State arts organization have benefited from a $40 million in supplemental funding added to the Maryland State Arts Council’s annual budget of almost $29 million.  The additional funding provided operating and project funds for grants to assist with debt relief, investments, and artist living expenses. Arts Relief funding allowed for 2,500 grants in FY23, more than three times its usual volume. The supplemental funds grew the State Arts Council’s budget by 138%. Allegany County Arts programs received over a million dollars in funding in FY2023.

The possibility of an off-road system similar to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail in West Virginia was introduced during the recent Allegany County Commissioner’s meeting.  James Retino, president of the Maryland Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance, asked that dialogue be opened for privately owned land to be used for public OHV recreation.  Retino says the trail system could be an economic benefit to the area… 

Education continues to be a visible priority for the Governor of Maryland.  Wes Moore appeared with US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at the National Association of College Admission Counseling in Baltimore and reiterated his stance that Maryland needs to give students opportunities to take the best path that suits them.  Counselors at the event say the college marketplace has changed, a point that Secretary Cardona addressed in remarks about admissions since affirmative action has been overturned…

The Downtown Development Commission will be holding its next quarterly update on the Baltimore Street construction project on Wednesday of this week. Updates on construction, promotions and other details will be available.  Anyone who would like to submit questions ahead of time can send them to DDC Executive Director Melinda Kelleher at Cumberland’s City Hall.  The meeting will take place via Webex – the link to the event is available on the Cumberland Historic City Center Facebook page and at ReimagineCumberland.com/news.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has announced that St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown will no longer receive funding after this school year.  The Goretti community is studying its options to stay open next year.  Jennifer Flinn, principal of Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland, said that there are Catholic elementary feeder schools in Hagerstown and thus Goretti is only for high school students, a contrast to BW. While the Archdiocese of Baltimore has contributed over 8 million dollars to St. Maria Goretti in the last few years, Flinn says that Bishop Walsh receives other types of support from Baltimore.

On Monday, September 25, 2023, the Allegany County Combined Warrant Unit developed information that Jason Paul Kelley, 49 of Mt Storm, was staying at a private residence in Rawlings. When Deputies and Troopers arrived at the residence, it was learned that Kelley traveled to Keyser. A description of Kelley’s car was obtained and Deputies and Troopers setup along Route 220. A few minutes later Kelley’s vehicle was seen coming into Maryland from West Virginia and a traffic stop was conducted where Kelley was placed under arrest without incident. He was served two Grand Jury Indictments. Charges in each case include:…

Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home on Decatur Street, on Wednesday from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., and from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.   A funeral service will be conducted at Melvin United Methodist Church, 100 E Reynolds Street on Thursday at 11:00 A.M., with Reverend Hal Atkins officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

COVID-19 test kits will once again be available to order for delivery by the US Postal Service.  The Biden Administration has ordered more than 200 million testing kits to be produced –  both for citizens to have on hand and for the national stockpile.  $600 million dollars are being spent to get the new kits ready.  The tests will be able to detect the newest strains of the virus currently circulating.  Tests can be ordered through https://www.covid.gov/tests    

The weather may be cooler, but there is still plenty to take advantage of at the Allegany Farmers Markets.  The Thursday market at Canal Place takes place from 9:30 to 1pm and will be operating through October 26th.   The Canal Place Saturday market runs through October 28th, while the farmers market at Allegany College will run on Mondays through October 30th.  Fresh produce, crafts, and live music are featured.

On September 24, 2023, A Cumberland Police Department Officer observed two male subjects walking down the street. One male had a large cut on his nose with blood dripping onto his clothing and sidewalk.  As the Officer approached the two males, they pointed to a subject later identified as Daquan Lamel Donaldson. Both subjects identified Donaldson as the person that assaulted them. The two victims were interviewed and provided the same statements. The two males told the Officer that Donaldson walked across the street and began attacking them for no reason. Donaldson was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center…