The most recent oyster harvest in Maryland was the biggest in decades. WTOP reports oyster season in Maryland runs from October through the end of March, and preliminary state figures show the 2021 to 2022 harvest in the Chesapeake Bay was the largest since the 1986 to 1987 season. The Chesapeake Bay Magazine reports the total was about 511,000 bushels, up from 333,000 during the previous season. The final number is still being calculated.

The Cumberland Times News reports city and state fire investigators continued Friday to investigate the cause of a fire that broke out in a North Lee Street rental property just after 10 p.m. Thursday.  Cumberland Fire Chief W. Shannon Adams said that upon arrival,  firefighters found fire in the first floor interior and were able to quickly knock it down. Smoke alarms inside the dwelling at 23 North Lee were reportedly blaring when firefighters arrived. Three dozen firefighters responded to the scene, controlling the fire that was discovered by a neighbor in about 10 minutes. Fire damage was reportedly confined…

On Tuesday a unit from the Cumberland Police Dept. responded to Gulf War Memorial Dive in reference to a Hit & Run that occurred during the early morning hours on the 26th. Upon the officers arrival he observed a landscaping block retaining wall that had been damaged as a result of the Hit & Run.  An estimate needs to be obtained from the victim; however it is currently believed that the damage could be  over a thousand dollars. With the assistance of the American Legion’s video surveillance system the officer was able to observe the crash and identify the trucking company….

The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of Attorney General today released its investigative report of the October 9, 2021, fatal police pursuit crash in Baltimore County. On October 9, 2021, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Maryland Transportation Authority Police Officer Theodore Jeremenko was parked at the intersection of I-395 and Conway Street in Baltimore City when he observed a grey Monte Carlo make a left turn onto I-395 on a red light. Officer Jeremenko followed the car. His dashboard camera shows the Monte Carlo repeatedly speeding up and slowing down sharply, weaving, and driving on the shoulder of the…

On April 27, eight teams from Allegany, Mountain Ridge, and Fort Hill High Schools, and Bishop Walsh competed in the 32nd Annual Envirothon competition at Rocky Gap State Park. The event tested the teams' abilities in the areas of Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, Soil and Land Use, Hazardous Waste, Recycling, and Solid Waste Management. At the conclusion of the competition, Allegany High School's team, The Flower Rangers, prevailed as the winner. The Beetles, from Mountain Ridge, placed second.  Allegany’s The Helgramites and Bishop Walsh’s  Team 1 placed third and fourth, respectively.   The Flower Rangers, coached by Anne Stark, has qualified…

The Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary is under contract to be sold to the Canada-based TerrAscend Corp. in a deal totaling $11.7 million.The Cumberland Times News reports a sales agreement has been signed by representatives of TerrAscend and George Merling, the current owner of the dispensary. Located at 100 Beall St. in Cumberland, the dispensary opened in December 2017 after being licensed by the Maryland Medical Marijuana Commission. Under terms of the agreement, TerrAscend will acquire 100% equity interest in the dispensary for $10 million in cash, in addition to acquiring the real estate for $1.7 million. The contract is currently before…

The Cumberland Police responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Virginia Ave.  Upon contacting the operators, the officer checked them for warrants.  Ronald Lemister, age 45 of Arizona was found to have an extraditable warrant issued in Florida.  Lemister’s charges included three counts of Forgery and Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle.  He was arrested on a Fugitive Warrant and taken to Central Booking where he is being held without bond, pending extradition to Florida.  Arrested:  Ronald Lemister  Age: 45   Buckeye, AZ Charges: Fugitive

As part of a commitment to increase the economic benefits of DelFest’s triumphant return to the Allegany County Fairgrounds in 2022, DelFest is organizing a happy hour pub march through Downtown Cumberland on Tuesday, May 24th.  The event is scheduled to begin at 5 PM at Veterans Park on Centre Street.  The musical march will visit five Cumberland pubs including Mezzo’s, Niners, City Lights, Baltimore Street Café, and Corner Café and Tavern.  At the conclusion of the march, DelFest is sponsoring a free outdoor concert by West Virginia favorites The Davisson Brothers Band on a closed section of Hanover Street….

Two weeks ago, Maryland became the 15th US state to allow health professionals other than doctors to carry out abortions, as part of a bill expanding access to reproductive rights for women.  Under the new law, midwives, senior nurses and trained doctor’s assistants will be authorized to perform medical abortions from 1 July.  The bill was vetoed by the Republican governor, Larry Hogan, but approved with substantial majorities in the state house and senate. All four members of the local legislative delegation: Senator Edwards and delegates Beitzel, Buckel and McKay strongly opposed the bill- however it had the full backing…

Allegany County Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr during a recent budget session expressing frustration with the state’s decision to cut funding for the local library system- an action that could have led to reduced hours of operation. Ultimately the county agreed to fund the $95,000 shortfall in the Library System budget- filling the gap created by the state reduction. Commissioners President Jake Shade said that it is inexplicable the state would cut Allegany County library funds at a time when Maryland is enjoying a record budget surplus and skyrocketing revenues… As a result of the local budget allocation, there will be…