Recently, the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee presented their annual Shining Star Awards during the Allegany County Board of Education Meeting.  SECAC is comprised of parents, teachers, and community members that advocate and advise on special education needs. Winners included teachers and support personnel including Debra Frankenberry, Jessica Aydelotte, Michael Oyer, Justin Jones, John McKenny, and Abby Rodar.  Jill Fradiska, chairperson, said the group works to enhance services available to students with disabilities… “The mission of SECAC is to provide information to develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed by families, educators, other professionals and community members to enable individuals to…

Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Department of General Services launched a state-of-the-art capital grants management system, replacing a cumbersome, manual-reliant process with a modernized digital platform. Designed by Submittable, the new platform will manage all grants authorized beginning in 2017 and will deliver increased efficiencies and accessibility for future capital grants administration. "Today, we continue our work towards modernizing state government to support economic growth," said Gov. Moore. "This administration is choosing to sweat the details of leadership and today’s action will ensure that investments we are making in every corner of our state are administered efficiently…

Today, October 22, 2024, Allegany High School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a disruption. School administrators resolved the situation and the instructional day resumed as normal.

Today, October 22, 2024, First Responders arrived on scene at Fort Hill High School in response to a medical emergency. There was no disruption to the school day.

On Monday, October 21 at approximately 17:39 hours, Allegany County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to Oldtown Road near Helena Drive for a reported three-vehicle crash. Rescue units advised one male was entrapped and unconscious but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.  The operator of the vehicle was identified as William Ray Ritchie, 74 years of age, and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The roadway remailed closed for several hours while the crash team investigators from the Cumberland Police Department and the Allegany County Sheriff's Office investigated. Speed was a determining factor in the crash.

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the First Way Pregnancy Support Center in Cumberland.  Since 1980, the organization has brought education and mentoring to women seeking direction with their pregnancy.  A celebration banquet is being held October 29 at the Cumberland Country Club. Tickets are available by calling 301.707.3248.  Sherry McMillan, a client advocate at First Way, tells WCBC that an expectant mother will be provided everything she needs for her new baby… “In the first year, we try to provide a little bit of clothing for each age and then you’ve got diapers and wipes and thermometers. Everything…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s Office has received at least three letters from legislators and groups asking for the removal of Vincent Schiraldi as Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, citing philosophies and policies that are causing more harm than help for the state’s juvenile justice system. Moore’s office released a statement that did not mention Schiraldi but instead pointed to declines in juvenile homicide arrests and non-fatal shootings of juveniles. Schiraldi responded to the complaints on a Baltimore television station, saying people have the right to feel safe in their communities… “My job is to make it safer and…

On Monday, October 21, 2024 at approximately 3:19 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a shoplifting complaint.  Police contacted the staff who reported that the suspect stole items from the store.  The suspect was identified as Rick Michel.  After further investigation, Michel was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.  He was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Rick Lindsley Michel           AGE:  34               Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Theft less than $100

Since 2011, the Maryland Economic Development Association has set a weeklong observance highlighting the transformative impact of economic development on communities and individuals. This year, Economic Development Week takes place October 21 through Friday, October 25.  Matt Miller, Executive Director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, received a proclamation from the City of Cumberland to mark the event… “I’m very proud and humbled to work with these gentleman and ladies up here. Economic Development is alive and well in the city and we plan to keep things moving in the right direction so thank you very much for the proclamation.”

Early voting – already underway across the country – – the nationwide numbers are a little lower than the same time four years ago – but the numbers are large and encouraging. Maryland’s early voting period opens this Thursday. ABC News White House Correspondent Mary Alice Parks says voters are excited about going to the polls…   “In really key battleground states – Georgia and North Carolina – election officials really like what they saw – they broke their turnout records for the first day of voting – election officials say that it's a sign that people are energized, they…