The Allegany County Board of Commissioners made it official Thursday- directing the county attorney to file a formal complaint with the National Surface Transportation Board against CSX regarding the destruction and disputed repairs of the Washington Street bridge. The bridge is one of three structures that span CSX tracks on the city’s West Side- and all three have been in various states of closure for several years- with Washington Street’s being the longest out of service. While the city of Cumberland as well as county, state and federal officials have all attempted to reach a compromise solution with CSX to repair…

The Cumberland Times News reports a Ridgeley man was killed after his pickup was hit head-on early Thursday on state Route 28 near Springfield. The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office said that Brian Sgaggero, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 4:53 a.m. crash after his truck traveled over an embankment and caught fire, police said. The victim was reportedly trapped in the vehicle.   Sgaggero's vehicle was headed south when it was struck by a Chevrolet passenger car driven by Brittany N. Sears, 20, of Fort Ashby, who was traveling north, police said. Sears was transported to UPMC Western…

Frostburg City Police investigating damage to the storefront window of Eastern Express restaurant, located at 109 East Main Street, Frostburg. Staff members reported a hole broken in a pane glass window facing East Main Street on or about April 19, 2021. Similar damage occurred two times before, once in January 2021 and once in March 2021. Police are investigating to determine the cause of the damage and the manner in which it occurred. Eastern Express staff members are reviewing video surveillance footage to attempt to narrow the timeframe and observe any relevant activity. No other similar damage has been reported…

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is celebrating Earth Day with the completion of the state’s first public-private partnership to deliver “smart ponds” that use advanced stormwater control technology to reduce pollutants and curb local flooding at three sites across Maryland. The “smart pond” technology, which regulates the flow of water from stormwater management sites, was installed at Walmart stores in Fruitland, Aberdeen and Hagerstown. The public-private partnership that led to the project is the first of its kind involving a state transportation department in the United States and could be replicated elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic and across the country….

The Frostburg City Police Department will be collecting unwanted medications on Saturday, April 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in front of the Frostburg Elks.  This event will take place during the Frostburg Arts Walk and is in partnership with the Frostburg Elks

Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader was in Western Maryland Wednesday to assess the area’s COVID-19 vaccination process, progress and future plan. Stops on his tour included Hancock in Washington County, Grantsville in Garrett County, and on Thursday he planned to visit the UPMC Western Maryland Primary Care/Vax Clinic in Frostburg. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest data, Allegany County is ranked high for the level of COVID-19 community transmission, with roughly 26% of its population having been fully vaccinated against the disease.

Bids for a major water main replacement project in Cumberland came in below estimates- and the city hopes to see construction begin in late summer. The city has accepted the bid of Carl Belt Contruction for just over $3 million for the project that will replace 4,300 linear feet of water main in the Decatur Heights neighborhood and provide water service to the Baltimore Street and Cumberland Plaza areas of the city, improving water service to 29 businesses and 111 households. That crosstown main runs from Baltimore Avenue northwest beneath Decatur Street, under Frederick and Bedford streets to Independence Street. The…

Governor Jim Justice and state health officials are urging West Virginians to get tested for COVID-19 if they start feeling ill, have been exposed to the virus or just want reassurance they haven’t been exposed. After announcing the state has reached 2,800 deaths in connection to COVID-19, the governor said people getting tested allows health officials to not only prevent further spread but catch and treat the disease early, potentially saving more lives. Justice also continued encouraging younger West Virginians to get vaccinated against the virus, as a majority of spread in recent weeks was among those age groups.  

Although any solution could potentially be a few years down the road, Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says he is cautiously optimistic when it comes to the latest effort with regard to the dormant Washington Street bridge project. The Allegany County Board of Commissioners expect to take action at todaysmeeting to challenge CSX Transportation- instructing the county attorney to file a formal complaint with the National Surface Transportation Board against CSX regarding the destruction and disputed repairs of the bridge. Appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Wednesday, the mayor said although there are obviously no guarentees, he feels good about the county’s chances…

The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy unveiled a new medallion installed at “mile zero” of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) at Canal Place in Cumberland on Wednesday morning. The bronze medallion, measuring 48 inches in diameter, and encased by polished granite slabs on four sides, honors Cumberland’s position as a historic transportation hub. The medallion marks the intersection of the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage, and is home to the National Road. This new medallion celebrates Cumberland’s prominence as the point of outfitting and launch for bicyclists and hikers on the GAP, and will give travelers an additional…