Golden Entertainment announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached to sell the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone to Century Casinos and real estate investor VICI Properties for $260 million in cash. According to the deal, Century Casinos will pay $56.1 million for the operations of the Rocky Gap casino, while VICI will pay $203.9 million for its interest in the land and buildings. Delegate Jason Buckel, who co chairs an economic development task force that has spent some time focusing on the future of the resort, tells WCBC News that transaction may explain why the current owner/operator held off on securing sports…

A social media comment from an Allegany County Commissioner in response to a t-shirt being sold in the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad gift shop has generated some controversy- with a frustrated group of railroad employees attending Thursday nights public meeting. The shirt depicts a steam engine soaring above the motto: ”Ridgeley West Virginia: Home of the Thunder No. 1309”. Commissioner David Caporale on his facebook page posted a picture of the t-shirt and made note that the majority of the railroad funding comes from Maryland- primarily the county along with the cities of Frostburg and Cumberland. Those attending the session…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said this week that not only will Dan Cox not succeed him in office- but Cox’ campaign will prove costly for  other Republicans running- and also halt several years of party momentum in a state that is heavily Democrat. Although Democrats hold a 2-1 voter edge over Republicans in Maryland- the GOP has come out on top in three of the last five gubernatorial elections. Hogan says unfortunately that will not be the case in 2022, calling the GOP nominee unqualified, unfit and too extreme to be electable. While some Republicans have urged Hogan to support…

The recent receipt of a state safety grant will help enhance security downtown with Ring doorbell cameras also being made available to interested business owners. During the August meeting of the Downtown Development Commission, an update on the planned security measures was provided by the executive director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. Matt Miller announced the receipt of $95,400 from the state Department of Housing and Community Development's Community Safety Works grant program. Those funds will cover costs for cameras, computer equipment, monitors, communication equipment, video recorders and labor. Additionally, the funding will provide doorbell cameras to any business…

Work on the city’s aging water distribution system in the Decatur Street area has been extended through the end of next month- but despite the longer than anticipated schedule the project won’t exceed original cost estimates. Construction began in March and officials hope the work will help stabilize an area that has experienced numerous water main ruptures over the years. The 24-inch crosstown main runs from Baltimore Avenue northwest beneath Decatur Street, under Frederick and Bedford streets to Independence Street. The work includes replacing 4,300 linear feet of water line, which is expected to directly improve service to 29 businesses…

Other than Garrett County, public school systems across Maryland opened this week, and unfortunately there have already been a number of safety incidents reported. One of those  incidents saw students air-drop several images suggesting a possible bomb threat.  With incidents of violence in schools continuing across the nation- school safety will be one of the focal points in October when the Maryland Association of Boards of Education holds its fall conference in Annapolis. Allegany County Board of Education member Tammy Fraley is the immediate past president of MABE and maintains a seat on the board of directors…

Maryland State Police are continuing an investigation into a traffic crash last night in Washington County that claimed the lives of two teenagers. The first deceased is identified as Tyler Josenhans, 17, of Hagerstown, Md. He was the driver of a Lexus sedan involved in the crash. The second deceased is identified as Clayton Knode, 15, of Clear Spring, Md.  He was the right rear passenger of the Lexus sedan involved in the crash. The front seat passenger of the Lexus sedan is identified as Kannon Shives, of Clear Spring, Md. He was flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock…

According to a news release issued by Keyser Chief Jared Bruce, a former Keyser Police Department officer was arrested Thursday on a sex abuse charge. Brendon Dougherty, 24, was arraigned by a Mineral County magistrate on one count of sexual abuse by a person of trust. Dougherty was being held at the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta on a $50,000 bond, according to electronic court records. Bruce said additional charges were expected and the investigation had been transferred to federal authorities. Dougherty was suspended without pay Aug. 11, according to the release. Mineral County Sheriff's Department, state police and…

Golden Entertainment Inc. has reached an agreement to sell the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland, to Century Casinos and real estate investor VICI Properties for $260 million in cash. According to the deal, Century Casinos will pay $56.1 million for the operations of the Rocky Gap casino, while VICI will pay $203.9 million for its interest in the land and buildings. Rocky Gap sits on 270 acres along Lake Habeeb in Western Maryland and includes an 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, as well as a 5,000-square-foot events center and several outdoor activity sites. The casino itself includes a 25,000-square-foot gaming floor, a…

According to city officials, public tennis courts at the Mason Sports Complex in South Cumberland have fallen into disrepair and their future remains uncertain. The Cumberland Times News reports the courts are among several other athletic fields in the complex, which includes baseball and soccer fields, a playground and a BMX track. Now, the tennis courts show gaping cracks with weeds growing from them, leaving the surface unplayable. City officials say a combination of unfortunate circumstances has contributed to the current state of the courts. Most recently, the site was used as a staging area for contractors performing storm water…