County residents have through March 17 to give feedback on the planned housing community at the former site of Allegany High School on Cumberland’s West Side. The plans were rolled out at the March 6 County Commissioner’s meeting and include single-family homes, town homes, and aging-in-place options. Feedback can be given through the county website. Commissioner Bill Atkinson tells WCBC that over 25 people have submitted their thoughts on the project…     “No real major issues have come up. Some things that we’ll be able to discuss at our public meeting when we have it. But, yeah, there’s been a…

The annual Hooley Pub Crawl will take plance in Downtown Cumberland this Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Beginning at Noon, 21 restaurants are participating with specials and entertainment throughout the day. One of the restaurants, Mezzo’s on South Centre Street, will have several bands performing, according to co-owner Bernie Nichols…    “We’re going to have bands like Dry Spell, Surrender Dorothy, and 28 Speedway. On the third floor, we’re going to have DJ Brian Roberson, and at the underground we’re going to have kind of like a chill area. We’ll have lots of seating, we’ll have bards down there,…

Allegany County Habitat for Humanity ReStore is holding a grand re-opening this Friday, beginning at 10am.  ReStore, on Lane Avenue in LaVale helps fund Allegany’s branch of Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit housing group working in local communities. Allegany’s ReStore originally opened in October but has moved to a larger space, according to Kathy Miller, president of the organization.  To celebrate, Friday will offer a fun Saint Patrick’s Day theme. “We’ll have things hidden through the store that will give discounts and gift certificates.  This is the only place I know that you can shop or donate and make someone’s…

The “mid-town” façade grant program still has enough money for one large project or a few small projects.  Last year, the City of Cumberland opened the opportunity for businesses located on North Centre Street and North Mechanic Street.  The grant program requires a dollar for dollar match from the business.  Historic Preservation Coordinator Ruth Davis-Rogers says many have taken advantage of the grants and a few more could also be helped…     “We have maybe 11 to 14,000 dollars left.  Because people are eligible only up to 10,000 dollars, we could pay for one large project or a few…

West Virginia lawmakers want to increase the length of prison sentences for serious crimes such as murder. But, justice advocates say it likely won’t serve as a deterrent but could cause overcrowding in the prison system. Senate Bill 136 is in the House for consideration. Ken Matthews with American Friends Services says extending sentences would pack prisons with more inmates waiting for conditional release…     “Increasing penalties for offenses will create an increase in the prison population that’s already overpopulated and create an increase in the aging population in the state, which is also overpopulated.”

The future of the Western Maryland Economic Development Fund, or the George Fund as its known, has support in high places in Annapolis.  Currently, bills are in the House and Senate to create annual appropriations to the fund through 2031.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel tells WCBC the Western Maryland Delegation is optimistic…     “Even if we can’t guarantee the continued automatic ten million dollar a year funding, I can tell you that Governor Moore came to our committee on a separate bill – one of his administration bills – and he said very clearly in response to some…

On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Board of Education of Allegany County hosted the 37th Annual Teacher of the Year Celebration. During this year’s virtual award celebration, five Allegany County Public School educators were honored for their dedication and commitment to student success. Jeannette Milburn of Braddock Middle was selected as the 2025-2026 Allegany County Teacher of the Year.  Jeannette Milburn is a 6th grade math teacher at Braddock Middle School. She has 12 years of experience fostering student success in Allegany County. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM specialization from Frostburg State University in…

Dozens of local landowners gathered at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County Tuesday night to discuss ideas on a big problem facing the park: deer populations. WJAC reports that right now, deer are destroying habitats for other animals, preventing forests from regenerating, and taking out important memorial fixtures, like the flight 93 "remember me" rose garden.

The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a statewide camping ban aimed at homeless populations.  The homelessness issue has been a focal point for several local governments, including Morgantown, Clarksburg, Princeton and Bluefield.

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, the water department will be repairing a water leak on Greene Street.  There may be periodic interruptions of water service.  The southbound lane from Baltimore Street to Bridge Street will be closed with detour signage in place and no left turn available from Bridge Street to Greene Street.