With a blast from her mighty whistle, Western Maryland Scenic’s historic steam-powered ambassador of Allegany County and the State of Maryland will be inaugurated into regular service beginning Friday, May 6 at 10:30 am.   While No. 1309 has made multiple trips for special charters and a brief appearance during 2021’s holiday events, this debut into regular service is the crowning achievement of WMSR. After enduring seven years of restoration, complete with more twists and turns than a blockbuster movie, the dedicated crews are ready to share this one-of-a-kind artifact with the world.   The public is invited to WMSR’s…

Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, co-chair of Baltimore-Maryland 2026, today issued a statement in support of Baltimore merging with Washington, D.C. for a joint FIFA World Cup 2026 bid: “We are pleased to merge our Baltimore World Cup bid with Washington, D.C. The combination of our two world-class cities will provide FIFA with exceptional soccer facilities for match play in Baltimore and the grandeur of the nation’s capital for cultural activities to celebrate the World Cup in the United States.”

The annual Cumberland Farmers’ Market opens downtown on Baltimore Street on Thursday, April 28th from 9:30AM – 1PM, and will take place each Thursday through the end of October. The Saturday Cumberland market will begin on June 4th at Canal Place and will take place each Saturday through the end of October from 9:30AM – 1PM as well. Opening Day on the 28th will feature live music by singer/songwriter Sam DeMartino and raffle prize drawings. The Downtown Development Commission, in partnership with the Allegany Farmers’ Market, plans to offer live music at least once a month in conjunction with the Thursday market. The May 26th market will feature the…

Governor Larry Hogan today signed an additional 103 bipartisan bills into law, including measures to advance key administration initiatives, such as the More Jobs for Marylanders Act and the Judicial Transparency Act. “Today, we signed another 103 bipartisan bills into law, including measures to promote job creation, address violent crime, advance our Chesapeake Bay restoration goals, and protect our firefighters and first responders,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank the presiding officers and legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle for working with us to continue changing Maryland for the better.”

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics released state jobs and unemployment data for March. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland gained 3,900 jobs and the unemployment rate decreased to 4.6%. This is the lowest unemployment rate since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Leisure and Hospitality sector experienced the most growth with an increase of 2,900 jobs; Mining, Logging and Construction gained 1,800 jobs; and Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 900. Other sectors that experienced growth include Education and Health Services (600) and Professional and Business Services (400). Sectors that experienced a decline include Other Services…

On Thursday evening troopers from the McHenry Barrack responded to I-68 in the area of Blooming Rose Road, Friendsville, Garrett County, Maryland, in reference to a single vehicle collision.  The investigation revealed that a 2022 Kenworth dump truck, being operated by Dershera Hays of Baltimore, Md was traveling eastbound on I-68.  For unknown reasons the vehicle left the roadway and struck the guardrail, causing the vehicle to overturn.  Hays was not injured in the collision.  I-68 was closed for approximately 30 minutes while the vehicle was removed from the scene.  Units from the Friendsville Fire Dept. and Deep Creek Ambulance…

On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Christopher Scott Cook. The warrant was issued in connection with an assault investigation that began on April 6, 2022.  On this date, Cook reported to officers that a male subject had threatened him with a knife.  After further investigation, it was learned that Cook had actually been the subject in possession of a knife and that he had an altercation with the subject that he reported threatened him.  The investigating officer applied for charges at the District Court and an arrest warrant was issued for Cook. …

Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford  joined the Maryland Department of Natural Resources earlier this month to announce the second Maryland State Park Week- and on Wednesday he visited  South Mountain State Park in Boonsboro and Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area in Hancock. State Park Week will be held April 15 – April 22, and concludes on Earth Day with the celebration of two new parks. Rutherford has been on a mission to visit every state park in Maryland…

The ongoing demolition of the former Allegany High School on Sedgwick Street has been great for history buffs interested in literally owning pieces of the more than 100 year old building- however much of the more interesting remnants- signs and logos etc- have already been claimed. The city council has been asked if Cumberland has any interest in the concrete façade that encircled the doors to the school. That actually led to some debate during this week’s city council work session- with some dismissing the façade as fairly worthless debris at this point- while others feel there is some value…

Allegany College of Maryland has requested an additional $500,000 from the county for next year's budget- large due to rising inflation and increased wages. During the most recent county budget work session there was consensus to approve the request. AC President Dr Cynthia Bambara said maintaining a reasonable tuition rate for area students was a primary consideration in making the request…