In its eighteenth year, the Hooley Plunge has become the largest single-day fundraising event in Allegany County. Scheduled for Saturday, March 5, hundreds of brave souls run into the cold waters of Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap State Park to raise money for local programs supporting the developmentally disabled. Since its inception, over 1.7 million dollars have been raised.  The inspiration of the Hooley Plunge started with Dr. Sean McCagh as a fundraiser for the YMCA ice rink. Public relation Coordinator, Becky McClarran For more information and to take the plunge

Paranormal activity is not quite what you would expect in the month of February but Hotel Gunter in Frostburg joined forces with Scare Tours for a special Romance the Ghost dinner and tour which took place over the weekend. The sold-out event had visitors as far as Baltimore in attendance in the hopes to see spirits from beyond in the historic property. The shadow figure which is been seen by visitors and staff in the speakeasy as well as the 'man with the yellow hat' roaming the hallways of the main floor and the 'Lady in White' seen in upper third…

Miriam Sanner, an Allegany County native who served for several years on the state board of community colleges, and as chair and member of the board of trustees at Allegany College of Maryland, has died at the age of 97. Mrs. Sanner was thw wife of the late Chauncey Sanner, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and had an avid interest in the history of Allegany County. Burial will be in Rocky Gap Veteran's Cemetery.   A memorial service will be held this summer. 

The Allegany County Health Department reports that Allegany County’s COVID-19 case rate continues to gradually drop, down from 98.24 cases per 100,000 people on Friday, February 4 to 70.08 cases per 100,000 on Sunday, February 6. While this is encouraging improvement, Allegany’s case rate is currently the highest of any jurisdiction in Maryland. The health department continues to offer free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Allegany County Fairgrounds (11400 Moss Ave., Cumberland) on Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available on Wednesdays at the Allegany…

It took over fifty fire fighters over an hour to gain control of a blaze at a residence on Rovk Street in Westernport Sunday morning. The owner had left the residence and a family member was checking on the dog through a security camera on their cell phone when they noticed smoke inside the residence. They responded to investigate and found smoke coming from the residence. They forced entry to the kitchen door where they were able to retrieve the dog. Two firefighters fell through the first floor to the basement and were treated at the scene. Neither sustained injuries.  Two…

On Sunday, at 2:39 PM,the MSP Cumberland Barrack was notified that a motorist traveling South along US220 near Md Rt 956 was side-swiped by a North-bound vehicle, superficially damaging both vehicles.  The North-bound vehicle briefly continued North-bound on US220 and pulled into a stall at the Wet Jet Laser Wash (car wash).  The striking vehicle was located by MSP and the 42 yoa male driver was found unconscious in the driver’s seat, vehicle still running.  Troopers secured the scene and called for EMS to respond.  Troopers immediately rendered first aid and employed multiple Narcans which eventually revived the driver.  The…

On February 5th, 2022 and officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of I-68 East Bound and the Willowbrook Road exit. Upon officers contact with the occupants they observed items of paraphernalia in plain view. After a subsequent search of the vehicle and persons a quantity of controlled dangerous substances and paraphernalia were located. The officer continued their investigation and determined that the combination of the controlled dangerous substances and paraphernalia were being used in combination for distribution. The occupants, Shawn Judy and Jennifer Warnick were subsequently placed under arrest and…

On February 6th, 2022 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a patrol in the 100 block of Bedford Street when they observed Jacob Snyder who had four active Arrest Warrants. The officer ordered Snyder to stop and advised him that he was under arrest. Snyder began to flee from the officer and after a foot pursuit Snyder was placed under arrest. Snyder was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held on a combined bond of $7,500.   Arrest: Jacob Patrick Snyder, age 22 Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Obstructing and Hindering, and Resisting Arrest.

At a time when the  number of arrests and incidents of violent crime are on the rise in Cumberland- Police Chief Chuck Ternent is dealing with a significant staffing shortage. The department target is 51 police officers-  however Ternent told members of the City Council during a budget presentation that currently he is down to just 40 officers. Ternent says the hope is that two new hires can be made in the near future from the police academy- but until that time he will have to juggle existing personnel as efficiently as possible…

Now overseeing his final session of the Maryland General Assembly,  Governor Larry Hogan remains focused on seeing school systems held accountable for a lack of student progress. Hogan says his administration has pumped record funding into education during his seven years in office- and millions more will be allocated via Kirwan education reforms.  Despite the system now be flush with new revenue- the results have not been there with a recent report on some schools showing graduating seniors with a 2nd grade reading level. Hogan said it is frustrating to continue to provide high levels of funding- but having little…