Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin announced over one million dollars in funds were approved in the second round of fiscal year 2024 funding packages. The money targets projects in Frederick and Garrett counties.  Garrett County is receiving $85,000 to repair the Safe Harbor Residential Crisis building so the facility may reopen to serve clients. Frederick County is receiving monies for a solar-charged micro-grid for their 911 center and conversion of a property into an African American Heritage Center.

Allegany Neighbors and Citizens For Home Owners Rights, or Anchor, continues to fight against the proposed location of wind turbines atop Dan’s Mountain in the county.  Anchor Spokesperson John Fetchero joined WCBC to talk about efforts to stop the project and says the group, headed by area resident Darlene Park, has been fighting for over a decade… Fetchero says that the public has not had an opportunity to voice its opinion on the project. Two Board of Zoning Appeals hearing are scheduled this month, but Fetchero is also investigating other avenues…

More than $125 million dollars is coming from the State of Maryland in the form of state revitalization programs. Funding is through seven different avenues that support façade improvement, demolition, community legacy, neighborhood initiatives, and community and economic development.  Community Legacy and Strategic Demolition Fund projects must be in a Sustainable Community or in Opportunity Zones in Allegany, Garrett, Somerset, or Wicomico Counties.  Application are due on June 26.

A letter received by Maryland state retirees in January has sent them scrambling to find options for part of their healthcare. United We Matter, organized by Ken Fitch, is  fighting for those retired State of Maryland employees.  Attorney Debra Holliway told WCBC about the group’s purpose in protecting retiree earned benefits… Ending the prescription plan was buried in legislation passed in 2011, according to Holliway…

Residents receiving water and sewer service from Allegany County will be seeing an increase at the start of the new fiscal year.  The average rate increase will be 6.3%. Adam Patterson, Director of Public Works says the rates are affected by costs for operating the systems… The actual cost of water is one of the main budget concerns when setting the rates for county residents…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will hold a Public Work Session on Tuesday, May 7, at 4:00 PM in the second Floor Conference Room of the Allegany Museum at 3 Pershing Street, Cumberland. The regularly scheduled Public Meeting will be held at 6:15pm in the second floor Ballroom of the Allegany Museum at 3 Pershing Street.

Update at 8:45AM… I68 in Cumberland, area of 43 MM has been reopened. Units are clearing at this time Cumberland Police and Cumberland Fire Department responded to Interstate 68 Eastbound at the 43 mm for a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor trailer rollover.  The eastbound lanes are shutdown. There is one lane open westbound.  The accident is currently under investigation.  Motorists are encouraged to use alternate route. The cleanup is expected to take an extended period of time.

Baltimore Street Bridge will be closed to thru traffic on Today, May 7th, from 7am to 5pm and on Wednesday, May 8th, from 7am to 5pm. The bridge will be reopened to one-way traffic flowing from Mechanic Street to Greene Street. A detour will be in place to direct vehicles around the site, during the temporary closing.

Friday, May 3, 2024 James Eugene Holliday, 66 of Frostburg, was arrested on a District Court Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear. His original charges include: Knowingly Driving Uninsured Vehicle and Driving Vehicle on Highway with Suspended Registration. He was released on his own recognizance by the Court Commissioner. Darrin Wayne Collins, 40 of Rawlings, was served a District Court Arrest Warrant for charges including: felony Theft-Scheme $1,500 to under $25,000. He was released on his own recognizance by the District Court Commissioner.

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Hoyman Painting, would like to notify the public that George Street between Butler Alley and Dexter Place will be closed to thru traffic each day from May 7th to May 10th from 7am to 4pm. The road will be open at the close of each day’s construction work. A detour will be in place to direct vehicles around the site, during the temporary closing. The road closure will allow Hoyman Painting to complete work in the project area. Thank you for your cooperation during this time. Please use caution in the…