On Tuesday the Cumberland City Police Department served an arrest warrant on McArthur Lynn Moore III. Mr. Moore was wanted from an assault that occurred on 08/27/2020. During that incident Mr. Moore allegedly head butted the victim and then threw them to the ground. Officers observed visible injuries on the victim consistent with their account of the incident. Mr. Moore fled the scene prior to police arrival. Charges were filed through District Court and a warrant was issued. Mr. Moore was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance. Mr. Moore was released on a $2,500.00 unsecured bond awaiting…

After hours of debate Tuesday, the Maryland State Board of Education passed a motion that will mandate an average of three-and-a-half hours of active, on-camera instruction during the school day. Under the motion, schools are required to be open for at least 180 school days and provide six hours of learning each day. The motion also requires half-day pre-kindergarten classes to have at least 1.5 hours of on-camera instruction spread across the day. State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon says she remains optimistic that kids can return to the classrooms sooner rather than later, and she looks forward to…

Two significant projects designed to enhance educational and economic opportunities in the region highlighted a visit to the area from Maryland Sixth District Congressman David Trone, with ceremonies attended by state and local officials. A groundbreaking was held at Frostburg State University for the campus’ newest building, expected to open students in 2022. Once complete, the $80 million facility will be serve as the primary classrooms for students studying to be educators, nurses and health professionals. At Allegany College of Maryland, a tour of the Western Maryland Corrections Institute Training Center was conducted. The training center, once completed, will feature a series of classrooms…

County officials are still attempting to finalize a date for a meeting of all involved parties to address growing concerns over the future of fire and rescue squads.  Volunteers and other representatives from various departments packed the regular meeting of the Allegany County Commissioners last week voicing frustration over budget and manpower issues for area first responders.  Much of the disagreement involves the percentage split that is shared between county EMS responders and the fire and rescue squads.  With the budget for emergency services skyrocketing in recent years, the commissioners agreed to create a workgroup to discuss the issues and try…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s long-awaited announcement that will see the state move into phase three of reopening is now official. During a Tuesday press conference, Hogan announced that all businesses can reopen when phase three of the state's reopening plan goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday. Movie theaters and live entertainment venues can open at 50% capacity or up to 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors with appropriate health and safety guidelines in place. Retail businesses and houses of worship can increase their capacity from 50 to 75%. Hogan said the overwhelmingly positive trends in COVID numbers…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s long awaited announcement that will see the state move into phase three of reopening. During a Tuesday press conference, Hogan  announced that all businesses can reopen when phase three of the state's reopening plan goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday. Movie theaters and live entertainment venues can open at 50% capacity or up to 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors with appropriate health and safety guidelines in place. Retail businesses and houses of worship can increase their capacity from 50 to 75%. Hogan said the overwhelmingly positive trends in COVID numbers across the…

The September 2020 Mineral County Grand Jury List has been released by the prosecuting attorney’s office:   ACCUSED:     Brandon Lee Kausky One Bridgewater Drive, Elkins, WV 26241 Crime: “Possession of CDS w/Intent to Deliver”, felony, West Virginia Code §60A-4-401(a)(ii); Crime: “Fleeing on Foot”, misdemeanor, West Virginia Code §61-5-17(d); Date: August 2020                                                             ACCUSED:     Bobbi Renee Landis Post Office Box 386, Shanks, WV 26761 Crime: “Driving Revoked for DUI – 3rd offense”, felony,   West Virginia Code §17B-4-3(b); Date: October 2019                                                             ACCUSED:     Bobby Eugene Driver                                              58 Skylark Terrace, Keyser, WV 26726 Crime:…

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s (WVDEP) Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP) has postponed its tire collection events indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interim, state citizens can lawfully dispose waste tires at local tire shops or landfills for a nominal fee.   Tire collection events are often hosted by a combination of REAP staff, tire contractors, and local volunteers, and require citizens to provide a state-issued ID before dropping off their tires.

The Allegany County Library System is hosting a series of book discussions to continue to engage our community in conversations about race in America.  As a follow-up to Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s live discussion on How to Be Antiracist, we invite you to join us for a number of conversations centered around themes from Dr. Kendi’s other award winning book, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America.   Beginning tonight, September 1, discussions will be held at 7:00 PM every other week through the end of October, totaling five events.  Two hosts from the library will…

Two employees of the North Branch Correctional Institution were taken to UPMC Western Maryland after a correctional officer was assaulted Saturday morning. According to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. "An inmate struck a correctional officer during an inmate assault on a staff member Saturday morning at North Branch Correctional Institution". DPSCS spokesman Mark Vernarelli said that two employees were taken to the hospital for medical evaluation of non-life threatening injuries and as a precaution. Further details of the incident were not provided. Detectives of the state agency are working with NBCI officers on the investigation.