Governor Patrick Morrisey’s move to cut a deal to keep national parks open in West Virginia shows how dominant tourism is within the Mountain State’s economy.  During the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Morgantown, it was discussed that the tourism industry in the state has billions of dollars in economic impact. Morrisey said the state is inching closer to double digits in tourism dollars…     “In our state, in the past year alone, tourism has generated $9 billion, more than $9 billion in total economic impact. That’s a new record.”

Cumberland’s Mayor and City Council have a busy slate for their meeting on Tuesday. During the open work session, the council will hear from Rich Reinhardt of Percy Public Affairs. Reinhardt is the city’s lobbyist in Annapolis. During the regular public meeting beginning at 6:15, Jim Pyles will be sworn in as the city’s new Chief of Police for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewals. The council will also recognize the Bishop Walsh Mock Trial Team on their state championship for 2025.

At the most recent Maryland Board of Public Works meeting, a number of projects in the region received funding. Friends Aware received a $225,000 grant for ongoing renovation projects at their Holland Street location.  Garrett County received just over $91,000 for improvements at Broadford and McHenry parks, including roof repairs and concrete work. And the Town of Williamsport was awarded $750,000 towards their project of building a new library.

Calvary Christian Academy in Cresaptown is facing financial pressure and could be forced to consider closing its doors by the end of the month.  In a video posted to the school’s Facebook page on Thursday, the school noted the need to raise $55,000 in order to continue operations after October.  Last year, conflict between leadership teams at Calvary Christian Academy and Calvary Baptist Church became public and ultimately resulted in longtime school administrator Dan Thompson resigning his position. Thompson went on to help found Messiah Christian Academy, in Mineral County, WV. 

**ARREST WARRANT SERVED** On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Lucas Christopher Walker. The warrant was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Walker at the Allegany County District Court Commissioner's Office. He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing, and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. Arrested: Lucas Christopher Walker, Age 23, Cumberland, Maryland. Charges: Arrest Warrant- Sex Offense 3rd Degree Child <14, Sex Offense 4th Degree-Sex Contact, Child Abuse 2nd degree: Custodian, Assault 2nd Degree   **ADULT ARRESTS**…

Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland is sponsoring a “Light Up the Night” Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 26th at 6:30 pm.  The walk is an opportunity to honor and support everyone whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.  October is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  See the Bishop Walsh Facebook page for more information.   

Counties in the state of Pennsylvania are beginning to feel the pain of the state being unable to pass a budget.  Legislators should have passed a budget by June 30th, but partisan squabbles have delayed an agreement.  Counties across the Commonwealth are struggling to find ways to continue programs that have traditionally been funded by the state. County governments and other organizations have had to tap reserves or get loans to keep programs going.

Master Deputy Jenna Wilt-Harvey received the 2025 Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services award for Police Instructor of the year.  Employed by the Garrett County Sheriff’s office, Master Deputy Wilt-Harvey has developed and implemented a continual and evolving defensive tactics program for use on patrol or working inside the detention center.  The program is used by Garrett County deputies and correctional officers.

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the appointment of Gregory A. Watt of Hacker Valley to represent the 48th District in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Watt is a retired U.S. Army officer with 28 years of active duty service and more than 16 years in defense contracting and program management. He currently serves as Director of Programmatic Solutions Architecture for JANUS Research Group, where he supports military modernization and technology integration. He has held senior roles supporting the U.S. Army Futures Command, TRADOC, and other national defense priorities. “Greg Watt is a battle-tested leader who understands service, sacrifice, and getting…