Due to a concern for black ice, Garrett County Public Schools will open 2 hours late today, Thursday, December 19, 2024.

MDOT reports  I-70 eastbound closed at Clear Spring Road in Washington County due to a overturned tractor trailer. I-70 will be closed through the morning rush hour. Use US 40 to MD 63 and back to EB I-70.

The Shrine of SS Peter and Paul on Fayette Street will be hosting a Christmas Concert this evening at 7pm.  Featured will be organ solos by Nate Berry who will play on a Wicks Pipe Organ installed in 1958.  It is the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi and features 1,900 speaking pipes.  Cantor Josh Ruppenkamp will lead hymns, and John Hershberger will tell the story of the song Silent Night.  He will play guitar and sing the song in German.  WCBC will broadcast the concert on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m.

Tuesday night’s Cumberland Mayor and City Council meeting was Councilwoman Laurie Marchini’s last meeting on the council.  The council began the Public Meeting by thanking Councilwoman Laurie Marchini for the six years she has served the city.  Councilman Rock Cioni spoke highly of Marchini's character…     “I think she just set a tremendous example for anybody she came into contact with in City Hall in any capacity.  How she genuinely cares the city is unquestioned.  Her respect for people of all walks of life and her willingness to listen to other people’s ideas.” Cumberland Mayor, Ray Morriss…    …

During the holidays, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging consumers to be careful when buying gift cards as presents. He advises that gift cards be inspected carefully before purchase and buy gift cards only from reputable sources. Receipts should be saved and cards treated like cash. If you fall victim to a gift card scam, getting your money back may be unlikely, according to John North of the Better Business Bureau. “There’s really no guarantee getting your money back because once they take it electronically, it’s really hard to find any carbon footprint of where that money went.”

A last ditch attempt in the U.S. Senate to save federal workers from possible cuts proved unsuccessful on Tuesday.  Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine was seeking unanimous consent to pass the “Save The Civil Service Act” that would require approval from Congress before new job categories could be created.  President Elect Donald Trump said he plans to streamline the federal work force, possibly cutting thousands of jobs.  Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said the Dems would not give up trying to save jobs…     “We’re going to keep pushing for this, whether it gets through today or whether or…

Three Allegany County non-profits have received $10,000 each from Maryland Humanities. The Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant SHINE Grant is funded by the State of Maryland through the Maryland Historic Trust.  The Allegany Museum, Frostburg Museum, and the Historic Frostburg Main Street Program were awarded grants that can be used to cover general operating expenses including salaries, rent, utilities, and other expenses. The grants provide full flexibility to nonprofits, allowing them to determine where funds are most needed.

Maryland’s Transportation division held its 21st annual Maryland Remembers ceremony, honoring those citizens who have lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes on the state’s highways. Last year, 621 people were killed on state roads, underscoring the need for increased safety and awareness. MDOT Assistant Secretary Tony Bridges says that he is committed to lowering that number this year and in the future…     “That number was unacceptable. Really any number above zero is unacceptable. And so by working with Colonel Butler and law enforcement partners across the state, together we’ve made improvements this year. With 15 days left…

Surplus chocolate candy and other treats are finding a new home on industrial farms. In Pennsylvania, the Hershey Company has been selling its candy waste to meat producer Cargill, which transforms it into feed for cows and other animals. Economics Professor Kathryn Bender of the University Of Delaware says companies are finding ways to minimize what ends up in landfills…     “This is one of those programs where they are taking excess candy and breaking it down and then feeding it to cattle. And so it is, in fact, a great energy source for cattle. It has to be…

Ocean City is phasing out pay-to-park kiosks in favor of an app called ParkMobile.  Nearly all of the kiosks will be removed before the 2025 summer season.  Ocean City's Transportation Manager Robert Shearman Jr. said that in recent years, more visitors have been paying with their phones. This trend and the cost of replacing older kiosks led to the decision to go digital.  In addition to the app, beach-goers can pay over the phone by calling a number on the ParkMobile signs.