State labor officials in Maryland said this week that more than 87% of unemployment insurance claims flagged as part of an investigation into $500 million in suspected fraud have been confirmed as fraudulent.   Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson said the department has more than doubled the team of specialists reviewing and verifying documentation to ensure that all fraudsters are properly reported, while legitimate claims are reinstated and paid the benefits they deserve. Governor Larry Hogan said although there were many encouraging the state to take shortcuts, the swift reaction and thorough investigation conducted by state and federal agencies proved to be the correct…

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to advance the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett on October 22, setting up her confirmation by the end of the month.  Health care and abortion have been the clear focus of  Democrats but they have also questioned Barrett on her positions and writings on gun rights, voting rights and whether she would recuse herself on election disputes involving the President. Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, is on record strongly opposing Barrett…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a single motorcycle accident at National Pike in Little Orleans. The westbound lane was shutdown. Allegany County Sheriffs office, Fire and EMS responded to the scene and State Police medevac was requested for transport

Maryland residents will have the option of voting for rap star Kanye West in the upcoming presidential election. The often-flamboyant, outspoken entertainer has qualified to be a write-in candidate in the state, according to the Washington Post.  While West’s name will not be on the ballot, he will be recognized as an official write-in option for voters. A similar bid by West to be an official candidate for president on the West Virginia ballot this year was rejected by state elections officials.

The week of Oct. 10 saw a slight decline of newly filed unemployment claims from the week prior. WBAL reports there  were new unemployment claims filed in Maryland for the week of Oct. 3. That's down from 30,060 for the week of Oct. 3. The Maryland Department of Labor reports unemployment claims by type: regular or pandemic related assistance (PUA and PEUC). There were 11,604 regular claims and 16,784 PUA and PEUC claims. The DOL said there was an average of 2,592 new unemployment claims per week in Maryland between Dec. 28, 2019, and March 7. The DOL launched a new,…

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $50,000 in federal funding for the Western Maryland Resources Conservation & Development Council to establish a feasibility study on the industrial hemp processing industry.  Funding comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and will benefit 100 businesses in the Western Maryland region.       “The recent congressional approval of the hemp industry provides new opportunities and stimulus to the economy of Western Maryland economy.  This federal funding will support job growth in the agriculture sector and new developments in sustainable farming,” said Senator Cardin,…

On Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court Grand Jury Indictment on Moses Eugene Dupree for CDS possession with the intent to distribute a narcotic.  He was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center held without bond until he can be seen by a Circuit Court Judge.   Moses Eugene Dupree, age; 36, Cumberland, Maryland.     Bench Warrant Served   On Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Laura Summer Green.  The warrant was issued by District Court for failing to appear for trial on October 2nd, 2020…

During this week’s update on the Allegany County Board of Educations return to school plan- Chief Academic Officer Dr Kim Kalbaugh said students who chose to opt out of virtual school for the first nine weeks will have the option of opting in next month. For students who chose to opt out and who now  may be interested in opting back in, the school system will be sending out an opt-in letter. She said there is a an opt-in procedure so that parents who have opted out may opt back in for the hybrid schedule during the second nine weeks,…

If everything falls into place, communities along Georges Creek could see a 7.5-mile trail coming to their area, extending from the Great Allegheny Passage. A presentation of the new trail proposal was made by Larry Brock, president of Mountain Maryland Trails, during the most recent meeting of the Allegany County Commissioners. The proposed trail would run from Braddock Estates to Barton- following Route 36 along Georges Creek…

The former Memorial Hospital site is viewed as having tremendous potential- and it has been the subject of much discussion in recent months by city officials. One idea put forward this week would see the location used for a new middle school.  The hospital facility was closed in November of 2009 – and with the exception of a period of a few years when an investment company rented to private tenants for commercial use- it has been dormant. The structure was demolished in 2015. During this week’s CEDC meeting, board member John Balch proposed selling the land to the Board…