All Allegany County School buildings are closed today, Friday, March 3, 2023.  A virtual day will be utilized and learning will take place via the Schoology platform.  Students are to log on to the platform at the below listed times.  Elementary School 8:30 a.m., Middle School 8:00 a.m., and High School 08:00 a.m. Lighthouse Christian Academy is closed today.  Calvary Christian Academy is closed today, Friday, March 3, 2023.  Daycare is available at the Early Learning Center.

With construction set to begin next month, one of the major concerns expressed by business owners in downtown Cumberland centers on how to deal with the potential loss of revenue that may result. The 18 month project is expected to create general  disruptions, possible delays, road closures and accessibility limitations. Those are all issues that could lead to fewer customers and thus less business. More than a few business owner have asked if there will be grants available to cover any losses. Matt Miller, executive director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, said the organization will look into that possibility…

The percentage of Maryland students receiving a high school diploma in four years remains consistently high, according to data released this week by the Maryland State Department of Education. The four-year cohort graduation rate was 86.3% in 2022 which is only a small decrease compared to 87.2% in the prior school year. Students graduating in the 2022 cohort were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for most of their high school experience. The pandemic impacted graduation rates in 2022 because schools closed in the spring of the students’ 10th grade year, and virtual learning was primarily applied until they returned to…

Many in Allegany and Garrett counties might find it a little harder to buy food after additional federal SNAP benefits, or food stamps, ended Tuesday for many states. Now, the Western Maryland Food Bank is bracing for more hungry mouths to come to their doors. Emergency allotments added during the COVID-19 public health emergency gave many families additional food assistance per month- but now those extra dollars are going away. Amy Moyer, executive director of the local food bank, said that this latest hit, combined with inflation spikes, will make it challenging for many families… The group, which sees a…

Democratic leaders from across the nation are gathered in Baltimore to hear from President Joe Biden. They are convening for the House Democrats 2023 Issues Conference, where Biden spoke Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Inner Harbor. The three-day event will consist of Democrats discussing their agendas for the upcoming year. Governor Wes Moore made remarks before President Biden took the stage…

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM EST FRIDAY… * WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to one inch. Ice accumulation from freezing rain up to one tenth of an inch for elevations above 1500 feet. * WHERE…Portions of western Maryland, northwest Virginia and eastern West Virginia. * WHEN…From 7 AM to 6 PM EST Friday. A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will overspread the area between between 6 AM and 9 AM Friday morning. Precipitation will change to freezing rain Friday afternoon before changing to rain Friday evening….

On Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 8 am – 5 pm, water service will be shut down on N. Mechanic Street from Valley Street to Queen City Drive while the City of Cumberland Water Department replaces a 4" valve.  N. Mechanic will be open to traffic but please use caution if traveling through the work zone.

A Maryland State Police Aviation Command helicopter crew assisted with the rescue of an injured mountain biker, after a mishap on a remote trail at New Germany State Park in Garrett County on Wednesday.   Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Garrett County and Grantsville Volunteer fire Department personnel found the injured mountain biker on a remote trail. He reportedly told rescuers he was stranded in the woods for nearly eight hours following the mountain bike accident. The 56-year-old male victim was injured while cycling through Meadow Mountain Trail, a 14-mile trail, which stretches through New Germany State Park and…

The Joint Republican Caucus in the Maryland General Assembly discussed their priority legislation to combat Maryland’s violent crime crisis, including the continued rise in juvenile crime.   “The top issue Marylanders are most concerned about is crime, and this should be the priority for every legislator,” said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (District 4 – Frederick). “While there is a great deal of talk about crime, little has been done about it. The crime statistics get worse every year, and thousands of lives have been lost. Crime should not be a partisan issue, but with all this state has endured…

WBAL reports a Maryland-based vaccine maker said it's worried about future sales and funding from the U.S. government. The Gaithersburg vaccine maker Novavax lost $200 million in the fourth quarter of last year. The results were released on Wednesday. While Novavax's CEO told investors he thought the future is bright, he also warned that the company must deliver a "competitive product" for the upcoming fall vaccination season. He also said the company needs to cut spending and find ways to boost sales beyond its COVID-19 vaccine. Novavax got a $1.6 billion federal grant for the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020.