Obvious construction work is not the only thing downtown businesses are experiencing during the Baltimore Street renovations.  More businesses have moved into the district during the construction period and others are planning to move or relocate shortly.  Downtown Development Director Melinda Kelleher says the waiting time for construction to be finished has been fruitful, with a good attitude among merchants about the future…    

Melinda Kelleher, Executive Director Downtown Development Commission provides this week's Cumberland Construction Update. Concrete road base on Baltimore Street up to George Street is done. Sidewalk pavers on North Liberty should be done next week. Granite on the waterfall spillway and side pieces are done and more work is being done next week for the cap on top of the waterfall. Trees will all be in over the next week except for two that will go up by George Street. They are back-ordered and won’t be here until fall. As a reminder, even though the streets may appear to be open…

The 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration will be Saturday, June 22 at Canal Place.  The Allegany County NAACP announced that vendors may reserve spots on a first come, first served basis.  Events will take place between noon and 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Joshua Marquis Richardson, 39 of Baltimore, was arrested on a warrant from District Court for Washington County. Richardson’s charges include: Assault-1st Degree/DOC Employee, Assault-2nd Degree/DOC Employee, Possess/Receive Weapon While Confined/Detained, Reckless Endangerment, Possess Dangerous Weapon-Intent/Injure, and Possession Contraband-Place of Confinement. Richardson is being held without bond and pending a bail review in District Court.

Mountainside Baroque’s music academy offers local musicians and singers in high school and early college the opportunity to study under gifted professionals in violin, viola, keyboard and other instruments.  Students receive a holistic learning experience that Mountainside Baroque director Lyle Nordstrom says is equal to or surpasses what is available in larger areas…    

The 57th Annual Autumn Glory Festival has selected Ben Lohr of Northern Garrett High and Kambria Kyle of Southern Garrett High as this year’s king and queen. Ben is captain of the soccer team, coaches and teaches soccer and is involved with the Future Business Leaders of America. Kambria is a member of Junior ROTC, and annually participates in veteran’s programs. The Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception and dinner will be on Wednesday, October 9.

Maryland State Police report that U.S. Sen. John Fetterman was speeding when he crashed into the back of another vehicle Sunday. Fetterman, a Democrat from Braddock county, was westbound on Interstate 70 at 7:45 a.m. Sunday when he rear-ended a vehicle near the interchange with Interstate 68 in Hancock, MD. Fetterman was taveling with his wife, drove “at a high rate of speed, well over the posted speed limit” before rear-ending the Impala. The speed limit was 70 mph. Fetterman was “at fault.” according to Maryland State Police. Both cars were towed from the accident site. Fetterman, his wife, Gisele, and the driver of the…

Cumberland Historic Ghost Tours will conduct a one-hour walking tour of Cumberland’s most haunted sites on Saturday, June 15, at 7:00 PM. The tour will begin at the Allegany County Library on Washington Street where guests will be greeted by guides in historic costumes. Guests will continue through the historic district exploring supernatural sightings reported by area residents as well as stories of local legendary fame. The tour includes architectural feature as they add context to the sightings. Patrons will explore a time period spanning over 200 years. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students and may be…

CSX is finally speaking publicly about work they are doing in the Cumberland yards.  The CSX official Facebook page features a story and video posted Wednesday evening about work being done at the “hump” to handle increased traffic more efficiently.  The video shows the demolition of the hump and plans are for installation of a new switching ladder. The Cumberland yard is the processing point between the northeast corridor and Midwest outlets for CSX. Brett Sanders, CSX Director of Mid-Atlantic Connection says that construction has been underway to install a new switching ladder and part of that initiative is to remove…

The streets of the reimagined downtown Cumberland are taking shape day by day. Businesses along the Baltimore Street corridor are noting the changes and looking forward to a completed project.  Recently Jim Weir of Awesome Gifts and Collectibles, a store that sits at the corner of Baltimore and South Centre Streets, shared that from his vantage point, progress continues in the area every day… Weir also encouraged shoppers to use the George Street Garage, saying it is safe to park in and patrolled regularly…