The WCBC Dave Norman program on Wednesday featured a conversation with Mayor Ray Morriss about ongoing issues of parking in downtown Cumberland and supporting businesses there.  The City has opened up temporary parking spaces on Baltimore Street between Liberty and Centre Streets but complaints continue about having to pay for parking or receiving parking fines.  Morriss repeated that the George Street garage has two hours of free parking and that street parking is free after 5pm when most people would want to have dinner downtown. He says it’s more a matter of actually doing something to help downtown merchants rather…

Cumberland’s Economic Development Corporation is making headway on land development off Messick Road. Cumberland and Allegany County purchased the 40-acre tract with plans to develop the land for a distribution center or other business venture. At Tuesday’s meeting, CEDC Director Matt Miller explained he has been working with Farrell Forestry and a plan to clear-cut the land is in progress…    

They even have a name – the Charm City Chargers.  Charm City Virtual is an online learning portal for Baltimore City Schools that originated with the COVID pandemic.  Now, with pandemic-era funding ending, the program is changing to make Charm City a “considered school,” meaning any student in grades 6-12 may elect to attend online 100% of the year. Baltimore City practices school choice and families can select any middle or high school in the system to attend.  Allegany County does not have a 100% virtual program – all classes become synchronous or asynchronous online only when weather is a factor.

The American Lung Association annual “State of Tobacco Control” report shows Maryland has failing grades in two areas.  The ALA would like to see Maryland focus more on preserving funding for tobacco cessation and prevention, as well as end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products. High school tobacco use in the state is at 15.6% and tobacco use is the leading cause of death in Maryland, taking almost 7,500 lives yearly.  Attorney General Anthony Brown recently joined other states to encourage the Biden Administration’s plan to ban menthol and other tobacco flavors.

Allegany College of Maryland recognized 162 graduates at the conclusion of the fall 2023 semester. A commencement ceremony was held on December 15. The graduates earned 176 associate degrees and certificates. Brooke Colledge, Mattesyn Crotts, Hannah McCoy, and Paige Shauf spoke at the ceremony. Members of ACM’s 2023 class and the degree or certificate they received are listed below according to state and place of residence.   District of Columbia Elijah Brown-Lofty, Associate of Science in Business Administration.  Delaware Bear – Stephanie Foote, Associate of Science in Nursing. Wilmington – Cindy Pereira, Associate of Science in Nursing.  Georgia Atlanta – Dylan…

Today, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller co-chaired the Governor’s Family Violence Council alongside Attorney General Anthony Brown. The Family Violence Council was originally established by the Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General in 1995. However, the council has lacked representation from the executive office for nearly a decade.   “I am proud to once again take on the role of chairing the Governor’s Family Violence Council and I am grateful to Jeanne and Dorothy for their leadership over the last six years,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Governor Moore and I have made clear that we refuse to accept child poverty as a fact and we will use…

This afternoon a bomb threat was received at Frankfort High School.  Students have been relocated to Frankfort Middle School while law enforcement and school officials investigate the situation. Parents are asked to refrain from coming to pick up students at this time to avoid interference with procedures.  The school will provide further updates as they develop.

The West Virginia Department of Health is encouraging residents to consider blood donation during National Blood Donor Month.  Winter is a challenging time for the blood supply due to lower turnout, severe weather, as well as colds and flu. Erica Mani of the Red Cross Central Appalachia Region, says blood donors have dropped by 40% over the last 20 years and that can have a huge impact on available blood products in emergency situations.  Donors can make an appointment at redcrossblood.org.

West Virginia’s Attorney General has his mobile office coming to the state’s residents in February.  Scheduled stops include February 12 from 11am until Noon at the County Commission Meeting room in Keyser on Armstrong Street, the Hardy County Senior Center in Moorefield on February 14 from 11:30am to 12:30pm, and the Romney Senor Center on February 22 from 11:30am to 12:30pm.  A consumer outreach specialist will be available to assist with consumer-related issues and answer questions.

On Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024, the Cumberland City Police arrested Rachael Nicole Dolly, 35, of Cumberland MD. Dolly was arrested on two active warrants issued by the Allegany County District Court. The first warrant was an Arrest Warrant issued for an incident that occurred on January 20th. During that incident, the Cumberland Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Washington St for the report of a burglary. The investigation revealed that Dolly had broken into the home multiple times over the course of several days while the tenant was away. A second Bench Warrant was issued on…