More than 100 people attended the Maryland Accelerates Third Annual National Leadership Conference held in June at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City.  Maryland Accelerates is a comprehensive partnership between Frostburg State University’s College of Education and three high-need, rural school districts. The program was created to improve the preparation of new teachers, address the needs of rural schools and improve student achievement in Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties.  “My recent experience at the Maryland Accelerates Conference was inspiring and energizing,” said Dr. Traki Taylor, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at FSU. “Being in a space full of…

Wednesday, Allegany County dispatch placed a BOLO (be on the lookout) for a silver in color vehicle, which was operating recklessly in the area of Lonaconing MD.  At the time of the dispatched call, an off-duty Deputy observed the vehicle pass his location in the Barton area.  This Deputy also observed the vehicle to be operating recklessly and at a high rate of speed.  A traffic stop was conducted, and upon making contact with the occupants, probable cause to search the vehicle was developed.  Following a search of the vehicle, a large amount of suspected fentanyl, and marijuana were located.  Additionally, packaging materials…

Over a two-year period, investigators working for Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro uncovered evidence of “pervasive” child sexual abuse by clergy — including “detailed” accounts of more than 1,000 victims by 31 “predator priests.” WTOP reports in Maryland, victims of clergy sex abuse look to the work of Shapiro (D) with a mix of admiration and envy. It took Shapiro’s investigators two years to investigate and put together an 884-page report that was described as a “bombshell” and led to a global push for reform and prosecution of those who committed or covered up crimes against children   But three years after Maryland Attorney…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a motion in the state’s Supreme Court of Appeals Wednesday night for a stay pending appeal of the preliminary and injunctive relief recently granted against the Hope Scholarship Act.   The move followed an Intermediate Court of Appeals decision late Tuesday to deny a stay of the injunction. The Attorney General is also now asking the high court to directly hear the case.   “This is a good law and I will not let this minor setback derail my office in fighting for Hope Scholarship’s constitutionality,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “This delay of funds…

Allegany County Emergency Sevices report a house fire, Meadow Avenue in Cresaptown

They say change takes time but that doesn't seem to be the case for one local street. In the early 1800s Cumberland's first firehouses on the corner of Spruce Place and Cumberland Street was shut down due to the poor road conditions. More than 100 years later and the same problems exist-  with the uneven pavement and number of potholes on Spruce Place routinely claiming tires and rims as well as creating realignment issues for vehicles. Increased usage due to the Westside bridge closures, visitors unfamiliar with the street condition along with daily utility and service vehicle traffic,  has made…

The former M&T Bank Building is the latest downtown Cumberland property that has been purchased for renovation.  Located at 118 Baltimore Street,  the building is under new ownership with local businessmen Chris Hendershot and Garrett Eagan, incorporated as CG Enterprises, planning a mixed use renovation project. The sale was announced Wednesday afternoon by the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. The CEDC purchased the  five-story, 44,000-square-foot building in 2019 for $500,000. This is the second project of this nature for CG Enterprises as it was announced in March that the  McMullen Building, a landmark on the downtown pedestrian mall, had been purchased…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan continues to be one of the Republican party's staunchest critics of former President Donald Trump- most recently focusing on the House Jan. 6 committee hearings this summer. Those hearings last week detailed Trump's inaction responding to last year's Capitol riot. Hogan contrasted that with his own decisions that day as a leader of a neighboring state…

The Biden administration has agreed to advance the controversial Mountain Valley pipeline project as part of a broader permitting reform plan in Congress. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin making that announcement earlier this week.  Legislation in the works would require federal agencies to take “all necessary actions” to permit the natural gas project slated to run through West Virginia. Despite this encouraging news, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said there are a lot of mixed feelings in his state as a result of some of the other measures contained within the legislative package…

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the transfer of 118 Baltimore Street (aka “The M&T Bank Building”) to CG Enterprises for renovation and redevelopment.  The closing on the property took place on August 3, 2022.  Built in 1898 as the Rosenbaum Department Store, the 44,000 square foot building is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts many unique architectural details. CG Enterprises, comprised of Cumberland businessmen Chris Hendershot and Garrett Eagan, will be redeveloping the building's five floors into a downtown focal point that incorporates local residences, destination vacation stays, as well as serving as…