Gov. Jim Justice announced today that he has signed House Bill 2506, creating a vehicle title clearinghouse for non-resident businesses in West Virginia.  The bill's purpose is to allow West Virginia licensed non-resident businesses to transfer existing out-of-state titles into a West Virginia title in their name, even when the vehicle is located in another jurisdiction.  The legislation's passage takes advantage of the advanced title and registration system that the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV) enabled in 2022.  "I am excited about this initiative, which will bring millions of dollars to the state of West Virginia and position…

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) today announced $5,124,825 in federal funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to bolster gun violence prevention programs across the state.   This funding for the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (GOCPYVS) comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program’s Crisis Intervention Program and will be used to support the development and implementation of evidence-based violence prevention and intervention programs, including extreme risk protective order programs, specialized crisis intervention court…

On Thursday, February 16th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to the 100 block of E. Oldtown Rd for the report of a large disturbance. Upon arrival on scene officers observed several subjects involved in a verbal altercation. Officers also observed a juvenile with visible injuries to the face. The Cumberland Fire Department was called to respond to provide medical treatment for the juvenile. The investigation revealed that Amanda Jean Richard, 35, of Cumberland MD, and the juvenile had been involved in a verbal altercation. The incident then turned physical between the two, which resulted in the injuries sustained to…

On Thursday, February 16th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 800 block of Gephart Dr for the report of an open 911 line. Dispatch advised that it was believed an assault was currently in progress in the home. Upon arrival on scene, officers could hear a female subject in the home screaming for help. Officers were then able to force entry into the home where the observed a male subject actively assaulting a female victim. When the officers intervened, the male began to actively fight officers and resist arrest. As a result, Michael James McDonald,…

On Thursday, February 16th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a business in the 200 block of Greene St for a trespassing complaint. Upon arrival, officers contacted a store employee who advised them that a female subject was in the store creating a disturbance and refusing to leave upon their request. Officers contacted the female and advised her she needed to leave the property. She was advised not to return or she would be placed under arrest. A short time later, officers again responded to the business as the female had returned. As a result, Tiffany Monic Cogdell, 45,…

On Thursday, February 16th, 2023, Cumberland Police officers on patrol in the area of Bedford St conducted a traffic stop a black in color Chevrolet for a stop sign violation. During the course of the stop, a police K-9 was utilized to conduct a free air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle and its occupants, an amount of suspected methamphetamine was located in the passenger compartment. As a result, Richard Allen Lowry, 32, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. He…

The Allegany County Board of Commissioners in recent years has invested tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements, including water, sewer and roads projects- and that commitment is starting to pay dividends. The largest investments have been in various water and sewer projects across the county while the remainder has primarily been invested in road improvements.  Such infrastructure projects are a passion for County Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr who served as a maintenance supervisor and worked for more than 20 years with the LaVale Sanitation Commission. On a scale of one to ten, Brodie said he  would rate Allegany…

Although it appears as though there is finally some momentum for both the downtown mall redesign and the Rolling Mill projects- the deliberate pace and lack of progress to date-  has served as a point of frustration for both the public and elected officials. Delegate Jason Buckel has frequently expressed exasperation with what sometimes has appeared to be a lack of urgency in moving those projects forward… He says lagging behind on projects that are relying on significant state investment also creates problems when local officials attempt to secure support for the next venture…

The Allegany County Board of Education this week approved the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future report to be submitted to the state next month.  State legislation, passed in 2021, includes an annual $3.8 billion funding increase over the next 10 years aimed to improve education in public schools. Major goals of the legislation are to improve Maryland’s early childhood, primary and secondary education to the levels of high-performing systems around the world, and establish a career ladder system for educators as they gain expertise.  ACPS Blueprint Coordinator Wendy Main provided an overview of the report which included community input received during…

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone on Thursday met with members of the Western Maryland Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to provide an update on  efforts in Congress to support the region and discuss how they can work together this year. During the meeting, Senator Van Hollen outlined how the American Rescue Plan has helped Western Maryland workers, families, and small businesses recover from the health and economic effects of the pandemic. He will also highlighted  how recent major federal legislation will continue to drive economic growth in the region through funds to support broadband deployment……