Each year, the Appalachian Regional Commission releases a list of county comparisons with national averages. This year, Allegany County is listed as an “At Risk” county with seven areas within the county being marked as distressed. The ratings are determined based on three-year averages of unemployment, per capita market income, and poverty rates. This year, 90 Appalachian counties are listed as “at risk.” The designations determine match requirements for ARC grants. The maximum A-R-C grant share for Allegany County is 70%.

The beginning of June sees new laws going into effect after being passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed off on by Governor Moore. A law setting a cap on settlement amounts for child abuse cases caused a rush of case filings before the May 31 deadline.  The Next Generation Energy Act gives electric customers two rebates in the coming year to offset rising energy prices. And there will be stiffer penalties for drunk driving convictions – those found guilty will be assessed 12 points on their license.

Robert Rudd Reinhard passed away on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, a day befitting the pride he took in his United States Naval Service. Known to his family and friends as “Rudd,” he was a deeply creative thinker, a man of many interests who quietly earned many awards and performed countless good deeds. Rudd possessed deep knowledge of music, geography, history, and many other topics. He was an artist at heart, known for being a storyteller from the time he was a little boy, put in charge of holding his fellow classmates’ attention when the teacher was absent, to his…

Cecelia Street will be open to two-way traffic today, 6/3/25, at approximately 12pm. Street parking will be available along the southern curb line heading eastbound towards Maryland Ave.  

The Town of Carpendale, West Virginia has discovered an issue with its water tower.  Until repairs can be made, residents are being urged to conserve water.  Updates will be made as work progresses. No timeline has been determined for the repairs.

On Sunday, June 1, 2025 at approximately 7:42 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 700 block of Park Street for a shoplifting complaint.  Officers located the suspect, Christopher Kaylor, in the 200 block of Park Street and placed him under arrest.  Police contacted the staff who reported that Kaylor stole items and left the store.  Kaylor was issued a criminal citation for theft and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Christopher Lee Kaylor          AGE: 38           Cumberland, MD CHARGE:  Theft less than $100

Staff shortages, youth violence, and leadership issues are all combining to make the juvenile justice system in the state a “disaster,” according to Maryland Senator Mike McKay. At least three letters have went to the Governor’s office by Republican lawmakers and citizen groups calling for the removal of Vince Schiraldi as Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services.  McKay tells WCBC that issues at Green Ridge Youth Center have affected every person employed there…     “At Green Ridge, what is being communicated to me is that every single employee has been assaulted some way, somehow. Spit, hit, shoved, outbursts….

New designs were presented to the Cumberland Mayor and City Council recently to update the city seal. City Administrator Jeff Silka said he asked artist Brett Nelson to create a few designs for the city to choose from. Silka said creating a new seal has been a goal for the city for almost two years and what they are looking for is something that encompasses all aspects of Cumberland. ..     “We wanted a logo that tells our story, is scalable – meaning it can go down as you reduce it – looks good on a pin; it also…

On the ballot in 2026 will be every statewide elected official in Maryland— Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller — as well as all 188 members of the Maryland General Assembly and the entire eight-member U.S. House delegation. While no candidate has come to the forefront to challenge Governor Wes Moore, rumors continue circulating that former Governor Larry Hogan may try to gain back the office.  According to Maryland Republican Party Chair Nicole Harris, Maryland Democrats will “have their work cut out for them to defend Annapolis Democrats’ tax-and-spend policies.”

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a series of child welfare reforms aimed at beginning a new era of transparency for the state.  The changes come following a series of listening sessions held across the state with key stakeholders and a review of past child fatalities and near fatalities within the child welfare system. Morrisey listed six aspects of the system slated to change, including case management…     “We’re requiring supervisors to conduct monthly reviews with their child welfare cases and work with our state office team to identify better opportunities for improvement and better ways we can train…