The longest living former first lady for the state of Maryland has passed away at age 103.  Barbara Mandel, wife of the late Governor Marvin Mandel served with her husband from 1969-1979. “Bootsie,” as she was called, is remembered famously for remaining in the governor’s mansion while her husband moved out to other quarters when they separated.  Services will be at Sol Levinson Chapel in Pikesville on Friday.

Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources has holiday gift ideas for the hiker or biker on your list.  The annual State Parks and Trails Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks and a 10% discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals.  The cost is $75 for state residents and $100 for out-of-state visitors.  There are 75 state parks that include more than 900 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and water access across Maryland.

Winners of the Cumberland Winter Festival and Market Bicycle Decorating Contest were announced late Tuesday afternoon.  The Downtown Development Commission sponsored the contest.  Twelve non-profit organizations participated and entries were displayed and voted on at the Winter Festival and Market at Canal Place on December 2nd and 9th.  First place went to the Allegany High School Robotics Team who won $1,000. Finishing in second place was the Woman’s Civic Club of Cumberland and tied for third place was The Children’s League and County United Way.  Over 930 votes were cast over the two weekends for the bikes entered.

On Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, Cumberland City Police officers on patrol in the area of Grand Ave observed a traffic violation on a white passenger vehicle. Officers then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the lone occupant. During the course of the stop, a police K9 was utilized to conduct a free air sniff of the exterior of vehicle which indicated to the presence of CDS inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle and occupant, amounts of suspected crack cocaine, fentanyl, suboxone, and marijuana were located. A large amount of US currency was also…

According to research from the website bestcolleges.com, 23% of college students are food insecure, meaning they do not have adequate food access or good quality food.  Allegany College of Maryland recently received grants from The Giant Company and the Maryland Higher Education Commission to boost the college’s pantry service to students and employees.  Kristin Kehrwald, Communications Coordinator talks about ACM being designated a Hunger-Free Campus through MHEC… The Pantry provides food, hygiene products as well as school supplies.  Kehrwald says it is designed to help everyone on campus that has a need…

A Pennsylvania man arrested on Monday and cited for trespassing and violating the city camping ordinance was on grounds of George Washington’s Headquarters on Greene Street.  Peggy Keene of the Cresap Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution that cares for the headquarters says that there are local residents that would love to visit, but stay away because of such activity… Ed Taylor, Jr of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization thinks the recent publicized arrest may be the start of cleaning up the area…

A different way to celebrate the holidays is coming to the LaVale Library this weekend. Saturday sees the return of the Taste of Civility event, bringing together the area’s different cultures for an evening of sharing.  Ashley Swinford of the Allegany Library system, talks about what attendees can expect for the evening program, starting at six o’clock…    

Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel spoke during the annual pre-legislative breakfast at Rocky Gap and he didn’t mince words.  Buckel has seen how the smaller counties get treated, overlooked, and underfunded.  But, he says it has to be a partnership with Annapolis that blends county and state efforts… Buckel says our population declines have hurt us, putting us at a disadvantage even before conversations start.  He doesn’t want this area to go the way of other small towns in the region and knows a large effort needs to be put forward…

Governor Wes Moore announced the launch of two programs to bring energy solutions to homes of low-to-moderate income Marylanders.  The FY24 Energy Efficiency Equity Grant and the Solar Energy Equity Grant will provide almost $23 million to nonprofits and local governments to install weatherization and solar energy systems on eligible homes.  The US Department of Energy says low-income households face an energy burden due to inefficient or outdated lighting, heating, and cooling systems.  More information on the program is available through the Maryland Energy Administration.

UPDATE:  Cumberland Police report that Jose Michael Lee Logdon has been located and safely returned to his family. Earlier:  Cumberland Police Department is actively attempting to locate a missing juvenile, Jose Michael Lee Logsdon. Logsdon is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and 155 pounds. Logsdon was last seen on St Mary’s Avenue in Cumberland on December 12th, 2023 at approximately 6:20 am, wearing a sweatshirt, sweatpants and crocs. The Cumberland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Logsdon.