Maryland Secretary of the Environment Serena Mcillwain recently visited Western Maryland where she toured the former Luke Mill, Savage River Dam and the new Locust Grove Utility site.  Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale said the department is aware of the situation at the AES Warrior Run and the efforts to switch the facility from coal over to another form of energy production.  Coal is being phased out in the state and by AES corporately so changes need to happen to the plant sooner rather than later.  Caporale said he is hopeful that the Department of the Environment can be…

Allegany County’s newest County Health Officer was formally introduced recently at the monthly meeting of the Allegany County Commissioners.  Dr. Junie DeLizo is originally from the Philippines and has held previous positions in New York, Florida, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.  Dr. DeLizo addressed the commissioners and said that he is impressed by the highly dedicated and compassionate staff at the Health Department.  He has spent time traveling around the area and expressed that his goal as Health Officer is to ensure access to programs across the county…

Project funding awards were announced at the recent Allegany County Commissioners meeting for increasing broadband coverage in the area.  Nathan Price, Senior Project manager for the county, said $933,000 in ARPA funding would be awarded for six projects throughout the county.  The money will be used to improve the infrastructure and bring connectivity to outlying areas not previously served.  Projects awarded will cover McKenzie Tower Road, Hinkle Road, Cresap Mill Road and parts of Route 36.  Price explained that the awards were made on a points system through the Connect Allegany grant program…

The Western Maryland Food Bank, like many other non-profit agencies, is responding to rising needs in the community. COVID program cuts have reduced the funding available for families and agencies.  For the Food Bank, the issue is also facilities.  The Food Bank moved into the former Schmidt Bakery in 2002. Executive Director Amy Moyer talked to WCBC about the need of a new roof for that building on Frederick Street to keep operations going…

Educators, students, and parents will be learning some new vocabulary for the coming school year in the area of safety.   Following training at the Maryland Center for School Safety Conference, a new Standard Response Protocol will be put into use for the coming year.  Anthony Rumgay, Assistant Supervisor for Student Support Services and School Safety, says the new protocol will be used across the state to ensure all first responders, educators, and students are on the same page.  School systems will no longer use the terms Lock-In, Lockdown, or Lock-Out. Rumgay explained that five words are replacing the phrases currently…

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission met in an emergency session on Monday and voted unanimously to revoke the university’s authorization to confer degrees in the state effective at the end of this year.  While the school is not permitted to enroll new students beginning with the Fall 2023 semester, seniors scheduled to graduate at the end of the fall term may return to complete their degrees. According to the commission, the move was taken after the commission had received and confirmed information that “Alderson Broaddus University’s financial condition renders the institution unable to create a stable, effective, and…

National Night Out taking place on Tuesday, August 01, 2023. Somerville Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic at East First Street and East Fourth Street on Tuesday, August 01, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. Parking will be prohibited beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Somerville Avenue the day of the event until approximately 9:00 p.m.  No parking signs will be placed along Somerville Avenue with designated times displayed. A portion of East Second Street which runs between Memorial Avenue and Somerville Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic.

The Western Maryland Chapter of the SCCA Washington DC Region, organizers of the Polish Mountain Hill Climb are on track to return to Gilpin Road on August 4, 5 and 6, 2023. The 2023 edition of the sports car gathering will be dedicated to the memory of the late Herman Melotti, who died earlier this year.  Melotti was a pioneering local racer who was also a performance tire development engineer with Kelly Springfield and Goodyear tire companies. He competed both at the legendary Cumberland Airport Nationals and in the modern Polish Mountain Hill Climbs. “We’re excited to hold our 15th…

There is a waterline leak by the Gateway Center and the water must be shut off. It will probably take a few hours according to the Downtown Development office. Additional information will be provided as it become available.

Peoples Gas has been acquired by Hope Gas, Incorporated. The two West Virginia gas providers had petitioned the Public Service Commission to approve the acquisition and is expected to vote on it soon.   Peoples Gas serves over 12,000 customers in 15 counties in the Mountain State and had operating revenues of $14.4 million last year.  Hope Gas will add a surcharge to the new customer’s bills to cover pipeline replacement currently in process and will keep all of the Peoples Gas employees.