Governor Wes Moore is reaffirming his promise to work with the state’s communities close up.  Moore was a guest at the 2023 Bloomberg City Lab conference where he said he wants localities to be involved in discussions affecting them. The Governor also talked about how his place-based investment strategy, which uses data to direct resources to areas of the state seeing challenges…

The City of Hagerstown has approved a unique factory-built housing development designed to attract middle-income families to their area.  Kilpatrick Woods is planned as a 69-acre community of 238 single-family units ranging in price from the mid $200,000s to $380,000 for a 4-bedroom home.  The homes will be marketed to first-time homeowners with incomes between 100-120% of the area’s median income – roughly between $86,000 and $113,000 for a family of 5. Installation of homes will start in November.  

Governor Josh Shapiro this week issued a proclamation in support of the Pennsylvania Jewish community and allies who stand together against hate, terror, and violence. The Pennsylvania Senate adopted resolutions condemning the unprovoked terrorist attack launched by Hamas against the State of Israel and the Pennsylvania House adopted a resolution urging Congress Israel with the support necessary to ensure its safety and security,  

Jim Pyles, Director of Emergency Services for Allegany County, made a plea to the county commissioners at Thursday’s meeting for funding to do emergency repairs to the communications tower at Dan’s Mountain.  The tower was struck by lightning and it is needed in order to transmit to two other towers on Haystack and Jackson Mountains. Pyles explained to the commissioners that the towers are vital for emergency services communications in parts of the county.  The commissioners voted for the repairs, saying the $57,000 cost would be taken from other capital projects  

Calling him “Big Jim Justice,” former President Donald Trump threw his support behind the West Virginia governor for the state’s Senate race on Thursday afternoon. The endorsement appeared on Trump’s Truth Social media platform.  Trump said Justice will be a great United States Senator and has his complete and total endorsement.  Governor Justice noted the support at the end of his weekly administrative briefing…

The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police and Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Nalesia McCauley, 22 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Fugitive Warrant from Harrisonburg, VA for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Distribution / Sell for Profit of Schedule I / II Narcotics. She is being held without bond pending extradition to Virginia. Donald Grant Cosner, 50 of Westernport, was wanted by Frederick County Circuit Court for Violation of Pre-Trial Release. On 10/18/23, members of the Allegany County Combined…

A new Demolition Assistance Grant is available for Cumberland residents in an effort to reduce blight in the community.  The program will be a grant of 50% of the approved demolition costs for the improvement of a property in the city limits of Cumberland that is uninhabitable in its current condition. An application packet with complete details is available through the Community Development Department at Cumberland City Hall.

A consumer alert from Maryland’s Attorney General is reminding Marylanders to check out any charity before donating money.  Scammers are setting their sights on people in the United States looking for opportunities to help those affected by the attack on Israel. Before donating money to any charity, the Attorney General suggests checking the Maryland Secretary of State’s Public Registry, available online, or websites such as GuideStar and Charity Navigator to confirm the validity of any organization. Never agree to give money over the phone and avoid giving in to high-pressure or time-sensitive tactics.

BENCH WARRANT SERVED On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Mark Wharton.  The warrant was issued as the result of Wharton failing to comply with conditions of pre-trial release.  He was originally charged with Assault-First Degree and Assault-Second Degree.  Wharton was arrested and later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing.  He was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Mark Blaine Wharton        AGE:  56       Cumberland, MD CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Thomas Taccino.  The…

A special ceremony will mark the reopening of the the Dr. Robert S. Zimmer Theatre at Allegany College of Maryland.  The theatre has been dark for a year as renovations upgraded the space that originally opened in 1969.  Shauna McQuade, ACM’s Director of Public Relations, tells WCBC about the funding sources that made the remodel possible… McQuade says the new space serve the community and will see action as a learning environment for the multimedia program…