The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation has three proposals in hand that are viewed as excellent candidates for grant money from the Senator George C. Edwards Fund for Western Maryland. In addition the organization is working with private groups as well. The fund, overseen by the 11-member Western Maryland Economic Future Investment Board and administered by the Tri-County Council, will provide loan and grant assistance to Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties for economic development projects. It was during last year’s legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly allocated $50 million, with the first $20 million available in FY 2023.  CEDC executive director…

The Allegany County Board of Commissioners has taken action to submit documents for a loan/grant package to begin the design needed to replace a failing water line along Route 36.  In the late 1990’s the Route 36 water project was installed to provide water service to approximately 110 customers from Cabin Run Road to Midland as well as to residents of the Vale Summit area. In recent years the District has been experiencing significant amounts of water loss and numerous repairs have been required. While the bulk of the work was completed in March of 2022, approximately 2300 feet of…

Concerns and frustration with Cumberland’s cable provider first surfaced late last summer when members of the Mayor and City Council began receiving regular complaints from citizens. An update on a proposed cable franchise renewal agreement is on the city’s work session agenda this afternoon. The complaints began last year shortly after Atlantic Broadband  rebranded itself Breezeline in an effort designed to  promote a streamlined internet/TV/phone service. Those complaints, relayed from customers to city council members, ranged from the closure of the local cable office, to long hold times when trying to contact the company by phone. Mayor Ray Morriss said…

(PRINCESS ANNE, MD) – Maryland State Police are continuing to ask for the public’s assistance to help locate a man reported missing last week in Somerset County. Dequan Javon Fields, 27, was reported missing to the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack on Jan. 12 after attempts by family to reach him were unsuccessful. The case is being investigated by the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Eastern Region. A 2004 gold Dodge Durango belonging to Fields has been located at the Deal Island Wildlife Nature Preserve in Somerset County.  The vehicle's exterior was covered in mud, and there was…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is enjoying his final full day in office- leaving the state in a strong fiscal position and record setting approval ratings. Just the second Republican elected to a second term in Maryland’s history, Hogan’s approval rating has consistently hovered around 70% during his eight years- rating even higher with Democrats. The outgoing governor says he believes his straight forward, honest approach has been a key to his success… Up next for Hogan, it could be going after the biggest prize of all as he has long been rumored to being considering a run for president in 2024…

WBAL reports the Coast Air Station from Elizabeth City assisted in saving seven people drifting miles offshore of Ocean City on Saturday. A tugboat named Legacy, towing a barge 30 miles offshore Ocean City had ropes entangled in two propellers. Crew members aboard the Legacy said the tug was no longer operable and were going to abandon ship. Amid multiple Coast Guard units responding, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City was called to help. The crew hoisted the seven people from the vessel. After all seven people were in the helicopter, the aircrews took them to…

Units are responding to a report of a truck fire on Interstate 68 East at the 44 mile marker in LaVale

Area firefighters were kept busy Sunday with incidents  in Frostburg and Cumberland.  An apartment fire in the Old National Pike area of Frostburg was reported around 3:30 in the afternoon with units responding and getting that fire under control In a matter of minutes.  Late on Sunday night,  units were dispatched to the 100 block of Arch Street in Cumberland for a duplex fire. Units arrived at 124 Arch Street just before 11 p.m.. That fire too was brought under control in about ten minutes with no injuries reported.

It  was a large turnout last week for a community meeting focused on the issue of homelessness with a discussion on what opportunities can be created when the Union Rescue Mission relocates to North Centre Street in the fall of next year. The session, held at the LaVale Library saw an estimated crowd of more than 50 with homeless, former homeless, elected officials and interested citizens among those participating. Mission Director Pastor David Ziler said stereotyping and profiling when it comes to the homeless population creates a false narrative… Ziler says dismissing the homeless as a nameless, faceless group of…

In recognition of Martin Luther King Day, the  Allegany County branch of the NAACP will present “Remembering the Dream” in celebration of the birthday of the  civil rights leader. The event will begin at 7 and will be held at the Souls Won Cathedral at 130 Virginia Avenue in Cumberland. Tifany Fisher is president of Allegany County NAACP branch 7007. This  evenings program will include participation of  Garrett and Washington counties…