The City of Cumberland would like to inform the public that the elevator in City Hall is now open. The elevator is fully accessible to the public to gain access to and from the lower level and first floor of City Hall.

It’s Museum Week in Allegany County. Running through June 16, the county-wide event pulls focus on the many museums in the area that preserve the history of the region from its earliest settlers through its role in the Revolutionary War and the Industrial Revolution. Allegany County Tourism’s website mdmountainside.com has a list of ten museums and their opening schedules for the third annual promotion.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has played a pivotal role in efforts to coordinate with the White House and federal agencies to keep offshore wind projects on for Maryland. He attended a signing ceremony in Annapolis that will ensure that Maryland will have two leasing areas off the Delmarva Peninsula to develop wind energy in the Atlantic Ocean…    

The Cumberland Police Department would like to remind citizens to lock their residences and vehicles to prevent thefts from occurring.  Many burglaries and thefts occur as crimes of opportunity.  People often leave items in plain view in vehicles with their doors unlocked.  We strongly suggest not to do this.  It is a good practice to always lock your homes and vehicles to prevent these crimes from occurring.

Maryland Democratic-led General Assembly passed increases in vehicle registration fees earlier this year. Unfortunately, these vehicle fee increases are just the start with new and increased taxes and fees under the Moore Administration. Since the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, the Joint Republican Caucus in the Maryland General Assembly has worked to tally the number of tax and fee increases that have occurred since Governor Moore took office, either at his direction or through the actions of the Democratic majority in the legislature. 338 new or increased taxes and fees, 38 were the product of the 2024 Legislative Session. The…

Senate Republicans blocked passage of a bill that would codify the right to contraception into federal law, although birth control options are readily available in every state. Republicans called it more “scare tactics” against women by Democrats. Maryland Democratic Senator Ben Cardin wanted to see passage of the Right to Contraception Act to protect birth control from becoming another battleground…     

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $173 million dollars in revenue from slot machines and table games during May, an increase of 2.2% compared to May of 2023. Tax contributions to the state totaled $74 million for the month and the Education Trust Fund received $54 million.  For May, Rocky Gap Casino generated almost $5 million, a decrease of $50,000 from this time last year.

:   According to Garrett County officials, there are less than 8 years of remaining capacity left at the county landfill site. In addition to proposing the construction of new landfill cells at the current site, the county is also proposing raising the scale rate for all materials from $50 to $62.50 per ton as well a increasing the permit fee from $75 to $85 per year.  The Garrett County government is encouraging residents to review the plans and provide feedback. More information is available at garrettcountymd.gov

WCBC News recently spoke with Allegany County Commissioner Bill Atkinson about economic development efforts.  He said work is progressing at the Greater Cumberland Airport. The trucks people see from the hillside facing the city are carrying away dirt from land moved for the runway extension…. Atkinson was also able to share news about new businesses in the process of moving operations to Allegany County…

Affecting positive change begins at a young age. With that in mind, the Leadership Allegany Rising program, presented by the Allegany Chamber of Commerce, is accepting applications for its ninth cohort to start in September.  Chamber Director Juli McCoy says the seven-month program takes high school juniors through diverse topics to educate them about the region…     Students interested in joining Allegany Rising need to have applications in by September 6….