Cumberland officials are continuing efforts to bring growth to the city, including the possible development of CSX land. While much of the economic development focus in recent years has been on the Cumberland Gateway Plaza- commonly known as the Rolling Mill project- there has been regular, ongoing discussions about the CSX-owned tracts beside Martin’s supermarket on Park Street. The large unencumbered parcels of land beside Martin’s have been placed on the market by CSX Transportation and Mayor Ray Morriss said the city remains extremely interested in seeing some kind of commercial development there…

The restaurant industry was one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and a recent study shows that restaurants in Maryland are some of the least likely to recover.  Hundreds of restaurants across the state, many in Western Maryland, have been forced to close their doors for good. After nearly two years of shutdowns, capacity limits and supply chain issues, many of the still struggling  restaurants are asking congress to replenish the Restaurants Revitalization Fund.  Maryland U.S. Senator Ben Cardin said efforts to provide assistance for those restaurants who missed out on the initial allocations are continuing…

Less than a month remains to file for to run for office in Maryland-  and candidates are beginning to emerge for a number of local seats. There are five Republican candidates for what will be three open seats on the board of Allegany County Commissioners headed by incumbents Creade Brodie Jr and David Caporale. Also on file: Bill Atkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Todd Logsdon. There are three open seats on the board of education and to date a total of four candidates: incumbents Robert Farrell and David Bohn are joined by Linda Widmyer and Lori Lepley. The office for Mayor…

Despite strong opposition from the county health officer and at least two members of the School Board- the Allegany County Board of Health on Wednesday voted to abolish the current quarantine measures in the public school system effective March 1st. The action is in anticipation of the Allegany County School Board voting to drop the mask mandate. The one hour session was dominated with clarifications of terminology such as the differences between quarantining and isolation; and outbreak versus exposure. After two draft motions were rejected due to a lack of clarity, the health board finally voted in approval of a…

Due to recent complaints and problems in the Area of Westernport, Maryland, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office has made it a priority to saturate this region with extra patrols. During this recent initiative, numerous arrests have been made in the Westernport area; including drug violations, warrant services, traffic violations, and other offenses. On 02/16/2022, at approximately 1200 hours, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, acting on a tip from members of the community, responded to a residence on Vine Street in Westernport Maryland in an attempt to locate Gregory Allen Boggs Jr., who was wanted on two active warrants…

Despite strong opposition from the county health officer and at least two members of the School Board- the Allegany County Board of Health on Wednesday voted to abolish the current quarantine measures in the public school system effective March 1st. The action is in anticipation of the Allegany County School Board voting to drop the mask mandate. The one hour session was dominated with clarifications of terminology such as the differences between quarantining and isolation; and outbreak versus exposure. After two draft motions were rejected due to a lack of clarity, the health board finally voted in approval of a…

Mineral County deputies encountered gunfire upon arrival at a residence for a well-being check of a man early Wednesday at a home along state Route 28 near Scenic Lane. The Cumberland Times News reported that Mineral County Sheriff Forrest "Buddy" Ellifritz just after 1 p.m.deputies were fired upon as they approached the residence.   Upon encountering the gunfire at about 6 a.m., deputies "backed away" from the residence, according to the sheriff. The deputies set up a perimeter to secure the area of the incident that reportedly occurred in the 2400 block of Frankfort Highway near Route 28 Auto Sales. Deputies…

Maryland State Police are investigating multiple thefts from senior citizens who have been scammed into giving away thousands of dollars after being convinced their grandchildren needed money to be bailed out of jail.   The Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack has received two reports of this scam since Feb. 3. In these cases, the scammers stole $9,200 and $15,000, respectively from their victims.   Commonly called the “Grandparent Scam,” the cases are similar to many that have been reported in other parts of Maryland and across the country in recent months. In each case, the suspects call a senior citizen…

State Route 28 was closed from Scenic Lane to Zims Tire and Auto Service Wednesday morning due to a police-related incident in the area. The Cumberland Times News reports the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office and West Virginia State Police were sent to a home near Route 28 Auto Sales about 6 a.m. and remained there late morning. Various EMS units were also staging in the area. Additional details were not immediately available.  Motorists were advised to use alternate routes. There have been unconfirmed reports of shots fired.

A winter storm watch has been issued for our area and the storm is expected to bring significant freezing rain accumulations. Total ice accumulations of up to three-tenths of an inch are possible. Snow and sleet accumulations less than one inch are also possible, creating dangerous travel conditions Thursday and Friday.   With the safety of our students and staff in mind, all Garrett County Public Schools will shift to virtual learning Thursday and Friday, February 24-25, 2022.  Schools will be closed for in-person learning.  Students are to take all necessary learning materials home at the end of the school…