Changes are coming this year to many prescription drug plans for those on Medicare. For many, enrollment in a new plan may be justified according to Nevin Hersch of American Insurance Center. However, this year, prescription plans are not paying companies who help seniors to enroll.  Hersch says if you have a place to work with, patience will be key… “Be patient if you have a local agent that is willing to work with you. Realize that they are taking a huge hit. Be patient as they try to get you scheduled in. We are looking at quadrupling the number…

State Comptroller Brooke Lierman was in town last week and got some up close looks at the new Downtown Cumberland area, including the Rosenbaum building and Queen City Creamery.  She also got a glance inside the new location for D’Atri’s at the corner of Baltimore and George Streets.  Mayor Ray Morriss said the detail work on the new restaurant is impressive… “I think you’ll be impressed with the artwork in the new D’Atri’s also. It looks like a fabulous layout, a great design. Some really good work being done there. I know Tim Gallagher is working on the bar area…

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has assisted with funeral expenses for victims of COVID-19 since January of 2020.  According to Wendy Upchurch of Upchurch Funeral Homes, that assistance will be ending September 30, 2025. While many families have taken advantage of the benefit, many have been unaware of the program.  Upchurch said there are steps to take to find out if a person is eligible… ”If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, look on your loved one’s death certificate and if the words COVID 19 are listed as a cause of death or if they’re listed as a contributing factor,…

On Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, The Cumberland Police Department arrested Christie Renee Gibson, 49, of Cumberland MD. Gibson was arrested on four active Bench Warrants issued by the Allegany County District Court on September 16th. The warrants all allege that Gibson failed to appear in District Court on that date for four separate cases, the original charges being driving while impaired by CDS, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and two separate charges of CDS possession-not marijuana. Gibson was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was released on her own recognizance. Name: Christie Renee Gibson                           Age: 49…

On Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, The Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 900 block of Oldtown Rd for a shoplifting complaint. Once on scene, officers located the female suspect, Brittany Skye McDonald, 31, of Cumberland MD. She was subsequently issued a Criminal Citation for theft, less than $100. At this time, it was discovered that McDonald also had an active warrant for her arrest as well as an unserved Criminal Summons. The Criminal Summons for McDonald was issued for a theft incident that occurred on August 14th. During this incident, it is alleged that McDonald stole approx….

On Saturday, September 21, hikers can join DNR Park Ranger Mac at Dans Mountain for a guided hike along the 4.5 mile Lonaconna Loop Trail.  The hike begins at 10am and will give participants the chance to catch the first foliage changes of fall in the mixed hardwood forest on Allegany County’s highest mountain.  Hikers will learn to identify many trees common to the region. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes. Pets on a leash are welcome.  

Frostburg State University is facing a financial crisis and the website Maryland Matters says that financial aid issues have cost the university hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Maryland Matters reports that a state audit showed that FSU did not comply with procurement policies and procedures when they acquired a new financial aid system and then walked away from the system, resulting in a net loss of $680,000.  Legislative auditor Brian Tanen wrote that “The lack of due diligence in the selection of the software and related vendors is significant because FSU discontinued using the system.”

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has awarded First-Generation Student Success Grants to public colleges and universities across the state. These grants, which provide funding up to $5,000, support initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining, and fostering the success of first-generation college students. First-generation students are the first in their families to pursue higher education and they often face unique challenges in completing their degrees. Potomac State College is one of the public institutions that has been awarded First-Generation Student Success Grants this year.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s annual Adopt-A-Highway Fall Statewide Cleanup is set for Saturday, September 28th.  The Adopt-A-Highway program is administered by the WVDEP’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan and improves the quality of the state’s environment by encouraging public involvement in elimination of highway litter.  Individuals, groups, and organizations can register by September 18th to pick up trash on most state-maintained roads, back roads, or main routes.  To register, call 1-800-322-5530 or send an email to dep.aah@wv.gov.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing teen, Aaleah Park. Aaleah, 17, went missing from Morgantown, West Virginia on July 19, 2024. Authorities believe that she may still be in the local area or travel to Taylor County, Barbour County, or Preston County West Virginia or to Oakland or Cumberland, Maryland. Aaleah is described as 5'2", weighs 119 lbs., and has brown eyes with brown hair.