While CSX and the National Transportation Safety Board are still looking into what caused the two deaths of Conductor trainees this summer, one in the Cumberland rail yard – the union for sheet metal, air, railroad, and transportation workers is calling for all railroads to increase training.  The SMART-TD union is looking for action and enforcement against unsafe practices. The union says trainees are being rushed with no exposure in a controlled environment to hazards they may encounter in the field.  There is also a lack of consistency in the training and often trainees are paired with conductors with less…

Calling on Marylanders to keep close attention on what local officials are doing and saying, The Maryland Public Policy Institute would like to see a pause and rework on the Kirwan Commission’s Blueprint for Education.  Chris Summers, the President and CEO for the Policy Institute, told WCBC the cost estimates on the plan are outdated now and need to be revised… According to Summers, the actual first-year cost of implementing the plan is what Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott referred to as a “gut punch,” once he found the actual cost to his city rose from an estimate of $12-15million to…

The remains of a Hagerstown man missing since May have been found in Upper Marlboro and the man he had been helping find a new path in life is under arrest for murder.  Shawn Hall, 59, of Hagerstown went missing in May of this year.  He was known to work through his church with prison inmates and those recently released from prison.  Prince Georges County Police have arrested Boisey Neal, a released inmate living in Glen Burnie whom Hall had been working with. Hall’s family said the two had planned to open a business together but family members were becoming…

The next General Assembly session will no doubt have discussions over the coming budget – as well as budgets to come. The Department of Legislative Services has revealed that Maryland will be facing a budget deficit starting next year that will balloon to $1.8 billion in five years.  Governor Moore hinted at the coming troubles when he spoke to the Maryland Association of Counties, though he avoided the word “deficit” and kept saying that “discipline” was needed…   Senator Mike McKay told WCBC that legislators have not had any direction as to tax hikes, but have heard increases will definitely…

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin says he is “running to” the issue of abortion in the state of Virginia. On CBS’ Face the Nation, Youngkin said he is pursuing a 15-week abortion ban that most voters can rally around, calling it a 15-week pain threshold, the point where babies can feel pain in the womb.  While Youngkin is a pro-life governor, he does agree that some situations such as rape, incest, and the health of the mother present exceptions.   

Maryland’s Public Service Commission has scheduled A public comment hearing on the gas infrastructure plan filed by Columbia Gas of Maryland. The utility has filed for approval of its 2024-2028 infrastructure development plan that will cost between $17 and $22.4 million a year. A monthly surcharge of $2.00 per residential customer in Western Maryland over a 5-year period is proposed.  Locally, a public hearing on the increase is scheduled for Thursday, September 7th at 7pm at the Fairfield Inn on Wineow Street in Cumberland.

Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police – Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Monday, August 28, 2023 Jason Michael Brown, 39, of Pasadena, MD was served a District Court Bench Warrant for Failure To Appear. His original charge is Motor Vehicle/Unlawful Taking, Theft: $1,500 To Under $25,000, Unauthorized Removal of Motor Vehicle and Theft Less Than $100. He is currently held at the Allegany County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond in this matter. John Michael Pinson, 35, of Frostburg, was served a District…

Washington County has received $3.1 million for their Rural Legacy Program.  The funds will be used to purchase conservation easements on properties that are near or surround the Antietam Battlefield.  Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator for Washington County, says they have an applicant list of about 50 landowners wishing to settle an easement for their property…

From 7AM to 5PM today water service will be interrupted for valve replacement on Butler Alley.  The area affected includes N. Centre Street from Baltimore Street to Frederick Street, Butler Alley to George Street, and Baltimore Street from Centre Street to George Street.

On Monday, August 28, 2023 at approximately 12:14 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to Canal Pl. in reference to a suspicious subject.  Police located and contacted the reported subject who was identified as Brit Redden.  Witnesses explained that they did not know Redden and that he had entered their vehicles without permission.  Redden was issued a criminal citation for Disorderly Conduct.  Police also served a criminal summons on Redden.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on July 28, 2023.  On this date at approx. 11:54 AM, officers responded to the District…