When the Maryland Board of Public Works met earlier this month, Cumberland got a nice surprise to celebrate just in time for the PACE Reception. The BPW approved $50,000 for a new façade program that the City has been planning. The money will be utilized for grants to improve properties along the Centre and Mechanic Street corridors. Mayor Ray Morriss shared how the city hopes to expand such grant programs in the future…
More people than ever took advantage of the programs available through Maryland Health Connection’s 2024 enrollment. A record number of nearly 214,000 residents chose health coverage plans – up 17% from last year. Michele Eberle, Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, says the healthcare plan costs for Maryland are some of the lowest in the country… This is the 11th year of the state health marketplace. Eberle said that individuals qualifying for additional financial help also increased, and the aid decreased their insurance premium an average of $450 a year…
While there appears to be steady interest in business locating downtown, the struggle continues for those merchants open now during the construction on Baltimore, Centre, and Liberty Streets. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation’s meeting on Tuesday addressed these issues, saying that initial planning for the construction reaches back to 2014. Executive Director Matt Miller said the CEDC has a history of trying to help merchants prepare for the realities of the current project’s state… Miller says the CEDC has done as much as they can to help the businesses and he is always open to any ideas from merchants or…
A forgotten playground may be getting a new lease on life thanks to the efforts of a Cumberland neighborhood group. The West Side Neighborhood Association approached the Cumberland Mayor and City Council recently about an abandoned lot located at the corner of Fairmont Avenue and Richie Street in the city. Max Green of the West Side group says that the lot has potential for revived basketball and tennis courts, a community garden, and walking paths…
The typical flu season this year has become slightly more complicated. Dr. Rameen Shafiei of UPMC Western Maryland tells WCBC that this winter some people are becoming very sick with more than just flu. Some are seeing a combination of infections at the same time involving COVID, RSV, and the flu… There is also the problem of ongoing issues with COVID being a “novel” virus that complicates health issues since it has not settled in to following a predictable pattern…
Congressman David Trone and Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen announced $112,900 in US Department of Agriculture grant funding for community development projects across Western Maryland. The federal funding will support a number of projects in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties. A grant of $23,200 went to the Orleans Volunteer Fire Company to purchase new equipment to replace outdated systems including an automatic chest compression system, a positive-pressure ventilation fan, and three new hose nozzles. $50,000 went to Grantsville to purchase a new dump truck and plow for snow removal.
Brandon Michael Holliday, 41 of Frostburg, was served a District Court Arrest Warrant for Theft Scheme $100 to Under $1,500. He was released on his own recognizance by the Court Commissioner at his initial appearance. Nakota Cheanta Durham, 32 of Cumberland, was served a District Court Bench Warrant for Failure to Comply Condition of Pre-Trial Release. Her original charges include: Burglary-4th Degree-Dwelling. She is being held on $500 bond. Damian Joshua Cline, 25 of Cumberland, was served a District Court Arrest Warrant for 2 counts of Burglary 4th Degree/Permit Tools and 4 counts of Burglary 4th Degree – Dwelling. He…
The Allegany County Department of Emergency Services is reporting a second alarm to a house fire on Della Street in Westernport. It is reported that all occupants are out of the residence. Initial calls said fire was reported showing from the rear of the structure.
Senator Mike McKay has become the new chair of the Fire/EMS Coalition in the Maryland General Assembly. The Coalition unites Republicans and Democrats in support of fire/emergency services legislation that benefit all first responders. McKay takes over from PG County Delegate Marvin Holmes who held the position since 2018. McKay’s election to the position was unanimous from the various Fire and EMS organizations that work with the Coalition.
On Monday, January 22nd, 2024, The Cumberland City Police served two Criminal Summonses on Leya Lenai-Marie Alt, 31, Cumberland MD. The summonses stemmed from incidents that occurred on December 13th, 2023, and Jamuary 4th, 2024. During both incidents, Alt provided officers with a false name to avoid being arrested on an active arrest warrant. She was served the summonses and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrested: Leya Lenai-Marie Alt Age: 31 Charges: Obstruct Justice, Obstructing & Hindering x2, Fraud-Per. Ident. Avoid Prosecution x2. Trespassing-Posted Property. On Monday, January 22nd, 2024, The Cumberland City Police served a Criminal Summons on…
