In Oakland, there was no Oktoberfest Celebration last year, nor will there be one this year. The Oakland Volunteer Fire Department made the announcement Friday, and that also means there will be no Firemen's Parade during the Thursday evening of the Autumn Glory Festival. The festival kickoff reception and craft and gift sale have also been cancelled.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of September 3, 2021, there have been 3,443,857 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 194,863 total cases and 3,124 deaths. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 36-year old female from Marshall County, a 95-year old female from Harrison County, a 101-year old female from Braxton County, an 81-year old male from Harrison County, a 93-year old male from Lincoln County, a 93-year old female from Lincoln County, and an 85-year old female from Logan County. “Today’s news of additional losses is a heartbreaking reminder of…

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public comment hearing on the request by Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc. to increase its gas distribution rates by $6.1 million. Customers and other interested parties are welcome to take part in the hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 7 p.m. Public Utility Law Judge Christine Burke will preside. Columbia Gas, a subsidiary of NiSource, Inc., provides natural gas distribution service to approximately 33,000 customers in the Maryland counties of Allegany, Garrett and Washington.  As proposed, the total bill for an average residential customer would increase from $97.65 per month to $108.47 per…

  Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo         The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the state’s 2021-2022 migratory game bird hunting seasons. Bag limits, season dates, and shooting hours can be found in the 2021-2022 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.  “Maryland hunters wait for September with a high degree of anticipation as this month marks the beginning of the fall hunting seasons,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “Our diverse landscape and abundant access to public land offer exciting opportunities for both experienced and new hunters alike. We wish a safe and memorable season to all who…

Hate crimes in Maryland more than doubled in 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigations reported this week. But the FBI data shows that last year’s increase is based on reports from a small sliver of Maryland’s state and local policing agencies, which have consistently failed to report hate bias incidents to the federal agency for years. The 2020 numbers reported by the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer demonstrate a concerning trend: Until 2020, hate crimes had declined in the state in the last few years, with only 19 reported to the federal agency in 2019. In 2020, the FBI shows a 286% increase…

Governor Larry Hogan’s administration spent more than $380,000 in legal fees attempting to end expanded federal unemployment benefits in Maryland early, an invoice shows. The 17-page invoice released Friday is dated Aug. 20 and includes $381,952.50 in legal fees, as well as $696.56 in filing fees and court costs, for a total of $382,649.06. The invoice, from Venable LLP, was released in response to a public information request from Maryland Matters on Friday.

On 8/24/2021 at approximately 9:15 PM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Marion Street for an assault. Upon arrival officers contacted the victims who advised that David Leroy Scott had thrown a glass at them. Officers observed evidence of the assault and attempted to locate Scott. Scott was unable to be located and charges were submitted to the District Court Commissioner. A Criminal Summons was issued and then served on 9/3/2021. Scott is pending trial in District Court. Served – David Leroy Scott (34) Cumberland, MD Charges – 2 counts of Assault 2nd Degree

There will be no drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Monday, September 6 due to the Labor Day holiday.  The Allegany County Health Department announced that drive-thru testing will resume next Wednesday, September 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Allegany County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion, 11400 Moss Avenue, Cumberland.  Regular hours for the testing clinic are Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  No appointment is needed, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged to minimize wait times at the clinic.  Pre-registration can be done online any time prior to coming to the…

Throughout Allegany County, MD, George Washington’s familiar profile is depicted on blue signs along scenic byways and city streets. The recently installed signs serve as markers for George Washington’s first military and diplomatic venture through Allegany County on his way to what is now western Pennsylvania, in 1753 – an expedition that would mark the beginning of the military struggle known as the French and Indian War.  The trail is an extension of the Washington Trail 1753, originally developed by Butler County, PA, to tell the story of Washington’s 1753 journey through the Keystone State. Washington’s 1753 journey extends from…