Frostburg State University was awarded $1,480,979 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Western Maryland Advanced Technology Center at FSU Innovation Park, which will help establish a Waste-to-Value (W2V) Center of Excellence, a Remote Work Center, the Renewable Energy Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program and the Center for Advanced Product Design and Manufacturing serving Western Maryland and the surrounding region, the ARC announced on Thursday, Sept. 16.  “The downturn of the coal industry has impacted economies across Appalachia. That’s why ARC’s POWER initiative helps to leverage regional partnerships and collaborations to support efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted…

Gov. Jim Justice today announced the winners of more than 20 incredible prizes through his “Do it for Babydog: Round 2” Vaccination Sweepstakes. Brenden McCutcheon of Morgantown, Katelyn Roberts of Spurlockville, and Caden Staggers of Keyser have each won a full four-year scholarship to any public college or university in the state, including room and board, tuition, and books; a prize valued at over $100,000. Two additional scholarship winners, as well as winners of a luxury high-end sports car and a prize of free gas for 10 years will be revealed later today. Today marks the third of six weeks…

The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce recently held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Salvation Army to celebrate the grand opening of their Red Shield Club (Boys and Girls Club).  For over 50 years The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs have been unique places created by The Salvation Army that offer programs and services that exemplify and actively practice Christian principles. This is done in a way that causes recipients of their services to learn to admire the values, ethics and skills presented, and incorporate them into their own lives. To reach today’s young people and their families in…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that he has directed state flags in Maryland to fly at half-staff in remembrance of the more than 10,000 Marylanders lost to COVID-19: “More than 10,000 lives have now been taken from us by this deadly virus. Each of these Marylanders was the most important person in the world to someone, and our prayers are with all the family members and loved ones who are grieving. “We have overcome so much over the last 19 months. Our recovery continues, and more people are getting vaccinated every day. But even while the worst may be behind…

Allegany County Public Schools will host the first parent conferences of the 2021-2022 school year on Friday, October 1, 2021. Conferences will take place in a virtual format. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to talk with their child’s teachers to review his or her academic and behavioral progress.             Elementary and secondary virtual conferences will take place during the hours of 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3:30 p.m.  Please note that these times are different than the times originally listed on the printed academic calendar for secondary schools. Due to this abbreviated schedule, each…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland have announced that Joseph P. George has been selected to fill the council seat vacated recently by Seth Bernard.  The selection was made by the remaining four members of Council after interviewing all ten individuals who submitted letters of interest for the position.    “We are very pleased to announce that Joe George has accepted Council’s nomination to the open council seat,” stated Mayor Raymond Morriss.  “We believe that Joe will bring a breadth of experience and quality leadership with him from his work experience and vast amount of community involvement that will…

On September 15th, 2021, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Winmer St for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, Officers contacted the victim of the alleged assault. Officers learned that an argument had occurred between the victim and Edward Junior McDaniel, 32, of Cumberland MD. The victim alleged that McDaniel had pushed them to the ground multiple times during the argument, causing injury to the victim. As a result of the investigation, McDaniel was placed under arrest and transported to Police Headquarters for processing. McDaniel was taken before the District Court Commissioner…

UPMC Western Maryland is currently operating under temporary EMS diversion. This does not close the emergency department but seeks to limit those coming with lower severity of illness. When operating under diversion, all UPMC hospitals continue to accept any ambulance arriving on site, including those with heart attack, stroke, major trauma and severe symptoms, and we always accept walk-in patients

With COVID-19 case numbers skyrocketing in Allegany County- the Board of Education this week opened discussion on allowing parents the option of virtual learning for their kids.  The Maryland Department of Health this week reported Allegany County by far tops the state’s seven-day moving average COVID-19 case rate- while at the same time having one of the lowest vaccination percentages.  Board member Debra Frank said she continues to hear from parents expressing concern with the growing COVID-19 case rate in the county and want the option for their children to be in a virtual learning environment. When those parents were…

Following a vote by state lawmakers this week requiring masks in K-12 schools to help stop the spread of COVID-19- the Allegany County Board of Education heard from constituents on the issue. It was a legislative panel Tuesday acting on the State Board of Education’s recommendation that led to the mask mandate for schools. During the public comment portion of the local board’s regular monthly meeting,  Jason Haggerty said he is  outraged that his children are required to wear face covering in school… Board vice president Robert Farrell said that he believes such decisions should be made at the local…