Today, representatives of Grow West MD were joined by members of the District 1 Legislative Delegation, Allegany County Board of County Commissioners, Mayor and City Council of Cumberland, investors, staff, and friends to celebrate the groundbreaking of phase 2 of their expansion at their Kelly Road location. The second phase expansion will result in an additional $20 million in capital investment, and builds on the $14 million the company has invested in the community thus far. With nearly 100 local individuals employed with Grow West, the expansion will bring with it an additional 60 jobs. The construction will utilize local…

The Allegany County Health Department reports that a community member in their 60s has died from COVID-19. This marks the 25th fatality attributed to the virus in Allegany County.   Fifty new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed since Monday, bringing Allegany County’s cumulative case total to 749. The latest cases include two males age 12 or under, two females and one male in their teens, six females and a male in their 20s, three females and three males in their 30s, four females and four males in their 40s, two females and three males in their 50s, eight females and…

During an update session on Maryland’s plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines Wednesday, State Senate President Bill Ferguson said he is increasingly concerned about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Maryland. "I think it is only fair to say that it is starting to get to a place where we may need to bear down again. It doesn't mean closure, but it means (to) be prepared, be mindful and be safe," Ferguson said at the start of a meeting of the legislative workgroup on COVID-19. On Tuesday, Gov. Larry Hogan said he was worried about the rise in cases but didn't think the state would need to…

A federal judge has ruled in favor of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice in a lawsuit over his decision to close bars and nightclubs in Monongalia County earlier this year due to the spread of the coronavirus. The owners of 12 establishments filed suit last month after they were ordered to close, following the disclosure of pictures posted online showing college students in Morgantown bars without masks. However, U.S. District Judge John Bailey denied a motion for injunctive relief on behalf of the businesses, saying the “right to do business” has not been recognized as constitutionally protected and the claims “ignore the grave nature of why the Governor issued a state of…

Advisory regarding COVID-19 Cases in the Frankfort District. Full statement attached. Exercising an abundance of caution, and to ensure comprehensive contact tracing, all schools in the Frankfort District will be closed tomorrow, Thursday the 29th. Tomorrow will be a distance learning day. FHS Extracurricular activities are cancelled for this evening and we will update tomorrow afternoon on the status of Thursday evening activities.

The number of gun purchase applications processed in Maryland this year is about 48% higher than the total number of applications processed last year, according to data released by state police. Between Januray 1 and Oct. 23, the Maryland State Police Licensing Division processed 79,269 applications.  MSP processed 53,726 applications in 2019 The numbers in Maryland appear to be following a national trend. A recent University of California study found that during the spring of this year – which marked the height of the coronavirus pandemic –  nationwide gun sales increased by more than 64%.  

A resident of Keyser, West Virginia died when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in Garrett County Tuesday.  According to the Garrett County Sheriff's Office, 77-year-old Peter Frey was exiting Swanton Hill Road onto Maryland Highway when his motorcycle struck the other vehicle.  Frey was later pronounced dead at the scene by the Southern Garrett Rescue Squad.  There was no report of injuries to the driver of the pickup.  Investigators say Frey appeared to be at fault in the collision.

Maryland set a record Monday, with over 160,000 people showing up at early voting centers in counties across the state. Allegany County Elections Director Diane Loibel says it was a very big day at the county office building… Loibel says voters should expect to wait an hour or more before being able ot cast their ballots, but that those waiting have been following safety protocols…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council held a work session Tuesday afternoon to review a number of issues, including an agenda item which will be presented at the public meeting next week. City Solicitor Michael Cohen went over a few details related to the Allegany Junction purchase of the East Side School property…

Time is running out for local governments to spend COVID-19 money from the CARES Act.  In Maryland, the state passed along those funds to 19 counties, including all of those in our area.  Governor Larry Hogan told WBAL Radio he received word last month that some counties have been holding onto the funds…