With temperatures soaring into the mid 90’s this week-  a check of the Allegany County Public School system shows that all of the schools are either fully air conditioned or have window units  in the classrooms. With some gymnasiums and cafeterias doing without air conditioning-  Superintendent Jeff Blank acknowledges that the situation is not ideal- but he doesn’t anticipate having to close schools due to the heat..

First announced in December of 2020, an opening date for the new Starbucks on National Highway in LaVale is set for next month. Ed Scott, a partner with Kline Scott Visco Commercial Real Estate, the developer of the former Slumberland Motel property on National Highway, said he expected the coffeehouse chain to open in the fall of last year beside a recently built Taco Bell- however supply chain issues slowed construction considerably.  Scott tells WCBC News that bringing the world’s largest coffeehouse chain to the area not only provides an initial spark to the economy- but continues a recent string…

After more than seven years on the job, Jenelle Mayer has stepped down as Allegany County's health officer. Mayer landed the job in April of 2016 after an extensive search to replace longtime director Sue Raver. The final three plus years of Mayer’s tenure was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the virus has been contracted by more than 19,000 county residents to date- with close to 400 deaths reported-  Mayer seldom made herself available for media interviews during the health crisis. As she leaves the position, Allegany County continues to have among the lowest rates of those fully vaccinated….

The medical marijuana industry continues to grow in Allegany County-  leading local officials to sign off on a lease-purchase agreement with Grow West MD. The deal, which was approved unanimously by the County Commissioners,  provides an additional 61,000 square feet of space in the Riverside Industrial Park on Kelly Road. Grow West currently operates from the former Kelly-Springfield Tire Co., and the facility underwent a $20 million expansion starting last year. The company also operates an Industrial Boulevard dispensary. County Commissioners President Jake Shade…

Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced Maryland added 12,000 jobs in July, an indicator of our country’s strong and sustained economic recovery. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland has created a total of 121,800 jobs since January 2021. Maryland’s unemployment rate has also declined, dropping to 3.9% in July.    “America’s middle class is the backbone of our economy and the key to its future success. These hardworking Americans need support, and the way Congress delivers is by putting people over politics to create long-lasting, good-paying jobs here at home,” said Congressman David Trone. “You…

Maryland’s highest court has ruled that Washington, D.C.-area sniper Lee Boyd Malvo must be resentenced, because of U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to constitutional protections for juveniles made after Malvo was sentenced to six life sentences without the possibility of parole In its 4-3 ruling, however, the Maryland Court of Appeals said it’s very unlikely Malvo would ever be released from custody, because he is also serving separate life sentences for murders in Virginia. “As a practical matter, this may be an academic question in Mr. Malvo’s case, as he would first have to be granted parole in Virginia before his…

The cause of a Sunday house fire in Frostburg is under investigation. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's office has issued a preliminary report: DATE: August 28, 2022          TIME:  11:12 AM  LOCATION / ADDRESS:  93 Mt. Pleasant Street, Frostburg, Allegany County TYPE OF INCIDENT: basement fire DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE / PROPERTY: two story vinyl siding home with basement OWNER / OCCUPANTS: Timothy J. Snyder INJURIES / DEATHS: none ESTIMATED LOSS – STRUCTURE: $10,000               CONTENTS: $10,000 SMOKE ALARM STATUS:  present and activated FIRE ALARM / SPRINKLER STATUS: none ARREST(S): n/a PRIMARY RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Frostburg Volunteer Fire Dept….

Allegany College of Maryland will host an opening reception for its 2022 Expressions Exhibit in the Hazen Gallery from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on September 7. Featuring student readings, art displays and music, the reception is an opportunity for the community to celebrate the creative work of ACM students, as published in the 2022 edition of Expressions literary magazine. The Hazen Gallery is located in ACM’s College Center. The student art exhibit is open to the public through September 30.  Thirty students submitted original essays, fiction, photography, poetry and artwork for the 2022 edition of Expressions. Donna J. Morgan served…

Local phyisician Dr. Melvin Gonzaga, his son Rommel Gonzaga, and their practice will pay $980,000 to resolve allegations of false claims for urine drug testing that were deemed unnecessary. According to the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, the practice was accused of billing Medicare, Medicaid, and the Railroad Retirement Board for a large number of tests which were ordered January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2019. Gonzaga, a board-certified anethesiologist and pain management specialist owns Gonzaga Interventional Pain Management in Lavale. His son, Rommel Gonzaga, serves as the practice's chief executive officer. The settlement resolves the allegations…