As part of Maryland’s Heritage Project Grant Awards, Canal Place in Cumberland received $14,000 for a new historic experience for visitors to Allegany County. Kim Folk, Marketing and Media Director for Canal Place, says this new augmented reality experience will be available through the county’s Mountain Maryland tourism app.  Several sites will launch on the app in early 2025, giving a unique view of area history…  

Maryland added 5,600 total jobs in June, including 3,900 in the private sector, according to monthly data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The new data also included an upward revision of the state’s May employment numbers, increasing last month’s growth by 700 jobs to a total of 7,100 jobs. Through the first half of 2024, Maryland has added 27,800 total jobs and grown faster than any other state in the country. Maryland’s labor force grew by 6,400 workers in June. Maryland exceeded the national labor force participation rate, which is 62.6 percent.

Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement ahead of presiding over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress. “The United States relationship with the State of Israel transcends politics and partisanship, and it transcends any one Israeli government or any one U.S. administration. It’s foundation is cemented in the ties between our people. I will be presiding during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress today as a demonstration of my commitment to this special relationship between the State of Israel and its people and our country.”

Firefighters recently ratified a new three-year contract with the City of Cumberland. For Ray Morriss, city Mayor, he says the contract negotiation process went quickly and smoothly since the fire department members are very familiar with how the city runs and its focus on public safety. Morriss says that Cumberland has a growing but also veteran firefighting staff…  

On Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024, at approximately 8:11 am, the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of the Downtown Mall for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, contact was made with the complainant who advised a male was using a golf club to hit signs in the construction zone. The male was also observed screaming at the crew working in the area. During the investigation, it was discovered that the male entered a nearby apartment building. Officers located Thomas Scannell Jr. and the golf club inside the building. As a result, Scannell was placed under arrest for destruction…

A Weirton tin mill plant that closed in February has been a given a new lease on life. Up to 600 steelworker jobs that were lost earlier this year will be coming back to the plant as it is re-fitted to produce distribution transformers for the country’s electrical grid. Cleveland Cliffs will spend $150 million dollars to repurpose the plant, including a $50 million dollar forgivable loan from the state of West Virginia.  State Treasurer Riley Moore praised the relationship between Cleveland Cliffs and the United Steelworkers that made the project happen…    

The County United Way “Stuff the Bus” school drive to benefit students in Allegany County has returned this year.  Stuff the Bus will take place on Friday, August 16, from 9am to 5pm in the Walmart and Staples parking lots in LaVale.  A school bus in each parking will receive donated supplies.  Monetary donations are accepted. United Way Director Michele Walker says the supplies collected are distributed through the board of education…  

Senator Shelley Moore-Capito and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia are calling for the resignation of President Joe Biden, following his decision to step aside from another White House run.  Moore-Capito joined other Republican congressmen in asking for Biden to step down, saying, “we live in a dangerous world and deserve a commander in chief who is up for the rigors of the job.”  Morrissey for the second time this year has called on Vice President Harris to invoke the 25th amendment to remove Biden from the presidency and declare him unable to discharge the duties of the office.

Committee member Austin Christner talked to WCBC News about Ellerslie Days, which begins Thursday. This is the sixth year for the event to take place, and this year is scheduled as a three-day event.  Events include a Bingo, and a power-wheel derby along with other activities. The Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department will hold a concert, and fair food will be available…  

On Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024, at approximately 11:40 pm, Officers were conducting routine patrols of the George Washington Headquarters parklet which closes at 11:00 pm. During this patrol, Officers observed a female in the area that was shouting and creating a disturbance. Officers made contact with the female, Melony Melvin, who was placed under arrest for trespassing in the park after its closure. Melvin was issued a Criminal Citation and released, pending trial at District Court.  Arrest: Melony Melvin, age 41, Cumberland, Maryland. Charges: Trespassing-Posted Property