Downtown Cumberland’s construction project has seen good and bad days as workers come across mysteries in the street, pipes bursting, and other construction eccentricities.  There have been some businesses that have closed though the reasons have not been due to construction issues.  Baltimore Street Collectibles and Lew-Lew Belle Boutique have both closed but had plans to do so before the construction started.  Melinda Kelleher said that there are new businesses moving in – new tenants have been announced for both the McMullen and Rosenbaum buildings and Kelleher says another new business is opening on Baltimore Street…

Allegany County Schools Summer programs are rolling right along, according to Superintendent Jeff Blank.  Summer classes for special needs, credit recovery and other learning opportunities are taking place throughout the county.  Summer classes offer students a chance to take required classes that allow them to free up time during the regular school year for AP classes or other school activities.  Superintendent Blank…

West Virginia is celebrating more than Independence Day this week. Governor Jim Justice announced that the state’s cumulative revenue collections for Fiscal Year 2023 will come in at $1.8 billion over estimates – making it the biggest single-year revenue surplus in state history.  Governor Justice, recovering from emergency gallbladder surgery, made remarks that the surplus is proof that the days of West Virginia being known as poor, backward, and behind the times are over…

Governor Wes Moore today announced the introduction of new Medicaid benefits that will enhance health care access and support for Marylanders. The new benefits expand pregnancy care coverage, support interventions for community violence prevention, and increase access to care for certified peer recovery services, in addition to expanding the settings where such services are provided.  “These new benefits will help improve the well-being of Maryland Medicaid participants and contribute to the overall health of Maryland communities,” said Gov. Moore. “The new benefits mark a significant milestone in Medicaid’s ongoing efforts to ensure accessible and inclusive health care for all Marylanders.” …

The Supreme Court ruled that President Biden stepped outside his authority to forgive student loan debt.  That means that about $400 billion dollars is still out there to collect.  Right now, student loan payments are scheduled to resume in October with interest starting again on September 1st.  Biden announced a 12-month grace period immediately after the high court decision, but said borrowers should start paying back what they can.  It’s expected the Biden Administration is going to come up with a new program on student debt issues.

On July 3rd, 2023 the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on David Allen Mullen. The warrant was issued after an officer, from the Cumberland Police Department, conducted an investigation into an assault that occurred on July 2nd, 2023. The officer applied for charges, and Mullen was served the arrest warrant. He was transported to Central Booking where he was later seen by a District Court commissioner and held without bond. NAME: David Allen Mullen  AGE: 58  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Assault 2nd degree, Race/Religion Crime ARREST WARRANT SERVED On July 3rd, 2023 the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest…

July 4th festivities… The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization will hold their annual memorial service and history reading for area American Revolutionary War Veterans at10AM. The event will begin at CHCO Headquarters 400 S. Allegany St. Those present will travel to nearby Rose Hill Cemetery to lay a wreath at Lynn's grave. The Historic Washington Street area is having its annual celebration beginning at 6pm on July 4th. The celebration on Washington Street features music from Surrender Dorothy, DJ Mark Stevens playing patriotic music during the fireworks, as well as food and drinks.   Starfire Corporation of Carrolltown, PA is busy preparing for…

Allegany Transit office will be closed, Buses and Vans, including JARC Buses will NOT run on Tuesday, July 4th. 

With the July 1st legalization of marijuana, several questions are being asked about enforcement.  One such question – what happens in multi-family dwellings?  Differing rules exist between the use of medical and recreational marijuana. Senator Mike McKay says that these different situations are going to cause issues as they come to light…

Frostburg State University President Ron Nowaczyk says that the university will continue its commitment of a welcoming and supportive educational environment.  The Supreme Court’s decision on June 29th that race cannot be a factor in admission to higher education institutions overrules a 2003 ruling and 40 years of precedent with Affirmative Action.  FSU President Nowaczyk commented to WCBC that the campus leads the state in diversity…