The Bob Kirk Invitational Showcase returns to Cumberland on Thursday with nine games over the course of three days at Allegany College of Maryland’s Bob Kirk Arena. Each day features two games in National Interscholastic Basketball Conference play, with a third game featuring a local team. The Bishop Walsh girls get things started at 4 p.m. on Thursday against Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. The BW boys then play Montverde, Florida, at 6 p.m. before Legacy Early College of South Carolina closes out the evening with an 8 p.m. showdown with Sunrise Christian out of Kansas. Friday’s action has the same time schedule of 4, 6…

Dorm fire caused by discarded marijuana cigarette DATE:  December 6, 2022 TIME: 2:55 am LOCATION / ADDRESS:  Frostburg State University, Annapolis Hall, 28 Sandspring Drive, Frostburg  TYPE OF INCIDENT:  trash can fire DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE / PROPERTY:  dormitory room inside Annapolis Hall   OWNER :   State of Maryland INJURIES / DEATHS: none ESTIMATED LOSS – STRUCTURE:  0              CONTENTS:  0 SMOKE ALARM STATUS:  present/working FIRE ALARM / SPRINKLER STATUS: none present ARREST(S):  charges pending PRIMARY RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Frostburg VFD # OF ALARMS:   1                   #…

Dr. David Puthoff, a professor in Frostburg State University’s Department of Biology, was recently selected as the 10th recipient of the President’s Distinguished Faculty Award.  This award recognizes a faculty member who has provided exceptional service to the University and has advanced its mission, goals and strategic planning initiatives. The recipient of this year’s Distinguished Faculty Award is a model of innovative practices in the teaching of biological sciences that have resulted in transformative experiences for students.  “His undergraduate students have discovered a new virus, contributed to a nationally recognized virus database, identified and mapped a new gene involved in…

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and author of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded the committee’s passage of their resolution recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide. The resolution was also cosponsored by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angus King (I-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).  …

Governor Larry Hogan today announced awards for 376 businesses through Project Restore, an economic recovery initiative that provides financial incentives for small businesses to revitalize vacant retail and commercial spaces. A total of 376 businesses in all 23 counties and Baltimore City will receive $24.5 million through the initiative—including $8.8 million in property assistance grants and $15.7 million in business operations grants. “Project Restore has been an incredible success in advancing our mission to make Maryland Open For Business, and today’s awards extend that impact even further in downtowns and on Main Streets across the state,” said Governor Hogan. “We’re…

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at approximately 8:06 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to Plymouth Drive for a disturbance.  Officers contacted the caller who reported that there was a disturbance between her and Samad Waller.  She explained that Waller was arguing with her and damaged a door to her residence prior to leaving.  She also informed officers that Waller had active warrants.  Police confirmed that Waller had two active bench warrants.  Officers located Waller on foot at the intersection of Welch Avenue and Bedford Street.  Waller fled from officers.  Officers were able to locate Waller in the…

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at approximately 1:44 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business on Greene Street for a theft.  The officer contacted the owner who reported that he had tools stolen over the course of a couple months.  Through investigation, a suspect was developed and identified as Blair Rattenni.  Rattenni was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $1,500 unsecured personal bond. ARRESTED:  Blair Christian Rattenni              AGE:  34                Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Theft Scheme: $100 to less than $1,500    

In an effort to create some momentum for the Carver Center project, the Cumberland Mayor and City Council expect to allocate $25,000 to be used as start up costs to get a better handle on what needs to be done to begin renovations. The one time funding would be used essentially to turn the utilities on; evaluate the status of the elevator; and access the overall situation in terms of necessary repairs or improvements. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says $100,000 in grant funding has been secured, but it can’t be used just yet…

A concerned parent addressed the Maryland State Board of Education Tuesday upset that  at least one local school board is creating discriminatory policies targeting LGBTQ students. Wendy Novak is the parent of a student in the Carroll County public school system and she told state education officials that teachers and staff there have not been supportive of LQBTQ students and that has led to an unsafe environment. Declining to acknowledge alternative life styles, she says, is the very definition of prejudice…

As Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade presided over his final meeting last week, he reflected on some of the successes of the past eight years- and near the top of the list: nurturing a successful medical cannabis industry. Becoming a major player in the growing marijuana field may have seemed unlikely a few years ago for one of the most conservative areas of the state- but it has proven to be a near perfect match. Grow West MD, located in the former Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. on Kelly Road, opened in 2017. Later that year,  the Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary on…