While the focal point of revitalizing the Downtown Business District in Cumberland has been Baltimore Street- there is now a concerted effort underway to expand that scope of investment to include Centre and Mechanic streets. The City Council this week approved a revolving loan fund allocation of $30,000 to renovate a North Centre Street business. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss…

On Wednesday, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff's Office began to investigate the theft of approximately $10,000 in die-cast model cars from a Hazen Road, Cumberland, MD address. The investigation led deputies to a home on Hyndman Road, Hyndman, PA. Deputies then requested the assistance of Troop G, of the Pennsylvania State Police. A Trooper assigned to the "Troop" (former Cumberland City Police Officer) assisted with the authoring of a search and seizure warrant at location.  At approximately 4pm, Allegany County Deputies, and Pennsylvania Troopers executed the warrant leading to the recovery evidence. As a result, Amy Gale Bittner, 58 of Hyndman was arrested at her…

On August 17th, 2022 the Cumberland Police were called to a residence on the 1000 block of Yale St for a vehicle that was stuck in a yard.  Upon arrival Officers contacted Stanley Dale Horwath, age 71 of Cumberland, MD.  While speaking with Horwath, Officers detected signs of impairment.  Horwath was administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and based on the Officer’s observations, Horwath was placed under arrest.  A search of Horwath lead to the discovery of a quantity of suspected crack cocaine.  Horwath was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and Possession of CDS.  He was issued Citations for…

The Heritage Days Committee of the Allegany County Historical Society is gearing up for this year’s festival set for the weekend of Sept. 9-11. Leaders are focusing on continuing the growth of the new Wills Creek Muster reenactor component and blending more heritage education programming into the street craft fair format first established in the late 1960s. ACHS President Dave Williams… This year’s event will more closely integrate the focus on Colonial and Revolutionary history into the street fair component of Heritage Days while expanding the partnerships initiated in 2021. While the 53rd annual event will have more of a…

In 2015, citing declining student interest, the Allegany County Board of Education made the decision to eliminate Agricultural Sciences and the Future Farmers of America program. That action was met with immediate and strong community pushback and led to efforts to restore those programs. Currently the system offers a CTE program in Agricultural Sciences and Operations for grades 9-12. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the FFA organization at all three high schools if there is sufficient interest.  Last year, most likely due to the challenges of the pandemic, there was not sufficient student interest at the schools.   The…

Cumberland residents, frustrated by the poor quality of service being provided by the Breezeline Cable Company, are taking their complaints to City Hall. Breezeline replaced Atlantic Broadband in the city offering cable, telephone and internet however the level of service is apparently far from satisfactory- and that generated some discussion during this week’s city work session. Councilman Joe George was the first to broach the subject saying that he routinely is hearing complaints from constituents about the cable operator… Currently the franchise agreement between the city and Breezeline has expired and no new deal has been agreed upon. The franchise…

On August 17th, 2022 the Cumberland Police responded to South Centre St near the intersection of Harrison St for a motor vehicle crash.  Upon arrival Officers observed that a passenger vehicle had struck two parked cars along South Centre St.  The vehicle continued traveling on South Centre until it struck a utility pole and came to rest, sustaining heavy front end damage and airbag deployment.  When Officers contacted the operator, William Clarence Bolyard, age 59 of Frostburg, MD they detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and signs of impairment.  Bolyard was issued numerous traffic citations, including DUI related citations,…

The Cumberland Police served an Arrest Warrant on Michelle Lynne Morris, age 57, of Cumberland MD.  The Warrant charged Morris with Fail to Appear for a court date.  The original charge was Theft $100-$1,500.  She was taken to Central Booking for her initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner and held without on a temporary bond.    Arrested:  Michelle Lynne Morris  Age: 57  Cumberland, MD Charges:  Fail to Appear The Cumberland Police served a Circuit Court Arrest Warrant on Justin Tyler Andrews, age 33 of Frostburg, MD.  The Warrant charged Andrews with Violation of Pre-Trial Release Conditions.  His original charges…

GARRETT COUNTY, MD (August 17, 2022) – Deputy State Fire Marshals are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of a vehicle fire in Oakland that critically injured a man and a young girl earlier this evening.  Just before 5:00 p.m., Oakland Volunteer Fire Department and Garett County Sheriff's Office responded to the 100 block of South Second Street for a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a late model Nissan Titan with heavy fire in the truck's bed and passenger compartment. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and learned that two occupants inside the vehicle sustained severe burns and were…

WBAL reports billions of dollars in student loans are reportedly being forgiven by the Biden administration, and it now applies to the ITT Technical Institute. When the for-profit went belly up in 2016, it left nearly 4,000 Marylanders, out of its Owings Mills location, owing student loans. Some with worthless degrees, others who did not finish getting their degrees. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, who sued six years ago to get tuition refunds, has lobbied the U.S. Department of Education. Former ITT Tech students from Maryland and other states will have their loans forgiven, all the way back to 2005. In the state, it adds up to…