With the start of a new school year just getting underway- the Allegany County Board of Education this month received glowing reports on the class of 2022 as well as the system’s summer school program. Chief Academic Officer Kim Green-Kalbaugh presented an overview which revealed a large number of graduating seniors choosing to continue their education- many of them opting for local institutions… Summer school programs helped many students make-up for the learning loss experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic…

In anticipation of new utility lines, a return of vehicular traffic, new parklets, flowers, trees, shrubs and many other overall upgrades- Baltimore Street properties are suddenly a hot commodity. Earlier this month city officials placed the downtown mall renovation project out for bid with the hope being that the estimated 18 month construction period can begin before the year’s end. Cumberland Economic Development Corporation executive director Matt Miller reports that most of the downtown buildings have been sold or are under contract- an amazing turnaround from just a few years ago…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said Tuesday that a teenage girl from Nicholas County was among the latest deaths in the state attributed to COVID-19.  He called the 13 year-old’s passing a tragedy- and something that no family should have to endure…

An equipment problem has forced the early closure of Cumberland’s Constitution Park Swimming Pool – and it will not be open for the Labor Day Weekend. City Administrator Jeff Silka confirmed to WCBC News that an engine in one of the pumps ceased functioning and the city will not be able to secure the necessary parts to repair the problem before the Labor Day holiday thus ending the pool season for the summer.

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Chair Ben Cardin and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) lauded the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announcement today that the Maryland Department of Commerce has been awarded $930,155 to implement a pilot program to protect the state’s small businesses from cyberthreats.   The SBA awarded the funds through the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program, which was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Congress enacted last year. The grant will allow the Maryland Department of Commerce to provide training, counseling, remediation, and other tailored cybersecurity services to…

Allegany Allied Arts and the Queen City Film Festival (QCFF) are pleased to announce the Category Award winners for QCFF 2022. Official schedule and more details to follow. QCFF 2022 will be held October 6-9, 2022, at The Venue At Mezzos, 114 S. Centre St., Cumberland, MD 21502. Project Title, Directors, Submission Categories OPAL, Alan Bidard, Animation Features FACE, Sophia Kyriacou, Animation Shorts Devil Put The Coal In The Ground, Peter Hutchison, Appalachian Features Bliss, Mark L. Mazzeo, Appalachian Shorts The Greatest Of All Tina, Brody Gusar, Cult Features On / Off, Nicolas P. Villarreal, Cult Shorts "From Mexico to…

The CDC said there are more than 15,000 known monkeypox cases in the US and the most recent update says 30 more Marylanders have contracted the virus. WBAL reports that brings the state's total closer to 400 and for the first time and Maryland is now reporting more cases than Washington, D.C.  The White House said on Monday that nearly 2 million doses would be shipped to the states, but it's unclear how many will come here to Maryland.   

Governor Larry Hogan today announced Maryland programs funded by the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) are open. Up to $198 million in federal small business relief is being administered by three state agencies: the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). These agencies will use funds to expand and enhance nine existing state business lending and investment programs. “The State of Maryland’s small business programs are proven and effective, providing critical relief during the pandemic and supporting strong economic growth during our ongoing recovery,” said Governor…

Breezeline, the nation’s eighth-largest cable operator, has launched the next generation of TV, “Breezeline Stream TV,” in Cumberland, Maryland and in the communities of Davis and Green Spring, West Virginia. The new, cloud-based TV service seamlessly integrates live TV, DVR, On Demand and popular streaming apps for viewing devices inside and outside the home via a single, easy-to-use interface. Unlike traditional TVs and set top boxes that receive the TV signal over coaxial cable, Breezeline Stream TV uses IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) technology to deliver hundreds of video channels and thousands of On Demand programs, as well as access to streaming…

Allegany County Public Schools will open for the 2022-2023 school year on Wednesday.  Nearly 6,000 students will ride school buses traveling more than 1.5 million miles this school year.             According to the ACPS Supervisor of Transportation, HB Martz, “Back to school is an exciting time, and it’s up to all of us to keep our roads safe. Whether you are in your neighborhood, on the road, or in a school parking lot, driving with extra caution at peak times for school buses can help keep everyone safe.” Allegany County Public School buses’ peak operating times are between 6-8:30 a.m….