Frostburg State University graduate Madison Davis was recently awarded an $8,500 fellowship by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – the nation’s oldest and most selected collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Nominated by FSU’s chapter president, Dr. Linda Steele, Davis is among more than 60 recipients across the nation to receive this award.   “I am extremely honored to have been selected to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship,” said Davis. “I will begin my studies at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs this fall as a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow where I will pursue…

A new Pennsylvania law that makes it easier for residents to remove squatters from their properties passed unanimously in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives earlier this month. The growing problem of squatters unlawfully taking over homes poses a significant threat to the stability and security of communities nationwide. The new law clarifies the legal status of squatters in Pennsylvania and streamlines the process for removing them from residential properties.

The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the summer winds down. Type O blood donors are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August. Upcoming blood drives are scheduled for July 30 at Allegany College of Maryland from 11:30am to 4pm and at Grace Community Church on Bishop Walsh Road from 1pm to 6pm.

Lanes 2 and 3 of eastbound Interstate 68 between Maryland Avenue and Willowbrook Road are closed due to tractor trailer fire.

Governor Wes Moore is bringing plain language standards to all state communications – brief, easy-to-understand language for the average reader and those with disabilities.  Moore signed an executive order Monday that seeks to remove technical and governmental terms and jargon that confuse and hamper users from filling in applications or getting information… I don't know a single person who likes confusing instructions are convoluted writing it's not just frustrating, it's harmful, it's segregating and oftentimes and unfortunately it's intentional because Marylanders with disabilities tricky language can be the difference between getting the help you need and getting left behind… Moore…

Private investment from both local entrepreneurs and out of town investors is helping to spur growth in downtown Cumberland, according to Mayor Ray Morriss. Renovation work is taking place on empty properties and the upper stories of downtown buildings are being rented for living space.  Morriss says optimism in the area remains high… A lot of the private money going into the buildings, a lot of the work that's going into the Upper stories with residential conversions four people down at the McMullen building have already converted into residential in the second and third floors and are already rented…  

301 Stories, a series of three award-winning short films set in Allegany County will screen at the Palace Theatre in Frostburg on Friday July 26th. Writer and director Ethan Romaine is a Frostburg native and studied filmmaking through the New York University School of the Arts. He has dedicated the last four years to the coming of age film trilogy “301 Stories”.  The final film premieres at Friday’s screening. Romaine says he connected with films as a child and wants to share the stories inspired by his hometown…   Growing up in a small town it was really cool to be…

The state of West Virginia has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency stay of the Environmental Protection Agency new rule on power plants.  Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed the appeal Tuesday, seeking relief from the government agency’s enforcement of rules on coal and natural gas power plants.  Several states joined West Virginia’s appeal as Morrisey claims the Environmental Protection Agency is ignoring limits imposed in the 2022 case of West Virginia vs. EPA.

The Gun Shop in Ridgeley, West Virginia, is collaborating with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and Henry USA rifles on a special edition firearm.  Rob Fout, owner of The Gun Shop says a Henry USA .22 long rifle Henry H004S will feature the WMSR logo as well as the 1309 Steam Engine… Will have a train engraved in the middle, on the buttstock will be 1309 with the Western Maryland coal car behind it and on the forearm it will have one or the two of the emblems and then WMSR with the serial number. The serial number will be WMSR13090000 from…

The West Virginia Department of Health is underscoring the importance of ensuring students are up to date on their immunizations. Unless a medical exemption is approved by the health department, all K-12 age children in West Virginia must show proof of immunization against various diseases.  Families should plan now to make sure children have all vaccines needed before the school year starts. WVU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Kathy Moffett, says by keeping the kids healthy, the community stays healthy… We want kids to be safe and healthy and we want families to be healthy as well and so if you…