The City of Cumberland is preparing for its annual leaf collection, which will begin on Monday, November 1st and conclude the week of December 13th. The Street Maintenance branch of the Public Works Department will be responsible for the leaf collection. Residents in the area scheduled for pickup during a particular week should rake their leaves the weekend prior to the collection. Leaves should be raked in piles to the edge of the sidewalk adjacent to the street, but not into the street, to avoid clogging the storm sewer collection basins. The City’s leaf collection machine will collect leaves only and is not intended to…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland and the NSA have formed a new cybersecurity fellowship to share best practices and expertise. Fulfilling a commitment made earlier this year at the Annapolis Cybersecurity Summit, the NSA Department of Information Technology Fellow will advise the state on enterprise data practice, policies, standards, and security. NSA senior data analyst, Jason S. Jabers, will collaborate with the Governor’s Office, the Chief Information Officer, and other key government, academic, and private sector organizations on a comprehensive data architecture plan for the state. “We are proud to have cutting edge cybersecurity experts,…

Congressman David Trone (D-MD) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the bipartisan Higher Education Mental Health Act to address concerns about student mental health throughout the nation’s colleges and universities.  The bill would establish a National Commission to examine the current policies in place that aid student achievement, as well as the quality of services available to students experiencing a mental health crisis. The Commission would be required to release a report with recommendations that higher education institutions, states and the federal government may implement to improve mental health services available to students and address the rising number of students…

 On Thursday, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced that he will not seek another term as Attorney General. He sent the following message to his staff: Dear Friends: I am writing to let you know that after 35 years in public service, I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election as Attorney General. My work with you has been the most rewarding, fulfilling and, I believe, productive experience of my professional life. I continue to treasure the opportunity to work with all the talented and dedicated people that make up our great office. It is more important…

On October 20th, 2021 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department served an active Arrest Warrant on Jason Aaron Payne. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when Payne failed to appear for his trial on October 19th, 2021. While serving the Arrest Warrant the officer located a quantity of a controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, and other evidence that indicated Payne intended to distribute the controlled dangerous substance. Payne was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond.   Arrest: Jason Aaron Payne, age 41, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Failure to Appear, Two Counts of…

Governor Jim Justice announced Wednesday that West Virginia’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.2% for September 2021; the lowest such rate recorded in all of state history. Justice attributed this achievement to the efforts of his administration to make West Virginia a more business-friendly state, as well as standing behind the energy industry- at a time when there has been  growing pressure for states to move away from goal and oil.  

Groundbreaking for the Cumberland Gateway was held a little more than 10 months ago- and to date- still no actual construction taking place. 2021 has seen a series of challenges for the developer of what is commonly referred to as the Rolling Mill project. That project, which actually began in 2014, includes the construction of a commercial center between Maryland Avenue and Park Street that will include restaurants, shops and a hotel. While it was initially slowed by several homeowners who declined to sell their properties- more recently there have been delays in getting permits; a shortage of construction materials…

While Allegany County is still struggling in the battle against COVID-19, Governor Larry Hogan reported Wednesday that the statewide numbers in Maryland are among the best in the nation. The case rate in Allegany County is double that of the state- while the county’s vaccination rate is the lowest. Despite the western region’s reluctance to get the shot, Governor Hogan said the rest of Maryland is responding and the numbers are trending in the right direction…

Concerned parents have attended recent meetings of the Mineral County Board of Education regarding the controversy over same-sex restroom usage at Keyser High School. While the board listened to the concerns of a number of frustrated parents- Superintendent Troy Ravenscroft has dealt with the issue by noting that,  based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, transgender students “are allowed to use the restroom matching their gender identity.” The issue of gender identity as well as LGBTQ students being bullied were raised as a concern during an Allegany County school board meeting this summer- but board members contacted…

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland will close its textile sewing and manufacturing plant in Cumberland next Friday- and not surprisingly the decision is not sitting well with some long time employees. The decision to close the plant at 322 Paca Street will affect about 46 salaried and hourly employees. No advanced notice of the planned closure was given to employees or local officials. A number of employees declined to comment for fear of reprisal- but a former 8 year plant worker spoke on the record with WCBC News. Rod Lucas pointed to mismanagement at the top leading to a…