After five years of planning, this school year marks the Frankfort West Virginia district’s first year with a new elementary school. Frankfort Elementary is the merger of three separate schools. The process began in 2019 just before COVID caused delays to the project. Mineral County School Superintendent Troy Ravenscroft says the school is exactly what they wanted. He is pleased that specialized teachers now have their own classrooms for art and music…   “Most teachers have never had an art room or a music room.  They’ve been traveling and going into a classroom…and we’re talking about decades where they have…

On Sunday, August 25th, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Shawn Anthony Lancaster, 52, of Cumberland MD. Lancaster was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred August 21st. During that incident, it is alleged that Lancaster attempted to break and enter a Frostburg residence. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was released on his own recognizance. Arrested: Shawn Anthony Lancaster                    Age: 52 Charges: Attempted Burglary 4th Degree

Maryland State Highways is working on pavement resurfacing project on eastbound I-68 between Upper George’s Creek Road and Vale Summit Road in Clarysville. Work should be completed by the first week of November, weather permitting.  Crews will work Monday through Friday 7am to 7pm. Keystone Lime Company will use message boards and detour signs to direct motorists through the work zone.

Overhead utility work is in progress through the end of the summer on Maryland Route 51 between Brice Hollow Road and the West Virginia State Line.  Crews will be hanging fiber on existing poles.  Drivers can expect intermittent lane and shoulder closures Monday through Friday between 7am and 5pm. Commuters should allow extra driving time. Message boards, signs, barrels and cones will direct motorists through the work areas.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has introduced the release of the Maryland’s Best Seafood – Eat Food pass.  The pass encourages the consumption of Maryland seafood.  Consumers can go to MarylandBest.net to download the web-based platform, select a restaurant or a seafood event on the list and build up points to win prizes.  For information and a list of participating restaurants, visit MarylandBest.net.

Despite the ongoing funding concerns, the Maryland Blueprint for Education plan continues to be implemented across the state’s schools.  This is the third year of the Blueprint in action and Allegany County Superintendent of Schools Jeff Blank says they are watching funding news along with everyone else but continue to roll out plans… “At this point, we’re implementing several aspects of Blueprint.  We have Blueprint Committee Stakeholder meetings.  We have a lot of information about Blueprint on our website also.”  The Superintendent tells WCBC that developing strategies locally to meet the Blueprint reforms has been a difficult task for staff…

***MISSING PERSON*** The Cumberland Police Department is seeking assistance in locating the following subject: -Laura Mary Dorsey, 34yo, white female, blonde hair/blue eyes, 5’3”, 130lbs.    Dorsey lives in the Cumberland area and is known to operate a white in color Ford Fusion, Maryland tags 2EV4181. Dorsey was last seen in the Greencastle PA area on the evening on August 24th, 2024. Anyone with information regarding Dorsey’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Cumberland Police Department by calling (301)777-1600, or dialing 911.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced he has extended the statewide State of Emergency for an additional 30 days due to a shortage of rainfall that has caused drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates extreme, severe, and moderate drought conditions have continued to impact the entire state. Gov. Justice also reminds agencies to utilize the Emergency Drought Relief Reimbursement Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to those helping secure and distribute irrigation and livestock water supplies in counties experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions. “This drought continues to plague our farmers, so we’re extending our State of Emergency to help get water…

On Saturday, August 24th, 2024, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Bond St for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers contacted several subjects involved in the incident. The subjects alleged that Chasity Marie Harris, 25, had exited her home and confronted them in the street. They advised that a brief verbal altercation broke out and quickly turned physical. Harris then began to assault one female victim, using a stun gun during the altercation. As a result of the investigation, Harris was placed under arrest. She was taken before a District Court…

Saturday, August 24th, 2024.     ***Adult Arrest*** On Friday, August 23rd, 2024, The Cumberland City Police responded to a business in the 400 block of Greene St for the report of a theft. Upon arrival, officers contacted a store employee. The employee advised that a white female had entered the store, grabbed numerous food items, and began to consume them prior to paying for them. Contact was then made with the suspect, Brittany Lynn Lantz, 35, of Cumberland MD, who advised officers that she had in fact not paid for the items. It was then discovered that Lantz had…