On Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested David Richard McMillan, 34, of Cumberland MD. McMillan was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on February 10th, 2025. The warrant alleges McMillan failed to comply with an order of the court that had been placed upon him regarding a previous burglary charge. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond. Name:    David Richard McMillan                                 Age:   34 Charges:    Bench Warrant-Fail to Comply….

The appointment of Linda Widmyer to the Allegany County Board of Education has rankled some in the community but County Commissioner Dave Caporale says the commissioners were thorough in their process.  Caporale told WCBC News that the selection process was detailed and conscientious, including individual study by the commissioners and several meetings.  Caporale added that with the lack of state guidelines the commissioners could have acted differently if they chose and appointed someone immediately.  Linda Widmyer’s first public meeting as a Board of Education member will be next Tuesday.

Schools in Mineral and Hampshire Counties will have a two hour delay Thursday.

The Allegany County Board of Education has dealt with several large issues since late October, including an ineligible player causing forfeits, the death of the school board president, seating his replacement, and now the impending departure of Superintendent Jeff Blank this summer.  Current school board president Crystal Bender told WCBC News that Blank will be missed.  Bender added that discussions are underway on how to proceed in hiring a new superintendent and that includes possibly hiring a consultant.  

February is Career and Technical Education Month and Allegany College of Maryland is known for its occupational therapy program.  Emily Rhodes is a member of the teaching staff in that department and she described the goals of occupational therapy, adding that occupational therapy is not just job related.  It entails life skills from infancy to geriatric skills.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation has published over 20 projects going out to bid this month.  Of local interest are Route 46 paving in the Fort Ashby area and the paving of Veterans Memorial Highway in Mineral County between Ridgeley and Wiley Ford.

The Maryland Public Service Commission has granted a construction certificate for a proposed five-megawatt solar facility near Thurmont in Frederick County.  The facility will be built on about 49 acres and have over 13,000 solar panels.

Joann Fabrics is closing 500 of 800 stores nationwide.  Impacted stores include Lavale, Hagerstown, Altoona, and Johnstown.

A fire in Westernport around midnight Wednesday caused $5,000 in damage.  Crews from the Barton Hose Company responded to Lower Georges Creek Road to a single family dwelling occupied by Patricia McVicker.  An accidental wood fire malfunction in the kitchen caused the fire, which was under control in less than ten minutes.  Residents and pets were alerted by a smoke alarm and escaped to safety.  

Governor Patrick Morrisey will deliver the State of the State Address tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m.  Morrisey will deliver the speech at the House Chamber in Charleston.