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.   

A Maryland State Police helicopter crew rescues three people in two separate hoist missions Sunday in West Virginia. Shortly after 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command was called to perform an aerial rescue for an injured hiker and his teenage son.  The father-son pair had been out in the woods in Tucker County, West Virginia since Saturday, when the father suffered an injury. Trooper 5, based out of the Cumberland Section, was requested for the aerial rescue due to the rescuers’ limited resources, terrain difficulties, an extended extrication time and the nature of the father’s injuries.  …

Design Committee for the Downtown Development Commission said recently the group will soon be looking for proposals for artwork to enhance Church Alley that runs from the rear of the Arts Council building to North Centre Street.  The art will be part of the downtown redevelopment project…  

An award-winning AmeriCorps program is still accepting applications for work through the end of August.  The Maryland Conservation Corps provides young adults with opportunities for service in the community and environment by preserving, protecting, and restoring Maryland’s natural resources. Members plant trees, build trails, restore habitats and assist with special events. Members receive a bi-weekly allowance, healthcare benefits, low cost housing at certain crew sites and an AmeriCorps education award to be used toward school tuition or certain student loans. For information, go to www.dnr.maryland.gov

On August 14th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 500 block of Eastern Avenue for a reported disturbance. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the complainant who advised that Shelia Cappadona was at his residence, creating a disturbance and refusing to leave. Cappadona was ordered to leave the property and to refrain from creating any further disturbances. A short time later officers were dispatched back to the residence due to Cappadona returning and creating another disturbance. Officers arrived and located Cappadona on the property, and placed her under arrest. Cappadone was remanded to the Allegany County…

On August 13th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a reported disturbance. Upon officers arrival they observed Amanda Swauger to be acting in a disorderly manner. She was ordered to discontinue her actions and to refrain from causing any further disturbances. A short time later officers were dispatched to the ten block of Virginia Avenue for another disturbance involving Swauger. Upon officers arrival they observed Swauger to again be acting in a disorderly manner and was placed under arrest. During a subsequent search incident to arrest officers located items of…