Allegany County Habitat For Humanity is planning a new home to be built on Maple Street in Cumberland this year. Applications for homeownership are being accepted. Applicants must show a need for housing, meet income guidelines, be able to pay an affordable mortgage and be willing to provide volunteer hours on the project.  Information sessions are scheduled for this Saturday at the South Cumberland Library at 1pm and at the LaVale Library on February 8 at 11am.

The City of Cumberland has come out in support of the Maryland Railway Safety Act.  Local CSX conductor Randy Martz requested the City to support the Act at a December meeting, and the Mayor and City Council passed a resolution of support Tuesday.  With derailments that have taken place in the past year including hazardous materials, the Act would enforce safety measures for railways in the state, according to the resolution read by City Clerk Allyson Layton…     “There have been over 2,000 rail crossing accidents per year over the last decade causing 8,494 injuries and 2,503 deaths.  The…

On January 23, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of the Underpass on Baltimore Street for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, they met with the victim who advised a male, Gary Trenter II, had assaulted him and threatened to kill him while reaching for an item in his pocket. During the investigation, Officers observed a bladed weapon within reach of where Trenter was seated.  As a result of the investigation, Trenter was placed under arrest and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where he awaits his initial appearance. Arrest: Gary Randall Trenter…

On January 23, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of Decatur Street and Frederick Street for a suspicious complaint. Upon arrival to the area, Officers met with Marissa Tice who attempted to provide them with false information to conceal her identity. Officers were able to correctly identify Tice who was currently wanted on two outstanding failure-to-appear warrants. Tice was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where she was served with the two warrants and additional on-view charges. She currently awaits her initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. Arrest: Marissa Linnae Tice,…

After receiving and reviewing 11 applications for the vacant seat on the Allegany County Board of Education, the Allegany County Commissioners appointed Linda Widmyer.  Widmyer will complete the remainder of the late Bob Farrell’s term.  Commissioner President David Caporale thanked everyone who applied and for their desire to fill the role… “We wanted to thank everybody that applied for this.  We had eleven very good applicants, and it’s particularly good to see such an interest to be involved in such an important part in our community as the school system.”

Over $11 million dollars in federal funding is going toward upgrading the Town of Grantsville’s wastewater treatment plant.  The investment is comprised of nearly $10 million dollars in grant money and over $1 million in loans.  Funding will help the plant meet current and future permit standards set by the Maryland Department of the Environment, and will connect to 590 homes in Grantsville and the neighboring communities of Jennings, Chestnut Ridge, and the Goodwill Retirement Community in Garrett County.

With the proposal deadline of February 14th, the City of Cumberland is seeing new interest in the Memorial Hospital site from a number of housing developers.  Mayor Ray Morriss told WCBC there has been interest from larger building companies…     “D.R. Horton who is doing the Allegany High School site has shown an interest.  The Dan Ryan Homes they were actually at PACE, and we had a discussion with them about the RFP.  They’re showing an interest. So we’re getting an interest from really some of the bigger developers.”

The budget that Governor Wes Moore has rolled out for fiscal year 2026 includes two important transportation projects in Western Maryland.  Moore was in Frederick to announce funding planned for a heavily-traveled stretch of Route 15 that has had over 570 crashes in the last three years…     “This $160 million dollar project will add a third lane in each direction to improve safety and increase capacity. It’s going to make Maryland safer and it’s going to make Maryland more competitive.” In addition, funding to widen Interstate 81 in Hagerstown has also been restored to the budget, another important…

Retiring Superintendent Jeff Blank spoke recently with WCBC about his career in the Allegany County School system. He has been in the county schools for 37 of his 38-years in education.  He said that he was very pleased with how the school system responded when COVID-19 brought a new kind of education for teachers and students…    “A lot of high points and a lot of real challenging moments that ultimately when we got through it, it was rewarding. Knowing how we got through it compared to the country – I’m proud of those things.”