Ten million dollars in grants for small business and community development are now available through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Project Restore 2.0 and Business Boost programs. Project Restore 2.0 will provide $8 million to designated Main Streets, Arts and Entertainment Districts and other organizations in a designated Sustainable Community. Business Boost is launching its first round of grants with $2 million awarded directly to small business owners in amounts between $20,000 and $50,000. Businesses must be new or expanding and located in designated Sustainable Communities.

McCoury Family announced a batch of additions to the 2024 DelFest lineup highlighted by a first of its kind set featuring Lukas Nelson backed by The Travelin’ McCourys. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Shinyribs, John Craigie, The Brothers Comatose, Davisson Brothers Band and The Mountain Grass Unit are among other acts featured on the festival’s announcement.  Previously confirmed DelFest 2024 performers include host bands The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys as well as Greensky Bluegrass, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Ferrell, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Leftover Salmon and more. 2024 DelFest will be held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds over Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26.

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at approximately 2:21 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the first block of Oak Street for a burglary complaint.  The complainant reported that there were subjects inside the residence.  The owner of the residence was contacted and advised that nobody should be inside.  Officers searched the residence and located three subjects inside the residence who were identified as Mary Delisle, Jeremy Dahl, and Dolphin Smith.  The subjects were placed under arrest.  Dahl was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Delisle, Dahl, and Smith were transported to Central…

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at approximately 9:24 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the first block of Oak Street for a burglary complaint.  The complainant reported that there were subjects inside the residence.  The owner of the residence was contacted and advised that nobody should be inside.  Prior to officers searching the residence, Steven Rosier exited the residence and was taken into custody.  Officers searched the residence and located three more subjects inside.  They were identified as Kimberly Carnley, William Dibuano, and Drezdin Delgado.  These subjects were also placed under arrest.  Rosier was…

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at approximately 2:00 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business on Queen City Drive for a subject refusing to leave and arguing with staff members.  Officers contacted the subject and identified him as Gary Bookheimer.  Bookheimer refused to leave the business after being told numerous times by employees and police.  At this time, officers proceeded to arrest Bookheimer.  Bookheimer resisted arrest and assaulted the officers resulting in an injury to one of the officers.  Police were eventually able to take Bookheimer into custody.  Bookheimer was found to be in possession of…

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at approximately 12:38 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence on S. Waverly Terrace for a disturbance involving a knife.  Officers contacted the parties involved and learned that an assault had occurred.  The alleged victim reported that he had an argument with Jais Hott.  He explained that Hott threw a knife in his direction.  After further investigation, Hott was placed under arrest and later transported to Central Booking.  Hott was seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Jais Allen Hott          AGE:  26        Cumberland, MD…

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Mary Miller.  The warrant was issued as the result of Miller failing to comply with an order of the court.  She was originally charged with Assault-1st Degree, Assault-2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment, Theft less than $100.  Miller was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Mary Cathren Miller       AGE:  32      Barton, MD

Mark Widmyer shared a behind the scenes glimpse of why Larry Hogan decided to run for the U.S. Senate during WCBC’s Dave Norman program Wednesday.  Widmyer officially represented Hogan in Western Maryland when he served as Governor.  Widmyer tells WCBC that a lot of research went in to Hogan’s decision and that there is a good chance to upset David Trone who is also running for the seat…    

Governor Wes Moore showed up this week in Annapolis to promote a package of housing bills his administration would like to see become law.  The Governor spoke in support of three bills aimed at jumpstarting new construction, investment in low-income areas, and resources for renters. HB538 – Housing Expansion and Affordability – removes barriers to development… Another bill is HB599 that keys on strengthening financing tools for community development and competing for vast federal funding through the New Market Tax Credit program…    

In their Q4 earnings conference call and presentation, FirstEnergy leaders said they cannot meaningfully cut emissions because two West Virginia coal plants are crucial to ensuring adequate regional electricity supplies, and have decided to abandon the interim emission goal of 2030. The 2050 long-term goal will remain. Two coal-fired plants – Fort Martin and Harrison in West Virginia – represent approximately 99% of the company’s emissions.  The fate of local coal plant AES Warrior Run remains unknown – it is slated for shutdown later this year though ownership says they are testing alternate fuel sources.