Some residents of Twiggtown in Allegany County are expressing concern with the construction of a large solar farm in that community.  Construction on an 11-acre solar energy facility.began July 1st and is is proving to be a disruption to what had been a largely peaceful way of life for citizens there. The solar farm is located on land between Oliver Beltz and Williams roads just south of Flintstone. The land was leased by Standard Solar Inc. of Rockville.Complaints range from construction noise as well as the potential impact on property values. One man told the county commissioners that the location is a poor choice due to it…

On 10/04/2020 at approximately 7:00 PM the Cumberland City Police Department responded to parking lot of the White Oaks shopping center for a hit and run. Officers learned the suspect vehicle was yellow in color. No injuires reported. If anyone has any information for the suspect vehicle please contact the Cumberland City Police Department at 301-777-1600.

Pre-K and kindergarten students are returning to the classroom in Allegany County this week- the third phase of the local school system’s reopening plan.  However It appears as though the levels of bureaucracy the system has to deal with in formulating a workable plan has become a point of frustration.  Board member Ed Root, following a recent closed door session,  said trying to deal with the somewhat fluid regulations and guidelines coming from the governor’s office, the state board of education, and state and local health departments has become challenging…

Roof replacements for Cumberland residents in need has been designated as a top priority project to be submitted to the state for consideration for Community Legacy grant funding. A total of six projects are being applied for with $100,000 being sought for roof repairs and replacements. Kathy McKenney, Historic Planner/Preservation Coordinator for the city, provided a briefing to the mayor and city council during its work session. She said, if successful in securing the grant, it would cover the cost of those projects with no funding required from the home owners…

Officials with Canal Place last week said that despite the Coronavirus pandemic halting much of its momentum, talks are continuing and plans are moving forward for the proposed river park behind the Western Maryland Railway Station. Known as the River Park at Canal Place, the attraction is expected to feature walking trails, parking, kayak and canoe docks, a spectator viewing area and a whitewater course in the North Branch of the Potomac River.  Dee Dee Ritchie, Canal Place executive director, had been working toward developing a total price tag for the river park as well as looking at engineering designs  and time frames…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says he believes the city’s efforts to deal with blighted properties can be expanded with more of a focus on revitalization and potential development. For several years, the city has worked toward demolishing deteriorating and dilapidated structures- clearing those lots of long standing eyesores and potentially dangerous situations. Mayor Morriss said he now sees the potential to move beyond simply taking old houses and buildings down- with a vision toward new development opportunities. He reported the city recently completed an extremely successful sale of vacant lots…

The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County dispatched police, fire and EMS units to Route 36 above Timbrook Kia for a head on collision just after 8:00 PM Sunday. The good news is that there were no injuries reported in the accident.  Route 36 was closed for a period of time, and units cleared the scene before 9:00 PM,

The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County dispatched police, fire and EMS units to Interstatte 68 in Cumberland overnight for an accident involving a tractor trailer. The incident occurred just after 3:00 AM, and the eastbound lanes were shut down for two hours while units tended to the issue.  All traffic lanes were reopened a little after 5:00 AM. Exit 43 C had to be closed for a period of time, and a hazmat team was summoned to clean up spilled diesel fuel.

On Saturday, the Cumberland City Police Department served a bench warrant on Julio Mark Nelson. Nelson was wanted on a disorderly conduct charge. Nelson was taken before a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a temporary commitment.   Arrested – Julio Mark Nelson (39) Cumberland, MD Charge – Disorderly Conduct  

The West Virginia School Map came out Saturday afternoon, and it's again good news for our local counties which are operating under a hybrid in person learning plan. Mineral, Hampshire, Hardy and Morgan Counties are in the green, while Grant County remains in the yellow. In the region, Berkeley County has been designed as gold. Click on Map for WVSDE press release. The map also determines whether high school sports and activities can take place. In the coming weekend in football, Keyser is to travel to Point Pleasant High School in Mason County, which is on the Ohio border in…