Maryland gaming officials have come up with a way to bring online sports wagering to the state sooner rather than later. The deadline to apply for a Maryland in-person or mobile sportsbook license is Oct. 21. At its monthly meeting on Thursday, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission approved a plan to award mobile sportsbook licenses on a rolling basis, rather than establishing a universal award date. The plan involves streamlining the applications of entities that are already licensed for in-person sports wagering in Maryland. “We expect that a number of potential applicants have already been licensed by Lottery and…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 68 near Johnson Street. East and West bound traffic was impacted initially bu the scene has now been cleared

On Thursday, September 22, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Robert Stevens.  The warrant was issued in connection with an assault investigation. On September 8, 2022 at approximately 10:34 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 500 block of Warren Street for an assault.  Police contacted the victim who reported that she and Stevens got into an argument which led to a physical altercation.  The victim explained that Stevens grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her against a wall, causing her to fall to the ground.  She added that Stevens then picked…

Allegany County officials are back to square one when it comes to finding a new race track promoter to operate at the fairgrounds. For several years prior to 2022, dirt track racing had been operated and promoted by Todd Brode’s group the “Greater Cumberland Raceway”- but the county was informed in February that he would no longer be able to put a race schedule together.  A request for proposals led to an agreement with BBUM promotions in April- with that group planning to update the track facilities and hold weekly races. County engineer Adam Patterson confirmed to WCBC News following…

Gas prices have continued a steady decline in recent weeks, coming down from record-highs this summer, but the Congressional Budget Office says natural gas prices may see an increase from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. According to AAA, the current national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.68, down from $4.08 a month ago and down significantly from earlier this summer when prices surpassed $5 per gallon. In Maryland the numbers are even better with prices per gallon down to $3.43.  Allegany County currently sits about a penny below the national average. Despite these encouraging trends,…

Following the lead of the state, the Cumberland City Council this week voted to repeal a local ordinance that prohibits the carrying of a concealed firearm inside city limits. In July, citing the Supreme Court's decision to strike down a  New York law requiring residents to show they need to carry concealed weapons, Governor Larry Hogan  directed State Police to halt enforcement of a similar requirement in Maryland. This week the City Council officially took action to follow suit- repealing the local amendment by a 3-1 vote.  Mayor Ray Morriss said the repeal is to see Cumberland’s regulations keep in…

Optimism is growing that there will soon be an announcement about a new company or companies locating at the site of the former Luke mill- perhaps creating hundreds of jobs. The future of the former mill was one of the issues addressed at an economic development forum held at Allegany College of Maryland and sponsored by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. County Commissioner David Caporale has high hopes for the mill site saying that there should be more information soon as the broker is actively marketing the property with businesses visiting weekly. He said the most recent site tour…

The Cumberland Police Department is reminding citizens to be cautious when contacted by financial institutions or businesses indicating that your accounts are “Red Flagged” or “compromised”.  Typically these entities will not contact you directly and it is best practice to obtain a contact name or extension. Then use a contact number you trust and have obtained for your financial institution or business.  If a financial institution contacts you and tries to verify your account information, remember, they already have your account information and will not request a bank number or routing number.   In addition, many scams are using text…

Gov. Justice today announced that West Virginia has submitted a bid to host the 2024 Olympic Diving Trials at the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park in Morgantown.   “The world has taken notice of West Virginia and what we have to offer,” said Gov. Justice. “Hosting this event would be a tremendous honor for our great state and a big opportunity for many, many reasons. I’m proud to see our partners in Morgantown stepping up to the plate to take on a project of this magnitude.”   The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park has a long history of hosting major and…

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement after Republicans blocked consideration of the “Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2022” (DISCLOSE Act). Senator Cardin is an original cosponsor of the DISCLOSE Act (S. 4822).   “Americans have a right to know who is bankrolling candidates and trying to influence our elections. By definition, the source of dark money is cloaked in secrecy, allowing unknown wealthy corporations, special interest groups, multi-billionaires and even foreign governments to push their own agenda without accountability. The Supreme Court’s awful…