Service Master of Allegany County’s Jeremy Bender was a recent guest on the Dave Norman program where he shared information about his father’s ministry efforts in Micronesia. Pastor Floyd Bender leads Grace Brethren Church in Cumberland, and will be returning later this month from a mission trip to Wichap Village, located on an island southeast of Guam.  Jeremy Bender said his father is working in a remote area and only has Wi-Fi connections sporadically to communicate back home…    

Maryland will soon have the second- highest tobacco tax in the nation.  Effective July1, taxes on tobacco products will increase to $5.00 per pack of cigarettes from the current $3.75.  Taxes on other tobacco products and electronic smoking devices that include vaping liquid will also increase seven to eight percent.  The raise is part of the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2024.

On June 13th, 2024 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Kisha Johnette O’Haver. The summons was issued as a result of an assault that occurred on High Lane on June 9th, 2024. An investigation was conducted into the assault, and the investigating officer filed for charges at District Court. A criminal summons was issued. O’Haver signed for her copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court.   NAME: Kisha Johnette O’Haver  AGE: 50  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Assault 2nd degree (x2), Malicious Destruction of Property less than $1,000   CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On June 13th, 2024 the Cumberland Police…

On June 12th, 2024 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on William Henry Livengood. The warrant was issued as result of Livengood failing to obey a condition of his probation set on August 18th, 2023. Livengood was placed under arrest and transported to central booking. He was later seen by a District Court commissioner and held on $500.00. NAME: William Henry Livengood  AGE: 62  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Violation of Probation

Especially with all the construction going on, even the most seasoned Cumberlander can have trouble finding their way around town.  The City of Cumberland is working to address that for both residents and visitors with the development of a new wayfinding plan to get people where they want to go.  Historic Preservation Coordinator Ruth-Davis Rogers says 11 proposals are ready to review and a plan should be chosen in July or August…    

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated almost $7 million in tax revenue to the state’s Blueprint For Education fund in May.  Wagers placed through retail locations and by mobile use totaled $419 million for the month. Payouts for the month totaled $380 million.  May 2024 was the second-best single month total since the state program began.  Tax revenues represented a 50% increase over May of 2023 and wager amounts show a 34.8% increase over previous year betting.

This week’s City Council work session revealed that the development of the former Memorial Hospital site in Cumberland is still unsettled.  Contract issues still exist with RAZ Development who had been chosen by the City for the project.  Negotiations are continuing to see if an agreement can be reached to move forward with the planned housing development.

Each year, Rocky Gap Casino is required to give 5.5% of its gaming revenues to Allegany County.  In turn, the Local Development Council oversees the management of those revenues; ensuring funds are spent through allocation guidelines.  For Fiscal Year 2024, Rocky Gap is estimated to give Allegany County just over $2.6 million dollars.  Since 2014, the county has received over $22 million in funds from the casino. County Administrator Jason Bennett says the funds from the casino are helpful throughout the county for organizations, schools, and other projects…    

Allegany County Commissioners voted to partner with Geocycle, a new waste to value businesses located here to address the issue of illegally dumped scrap tires on Westernport Road.  Nathan Price, Senior Project Manager for Economic Development reviewed that the tires came to the property over a nine-month period… Price requested $200,000 from the Revolving Building Fund to work with Geocycle. The company will take the tires from the property and send them to their White Hall, Pennsylvania plant where they will be converted to alternative fuels for their cement plant….

A multi-day clinic is planned for later this summer at the Allegany County Fairgrounds to assist the Army Reserves in training they are required to perform.  The Mountain Maryland Innovative Readiness Training will provide a range of medical services for everyone, according to David Stewart of AHEC who is helping to organize the event… Stewart says the Army Reservists will be housed at Fort Hill High School during the days of the clinic.  The local medical community has been very supportive of the event, which also occurred 10 years ago in the county…