Although completion of the proposed downtown mall redesign project isn’t expected until the summer of 2024 at the earliest-  interest from the private sector is already booming. Actual construction on the mall project is set to begin in April with that work anticipated to take about 18 months.  CEDC executive director Matt Miller reported in September that Cumberland has suddenly become a hot target for economic development opportunities. A dozen new businesses have opened in the past year and this summer saw private investments in the Lila, McMullen and Manhatten, and the M&T Bank buildings. In addition, a group headed…

The annual Church World Service CROP Walk was held recently- once again raising funds to feed the needy The 3-mile walk on the Great Allegheny Passage raises awareness and funding to help local food support programs. Cumberland coordindator Sandy Cowan says the program has flourished in recent years with the Cumberland walk benefiting a number of local organizations… He said there year’s walk was a tremendous success…

Following a year of record high gas prices in Maryland- Delegate Mike McKay says he would like to see legislation introduced that will abolish the state’s  annual mandated gas hike that goes into effect each July 1st. While the news on gas prices has actually improved following the holiday with prices in Maryland down to $3.55 per gallon, unfortunately two of the counties Delegate Mckay represents- Allegany and Garrett- have the highest prices in the state. According to AAA Garrett County tops the state at $3.83 followed by Allegany County at $3.76. While there have been many factors leading to…

Maryland’s Department of Health has launched a health dashboard to keep track of  respiratory syncytial virus cases.The RSV dashboard is similar to the COVID-19 dashboard that was launched during the pandemic. The dashboard will be updated every Thursday. Officials recommend residents get what they call a "flooster." A flooster is the COVID-19 booster vaccine and flu shot combined. Maryland has seen an early surge of severe respiratory illness, especially in very young and school-age children. For children too young for over the counter medication, there are some alternative treatments….

One hundred seventy-seven Allegany College of Maryland students are expected to earn ­­­198 ­­­approximately ­­­degrees and certificates during fall commencement exercises on at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Kelly Shiflett of Swanton, Maryland, and Grace Yeboah of Dumfries, Virginia, will provide the student commencement addresses. Both Shiflett and Yeboah earned their degrees online.    

Crews rescued two occupants of a small plane that crashed Sunday evening into a power line tower, knocking out power across Montgomery County. WBAL reports Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said the plane came into contact around 5:30 p.m. with a high-tension power line tower in the area of Rothbury Drive and Goshen Road in the Montgomery Village area, which is about 4 miles northwest of the Montgomery County Airpark. Crews grounded the power lines, secured the plane and were able to rescue the occupants more than seven hours after the crash. According to Maryland State Police, the aircraft…

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, along with the Maryland State Police, are investigating the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a man in Carroll County Sunday afternoon.  Just before 2:30 p.m. Ronald Joy, 62, and his wife, Kathy Joy, 56, were home when a fire broke out in the 2700 block of Littlestown Pike.   Both escaped before Pleasant Valley Fire Department and surrounding departments arrived; however, Mr. Joy went back inside the home, hoping to locate family pets. Firefighters later located and rescued him inside the home. He was treated by EMS and transported to…

Days after flocking to stores on Black Friday, consumers are turning online for Cyber Monday to score more discounts on gifts and other items that have ballooned in price because of high inflation. Cyber Monday is expected to remain the year’s biggest online shopping day and rake in up to $11.6 billion in sales, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions at over 85 of the top 100 U.S. online stores. That forecast represents a jump from the $10.7 billion consumers spent last year.

On Sunday,  the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Dennis Groves.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on November 23, 2022.  On this date at approximately 2:30 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Williams Street at Baker Street.  Investigation into the stop revealed that the operator, Dennis Groves, was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  The officer filed for charges against Groves at the District Court of Allegany County.    Groves signed for his copy of the summons and was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Dennis…

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, the Cumberland Police served a bench warrant on John Jenkins III.  The warrant was issued as the result of Jenkins failing to appear in court on October 28, 2022.  He was originally charged with Trespassing: Posted Property.  Jenkins was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  John William Jenkins III    AGE:  50           Ridgeley, WV