Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools said this week that declining student test scores reflect a downward trend that  began several years ago but worsened significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this week’s state Board of Education meeting held in Hagerstown, Allegany County School Superintendent Jeff Blank reported that every effort was made locally during the pandemic to work toward in-person instruction whenever possible… Blank said Allegany County’s Board of Education quickly adopted every safety measure recommended that would allow students to return to school.

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a contract of up to $30 million for the Office of Statewide Broadband to provide laptops to underserved households in order to help address the digital divide. The contract will provide internet capable devices for an estimated 150,000 Maryland households. “This transformative initiative will provide more Marylanders with the technology they need to have reliable, high-speed internet,” Governor Larry Hogan said. “Through the Office of Statewide Broadband and our Connect Maryland initiative, we have been able to increase access to broadband for tens of thousands of households…

The Cumberland Times News reports that for the fourth time, a hearing has been postponed for defendant Christopher Biggs in West Virginia’s largest deer poaching case. In January, 223 charges involving at least 27 antlered bucks taken illegally in Mineral, Grant and Hampshire counties in West Virginia from mid-September to late December were filed against Biggs and seven other Keyser residents. Biggs was charged with misdemeanors of spotlighting, hunting from a motor vehicle, having a loaded firearm in a vehicle and conspiracy. Pretrial hearings scheduled for Biggs in April, May, July and again Wednesday were continued in Mineral County Magistrate Court. “I feel that…

According to Pennsyvania State Police,  two youths suffered gunshot wounds in Monroe Township and the alleged shooter was found dead a short time later in nearby Fulton County. The Cumberland Times News reports the injured youths and three others were taken to UPMC Altoona following the incident that occurred about 6:30 a.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Rock Hill Church Road in Monroe Township. Two of the youths suffered gunshot wounds and three others were not injured. Police said the alleged shooter was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The identity of the suspect has not been disclosed. Further…

The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a person was shot in the Augusta area. The Cumberland Times News reports the incident happened about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Mack Road and Saint Peters Lane, according to the sheriff's office. Mack Road is closed as the investigation continues. Additional details were not immediately available

On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court bench warrant on Jason Jeffries.  The warrant was issued as the result of Jeffries violating the terms and conditions of probation.  He was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention where he is being held without bond pending his appearance in the Circuit Court of Allegany County. ARRESTED:  Jason Andrew Jeffries       AGE: 34          Frostburg, MD. On Tuesday, October 25, 2022 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant and an arrest warrant on Carla Minnick.  The bench warrant was issued as a result of Minnick failing…

While there are firm plans and tentative time frames for work to be completed on the Fayette and Cumberland street bridges on the city’s West Side- the future of the Washington Street bridge is not as clear. While all three spans have been in various states of closure for several years as a result of deteriorating conditions and safety concerns- they have been a priority of the Cumberland City Council.  All three bridges span CSX tracks and while talks between the city and the railroad have led to potential resolutions for Cumberland and Fayette- engineering and design issues make the…

Slowing the flow of opioids into the country was one of the hot button issues tackled by Maryland Representative David Trone and Delegate Neil Parrott in a District 6 Candidate Forum held this week at Frostburg State University. In all likelihood the event may have served as the last time the candidates will face off in person prior to the November 8th General Election as the two campaigns have been at odds in trying to develop agreeable debate formats.  On the drug trafficking issue, Republican challenger Parrott accused the Democrat incumbent of playing politics and essentially ignoring the crisis at…

Clorox officially opened a new West Virginia cat litter plant that is expected to create more than 100 new jobs- an announcement that is great for the region, but a blow to Allegany County which fell short in it’s bid to attract the company. The Martinsburg facility opened on Friday, with plans to bring $190 million into the local economy. The plant is expected to reach full capacity by early next year. The project includes a 97,000-square-foot main building and 450,000 square feet offsite at a warehouse. County Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr tells WCBC News that despite diligent efforts to…

Maryland Governor  Larry Hogan responded to a report this week  that showed student test scores in the state take a decline. The Maryland State Department of Education released a statement earlier on Monday that showed a declining trend on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, a biennial assessment of fourth and eighth graders in reading and math. The governor called the news disappointing, but not surprising…