In keeping with their commitment to the community, Wamba Caravan #89 International Order of the Alhambra members officially established the Alhambra Wamba Caravan 89 Hooley Plunge Scholarship fund at Allegany College of Maryland during a recent visit to the college's Thomas Welcome Center. L-R: Eric Harper, David Jones, Tom Farrell, Jim Stafford, Steve Penrod, Drew Farrell, and Rob Adams. Individuals interested in learning more about the scholarship fund are asked to contact the ACM Foundation at 301-784-5200 or sforeman@allegany.edu. More about ACM is available by visiting www.allegany.edu. 

A new West Virginia law going into effect Friday prevents patients from getting abortions because they believe their child will be born with a disability. The ban, which was signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice in March, provides exceptions in the case of a medical emergency or in cases where a fetus is “nonmedically viable.” It was one of the more controversial bills passed during the 2022 legislative session. Its supporters said it would help protect people with disabilities. Justice posted about his signature of the “Unborn Child with a Disability Protection and Education Act” on Twitter to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. He…

UPMC Western Maryland has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2022 – one of only 240 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.     The award recognizes UPMC Western Maryland’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that it has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.     To receive the Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, UPMC…

The “Spring Into Cumberland” downtown window decorating contest was a tremendous success with over 10,500 votes cast to determine the winners. Voters could choose one business and one nonprofit/organization for each vote they cast. Fifteen businesses and 11 nonprofits/organizations participated in the contest, which took place from May 1st through June 5th. The purpose of the contest was to decrease vacant store-front windows, enhance existing business windows and provide opportunities for promotion and awareness of businesses and community groups. Winners in each category will receive marketing packages worth $750, $500 and $250 for first, second and third places respectively. The event prizes will be provided…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the next step in the strategy to address congestion and future traffic demand crossing the Chesapeake Bay. The launch of the Bay Crossing Study Tier 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) follows completion of the Tier 1 NEPA in April, and continues the governor’s unprecedented efforts to provide congestion relief for generations to come at the Bay Bridge, and along its 22 miles of approach highways. "At my direction, we are immediately launching a critical $28 million Bay Crossing Tier 2 Study, which will not only study the new crossing, but also look at solutions…

Faced with a July 1st deadline, the Allegany County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1  Thursday   to approve a resolution establishing a local police accountability board.  Commissioners President Jake Shade was the dissenting vote, blasting the state for mandating the county  to create a citizen-led police accountability boards before the end of June. The boards are tasked to work with local government to improve policing and review complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public.  At this time the state has not yet completed the matrix that will be used in establishing any disciplinary measures. Shade called this an…

The Cumberland Police served two Arrest Warrants on Keshawn Ayodele Dada, age 19 of Cumberland, MD.  The warrants charged Dada with Fail to Appear for original theft charges and with Violation of Conditions. He was taken to Central Booking for his initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner and was held without bond. Arrested: Keshawn Ayodele Dada  Age: 19 Cumberland, MD Charges:  Fail to Appear, Violation of Conditions   The Cumberland Police served an Arrest Warrant on Christopher Otis Cheek, age 50, of Cumberland, MD.  Cheek was charged Fourth Degree Burglary, Disorderly Conduct, and two counts of Malicious Destruction of…

Approximately $700,000 in funding from Maryland’s Community Legacy Program will be allocated for four enhancement and restoration projects in Cumberland- if approval is received. During this week’s mayor and City Council meeting, Ruth Davis-Rogers, the city's historic preservation planner, explained that the purpose of the funding is to utilize state resources for "investing in and supporting projects which will promote economic stability and neighborhood and town center revitalization." At the top of the list is the McMullen Building, 138 N. Baltimore St. on the downtown mall. The four-story, 70,000 square foot building is undergoing a $2 million upgrade. A landmark on…

In collaboration with the Downtown Development Commission and the Arts and Entertainment District of Cumberland, the merchants and business owners of the first block of North Centre Street will host the North Centre Street Festival/Block Party on Saturday, June 11 from noon to 9 p.m. Live music will begin at noon on the Baltimore Street side stage.  June 11 falls on the weekend that traditionally would have been Heritage Days. In light of his recent passing, the block party is dedicated to the memory of neighbor Lee Schwartz, owner of The Book Center. Each of the restaurants connected to North…

While not yet an issue in the Allegany County school system, the Carroll County Board of Education has voted to ban most flags on school grounds- an action that led to protests and threats of lawsuits. The school system will display the American and Maryland Flags and sports flags. LGBTQ Pride flags are not included on the list of approved flags, as well as other flags that can represent political symbols. During a school board meeting, supporters of the ban said they don't want classrooms over-sexualized while opponents say LGBTQ students need to be supported and included. One parent, strongly…