Mountain Maryland Trails and a number of towns and municipalities have submitted a letter of support for the George’s Creek Trail project. It has been more than a year since Allegany County officials approved an agreement with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to move forward on plans to construct a hiking and bicycling trail in the Georges Creek area. The project would involve construction of a trail extending 7.5 miles from the Great Allegheny Passage in Frostburg along Georges Creek railroad lines to Barton.  Local officials have reached out to the DNR to create a path forward for the…

While the district one legislative delegation has a full agenda to address in the next few months- Delegate Mike McKay says the big picture issue that has to become a focal point is the continuing steady decline in population. According to 2020 U.S. Census data released in August- jurisdictions in rural Maryland saw some significant population decreases. In Western Maryland, Allegany County’s population dropped by about 9%, from 75,087 to 68,106, and Garrett County’s population dropped by about 4%, from 30,097 to 28,806.  The declining population trends in Allegany County began in the 1970’s and grew worse in the 80’s…

With the first major snowfall of the Year behind us, now comes snow removal. The Downtown Development Commission is responsible for snow removal in the district including the sidewalks and walkways of the pedestrian mall and street. Melinda Kelleher, Executive Director of the DDC talked with WCBC news on status of the project and some of the challenges they're working through.

The Allegany County Board of Education on Tuesday approved a bid award to a Baltimore construction firm for upgrades and improvements to Greenway Avenue Stadium. Jay Marley, Supervisor of Maintenance and School Construction, detailed the work to be performed… The $4.8 million project will begin next month with a target completion date of August 5th- ahead of the fall sports season…

West Side residents and motorists have suffered for several years now with bridge closures- and while nothing will be completed this year- construction of a  new Cumberland Street bridge remains on schedule to begin in 2023.  Fayette Street, at one lane, is currently the only open bridge on the West Side. The Cumberland Street bridge is closed due to its poor condition and the Washington Street bridge has been closed for  four years due to multiple train strikes. An update on the bridge projects was presented by City Engineer Bobby Smith during Tuesday’s city council work session.  He reported that…

In other business, during the public meeting the council approved a one year contract extension with Burgmeier Hauling for trash collection and recycling. The new contract includes a 3% increase for Burgmeier.  Mayor Ray Morriss was quick to note that the increase in the contract will have no impact on trash collection rates for city residents…

WBAL reports a legislative audit found the Maryland Department of Health violated state procurement regulations in emergency pandemic contracts with two firms. The audit was presented Tuesday to the House Health and Government Operations Committee. It finds fault with the process to procure emergency contracts with Blue Flame Medical for personal protective equipment and ventilators in addition to Ernst and Young for oversight of the state's vaccine program. In reference to Blue Flame Medical, the audit states: "In July 2021, MDH could not locate 475,400 N95 masks with an associated purchase price of $2.1 million. MDH advised that the unaccounted for masks…

With the anticipation of extremely cold overnight temperatures over the next few weeks, the City of Cumberland Water Department recommends that citizens and business owners consider leaving a small trickle of water run in a sink to avoid water line freezing. Though not a requirement of home and building owners, most frozen water lines occur on service lines in and around residential homes and commercial buildings and are the responsibility of the property owner or occupant. Though optional, leaving a small trickle run may avoid costly damage from busted pipes and the need to thaw out water lines.  Residents and business…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that open enrollment will continue on Maryland Health Connection through February in light of the ongoing public health emergency. A record number of Marylanders—181,603—have enrolled in coverage for 2022 through the state’s health insurance marketplace. A surge of new enrollees fueled the 9% increase over a year ago.  “As we battle this COVID-19 surge, this extended enrollment period will help get more Marylanders covered at a critical time,” said Governor Hogan. “One of the many lessons of the pandemic is how important it is to have access to affordable and reliable health coverage, and we are fortunate…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that his Fiscal Year 2023 budget will include historic investments in public health, including record funding for the state’s local health departments. The budget will also expand support for 50,000 low-income children and 27,000 seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while providing additional resources for food banks and nonprofits. “Our budget will make record investments in the local health departments on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Hogan. “We are also providing critical relief to support underserved Marylanders and people in need, especially our seniors on fixed incomes and children…