Allegany College of Maryland and UPMC Western Maryland are working to fill open positions and develop future workforce.  Today from 10 till 1 and 2 to 6pm, job seekers can visit the Bob Kirk Arena at ACM and apply for open jobs at UPMC as well as explore career training at ACM.  Spokesperson Kristen Kehrwald shared some of the programs that directly tie to UPMC…     “Certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, cooks, medical assistants, office managers, nurses, phlebotomists, physical therapy assistants – those positions align directly with career and technical education programs that we offer.”

Maryland’s Department of Housing is continuing to make progress in procuring affordable housing in the state. The agency has funded over $1.6 billion dollars in new development projects and has also aided first-time homebuyers. The department issued $413 million dollars in long-term bonds and closed 36 multi-family dwelling transactions. Secretary Jake Day said the only proven way to make the state more affordable is to create more housing opportunities.

Preventing disaster from striking again is the purpose of a special task force in the Georges Creek area.  Made up of city, county, and state officials, the task force will be taking a hard look at and planning for the prevention of the type of flooding that occurred in May.  Lonaconing Mayor Jack Coburn says the work needs to be ongoing, not once and done…      “A plan is being put in place to prevent future flooding and taking measures where we want to be able to go into the creeks and clean them out as needed and not…

West Virginians can no longer use their SNAP benefits to buy soda. Governor Morrisey received approval for the waiver this week from USDA Secretary Brook Rollins. The state joins several others who have removed soda from benefit lists. Morrisey says it’s a move to a healthier state… “In West Virginia, taxpayers are not going to be subsidizing soda and these sugary drinks. Things that have no nutritional value and are directly linked to obesity, diabetes, and a lot of other terrible healthcare outcomes.”

The progress is slow, but continuing on the proposed River Park at Canal Place. At the recent board meeting of the Canal Place Authority, Director DeDe Richie shared how the river park will be part of a bigger experience that touches many areas of the region for tourism and economic development…     “Take your bike on the train, ride to Frostburg. Go down and ride your bike to Westernport, get in your kayak because the North Branch water trail starts there and float the Potomac River all the way back down to Cumberland. I mean, my God, how many…

Catherine Hoggle spent more than 10 years in a psychiatric hospital following the disappearance of her two children in 2014 in Germantown.  Cumberland native Troy Turner is the father Sarah and Jacob Hoggle. The children have never been found and Hoggle who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia has never stood trial for their death. Released from the hospital last week, she has been re-indicted for murder. Hoggle’s defense attorney David Felsen has called the new charges outrageous…     “She was found incompetent, I believe it was in January of 2015. Every judge, every doctor – every doctor, determined that…

The Allegany County Library System Board of Trustees announced Tuesday afternoon the appointment of Lisa McKenney as Interim Director. The library system parted ways with John Taube after several months of budget turmoil threatened the closure of three library branches.  McKenney has been with ACLS for 31 years. In a statement, the board noted that a nationwide search would be conducted for a new director  to "ensure the most qualified and visionary leader is selected to advance the Library System's mission."  McKenney also sent a statement saying she plans to apply for the permanent position as Director and plans on…

A fire at a Friendsville residence Monday injured the homeowner and caused $200,000 in damages.  The fire was called in at 6:15 p.m. on White Rock Road.  Firefighters from Friendsville and surrounding companies controlled the blaze in about 45 minutes.

On August 4th, 2025 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Joshua Grimes. The summons was issued after an officer from the Cumberland Police Department completed an investigation into a series of false complaints made by Grimes from May 2025 to July 2025. The officer spoke with the victim who confirmed that the complaints were false and harassing in nature. An application was completed and a criminal summons was issued. Grimes signed for his copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court. NAME: Joshua Grimes AGE: 24 Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Telephone Misuse, False Statement…

A golf tournament to benefit the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 144 of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled for August 24 at Rocky Gap Golf Course.  A limited number of spots remain for teams to participate – call 301.707-5655 to register. The funds raised from the tournament stay locally to support F.O.P. members experiencing hardships according to lodge president Chris Hill…     “We use them for people who lose their house in house fires, particularly F.O.P. members from any agency, and some of the people had some damage in the flood that just occurred, we had many…