WCBC News has learned the Senator George Edwards Fund has hired former Allegany County Commission President Jake Shade as its Executive Director.  The Fund has undergone a re-vamp of sorts since it released its first round of economic development funding at the end of May. Maryland lawmakers passed legislation that reconfigured the board in July.  Fund namesake George Edwards tells WCBC that the application process is slightly different now…    

Maryland’s juvenile justice system has come under fire the last few years, including an understaffed Department of Juvenile Services and increasing numbers of young people being arrested and released with little accountability.  Recently, the Joint Republican Caucus released plans to introduce the Juvenile Justice Restoration Act in the next General Assembly session. While he hasn’t been specific, Governor Moore says his administration is working on a plan to be rolled out before January…

Former Maryland Governor Maritin O’Malley is one step closer to becoming the next Social Security Commissioner.  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has direct oversight for the Social Security Administration, joined his colleagues in approving O’Malley’s nomination. Cardin said O’Malley showed his strengths as a public servant and data-driven manager at his confirmation hearing. The SSA has roughly 60,000 employees nationwide across almost 1,400 offices. During his confirmation hearings, O’Malley observed that the Social Security Administration is serving 50% more customers and beneficiaries on the same staffing it had 20 years ago in 1995.

The issue of homeless or vagrant loitering along the areas of Greene Street and Canal Place is becoming more serious.  Concerns about vagrants interfering with visitors to Canal Place and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Polar Express brought several calls to the Dave Norman Show on Wednesday.  Ed Taylor, Jr.  relayed what the Daughters of the American Revolution organization have faced while tending to George Washington’s Headquarters… WCBC spoke with Mayor Ray Morriss and Allegany County Commissioner Dave Caporale about options in handling the situation, especially at the peak of Christmas tourist season. Mayor Morriss said he had already talked…

Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development has issued the largest mortgage revenue bond in the agency’s history. Proceeds from the $400 million bond may be used to finance affordable, mortgage loans for first-time homebuyers through the Maryland Mortgage Program.  The program has been the state’s flagship homeownership source for more than 40 years, providing fixed-rate mortgages along with other mortgage products. Borrowers can receive additional down payment and closing cost assistance, helping to address one of the biggest barriers for many homebuyers. For more information, visit mmp.maryland.gov.

On November 29, 2023 Officers from the Cumberland Police Department served a Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear on Matthew James Brehm for an original charge of theft. Matthew James Brehm was taken to ACDC to await his hearing. Arrest: Matthew James Brehm, age 43, Cumberland MD Charges: Bench Warrant Failure to Appear

On Thursday November 30th, 2023 Officers of the Cumberland Police Department were dispatched to Sheetz Store on Virginia Ave for a theft in progress. Upon arrival Donovan Owenn Grabill was found sitting in the isle while eating items from the store shelf. Donovan Grabill failed to comply with Officers, was arrested and taken to ACDC. Arrest: Donovan Owenn Grabill, age 18, Cumberland Maryland Charges: Theft less than $100, Obstructing and Hinder    

Home builder D.R. Horton has housing developments in many Maryland and Pennsylvania locations near Cumberland including Frederick, Gettysburg, and Ellicott City.  Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale has taken issue with complaints about the quality of Horton’s builds, pointing to other areas where the developer has had success… Caporale also said that a reason for the drop in county population has possibly been the historical shortage of new housing…

Additional emergency state funding has been approved by Governor Wes Moore for hate-crime prevention grants. One million dollars in additional grants are available to Maryland organizations serving protected classes and religious organizations for the hiring of security personnel or security enhancements.  The funding is in addition to $5 million released earlier in the year. Lt. Governor Aruna Miller said the state is committed to providing faith-based and nonprofit groups the resources they need to ensure the safety of their members and congregations. Information on the grants is available through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.

Allegany County Public Schools recently held the Annual Focus on the Future Showcase that targets all eighth grade students. The event provides students with information, course suggestions, college or trade school options, and job market information. Focus on the Future also seeks to promote economic growth in Allegany County by keeping graduates locally employed with the necessary expertise to enter the workforce. The event featured ten career clusters of occupations representing a full range of career opportunities. Local businesses participated in the event by providing hands-on experiences for students that introduced them to a variety of workplace skills.