With COVID-19 numbers dropping and fall now upon us, activities and events in the area are on the rise. This year has seen crowds up and down the mall every Thursday for the Farmer’s Market; the return of the popular Friday After Five series; another successful Heritage Days Festival and some other old favorites breathing new life into the community. A number of Halloween events are slated for next month; a North Centre Street Festival is set for October 8th;  and in a matter of weeks the Polar Express headed by steam locomotive 1309 will be riding the rails. Mayor…

Upgrades to Allegany College of Maryland’s baseball field; and a coal miner memorial park in Frostburg are among the projects receiving the largest amount of Program Open Space funds from the county this year.  The college will receive $225,000 for ball field enhancements, while Frostburg will receive $193,000 for the coal miner memorial. In all,  Allegany County officials voted unanimously to fund $2 million in projects using POS funding. The state program supports planning, acquisition and development of recreation land or open space areas across Maryland. Adam Patterson, the county’s director of public works, said all 25 projects submitted for…

Slug Armstrong takes back the Cumberland Country Club Fall Championship Title after rounds of 72 and 70 142. This is Slug Armstrong's second Title in three years. Second place was Andrew Yost with scores of 78 and 74 152, followed by Craig Pancake 73 80 153 in third. Brendan O'Connor is our net winner after shooting net scores of 70 and 68 for a total of 138. Second place was John Schrram after shooting rounds of 71 and 71 141.     Third place was Carlos Santiago after shooting rounds of 69 76 145.

On Monday, , at approximately 1140 hours, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling Westbound, on Interstate 68, near the 42 mile marker.  Upon making contact with the operator, and sole occupant of the vehicle, it was learned that his operator's license was suspended.  Deputies also developed probable cause to search the vehicle.  During the search, Deputies located approximately 10 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, and approximately 102 grams of suspected fentanyl, both schedule II controlled dangerous substances.  A loaded firearm was also located in the center console of the vehicle.  Pursuant to the investigation,…

Maryland’s official state exercise – walking – will step into the spotlight next month when the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and partner agencies, nonprofits and communities across the state host the third annual Walktober celebration. Festivities planned throughout October include the eighth annual Walk Maryland Day on October 5, as well as an online series of “Walkinars” focusing on pedestrian safety, health and commuting. “Walking is an important and beneficial part of our lives, providing Marylanders with transportation as well as health, well-being, recreation and quality time with our friends and families,” Governor Larry Hogan said. “The celebration of…

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will stock thousands of brown, golden, and rainbow trout in several creeks, lakes, and rivers starting in early October. The majority of this year’s trout stocking come from the department’s Albert Powell Hatchery near Hagerstown. 

The Allegany County Health Department continues to offer free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. COVID-19 vaccinations are given at the health department on Wednesdays, by appointment. To schedule an appointment, visit health.maryland.gov/allegany or call 240-650-3999 for assistance. ALLEGANY COUNTY COVID-19 DATA AS OF SEPTEMBER 22: • CDC COVID-19 Community Level: Low • Percent of Allegany County Population Fully Vaccinated (based on CDC data): 56.6% • New COVID Cases This Week: 108 (cumulative total 20,009) • Additional Deaths This Week: 0…

On Monday morning,  a school threat investigation was conducted by the administration of Washington Middle School and the school's resource officer. As a result of this investigation, the threat was determined to be non-credible, and there was no danger to students or staff. 

The Allegany School Board approved it’s inclement weather plan just before the start of the new school year prior to Labor Day- and as a result of some flexibility offered by the Maryland Department of Education- it will look a little different this fall and winter. The MSDE permits school districts to use up to eight days of virtual learning. The ACPS will utilize those virtual learning days for inclement weather. For the first three inclement weather days, asynchronous learning will be utilized. If the school system should need more days because of inclement weather, the board has up to…

A new Goucher College Poll shows that 59% of participants say they support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maryland- with 34% saying they will vote against it. A referendum on whether to legalize recreational marijuana for individuals age 21 and older will also be on the ballot in November. Pollster Maleah Kromer said another facet of this issue that was part of this latest poll centered on whether or not the state should expunge records of people charged with or convicted of marijuana use and/or possession crime. On this question there was strong agreement…