Maryland’s economy continues to face headwinds from the Trump-Vance Administration as Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggest that Maryland lost 700 total jobs in December 2025, 400 of which were in the federal government. This means that Maryland has lost 25,300 federal civilian jobs since the start of the Trump-Vance[Read More…]
Author: editor
Following cold weather safety tips can avoid severe winter dangers
by Zac Swaim As winter weather settles into the area, residents are dealing with snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to persist into next week. Last weekend’s storm created hazardous travel conditions and increased the risk of power outages. The ongoing cold temperatures can still lead to frozen pipes[Read More…]
Washington County, central Maryland remains in severe drought
Below-average rainfall and a lack of snowfall this winter is keeping Washington County and the surrounding region in the Severe Drought classification, according to the United States Drought Monitor. Officials with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin are watching streamflow and groundwater levels, in addition to drought reporting,[Read More…]
TC Energy still monitoring spring at Berm Road after drilling incident, road will stay closed this winter
by Kate Shunney An environmental inspector for TC Energy/Columbia Gas continues to monitor the flow of groundwater from a spring in the area of Berm Road west of Hancock after drilling for a new natural gas pipeline affected the groundwater source there. The company says Berm Road will stay closed[Read More…]
Additional arrests made in fatal Clear Spring fire
by Geoff Fox Two more people have been arrested in connection to the November 2025 house fire that claimed the lives of three Clear Spring residents. The recent charges have now brought the number of suspects involved in the deaths up to five. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide[Read More…]
Owners of blighted Hancock properties sent letters warning of future citations, fines
by Geoff Fox Letters informing property owners of the status of their responsibilities to remediate local blighted buildings have been sent for two properties on Main Street and High Street that were to be demolished but remain standing. Town Attorney Ed Kuczynski told town officials the letters have been sent,[Read More…]
Wildland fire protection grants given to area fire companies
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service has committed to providing Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties across the state. Hancock Volunteer Fire Company was among the organizations to get the federal wildland support, in the amount of $3,500. Departments in Allegany, Baltimore,[Read More…]
Three top tier finishes for Panther track & field at County Championship
by Geoff Fox Three Panthers finished within the top eight of their respective events during the Washington County Indoor Track and Field County Championship last Friday, January 16, at Hagerstown Community College (HCC). This meet was the most successful of the team’s five indoor track meets this year as three[Read More…]
Town donates to fire & EMS
Mayor Roland Lanehart, Jr. presented Hancock Fire Company President Rick Rowe and Hancock Rescue Squad Chief of Operations Stephen Barnhart the town’s annual allotment of $4,000 each during the January town meeting.
Briget Jean Tobin
Briget Jean Tobin 1974-2026 Briget Jean Tobin, age 51, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at War Memorial Hospital. Born February 11, 1974 in Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of James and JoAnne Michelle Wyman Cabral of Hedgesville, W.Va. Briget graduated from Crossland[Read More…]
