The city of Cumberland is nearing agreement with a developer for the 19 Frederick Street building- and there are strong indications that it will be a craft brewery operation.  A request for proposals was sent out last fall with more than twenty responses received. Since then the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and city officials have worked toward finalizing a deal for the property- and later today the city council is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss the preferred proposal. With no agreement yet in place and no details are being released- but several sources have pointed to a craft…

The Allegany County Commissioners continue the budget process this week with the first of what will be two days of hearing requests from outside agencies.  Among those making budget presentations Thursday afternoon will be social services; circuit court; the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport. A number of factors have led to a healthy fiscal picture for the county- which now has a record breaking budget surplus of $4.2 million. The county benefited financially in 2021 from coronavirus relief funding which pumped $13 million into the county's coffers through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. In…

While Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed emergency legislation on Friday creating a 30 day gas tax holiday to help offset skyrocketing prices at the pump- in just a few months- as a result of state law- that tax will be on the rise again. In 2013 the state put a mechanism in place that usually results in an automatic increase in the gas-tax every July 1. The increase is based on the consumer price index, which has risen 7.9% in the past year. Such an increase could result in 2 cents to 3 cents being added to the gas tax this summer. A number…

During the late night hours of 3/20/22, MSP Cumberland Barracks Troopers responded to E/B I68 at Exit 40 (Vocke Rd) for a tractor trailer brake fire.  The trailer portion of the vehicle was destroyed by fire.  No injuries were reported during the incident.   Alex McDonald photo  

Tracking the latest gas prices in Maryland, the average in Allegany County is currently $3.78 a gallon, with the lowest sitting around $3.73. That is below the state average with Maryland's at $3.81. The national average on Monday afternoon was $4.25

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has donated 50 Astral portable ventilators to treat patients at front line hospitals in Ukraine. Donated to the Paul Chester Children’s Hope Foundation (PCCHF)—a Dickerson-based grassroots medical organization that provides surgical care to people in developing countries—the ventilators will support the treatment of children and adults who have been wounded during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “The State of Maryland continues to stand in solidarity with President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine,” said Governor Hogan. “We are proud to make this donation to help save lives and…

Maryland has new deadlines for registering to vote and to request a mail-in ballot, after the state's highest court moved the state's primary to July 19, the state elections administrator announced Monday. Linda Lamone announced that the deadline to register to vote is June 28. The new deadline to request a mail-in ballot is July 12 for voters who want to receive their ballot in the mail. Early voting will now start on July 7 and end on July 14 , including the Saturday and Sunday. Lamone said in a news release that the state elections board continues to work…

The University of Maryland Men's Basketball program now has a new head coach. On Monday, the university announced that Kevin Willard will now lead the Terps on the hardwood. Willard recently coached Seton Hall to its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six events that were played. Willard replaces coach Mark Turgeon, who resigned in the middle of this past season. Danny Manning took over coaching duties for the remainder of the season.

Governor Larry Hogan today welcomed the announcement by Hitachi Rail, a global provider of rail solutions, that it is establishing its new railcar manufacturing operations in Washington County as part of a major U.S. expansion. Hitachi Rail is planning to build a $70 million, 307,000 square-foot facility on Greencastle Pike in Hagerstown. This project will create up to 460 new full-time jobs and help sustain 1,300 jobs in the region. “Hitachi Rail is an incredible global company, and their decision to select Hagerstown as the site of a major U.S. expansion is tremendous news for Washington County and the entire state…

During the late night hours of Sunday  MSP Cumberland Barracks Troopers responded to E/B I68 at Exit 40 (Vocke Rd) for a tractor trailer brake fire.  The trailer portion of the vehicle was destroyed by fire.  No injuries were reported during the incident.  Due to the significant damage to the trailer it was unable to be moved from the roadway.  Crews have been working all night to unload the product from the trailer, and remove the vehicle from the roadway.  Troopers recommend using an alternative route if traveling from the Frostburg area, and exiting to LaVale at Exit 40.  Currently the…