West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey this week voiced his objections to the State of Maryland for what he said is purposely ignoring the questions, concerns and input of West Virginia when it decided, unilaterally, to remove all or part of the Blue Bridge Dam on the Potomac River between Cumberland and Ridgeley. Bill Atkinson, project manager for River Park at Canal Place, disagrees. Morrisey, in a press release, said that it has come to his attention that Maryland, through the city of Cumberland, plans to remove all or part of the Blue Bridge Dam to create a new type of…

The Allegany County Commissioners approved a Board of Education budget amendment that will help cover the cost of significant upgrades to Greenway Avenue Stadium. The action authorizes the board to transfer $3.5 million from its fund balance to its unrestricted budget. Jay Marley, Supervisor of Maintenance and School Construction, detailed the work to be performed… The Commissioners than took action to round out the funding package by allocating $1.5 million in American Rescue Act funds. Commissioners President Jake Shade… The $4.8 million project has a target completion date of August 5th- ahead of the fall sports season. In other business…

Female students at Allegany College of Maryland have a new opportunity to compete outside of the classroom thanks to the launch of a women’s soccer program. “Students who’ve grown up playing soccer finally have the chance for sanctioned play at our college. If you’re passionate about soccer and you’re ready to work, you’ve got a jersey with your name on it at ACM,” said Tommie Reams, athletic director.   Practice sessions for current students begin on Feb. 28. ACM will host co-ed practices this spring with plans for future clinics and summer training camps.   Head Coach Dustin Wise, who…

Governor Larry Hogan today called on the Maryland State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, citing the state’s dramatically improved health metrics, the widespread availability of vaccines for school age children, and the growing consensus among medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials. “A growing number of medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials throughout the nation are calling for an end to school mask requirements,” writes Governor Hogan. “In light of dramatic improvements to our health metrics and the widespread availability of vaccines, I am calling on you to take action to rescind this policy.”  

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Amber Lynn James.  The bench warrants were issued as a result of James failing to comply with an order of the court.  James was originally charged with 3 counts of Assault-2nd Degree.  James was arrested and transported to Central Booking at the Allegany County Detention Center.  She was held without bond. ARRESTED: Amber Lynn James       AGE: 38                Cumberland, MD   On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Jonathan Tyler Lease.  The warrant was issued as a result of an…

Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford has joined the charge to drop school mask mandates in Maryland. This week the House Republican Caucus signed off on a letter to the State Board of Education requesting the superintendent and school board immediately rescind the policy requiring face coverings of all students in public schools, including the elimination or modification of all three of the off-ramps. The letter asks that local board’s of education be given a free hand in deciding whether or not to require masks in their schools. Rutherford said the off-ramps are too stringent and nearly impossible to meet… State Superintendent…

A reluctance on the part of some entities to give up any control of their organization is viewed as one of the major obstacles when it comes to pursuing economic development opportunities in the city. During a presentation before the Cumberland Mayor and City Council this week, consultant Kyle Talente showed a chart with more than a dozen groups- including the CEDC; Greater Cumberland Committee; the DDC; the DCBA; Tri County Council and the Canal Place Authority-  all focused on economic development efforts. He said unfortunately all too often those organizations balk at any proposal that might reduce their scope…

Separate bills that would reduce the maximum amount of unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks and require recipients to actively seek work passed the Republican-led West Virginia Senate this week. It took two hours of debate to cover both bills. Legislation addressing the benefits period passed on a 20-14 vote. Governor Jim Justice voiced support for the measures…

It is Black History Month and just an hour east of Cumberland is one of the more interesting- but less well known historical trails. In Hagerstown there is a trail that played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. Maryland was considered a Southern state until the Civil War and had its fair share of enslaved people, some of whom escaped to freedom using the Underground Railroad. Emilie Amt, a professor at Hood College, told WBAL that there are many stories of escape and heroism along the trail in Hagerstown… Historians, in partnership with Visit Hagerstown, created the Underground Railroad Trail.

Governor Larry Hogan announced a new action plan to incentivize Marylanders to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.  VaxCash 2.0, a partnership between the Maryland Lottery and Maryland Department of Health, will award a combined total of $2 million to lucky Marylanders who are fully vaccinated and boosted.  The promotion kicks off February 15 with a special initial drawing of $500,000.  Ten weekly drawings for $50,000 each will follow the initial award, culminating May 3 with a $1 million cash prize for one lucky Marylander.  Maryland residents 18 and older who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccinations and their booster…