Weekly COVID Update: For the week of May 31- June 4, 2021, ACPS reports one case of COVID-19 in a staff member, and three cases of COVID-19 in students who were within an Allegany County Public School.  These individuals will complete the required isolation period before returning to their school buildings. Close contacts at school were identified in two of the cases. Those identified close contacts will complete a ten-day quarantine before returning to the school building. Parents were notified through the ACPS Blackboard notification system if there was a positive case in their child's school building, or on their child's…

Governor Larry Hogan on Friday announced he has appointed 151 people to various boards and commissions since the end of the legislative session. “Marylanders deserve the most capable, experienced, and dedicated representatives,” said Governor Hogan. “These appointments reflect the diversity of our state, and I am confident that these appointees will help us continue to change Maryland for the better.” A list of appointments can be found here. Among the appointees are the following: Accountability and Implementation Board Nomination Committee Edward Root, Ed.D. Dr. Root served as a member and chair of the Maryland State Board of Education and the Allegany County…

In another step forward for the long discussed Rolling Mill project- the Cumberland Zoning Board this week approved additional setbacks that will allow the developer to proceed with the first phase of contruction.  Ed Scott, of Kline Scott Visco Commercial Real Estate, is the developer of Cumberland Gateway in the midst of a project that will see a commercial center between Park Street and Maryland Avenue. Wednesday’s meeting focused on the initial phases of the project which will include contructing retail buildings. Scott talked with WCBC News on site and discussed his vision for the area…  

On 6/3/2021 at approximately 7:00 PM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to the 700 block of Maryland Avenue for a disturbance. Officers contacted the suspect Christopher Michael Freeman Sr. and learned he had an active arrest warrant for failing to comply with release conditions from a previous disorderly conduct charge. Mr. Freeman was arrested and taken to the police station. While at the police station Mr. Freeman kicked a door in the processing room damaging it. Mr. Freeman was issued a Criminal Citation for destruction of property and taken before a District Court Commissioner on the warrant. Mr….

Although at least one business in the Riverside Industrial Park opposed a request from Grow West to close a portion of Riverside Avenue- the Cumberland City Council did vote unanimously Tuesday night to approve. A representative for the opposing business argued that taking such action for a private business does not benefit the public welfare. Mayor Ray Morriss disagreed, pointing to the potential economic impact that this action may lead to, as Grow West plans to expand operations…  

In May, a $63 million highway project at Grantsville that included realignment of a portion of U.S. Route 219 and a new four-lane section was officially completed and ready for travel. The project is the latest phase in improvements designed to create a modern north-south route in Western Maryland and southwest Pennsylvania for freight haulers and motorists. A status report and update on the entire North-South Corridor was the focus of this month’s speaker series conducted by The Greater Cumberland Committee- the organization which spearheaded and revitalized interest in the project beginning in 2008. Michael Staley, a former Congressional aide in Alabama…

During Thursday’s COVID-19 press conference, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced that he would call a special session of the West Virginia Legislature for next Monday, June 7, in order to appropriate federal funds to the state’s road maintenance programs. Justice said that the state has hit an almost $400 million surplus with relief funds it received from the federal government for the DHHR and the Department of Education, and he wants to allocate a portion of that money to fix potholes and maintain bridges across the state.  He is requesting the state legislature to commit $150 million to the…

On 6/3/2021 at approximately 9:30 PM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to the 100 block of Polk Street for a disturbance. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to several witnesses who stated a male was walking into traffic and screaming at pedestrians in the area. Officers observed Richard Cendo walking and witnesses advised he was the subject creating the disturbance. Officers attempted to speak Mr. Cendo but he would interrupt them and begin to yell. Mr. Cendo was warned to cease his behavior but he continued to yell. Mr. Cendo was placed under arrest and taken to the…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Columbia Gas of Maryland, would like to notify the public that on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 beginning at 5:00 am, the Dingle Intersection will be under a flagging operation. Fayette Street will also be affected from Greene Street to Camden Ave and will be closed from 5:00 am until approximately 7:00 pm.     The closure will allow Columbia Gas and its contractor to complete a critical task in completing this project in the area.    A detour will be put in place but you are being asked to avoid the…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the state’s mass vaccination sites have begun a phased demobilization process as local demand changes and additional resources are directed to mobile clinics and community-based activities. “I said our goal was to put ourselves out of business at these mass vaccination sites, and as one of the most vaccinated states in the country, we are now approaching that point,” said Governor Hogan. “We have already begun shifting some of these resources to our mobile clinics and community-based activities as we continue in our mission to make sure no arm is left behind. We are…