Just a few weeks after the Lets Beautify Cumberland event- sprucing up the city was a theme during this week’s city council meeting as a number of citizens raised the issue. Fayette Street resident Erin DeLong focused her comments on the three closed West Side bridges- on Fayette, Washington and Cumberland streets. Those bridges have been out of commission for safety reasons for several years- and while each is in a different stage of re-activation- DeLong says all of them are shabby in appearance…

Skyrocketing fuel costs have forced some budget changes for the Allegany County Board of Education. During the final meeting held during the 2022-2023 school year- the board approved a wide range of actions and policies- while also recognizing teachers, students and staff- however the budget was the headliner. Chief Finance Officer Larry McKenzie said a $500,000 budget transfer will be required to offset the rising cost of gas…

The state of Maryland Wednesday announced the sale of $1.05 billion in general obligation bonds. The state sold off $900 million worth of tax-exempt bonds through three bidding groups, and another $150 million in taxable bonds. Comptroller Peter Franchot noted that once again the state received the highest rating from the three major bond rating agencies and also received a “stable outlook.” All of those factors contributed to another successful bond sale…

A new Inspector General report claims thousands of grades have been changed from failing to passing in some Maryland  schools. WBAL reports the Inspector General's office said there is a culture of fear and a veil of secrecy at some schools because people were so worried about talking to them during their investigation. Looking specifically at Baltimore City schools, the  report states that between 2016 and 2020, there were over 12,000 grades changed from failing to passing. While the focus is on Baltimore City schools- there is anecdotel evidence that this takes place across every school system in the state….

On June 8th, 2022, Allegany County Deputies and MSP Troopers assigned to the Cumberland Barrack, responded to the Tradewinds Trailer Park on Winchester Road, Cresaptown, MD for a subject reported armed with a rifle. Responding units were advised that a male subject later identified as Samuel David Moore, 51, was threatening nearby residents. Upon arrival to the area Moore was located in his home and was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies later executed a search and seizure warrant at the Moore home where several items of evidence were located. Moore was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center pending an initial hearing…

The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County has dispatched several police, fire and EMS crews to Interstate 68 eastboud near the 54 mile marker for a multi vehicle accident involving a tractor trailer. The mishap was reported during the 7 PM hour, and the inteerstate will be closed for several hours, according to authorities. Eastbound traffic looking to avoid the crash is advised to use Exit 52 to Maryland 144 at Flintstone.

Congressman David Trone visited Frederick and Montgomery Counties to speak with local workers and businesses, visit community centers, and meet with recipients of his requested Community Project Funding.   On Monday, Trone kicked off his district tour by presenting $1.5 million in Community Project Funding to the Asian American Center of Frederick, where he spoke with leaders of the Asian American community. The funding will go toward a new space to serve as its new Asian American Service Center for community programs and services. Trone then toured Comus, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly concrete in Woodsboro, to learn more about…

The Community Trust Foundation will once again be a major sponsor of the George Washington Whiskey Rebellion Festival to be held Sept. 9 at Allegany Museum. CTF has been the major sponsor for the past five years. While the state and federal governments are generous in funding capital projects, operations and programming are funded privately and the annual fest is the major fundraiser for the museum. The Community Trust Foundation is a grant-making public charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of people in Allegany, Garrett and Mineral counties. The group brings together the financial resources of individuals, families…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), in partnership with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), today announced more than $81 million in funding to Jurisdictional Emergency Medical Services Operational Programs (JEMSOPs).  The funding, made available by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), offsets costs incurred by eligible emergency medical service (EMS) jurisdictions that delivered ground emergency medical care and transportation (ambulance) services to Medicaid participants between October 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.  “We welcome these federal dollars to directly reimburse some of the costs of providing emergency medical services in the state,” said MDH…

The WMHS Foundation has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Sophia E. Powell Nursing Scholarship, supporting those pursuing an advanced degree as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP).  Applications are due by 5:00 pm on July 1, 2022. Established this year by Bob Powell in honor of his Aunt Sophie, the fund will pay $20,000 to one qualified applicant – $10,000 each for the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. Powell met with the Foundation and UPMC Western Maryland administrators to determine an effective way to support the hospital after his aunt received exemplary care there, following…