

A Pennsylvania man is dead following an accident on Deep Creek Lake Saturday afternoon.  David T. Linsenbigler, 58, of Greensburg, died after falling into the lake on a utility task vehicle near the Glendale Bridge.  The lake was not totally frozen at the time of the accident.  The operator of the vehicle survived the accident.

From  Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, February 24, 2025, Beall Elementary School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators have given the “All Clear,” and dismissal procedures will not be affected.  

On Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Michael Robert Caswell Jr, 38, of Cumberland MD. Caswell was arrested on an active Fugitive Warrant when it was discovered he had an active warrant for his arrest in West Virginia. The original warrant was issued in Mineral County WV, for a charge of larceny. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond., awaiting extradition to WV. Name:    Michael Robert Caswell Jr.                                 Age:   38 Charges:   Fugitive from Justice.  …

Work on the new location for Union Rescue Mission’s programs is progressing. The mission has property at the corner of Franklin and North Centre Streets that will include family rooms, a dining room that will offer a restaurant-like atmosphere, and green space for outdoor activities.  Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC that passersby can see the changes taking place…     “If you drive by down there now, you’ll see four or five of Belt’s trucks, a few of Walter Yoder’s trucks and, I haven’t been in, but just by driving by you can see that they’re really starting to…

Maryland Delegate Nino Mangione has introduced House Bill 85, the Rachel Morin Act. Named after the mother of five who was raped and killed by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record, Mangione wants to make sure cities and counties cooperate fully with immigrations officials to remove dangerous individuals…    “HB 85 takes two important steps. It prohibits a county or municipality from enacting or enforcing a sanctuary policy. It also requires a county or municipality to fully cooperate with ICE, the federal immigration authorities, regarding any individual unlawfully present."

The 911 Joint Communications Center is currently experiencing intermittent phone issues. In some cases, callers can hear 911 operators, but the operators cannot hear the callers. This is not affecting every call, but if it happens to you, 911 staff will reach out via text messages immediately to assist. Verizon is working to resolve the issue. DO NOT hesitate to call 911 in an emergency. Operators are actively monitorinig and responding as quickly as possible.