Janice Keene, Board Chair for Canal Place, spoke to WCBC News about the pending legislation that would reorganize its board and responsibilities.  Senate Bill 1070 was drafted by Republican Senator Mike McKay. Keene told WCBC she first heard about the bill at a December 19 meeting… When asked what in particular the board was opposed to in the legislation, Keene referred to the February 16th special Canal Place board meeting… The board voted to write a letter of opposition to the bill that will be presented in Annapolis on March 1.  Keene says she will be there for testimony…

A rendering of the proposed skatepark for the Mason complex in South Cumberland was presented at the work session for the Cumberland Mayor and Council Tuesday evening. Greg Kerr of the Skatepark Committee went over the drawing and its features.  Work could begin at the site in the early fall. Kerr said the park’s cost has come down since first envisioned…    

Maryland Kids Code legislation received a hearing in Annapolis by the Economic Matters committee.  The bill – HB603 seeks to have certain privacy protections on online products such as social media that children may access.  One of the Bill’s sponsors, Delegate CT Wilson of Charles County, aggressively addressed those who came to testify for or against the bill…    

Trent Devon Burnett, 30 of Hagerstown, was served a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. His original conviction was for Assault – 2nd Degree where he received a 1-year suspended sentence with 2-years supervised probation. He is being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center. Jordon John Michael Baker, 33 of Mount Savage, was served a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Adult Drug Court/Pre-Trial Release. His original charge is Conspiracy: CDS: Possession with intent to Distribute: Narcotics where he received a 10-year suspended sentence and 3-years supervised probation. He is being held without bond…

The West Virginia Department of Health (WVDH) is offering guidance following confirmation of the first case of the Highly Pathogenic avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a non-commercial backyard flock in Kanawha County. It is the first confirmed case in backyard flocks or commercial birds since 2006. WVDH and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) are working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to monitor the exposed individuals to prevent transmission of the virus. At this time, the public health risk is limited to those who had direct contact with the birds; avian influenza does not spread easily to humans. …

Allegany College of Maryland will host an Empowering Our Freedoms, Protecting Us All: The Equal Rights Amendment & You event from 1-3 p.m. on March 1. Mary Ann Gorman, the guest speaker, is an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) expert and chair of the Maryland National Organization of Women’s ERA taskforce. The event will be held in Room 121 of the Technology Building. Guests may attend in person or online, and registration is available at http://tinyurl.com/2r8adv85.  Following Gorman’s presentation and updates on the ERA, a discussion and Q&A session will be held.   The Empowering Our Freedoms, Protecting Us All: The…

Vehicle Accident in area of 12114 McMullen Hwy. FIRE/EMS an police on scene

House Bill 803 had its first hearing in Annapolis this past week.  The Economic Prosperity Act is an ambitious bill, seeking to refresh the state’s income tax tables.  Currently, income starting at $3,000 a year is taxed at 4.75% and this bill seeks to remove that tax burden all together.    House Minority Leader Jason Buckel gave testimony on the bill…

The Allegany County Tax & Utility Office has a new feature customers to pay water and sewer bills over the phone starting February 19.  Using the automated phone system, credit cards and e-checks are accepted. Residents need their account number, located on the top left of your utility bill. Dial 1-877-907-8583, and follow the prompts to make payment. More payment options such as Apple Pay, PayPal, and more are planned.  Allegany County will cover processing fees for all payment methods. For further information, call the Tax & Utility Office at 301-777-5965.

Cumberland Mayor and City Council heard from Paul Kelly Jr. a representative for RAZ Development during Tuesday meeting. Kelly requested that city officials agree to one more meeting to try to salvage a deal that would allow the developer to build at the former Memorial Hospital location. Cumberland Economic Development Corporation signed a preliminary contract with RAZ Development of Bethesda to construct up to 150 apartments along with 58 townhouses and 22 single-family homes on nine acres of vacant land formerly occupied by Memorial Hospital.