On Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, water service will be interrupted for a 16" valve replacement on Morningside Drive. Those affected include Highland Estates, Allegany Soil Conservation, Dollar General, Pharmacare, and the Naves Crossroad Plaza.  Those on the Willison Oil side of I68 will experience low pressure.

New board members have been announced for 2025-2027 for the Western Maryland Jaycees. President Billie Clark will lead the organization. Serving as Vice President will be Jordan Mace and the State Representative is Courtney McKay Jensen. The Western Maryland Jaycees are a chapter of Junior Chamber International, which provides young professionals with opportunities to develop leadership skills, participate in community initiatives, and expand their professional networks.

Maryland’s Governor is not exactly sitting pretty in Annapolis. His ambitious budget that he says is designed to grow the state’s economy has met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Senator mike McKay notes that there is a Democratic super-majority that stands ready to veto any bill they don’t agree with, especially if it goes against raising taxes and fees…     “The leaders of the majority party aren’t happy with him when he says I’ve got to cut this or no, we can’t have millions of dollars of new taxes on people. Because the Governor is trying to…

Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman spent time in Annapolis yesterday to testify on behalf of funding her office is requesting for the coming fiscal year. In fiscal year 2024, the Comptroller’s office handled three million tax returns and saw an increase of 17.6% in calls for assistance. Her focus is on ramping up the customer service aspect of the office, which has been short-handed for some time…     “We cannot meet the need that Marylanders have to get in touch with us. We have long call time waits if you can even get in to the queue. It takes…

The West Virginia Senate unanimously voted to expand the location sites for safe surrender of newborns in the state. Currently, fire departments are designated as safe-surrender sites to accept custody of a child from a parent or guardian with lawful custody.  Senator Laura Chapman said the expansion opens up more options for places where babies can be left…     “The new bill amends the existing entities that can be newborn safe-surrender sites by adding EMS facilities, police departments, and sheriff detachments that are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week may now be designated safe-surrender sites to…

Trying to find a way out of the fiscal troubles facing Maryland, the state’s House Democrats seem to be going to their default position of wanting to raise taxes, something Governor Moore has repeatedly said he wants to avoid, despite what his tax plan shows. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel spoke with WBAL Radio and said it seems nothing is off the table for the Democrats…     “The House Delegates Democratic leadership seems much more committed to the full suite of tax raises, tax hikes that Governor Moore has proposed and in fact, they’ve had discussions about even adding…

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has filed a lawsuit against Nevin Young, attorney for Bob Candy of the Tri-State Zoo, formerly located on Christie Road.  PETA asserts that Young was involved in witness intimidation. The suit was filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.

Although it has been challenging winter, progress is taking place at Cumberland’s Constitution Park. Ryan Mackey, director of parks and recreation, told WCBC News that the new playground across from the large pavilion is on the way to completion…     “We’re currently getting ready to have a playground installed. We’re finishing up the pad for it right now.  Installment should start here within the next few days actually. Then that will take about a month to do, that’s just depending on the weather.”    Mackey added that the new trail system at the park encompasses five miles in total, including…

A Cumberland man died in a vehicle accident Saturday on Chaneysville Road.  James Ruby, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle struck a tree at 10:19 p.m.  Pennsylvania State Police report that Ruby was wearing his seatbelt.  Funeral services are set for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Adams Family Funeral Home.

Allegany County Emergency Management is reporting that multiple Allegany County & mutual aid units operating  at 2 brush fires in Little Orleans & Bedford County areas  Please use caution when traveling through the area.