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…

Governor Larry Hogan today joined federal officials at Tradepoint Atlantic to announce the awarding of a $22.9 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant for the Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) to implement a new apprenticeship model to support the region’s growing offshore wind industry. Maryland’s project is one of 32 chosen nationwide out of more than 500 applicants. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced the winners earlier today. “This funding will ensure that Maryland employers and jobseekers stand ready to meet the demands of the flourishing offshore wind industry, which is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in the…

The City of Cumberland is making City-owned real estate available for purchase through a Sealed Bid Sale Process. The application process for this program evaluates the vision and plan for a property in combination with an offer price. The goal of the program is to return properties to the private sector for their highest and best use. Seven properties, all considered candidates for rehabilitation, are open for bid until September 14, 2022. Interested bidders must obtain the bid packet from the Community Development Department in City Hall and must place bids utilizing the forms included in the packet. Additional details surrounding the properties, as well as…

Every year the Upward Bound Program at Frostburg State University recognizes students who excel in the classroom as well as in the residence hall during its five-week Summer Residential Program during which students live on campus while attending summer enrichment classes and participating in various activities and field trips. This year’s distinguished students are Samantha Blubaugh, Melinda Turner and Makaylyn Whetzel, all from Mountain Ridge High School.  These are well-rounded individuals who staff members feel represent the Upward Bound Program well, individuals who care about and are considerate of others as well as themselves. These students also exemplify the Upward…