Curriculum Associates has named Jeannette Milburn of Braddock Middle School in Cumberland to its 2023 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar teachers in Grades K–8 from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Milburn is among 30 educators from 22 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready®, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready®, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high expectations and student achievement, championing equity, and having taught for at least two years.   “Teachers are true rockstars,” said Emily McCann,…

On February 7th, 2023 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on West Industrial Boulevard. The officer contacted the operator, Jacqualine Clay, and observed evidence of impairment. After the performance of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer observed additional evidence of impairment. Clay was placed under arrest and later released on citations pending her trial at District Court. Arrest: Jacqualine Dawn Clay, age 38, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: DUI Related Citations.  

On February 7th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business on Queen City Drive for a reported shop lifting. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with employees who advised Amanda Staples had taken items from the business without paying for them. Staples was issued a Criminal Citation and released pending her trial at District Court. Arrest: Amanda Elizabeth Staple, age 41, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Theft Less Than $100.

On February 7th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Candace Mallow. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the Circuit Court when Mallow violated the conditions of her pretrial release. Mallow was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. Arrest: Candace Larae Mallow, age 42, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Violation of Pretrial Release Conditions.   On February 7th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on William Moye III. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when Moye violated the conditions of his probation. Moye was taken before…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is urging that by October the state’s minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour. Hiking the minimum wage is a concept that has not been embraced by the local business community. Late in 2018, the Allegany and Garrett County Chambers of Commerce along with the Cumberland Allegany County Industrial Foundation partnered with Frostburg State University to conduct a survey of Western Maryland organizations to determine their views of a proposed $15 per hour minimum wage. The results showed strong opposition with 77% of those surveyed believing an increase in the wage would have more negative…

The latest poll results found that large class sizes, high levels of stress, exhausting burnout and staffing shortages are taking a toll on an overwhelming majority of teachers across Maryland. The Maryland State Education Association said “a crisis with unmanageable workloads, attrition among peers, and failure to hire enough staff in all school positions” is so prevalent that educators are more likely to leave the profession or retire early. Cheryl Bost, president of Maryland’s teachers union, said all of these factors are leading to low teacher morale in school system’s across the state. In a recent interview with WCBC News,…

Maryland lawmakers on Tuesday began considering a series of gun control proposals. The most controversial of the potential laws being considered is Senate Bill 1, also known as the Guns Safety Act of 2023. That bill would prohibit a person from wearing or carrying a firearm within 100 feet of any public place, regardless of gun permit status. Public places as defined in the bill includes hotels, restaurants and other places that serve food, and retail locations. Opponants are arguing that the SB1 proposal is unconstitutional because it makes exercising the right of a permitted person to carry a gun outside his or…

For the third time in the past two months a small, but enthusiastic group of citizens addressed the Cumberland Mayor and City Council requesting an ordinance permitting the ownership of hens within the city limits. Current city law prohibits the practice. Some city residents feel one way to combat the rising price of eggs is to own their own chickens- while others noted that it would provide gardeners with compost and reduce ticks. If the city were to move forward, it would not be unique for Allegany County as the city of Frostburg adopted such an ordinance in 2016. While…

Administration at Allegany High School was made aware that a student was perhaps in possession of a weapon. Administrators and the Cumberland City School Resource Officer investigated this matter  and as a result found a Swiss army knife. There was no immediate danger to any students or staff and the school schedule was uninterrupted. The incident was then turned over to the police.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of February 7,  there are currently 726 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There has been one death reported since the last report, with a total of 7,877 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the death of a 70-year old male from Jackson County. “Our thoughts go out to the family of this West Virginian,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Coben, Interim DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “Keeping up-to-date with COVID vaccination, including booster shots when due, is the best protection against existing variants.” CURRENT ACTIVE CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (8), Berkeley…