Bel Air residents were out in force at last night’s County Commissioner meeting, repeating their request for a “force of four” meeting with county, state, and federal government officials to address skyrocketing water rates. Larry Smith who has been leading citizen efforts said the private company that Maryland Water Service is selling the system to has a history of high rates as well…     “We cannot take American Water and say wow – are things going to be different. Absolutely not. You can look across the country and American Water has a legacy, a legacy across the board of…

Efforts continue by the Downtown Development Commission to establish a new Business Improvement District that will change how property owners pay for services in the retail district.  The BID, as it is known, would actually result in a lower tax for the services they receive in downtown.  Larry Jackson, DDC President, says they have almost gotten to their goal number for being able to establish the BID…     “We have to get 80% of the individual property owners by legal entity to say we’re going to petition the city to create this BID. And the mayor and city council,…

An evening celebrating senatorial scholarship winners and announcing a re-election campaign was somewhat dampened by protests earlier this week. Republican Senator Mike McKay’s fundraiser on the WMD Scenic Railroad was met with protestors holding signs along the train route. McKay told WCBC News it’s unclear who actually organized the counter-event, but he has cleared up who was not involved…    “This was not orchestrated by the Allegany County Democrats and it was not orchestrated by the Allegany County Republicans. This had nothing to do with that. I just believe that some people have been misguided and gone rogue.”

A Cumberland City police officer has graduated from the University of Maryland’s DUI Institute. Officer Jacob Garrison of Cumberland graduated earlier this month at a ceremony in College Park. The weeklong program included 28 law enforcement officers from across the state who learned impaired driving countermeasures including ignition interlocks, DUI courts and sobriety checkpoints, physiology of alcohol and cannabis and its abuse and courtroom testimony. Garrison received the City of Cumberland’s DUI Award in 2024 for leading the department in DUI enforcement.

Sunday, June 15th is the application deadline for new West Virginia students to receive full funding from the Hope Scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year.  Current Hope Scholarship students who wish to renew their participation in the program also have until June 15 to submit their Continue Participation Confirmations.  For more information on the Hope Scholarship, visit www.HopeScholarshipWV.com.

Saturday is National Flag Day and the Frostburg Elks will be celebrate by holding a Flag Day Ceremony in the lodge parking lot at 6pm. Exalted Ruler of the Lodge, Rob Rephan, says an explanation of the flags used throughout America’s past will be presented, assisted by Boy Scouts and the Frostburg American Legion…    “We have the Arion Band playing. We have Scout Troops displaying flags. We get an explanation of the flags of the history of the United States. The other thing is we want to encourage people to fly the flag that day. I mean, it is…

Maryland Historical Trust announce nine Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program grant awards totaling $699,000 to Maryland and one project is here in Allegany County. Gordon Roberts House will received $86,000 in grant funding to support the replacement of the exterior porch decking, restoration of the remainder of the porch, gutter and rotten soffit repairs, and repairs to interior ceiling plaster. Also known as History House, the Gordon Roberts House is the current home of the Allegany County Historical Society. Originally constructed in 1867, the building is one of the few examples of the Second Empire-style in Cumberland. The Historic Preservation Capital…

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at approximately 11:20 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 800 block of Maryland Avenue for a disturbance. Officers contacted the subjects involved and learned that an assault had occurred.  The alleged victim reported that Michael Lambert threatened to assault him and retrieved a handgun from his vehicle.  A search of the vehicle was conducted and police recovered two BB handguns.  Michael initially provided police with false identifying information.  A female on scene who was identified as Brittany Lambert also provided false identifying information for Michael. Police later learned Michael’s true identity…

Bishop Walsh School has announced that 100% of its 2025 senior class received college acceptances. The students received 2.5 million dollars in academic scholarships, an average of $182,000 per student. The first-ranked student, James Hose, will be attending the University of Maryland. Second ranked Cassandra Hein is headed to North Carolina State and third-ranked Kaitlyn Kutcher will attend Frostburg State University.  David DiNola, ranked fourth will attend Drew University and fifth-ranked Karma Muir will attend Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

The Maryland Public Service Commission will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, June 18th to invite comment ona a proposed 5-megawatt solar generating facility in Garrett County. The virtual hearing will include a presentation by Amish Road Solar on the solar installation planned for 43 acres on Amish Road in Grantsville. Speakers must sign up by June 16th by visiting psc.state.md.us.  The hearing will be available to watch on the Public Utility Law Judge channel on YouTube.