A recent Axios poll shows that retirement for most Americans may be out of reach.  80% responded that a reason for working hard your adult life is to have a nice retirement.  But 49% say they are just getting by and unable to save for retirement.  Many say they are unprepared to retire and are unsure how to prepare.  Just 36% of those 55 and older say they will be able to retire at the age they expected by using a pension for funding with most saying they will need to find at least a part-time job to fulfill financial…

On Monday, August 14, 2023 at approximately 8:45 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the first block of W. Roberts Street for a disturbance.  Police contacted the parties involved and learned that there had been an argument.    It was reported that Bailey Bollinger had been causing a disturbance and broke glass out of the door to the residence.   While officers were investigating the incident, Bollinger began yelling and refused to listen to officers’ orders to lower his voice.  Bollinger was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.  He was transported to Central Booking and…

On Monday, August 14, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Jacob Kasecamp. The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on August 9, 2023.  On this date at approximately 2:35 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the first block of Weber Street for a destruction of property complaint.  Police contacted the alleged victim who reported that Kasecamp broke a window in her residence.  An application for charges was filed against Kasecamp at the District Court of Allegany County.  Kasecamp signed for his copy of the summons and he…

On Monday, August 14, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Daniel Miller.  The first warrant was issued as the result of Miller violating pre-trial release on original charges of Assault-2nd Degree (x2), Malicious Destruction of Property less than $1000, and Malicious Destruction of Property over $1000.  The second warrant was issued as the result of Miller violating pre-trial release on original charges of Assault-1st Degree, Assault-2nd Degree, and Disorderly Conduct.  Miller was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Daniel Lynn…

Many may complain about the age of the housing stock in Cumberland, but there are gems to be found. Caring for these older homes is sometimes a challenge, but there is help for the do-it-yourselfer.  At the recent Downtown Development Commission meeting, Historic Preservation Director Ruth Davis-Rogers spoke about the concern for homeowners to learn what to do about roofing – specifically maintenance and repair for expensive slate roofs… To address this, Rogers shared details about a workshop being planned for September or October to help homeowners with repairs. Slate roofs properly cared for can last anywhere from 75 to…

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of people primarily working from home tripled from roughly 9 million to  27.6 million people, according to the 2021 American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.  Maryland ranked third at 24% of employees working from their homes.  For Allegany County to attract teleworkers, certain areas need to be addressed. At the recent State of the County event, Dave Caporale of the Allegany County Commissioners said it is critical that connectivity be addressed in the region… Over $900,000 was recently made available through the American Rescue Plan Act to expand broadband infrastructure throughout the…

Unionization votes generate headlines, but don't always translate into a contract. In Maryland, seven Starbucks locations have unionized, the most recent location being in Ellicott City. Despite the organizing activity in Maryland and across the U-S, the New York Times reported last month that no unionized Starbucks locations have reached a collective bargaining agreement with the company.  Margaret Poydock with the Economic Policy Institute says current labor law structure does not ensure a quick resolution…

Century Casinos of Colorado finalized the purchase of the Rocky Gap Casino Resort at the end of July and the Allegany County Commissioners have been building a relationship with the new owners.  Recently Commissioner Bill Atkinson spoke with WCBC about the change in ownership and said that, so far, things are looking good… Brian Kurtz who was manager for the casino resort under previous owner Golden Entertainment has been retained by Century to continue in his position. A Maryland native, Kurtz started at Rocky Gap in 2012 before moving with Golden to Las Vegas in 2018.  Commissioner Atkinson said Kurtz…

Nine Allegany County Public School seniors in the class of 2023 have recently earned the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy.  The program recognizes public high school graduates for attaining proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. Students in the Allegany County school system who earned the seal are from Allegany and Mountain Ridge High Schools – Hannah Apedo, Chase McKenzie, Cierra Cooper, Mary Delaney, Eliza Duncan, Morgan Felker-Lewis, Emma Komatz, and Claire Raesly.  The students earned the biliteracy designation through the web-based Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Languages exam.

West Virginia governor Jim Justice signed series of bills into law on Monday that had been passed during the recent special legislative session, aimed at issues in the state’s criminal justice system.  West Virginia will increase efforts to fill vacant positions at correctional facilities, increase starting pay for correctional officers, and create monetary retention incentives for current staff.  The state’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation oversees 11 state prisons, 10 regional jails, 10 juvenile centers, and three work release sites.