Over $17 million in funding is coming to Maryland’s community colleges among other organizations for adult education access. The money will be used for English language teaching, civics education, and family literacy.  The funding was announced as part of a program during President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Prince Georges Community College.  Governor Moore expressed that even though his education took him to Johns Hopkins University and Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar; it is the class ring from his Valley Forge Junior College that he chooses to wear because of its importance to him… Moore went on to say that…

U.S. Department of Education today recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. Northeast Elementary School received a nomination in the category for Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. This category recognizes schools as those among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and…

Centre Street will be closed to thru traffic between Union Street and Frederick Street from 6AM – 4PM today. Signage will be in place to detour passenger vehicles around the road closure. Pedestrian traffic will also be re-routed around the construction at the intersection with Baltimore Street.

Congratulations to the six Maryland schools who have been named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing Schools! Northeast Elementary School, Allegany County Public Schools  Oakdale High School, FCPS Maryland Stone Mill Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools  Church Hill Elementary School, Queen Anne's County Board of Education  Matapeake Elementary School, Queen Anne's County Board of Education  Smithsburg Middle School, Washington County Public Schools  This special recognition from the U.S. Department of Education is based on a school’s academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Learn more about National Blue Ribbon Schools: https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/ Or View the…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Carl Belt Inc., would like to notify the public that the Baltimore Street Bridge will be closed to thru traffic on Wednesday, September 20th, at 4am to 9am in order to perform necessary construction for the bridge. A detour will be in place to direct vehicles around the site. The Engineering Department will issue further notification when closures are scheduled and when traffic patterns change. Please use caution in the area and follow all traffic control devices that will be in place. If there are any questions, please contact the City…

The Passages of the Potomac Heritage Area has enabled the planned Winter Market for downtown Cumberland to become a reality.  With the construction phase of the downtown’s remodel in full swing, holiday activities are being switched over to the Canal Place Plaza, including the Christmas tree lighting.  DDC Executive Director Melinda Kelleher explains that they received a grant from the Heritage Area to help make the event possible…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland is expected to take a final vote this evening on a salary increase that has been 40 years in coming.  A raise for the council members and Mayor was the subject of a public hearing earlier this month where only one constituent spoke on the matter.  The raises will essentially double the salaries and are on based staff recommendations to the council following a salary review for all city employees.

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Rommel Construction, would like to notify the public that N. Centre Street will be closed to thru traffic between Union Street and Frederick Street from 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 20th. Signage will be in place to detour passenger vehicles around the road closure. Pedestrian traffic will also be re-routed around the construction at the intersection with Baltimore Street. Additional information will be released in the event the closure duration needs to be extended. Thank you for your cooperation during this time. Please use caution in the area and follow all traffic control…

On Monday, September 18th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Thomas Victor Lancaster IV, 27, of Cumberland MD. Lancaster was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County Circuit Court on September 13th, 2023. The warrant alleges that Lancaster violated the terms of pre-trial supervision placed upon him that stemmed from a previous CDS possession charge. Lancaster was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center where he is currently being held without bond. Arrested: Todd Thomas Victor Lancaster IV            Age: 27 Charges: Bench Warrant       On Monday, September 18th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded…

Pennsylvania is facing a major overhaul in how schools are funded in the state.  A Commonwealth court has determined that the way the state’s schools are funded is unconstitutional. Dan Urevick-Acklesburg is an attorney who argued the case in the courts – he says the current funding structure comes down to where you live… Estimates are around $6 billion is needed to rectify the funding imbalances. Hearings are being held across the state to find a solution to the disparities.