Congressman David Trone took his Second Chance Task Force to the Volunteers of America to discuss how re-entry efforts could be improved for prison inmates nearing release.  While 600,000 people are released from prisons each year, only about 7,000 are housed in re-entry centers where they can receive counseling, job placement, financial management assistance, and other services.  Trone’s Task Force is working to improve outcomes in areas of mental illness and substance abuse disorders…

Maryland’s Department of Transportation has launched a new campaign in efforts to fill a huge hole in their workforce.  The “Taking You Places” campaign is aimed at filling open MDOT positions across the state.  The vacancy rate for the department hovers between 10-12% with skilled labor positions being the most in demand, but open positions exist across all categories in the department.  Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle said the directive to get the jobs filled comes from the governor’s office… For information on the open job listings, go to mdot.maryland.gov

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Triton Construction, would like to notify the public that on July 25th, 2023, there will be a temporary water service outage for customers on Baltimore Street, between Centre Street and George Street. The water outage will occur between 7AM and 12PM. Additional information will be released in the event something changes.

City of Cumberland semi-annual taxpayers will receive a corrected tax bill that will be mailed July 25, 2023. The coupon amounts should not have interest applied to the first three months and the displayed tax rate should read 1.0595. No other corrections were needed and the amounts presented online through the software are correct. No corrections were needed for annual taxpayers. If you have any questions, please contact the tax and utility office at 301-759-6409.

Two people were rescued Monday afternoon in a house fire on Arch Street.  The fire was in a duplex  in the 200 block of Arch Street in South Cumberland.  The two people rescued were brought out of a second floor window.  At least three people were taken to UPMC Western Maryland for treatment of smoke inhalation and/or burn injuries. Firefighters extinguished the fire in about 20 minutes.

The Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to Plains of Moab Road, Frostburg on Sunday evening for a reported four-wheeler accident with injuries.  Investigation revealed that Joshua Devault, a 38-year old male, was operating a four-wheler with a female passenger. Witnesses stated that as the four-wheeler was climbing a hill, the four-wheeler flipped back onto the operator.  The victim was transported to UPMC Western Maryland; however, succumbed to his injuries. The female passenger refused treatment for minor injuries.  The Bureau of Mines inspector responded to the scene and the investigation is continuing.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced the West Virginia First Foundation Executive Director position has been posted by DRi Waterstone Human Capital, an Arlington, Va.-based executive search firm.  All six regions in the state have met and have elected their representative on the board of directors. The executive director will run the day-to-day operations of the foundation.  The Foundation will have a major role in addressing the state’s opioid crisis.  It will receive 72.5% of the net proceeds of each settlement or judgment. These funds will support evidence-based treatment programs, education and prevention strategies, law enforcement efforts, and recovery programs…

Senator Ben Cardin is leading a Senate Committee investigation into lack of oversight for the nation’s only organ transplant system.  Along with other senators, Cardin has been looking into the United Network for Organ Sharing and has come across several inadequacies in the system… Senator Cardin said that Maryland’s internal systems for organ transplants include a Tier 1 Organ Procurement Organization, but that does not ensure a 100% success rate in Maryland or elsewhere…  

Extensive street repair on Valley Road, 1/2 mile from Henderson Avenue. Weather permitting, work will begin on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 7:00AM. Work is expected to be completed on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 3:00PM. Valley Road, from Independence Street to Forest Avenue, will be closed to all through traffic. Due to the scope of the work, this portion of Valley Road will remain closed during the dates above, or until the work is completed. Citizens accessing portions of Valley Road beyond the work zone are asked to find an alternate route.

On 07/23/2023 the Cumberland City Police Department served four Arrest Warrants on Deron Elbin. The warrants were issued as a result of Elbin failing to comply with conditions set by the court on a previous assault charge by contacting a protected party. Elbin was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center for central booking. Elbin received a hearing before a District Court Commissioner and was held without bond. Arrested – Deron Michael Elbin (48) Cumberland, MD Charges – 2 counts of failure to comply, 2 counts of violation of release conditions