A bill submitted in the Maryland General Assembly would prevent anyone under 25 from being charged with felony murder. In Maryland, as example, if a getaway driver hits and kills a pedestrian while fleeing the scene of a crime, they are guilty of felony murder under current law.  Democratic Delegate Charlotte Cruchfield is looking to change that with her Youth Accountability and Safety Act, or House Bill 1180. Crutchfield wants that to apply to anyone under the age of 25.  Opponants, such of House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, find the legislation laughable… This proposal, Buckel says, appears hypocritical when compared…

Winter Weather Advisory… Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch.  Portions of western Maryland, western Virginia and eastern West Virginia from 4 AM to 2 PM EST Friday. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. From Mineral County southward, ice accumulations are most likely above 2500 feet. To the north, much of Garrett County should see some icing. As the system exits on Friday night, additional snow showers are possible through Saturday morning. This will be accompanied by blustery…

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore raised nearly $4.6 million for his inaugural festivities, according to a report filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections. About $4.3 million was spent on the inaugural celebration in January. About $1.4 million came from ticket sales for the inaugural ball at the Baltimore Convention Center. An inaugural committee received donations of $30,000 from more than 20 people and groups. That's the highest donation amount that appears in the report. Businesses that donated that much included Amazon, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Constellation Energy, Exelon Corp. and Lockheed Martin. The inaugural committee is not limited to the…

Stealing some sunlight, it's the goal of Senator Justin Ready's bill to end daylight saving time. The senator has introduced a bill that  would stop the flip flopping every six months and leave Maryland sprung forward. WMAR reports: "I was inspired by a lot of people who say I go to work when it's just getting light and I get home and it's dark and if we could just extend our daylight hours, they don't really go longer of course, but if we could just extend the calendar but I think there's so many benefits to it," said Senator Ready….

Kayla Dodson, a social studies teacher at Fort Hill High School, was recently named a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). Mrs. Dodson was nominated for this honor by a student, in recognition of her outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence within the classroom. “It's honestly such an honor to be nominated,” says Mrs. Dodson. “It was definitely a surprise, but one that I will treasure. Even though this distinction is wonderful and a blessing, it cannot surpass the joy I have to be able to be a part of my students’…

WBAL reports the House of Delegates in Maryland on Wednesday has given preliminary approval to a bill that would tax and regulate recreational cannabis. Under the bill, marijuana would be taxed at a rate of 6% starting in July, and the tax would increase by 1% a year until it reaches 10% in July, 2027. The tax is expected to generate more than %146 million a year. Recreational cannabis would become legal in Maryland on July 1. A constitutional amendment was approved by state voters in 2022. Democrats are insisting on equity provisions so African American communities get preference in…

On March 7th, 2023, at approximately 4:26 pm, officers of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Centre Street and Knox Street where they contacted the operator and other passengers in the vehicle. The officers conducted their investigation and learned that one of the passengers had provided a false name and officers were able to identify her as Amanda Swauger, who had four active Arrest Warrants. Swauger was placed under arrest and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where it was learned that she had concealed drug paraphernalia on her person….

On March 8th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Dillon Nicholson. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the Circuit Court when he violatied his probation. Nicholson was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. Arrest: Dillon Roy Nicholson, age 30, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Violation of Probation.  

Hunter Douglas, one of Allegany County’s largest employers, will be decommissioning its Cumberland plant by the end of summer. The company recently laid off 61 employees and that led to speculation that the end game was to move all of the company’s production work to Mexico.  Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss… Allegany County Commissioners President David Caporate told WCBC News that efforts have been underway for months to schedule a meeting with Hunter Douglas representatives to discuss the future of the local operation- and that will finally take place today. Obviously the focus of those talks will now shift to helping…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council on Tuesday put an end to any plans to allow residents to raise live chickens within the city-  with a concensus reached not pursue the request.  In recent months a number of citizens had approached the council asking that the city amend its ordinance – and to allow for hens- and city staff did develop a proposed “keeping of chickens” regulation.  However after a brief presentation during the public work session, Mayor Ray Morriss and council members Cioni, Furstenberg, Frazier and Marchini agreed not to move forward…