Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice invite all West Virginians to honor members of the United States Military and First Responders by submitting photos to be showcased on two recognition trees that will be displayed during the upcoming holiday season. This year’s recognition trees will be located in the west rotunda of the main Capitol building, along with a third tree decorated by Gold Star mothers and families to honor their loved ones whose lives were sacrificed while serving our country. “Cathy and I absolutely cherish this holiday tradition,” Gov. Justice said. “Seeing West Virginians unite to honor our…

Fifty-nine Junior and Senior students from Allegany High School were inducted into membership of the National Honor Society (NHS) on Thursday, October 19, 2023, in front of parents, staff, students, and guests. Honored guests were Superintendent of Allegany County Public Schools Jeffrey Blank; and members of the elected School Board: Crystal Bender, Robert Farrell, and Lori Lepley. Speakers were Allegany High School Principal Heidi Laupert and Allegany High School’s Teacher of the Year Cathy Crockett. Induction was in the Theatre and also observable via live-stream school-wide to the entire study body. The new members joined 45 current Senior members who…

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks after passage of a Fiscal Year 2024 Continuing Resolution, which will fund the federal government through early January and February.  “Congress took a pragmatic and responsible step of passing continued funding for the federal government into early next year and rejecting a government shutdown. Perhaps remarkable for today’s Congress, this action was accomplished through bipartisanship – responsible Republican partnership with Democrats and a rejection of the reckless agendas of the extreme right. Congress did the appropriate thing by passing a clean continuing resolution to keep…

On November 8, 2023, Officers with the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue for a report of an assault.  Upon arrival officers made contact with a 90-year-old male victim along with several witnesses who reported that another man who was known in the neighborhood walked up to the victim and punched him in the face.   The Cumberland Fire Department responded and transported the victim to the hospital for facial injuries.  After investigation, 31-year-old Shawn Patrick Tallman of Cumberland was arrested and charged with felony assault and held in the Allegany County Detention Center.  After the…

THIS IS AN URGENT MESSAGE FOR MARYLAND MEDICAID PARTICIPANTS.  MARYLAND MEDICAID RENEWAL IS NOT AUTOMATIC THIS YEAR.  BEGINNING NOVEMBER 30, MEDICAID WILL BE DISENROLLING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR MEDICAID RENEWAL PAPERWORK.  IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS ON MEDICAID, THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE IS FOR YOU.  IT IS URGENT THAT YOU MAKE SURE YOUR ENROLLMENT AND CONTACT INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE SO THAT YOU CAN RECEIVE AND RESPOND TO IMPORTANT MESSAGES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE.   DON’T WAIT!  FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT MARYLANDHEALTHCONNECTION.GOV/CHECKIN.  AGAIN, YOUR MEDICAID RENEWAL IS NOT AUTOMATIC.  YOU MUST LOG ON TO ENSURE THAT YOUR…

Anticipating a favorable vote next Tuesday, a replacement has been named to the Hagerstown City Council following the resignation of member Robert Bruchey last month. Bruchey resigned due to a family relocation.  The Mayor and Council are expected to approve Peter Perini as the new council member.  Perini is President of Perini Landmark Development Corporation and also worked on Wes Moore’s campaign for Governor.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports that hunters harvested over 16,000 deer during the early portion of the 2023 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was an 18% decrease from the same period last year. Less than ideal weather conditions and abundant acorns in many areas contributed to the decline. The deer harvest can fluctuate from year to year because of hunter effort, weather, and other factors. Allegany County’s deer count was 710, down from 847 in 2022.

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at approximately 3:44 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol in the area of Queen City Drive when he observed a male subject crossing the railroad tracks which are marked as ‘No Trespassing’.  The male subject was identified as Troy Willis.  Willis was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Troy Lee Willis            AGE:  54               Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Trespassing: Posted Property

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Krista Kasecamp.  The warrant was issued as the result of Kasecamp failing to appear in court on June 24, 2022.  She was originally charged with Theft less than $100.  Kasecamp was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $2,500 unsecured personal bond.  ARRESTED:  Krista Lea Kasecamp          AGE:  32          Cumberland, MD

Maryland’s Joint Republican Caucus met the press yesterday in Annapolis to release their public safety agenda for the coming General Assembly Session in January.  The Caucus says their priorities are to protect Marylanders from violent offenders.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it is a fight he won’t give up… Jason Buckel explained the Safe Communities Act which would cap or eliminate credits that violent offenders can receive in prison, reducing their sentence…