An update provided earlier this week on how businesses along the downtown pedestrian mall will be impacted during construction on the Baltimore Street Access Project- had some store owners concerned. It was suggested that many businesses will be limited to back door access during the projected 18 month construction period. Downtown Development Commission chair Sandra Saville, during Thursday’s regular monthly meeting, says that is not the case…

City officials are continuing to work on addressing the large number of dilapidated properties in Cumberland- although the biggest part of the problems seem to stem from the courts.  The issue revolves around properties that go to tax sale and wind up in perpetual limbo with no tax revenue and no clear ownership while the property continues to deteriorate.  Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC News that even when an owner is identified-  the process to force that person to repair and maintain the property is challenging…

Veterans Day 2021 in Allegany County with the annual ceremony held at the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery. Among those speaking at the event, Delegate Mike McKay…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a pedestrian has been struck by a vehicle near Weis' Market on McMullen Highway. The road is closed as crews work to clear the scene.

The Allegany County Health Department, in partnership with Allegany County Public Schools, will provide Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for students ages 5-11 at an after-school vaccination clinic at Braddock Middle School on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, from 4:30-7 p.m. Visit the ACPS website for details. 

Five female inmates of the Garrett County Detention Center have been charged with plotting an escape that included a bomb threat being telephoned to the facility. The Cumberland Times News reports the alleged scheme was discovered earlier this month by detectives of the Garrett County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, who were assisted by deputies in the department's narcotics division, its crime scene investigator and correctional officers. Authorities said inmates within the detention center plotted a scheme where calls were made to a person outside the facility to call in a bomb threat to the detention center so the escape…

Maryland Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford says he expects parents to play a major role in determining upcoming elections in the state. In neighboring Virginia, Republican Glenn Youngkin made schools, and particularly parental control, his closing issue in his upset win over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor's race. Rutherford, appearing on WBAL, said parents have are no longer confident in board’s of education to make the right decisions when it comes to COVID-19…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice on Wednesday urged those who had their COVID-19 vaccinations six months ago to go get a booster shot, saying the protection and effectiveness of their earlier vaccines may have faded to as low as 15%. The state’s percentage of those getting booster shots in among the lowest in the nation- a point of frustration for the governor…

Cumberland Economic Development Corporation  executive director Matt Miller provided an update this week on a request for proposals sent out last month for 19 Frederick Street,  which is located across from City Hall.  He said the CEDC received 21 proposals and two have gotten their attention as feasible. The proposals will be discussed at the Dec. 7 meeting of the mayor and City Council at City Hall at 6:15 p.m. One business is centered around the craft brewing industry. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said a similar proposal was submitted more than a decade ago  by was not pursued by the…

The official unveiling ceremony of the Joe Maphis bench was held Wednesday afternoon at the Western Maryland Railway Station on the Concourse level. This memorial bench is to celebrate the life of Joe Maphis, the country music star who called Cumberland his hometown. He and his wife Rose Lee Maphis, a talented singer, guitarist and songwriter, became known as Mr. & Mrs. Country Music. Joe Maphis passed away in 1986 and unfortunately Mrs Maphis passed away just last month at the age of 98.  Joe and Rose’s son Jody Maphis was on hand for the event…