RAZ Development and the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, on Tuesday, announced that they have entered a contract governing the acquisition and development of the former Memorial Hospital site for new market rate apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. RD is a privately held real estate developer and asset manager located in Bethesda with over 10 years’ experience in all phases of residential and commercial real estate development including the $10 million dollar acquisition of 10 Commerce Drive in Cumberland in 2021. A priority of the CEDC since the organization’s inception, executive director Matt Miller said the partners are well-positioned to deliver…

A community meeting to discuss  and develop plans to help aid the impoverished community in and around the Cumberland area has been scheduled for Thursday evening. The idea is to generate discussion and collect information that will allow for the development of a program that best works for the community.  The Union Rescue Mission’s social media page states that the hope is that current homeless; past homeless; community members;  community leaders and the URM will have a dialogue on the needs and solutions that the planned relocation  to 710 N Centre Street may be able to address.  Pastor David Ziler…

A day ahead of the opening of the 2023 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the House Republican Caucus voted to re-elect Delegate Jason Buckel to serve as Minority Leader. Buckel represents District 1B which covers a large section of Allegany County.  First elected to serve as Minority Leader in 2021, Delegate Buckel previously served as Chief Deputy Minority Whip from 2017 until his election as Leader. Always a challenge, he says, is getting the overwhelming majority  Democrat House to recognize that one size does not fit all when it comes to legislation…

The Allegany County Board of Education,  in a meeting that lasted less than 15 minutes Tuesday, elected Robert Farrell as Board President and Crystal Bender as Vice-President.  Just a few business items were on the agenda for the first meeting of the new year, including taking a vote to set the budget priorities for the next Fiscal Year. There were five bullet points on the list: modernizing current student programs;  providing education recovery programs;  maintaining and enhancing student safety and mental health;  making every effort to provide employees with negotiated benefits; and early childhood development. Chief Finance Officer Larry McKenzie…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan delivered his farewell address to residents on Tuesday night, wrapping up eight years of leading the state. As a Republican governor in a largely Democratic state, Hogan experienced high approval ratings during his time with the most recent numbers hovering around 70 percent. He thanked those who have both supported him and worked with him during some extremely challenging times…

RAZ Development (“RD”) and its subsidiary, Al Lateef Properties, LLC, and the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation are pleased to announce that they have entered a contract governing RD’s acquisition and development of the former Memorial Hospital site for new market rate apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. RD is a privately held real estate developer and asset manager located in Bethesda, Maryland with over 10 years’ experience in all phases of residential and commercial real estate development. RD was introduced to, and fell in love with, the greater Cumberland region during its $10 million dollar acquisition of 10 Commerce Drive, Cumberland,…

The cause of an early morning house fire in Garrett County over the weekend remains under investigation. The Maryland State Fire Marshal issued a preliminary report:   DATE: January 7, 2023 TIME:  2:50 am LOCATION / ADDRESS: 66 Ruffed Grouse Lane Oakland, Garrett County TYPE OF INCIDENT: Structure fire DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE / PROPERTY: residential structure OWNER / OCCUPANTS: Anne & Tomasz Myckow INJURIES / DEATHS: N/A ESTIMATED LOSS – $500,000 SMOKE ALARM STATUS: Unknown FIRE ALARM / SPRINKLER STATUS: Sprinkler system not yet connected (under construction) ARREST(S): NA PRIMARY RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT: Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department # OF…

Gov. Larry Hogan will deliver a farewell address to Marylanders Tuesday at 5 p.m. “We have come a long way together over the last eight years changing Maryland for the better,” the two-term Republican governor said Monday via news release. “I look forward to having one final opportunity to express to Marylanders how grateful I am for the privilege to serve as governor, and share some thoughts about the direction of our state and our country.” Democrat Wes Moore will be sworn in as the state’s 63rd governor Jan. 18. Over the course of his last year in office, Hogan…

On Monday, January 9th, 2023, the Cumberland City Police responded to the 100 block of Columbia St for the report of a large disturbance. Upon arrival on scene, several subjects were observed to be involved. Officers were able to quickly intervene and compel most of the subjects to cease their disruptive behaviors. One subject; however, continued to engage in disruptive actions. The subject was observed to be aggressive towards others on scene, yelling attempting to incite fear. As a result, Jose Morais Gomes Jr, 35, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. Gomes was issued a Criminal Citation for disorderly…

On Monday, January 9th, 2023, the Cumberland City Police responded to the area of the Allegany County District Court for the report of a wanted subject in that area. Upon arrival on scene, officers observed the subject leaving the area in a vehicle. Subsequently, the vehicle was stopped and the identity of the driver confirmed as William Charles Morris, 39, of Cumberland MD. Morris had an active Bench Warrant for violating the terms and conditions of probation that stemmed from a previous assault charge. It was also learned at this time that Morris was driving without a license and the…