The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce Phase One of the Downtown Comprehensive Investment Grant Program opened on October 17 and closed on November 11. Phase One of the three phase program consisted of a Downtown Façade Improvement Grant and a Downtown Technical Assistance Grant. Requests were received for a total of $556,145.52 for the Facade Improvement portion with $400,000 available funds. There were requests for $15,350.00 for the Technical Assistance portion with $20,000 allocated for it. The grant committee was able to amicably allocate all available funds with only relatively minor decreases in some of the requests. All applicants…

Governor Larry Hogan today delivered the keynote address at the Greater Washington Board of Trade’s annual meeting to discuss Maryland’s economic turnaround and shared priorities for regional leaders—including advancing the state’s Traffic Relief Plan for the American Legion Bridge and the Capital Beltway.

Congressman David Trone’s (D-MD) Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting (FENTANYL) Results Act passed the U.S. House through the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation now awaits passage in the Senate.   The FENTANYL Results Act would authorize programs through the State Department that would build foreign law enforcement capacity to detect synthetic drugs and carry out an international exchange program for drug demand reduction experts.    A record 108,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2021, and more than 200 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids. The FENTANYL Results…

On December 7th, 2022 officers responded to the 100 block of Humbird Street for a reported assault. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with the parties involved and learned that Rachel Murphy had struck the victim with an object several times causing injuries. Murphy was placed under arrest and taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was released on her own recognizance. Arrest: Rachel Ann Murphy, age 45, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Assault Second Degree.

On December 7th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served two Arrest Warrants on Nickoli Cakus. The Arrest Warrants were issued by the District Court when he violated the conditions of his probation. Cakus was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond. Arrest: Nickoli Dundar Cakus, age 25, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Two Counts of Violation of Probation. On December 7th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Nicky Linn. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court stemming from an assault that occurred on November 23rd, 2022. During…

Although a  deal that would have transferred ownership of the historic building at 19 Frederick St. to a local businessman fell through in April- city officials are continuing efforts to see the structure restored and back on the tax rolls. City officials confirmed this week that a developer has approached them about possible plans for renovating the building to put it back in service. The propsosal was discussed by council in closed session prior to Tuesday’s regular public meeting. Mayor Ray Morris said that few details can be shared at this point…  

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has  announced that the state has prohibited the use of TikTok and certain Chinese and Russian-influenced products and platforms in state government.  According to a release, it states that these entities present an unacceptable level of cybersecurity risk to the state, and may be involved in activities such as cyber-espionage, surveillance of government entities, and inappropriate collection of sensitive personal information. Comptroller Peter Franchot applauded the governor’s action…

A mixed bag of results in student test scores. The State Department of Education says English test scores are returning to their pre-pandemic levels, but math scores have not. The scores for the English Language Arts test showed 45% are tested at proficient levels in third and fourth grades, and fifth graders were 40%. For the English 10th grade test, 53% were proficient. As for math scores, just 17.6% of sixth grade students were proficient in math, and just 6.5% of students who took the grade eight assessment were proficient. Algebra One proficiency was just 14.5% compared to 27% three years ago. State School Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury said while…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council this week accepted a proposal from Carl Belt Construction to provide upgrades and renovations to the Constitution Park Amphitheatre. Total funding allocated for the project is just over $170,000. Mayor Ray Morriss described the amphitheatre as one of the city’s hidden gems- and the hope is that some minor improvements could go a long way toward making it a first class, well utilized entertainment venue…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a tractor trailer fire on Interstate 68 near Maryland Avenue