Congresswoman April McClain Delaney announced $6.7 million in federal Community Project Funding monies for seven projects across Maryland, including Allegany County. Delaney said she is eager to see how the funds will make life easier and safer for families in the sixth district.  Funding includes one million dollars to the City of Cumberland for its Membrane Filtration Building, part of the water treatment plant. Also included is $675,000 for Potomac Fire Company No. 2 for an engine replacement and money to Lonaconing for its New Georges Creek Waterline.

West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack has released a set of policy priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session.  Top priorities include defending the Hope Scholarship, eliminating the State Income Tax on tips and overtime, increasing local control of schools, and prioritizing teacher pay.  Pack says the majority of the state’s 237,000 K-12 students go through the public school system, and teachers and classrooms need the investment…     “We propose that the minimum salary for any teacher has to be at least $50,000, and if any teacher is making $50,000 or more, they should receive a raise of at least…

Even with a petition of over 1400 signatures asking for action, it appears the City of Cumberland has its hands tied over any action involving rebuilding the Washington Street Bridge which has been closed since 2017.  Mayor Ray Morriss says continuous negotiations with CSX have brought nothing in concrete…     “At this point in time, there can’t be anything in writing because CSX is not willing to come to an agreement about Washington Street.” So, is the proverbial death knell tolling for the Washington Street bridge replacement? Mayor Morriss doesn’t sound very optimistic about the chances…   “To say…

Governor Wes Moore’s efforts on funds for furnaces for the families in Westernport is still underway.  In the meantime, Christina Dunn from Foreman Financial, is asking the community to donate coats, blankets and any other warm items to be distributed to the families still without heat…    “There are still about 50 homes in the Westernport area that do not have heat, right now, due to the flooding that was in the spring.  So, we are collecting brand new blankets, coats, things like that that will be distributed to families in Westernport.”

On November 19, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 400 Block of Springdale Street for a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers conducted an investigation and determined that an individual inside the residence had been threatened with a firearm and held in the residence against her will by Gary Bookheimer Jr. Bookheimer was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, officers located suspected CDS and CDS paraphernalia in his possession. He was also found to be in violation of multiple firearm-related offenses connected to the incident. Bookheimer was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center, where…

NOAA’s 2025-2026 winter outlook indicates that, due to a weak and likely short-lived La Nina, Maryland can expect temperatures that trend 30%-40% above seasonal normal.  The three-month season outlook shows Maryland is not to be notably wetter or dryer, but local conditions will be driven by individual systems, such as coastal storms or Nor-Easters, rather than by a dominant seasonal pattern.  Accuweather analyst, Lincoln Reynolds, says the forecast is not over what is average…    “In the Northeast, the I-95 Corridor is expected to see a little more snow than last year, but overall, snowfall is expected to be below…

No state has increased its internet availability more than West Virginia in the last few years.  A report from the Broadband Enhancement Council shows the state is gaining ground, although it is still the third least connected state at 89% of internet access.  

A longtime Frostburg State University professor has died.  Dr. Ronald Kealy died Tuesday at the age of 89.  Dr. Kealy was head of the Education Department at FSU and taught at the university for decades.  The Durst Funeral Home in Frostburg is in charge of arrangements.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court bench warrant on Bambi Rotruck.  The warrant was issued as the result of Rotruck violating pre-trial release conditions.  She was originally charged with CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis. Rotruck was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where she is currently being held without bond pending her appearance before the court. ARRESTED:  Bambi Star Rotruck      AGE:  46          Cumberland, MD

An update meeting for the public on the status of the River Park project will be happening on Tuesday, November 25th at the Allegany Museum.  The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting the event with Canal Place. Chamber President Juli McCoy says they want to highlight River Park to local business as an economic development opportunity…    “Being able to continue to share the projected numbers with them and showcase some other, similar, success stories of what communities have seen. Allow some opportunity for them to ask questions to the people that are most aligned with the project like…