West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Services is highlighting the programs available to women during their observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The breast and cervical screening program provides resources to decrease incidence of cancer, morbidity, and mortality by focusing on populations who are underserved. Through the program, uninsured or underinsured West Virginians have access to screening and information on risks and preventive measures. Individuals interested in these resources can visit www.dhhr.wv.gov/bccsp.

Maryland’s Horse Month will showcase the many ways the State is enriched by horses and the horse industry.  The state’s horse industry has an annual economic impact of $2.1 billion dollars and has more horses per square mile than any other state. The Maryland 5-Star At Fair Hill is a major equestrian event with dressage, cross-country, and show jumping starting October 19th in Elkton.  Horse enthusiasts can also visit the new Maryland Horse Library and Education Center in Reisterstown which includes a collection of sporting books, meeting space, and interactive kiosks.

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is still playing the keep-away game from saying he will run for President. Hogan spoke with Bloomberg TV in Washington DC and said his primary focus right now is getting the Republican Party back on track amid all the chaos in the Senate, calling it a “train wreck.”  Hogan is honorary co-chairman of “No Labels,” a group that has been laying groundwork for a third-party bid in the event that the Presidential race comes down to Biden versus Trump…  

Maryland’s Department of Labor has determined the initial contribution rate for the new Family and Medical Leave Insurance State Plan.  The rate will be nine-tenths of one percent of covered wages, divided between employees and employers with 15 or more workers.  The rate applies to employers and self-employed individuals choosing coverage under the State Plan. Contributions begin October 1st of 2024 but claims on the plan will not be able to be submitted until 2026. Russell Berger of Offitt-Kerman Accountants says the plan works in a way similar to other state programs…  

Every year in Maryland, more than 13,000 young drivers are involved in motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 6,000 are injured and 14 are killed each year.  Teen Driver Safety Week runs through Sunday, October 15th and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is urging teens and parents to remember important rules behind the wheel involving impaired driving, seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and large numbers of passengers. Christy Nizer with MVA says teens need to be reminded about these things since they are still new to the road…  

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit designed to keep Donald Trump off of the state’s ballot for the Presidential Primary and General Election. Longshot candidate John Castro has filed similar suits in other states, contending that Trump should not be allowed to be candidate on grounds that he allegedly “engaged in or provided aid or comfort to an insurrection.”  Morrisey’s motion to dismiss says that Castro is trying to apply a Civil War-era, anti-Confederate provision to Trump’s actions…  

Dr. Carey Wright doesn’t officially start her job as Maryland’s interim State School Superintendent until October 23, but she is already hoping to make her temporary gig a permanent one.  She just retired in June from a similar position in Mississippi where her main achievement was to boost the state’s reading scores – called the “Mississippi Miracle.” She is getting up to speed on the state’s Blueprint for Education initiative and looking at the all-important data from school testing.  She has referred to the state’s math testing scores as “abysmal.” 

A new historical marker is now sitting atop Negro Mountain in Garrett County to honor the man the mountain is named for.  The Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Pittsburgh Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History unveiled the marker which commemorates an unknown African American frontiersman who marched from Fort Cumberland with Colonel Thomas Cresap and his troops.  The man was killed on May 24,1756 during a skirmish with Native American French allies. As a testament to his bravery, the mountain was named for him.  

On Monday, October 16th, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 blk. of N. Mechanic Street for the report of a motor vehicle theft that has just occurred.  The caller reported that his 2003 Chevrolet S10 was taken while he was inside of a store.  Officers responded to the area to initiate the investigation and an attempt to locate the stolen vehicle was broadcasted to surrounding agencies.  A short while later, the Cumberland Police Department was made aware that the stolen vehicle was sighted on N. Mechanic Street travelling in the wrong direction.  Officers immediately responded that area…

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin along with.Senator Jim Risch, intend to introduce a bipartisan resolution supporting Israel when the Senate returns to session.  “Hamas is a terrorist organization, and its brazen acts of terrorism against civilians must be met with a united response that strongly underscores America’s unwavering support for the people of Israel,” said Chair Cardin. “My thoughts are with the families of those lost and missing, including families here in the United States. The U.S. Congress is unified in working to support our ally, and to send a clear message to the world that terrorism against innocents will not be…