The annual Frostburg Pirates Ahoy Event is taking place Wednesday, July 10.  The event starts at 9am at City Place where children gather before taking the “Scallywag Walk” to the Hotel Gunter. There they will meet and read with Will and Jane Hillenbrand, authors of What A Treasure!   Dr. Sarah O’Neal, director of the Children's Literature Centre, encourages everyone to dress in their best pirate costumes for a day of pirate themed crafts, games, pictures, and a treasure hunt…

Maryland SUN Bucks, a new program enabling families to buy groceries for eligible school–aged children has started.  Sun Bucks builds on Maryland’s existing Summer SNAP program, expands the reach, and no longer requires local government matching funds. Households that qualify receive $40 each month in June, July and August.  EBT cards load automatically with Sun Bucks.  If a child does not currently receive SNAP benefits, they will be issued a white Sun Bucks card if eligible.

Too often, families forget sun protection on trips, paying the price with a stinging sunburn.  While SPF lotion can take care of that issue, protection is needed for the eyes as well.  Ultraviolet light damage to the eyes can cause burning, tearing, and prolonged exposure may lead to macular degeneration. Dr. Katelyn Bauer of Lifetime Eyecare says sunglasses, especially in the summer, offer the needed protection unavailable in a lotion…  

Saying it will address the decline in life expectancy in the United States Bloomberg Philanthropies has gifted one billion dollars to Maryland’s Johns Hopkins University.  The money will enable students with families making $300,000 a year or less to attend the medical school tuition-free and free tuition, living expenses and fees for those whose families make less than 175-thousand. The gift also increases financial aid for students in the schools of nursing, education, engineering, arts and sciences, and government.

A law to counter neglect and abuse among home-schooled children in West Virginia may be enacted when lawmakers meet in August.  Raylee Browning was an 8-year old whom teachers suspected was being abused. She was removed from the school system and home-schooled. She later died from abuse and neglect. Fairmont Delegate Joey Garcia says the law would prevent school boards from approving home-schooling if there is a pending abuse or neglect investigation…

Allegany College of Maryland’s Summer Open House and housing preview is scheduled for Monday July 15th on the Cumberland Campus along Willowbrook Road.  For future students, the tour can be personalized to focus on specific program areas, according to Coordinator of Student Recruitment, Lauren Winterburg…

Casino revenues for Maryland’s six outlets was down slightly for June compared to 2023 numbers. $162.9 million dollars in revenue was generated, down one half of one percent from the same period last year.  Maryland’s six privately owned casinos offer both slot machines and table games in five counties and Baltimore City. Tax contributions to the state came in at $69.8 million dollars and over fifty million went to the state’s Education Trust Fund.  Locally, Rocky Gap Casino brought in $4.5 million dollars in revenue, a 10% decrease from June of 2023.

Maryland’s retirees are receiving certified letters this week with more information about the end of their prescription drug coverage. The Martin O’Malley administration stripped drug coverage from retiree benefits in 2011. Effective January 1, retirees will need a Medicare Part D plan for prescriptions.  Nevin Hersh of American Insurance Center tells WCBC people should plan but not panic as the plan choices will not be available until early fall…

On Monday, July 8th, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department arrested John Henry Kratz, 20, of Keyser WV. Kratz was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on June 1st. The warrant alleges On that date it is alleged that Kratz assaulted and robbed an individual at a Main St residence in Westernport MD. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held on $5,000 bond. Arrested: John Henry Kratz               Age: 20…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Excavating Associates, would like to notify the public that locations along Industrial Boulevard (near Virginia Avenue) and Virginia Avenue will be affected by overnight construction work on the week of Sunday, July 7th to Friday, July 11th and Sunday, July 14th to Thursday, July 18th between the hours of 8pm to 7am each day. Water customers along Industrial Boulevard and Virginia Avenue can expect temporary water outages during construction hours. Traffic Control will be in place to direct vehicles around the site, during the work. The Engineering Department will issue further…