The Baltimore Orioles have finally inked a lease agreement that will keep the team in Charm City for 30 years.  The announcement came at a press conference Monday afternoon that included state officials fronted by Governor Wes Moore… The lease agreement now opens up the availability of almost $600 million in bond funds for improvements and redevelopment at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, similar to what the Baltimore Ravens received for their lease renewal at M&T Bank Stadium. Governor Moore talked about important aspects of this new lease…

With UPMC reinstating its masking requirements starting on Wednesday, a quick look shows both respiratory illnesses and COVID seeing an uptick through the fall and early winter. Allegany County has had 88 cases of COVID reported to-date in December. A new sub-variant is now spreading across the US – variant J-N-1,  seen as “highly contagious” according to sources. ABC’s Reena Roy has more…      

Ben Cardin’s approaching retirement is being overshadowed by the antics of a junior-staffer for the Senator.  Friday, a one-sentence email from the Senator’s office said that staffer Aiden Maese-Czeropski was no longer employed.  The reason has come to be revealed as a sex tape posted online allegedly showing the staffer and another man having sex in a hearing room at the Hart Senate Office Building.  Cardin has made no further statements on the matter but the staffer says he is pursuing legal options pertaining to the incident.

While Liberty Street continues to be closed to traffic, there is some good news within the ongoing construction process downtown.  Matt Idleman, Engineer with the City of Cumberland, said that additional grant funding was received that will expand the original footprint of fiber for downtown…    

The National Civics Bee aims to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The competition through the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce asks middle school students in public, private or home schools to submit a 500-word essay on a community issue and how a citizen might be able to solve it.  Writers of the top essays selected will participate in the Live Bee on April 13. Deadline for essay submissions is January 8th. Complete information for teachers, parents, and students is available on the Chamber website at alleganycountychamber.com.

One of Allegany County’s major tourist attractions played host to Governor Wes Moore and his family on Saturday night.  The Governor and First Lady Dawn Moore along with their children were among the guests on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Polar Express. Executive Director Wes Heinz told WCBC how their trip to the North Pole came about… Heinz said that the Moore family was seated with other passengers on the train, sang Christmas carols, and the First Lady made others feel comfortable as well…

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, the 8th Annual Police Providing Presents event took place in Garrett County. This event was made possible through the collaboration of volunteers from four law enforcement agencies in Garrett County, along with the Garrett County Department of Social Services, Garrett County Board of Education and Garrett County Health Department.      Although this event may have different names across the country, its purpose remains the same. The event aimed to provide selected children from Garrett County Schools with the opportunity to spend the day with members of various law enforcement agencies, Maryland State Police, Garrett County…

On December 18th Officers from the Cumberland Police Department (CPD) served an Arrest Warrant on Shawrod Aaron Loften. He was transported to Allegany County Detention Center to await his hearing. The warrant was the result of an incident on Holland Street to where Officers had to respond and learned that Shawrod had already fled the scene. An investigation was conducted and a warrant for his arrest was then originated. Arrest: Shawrod Aaron Loften, age 29, Cumberland MD Charges: Violation of Court Order, Trespassing Private Property, Harassment: a course of conduct. Warrant Served On December 18th Officers from the Cumberland Police Department…

Interstate 68 west bound near Amish Rd is down to one lane traffic at this time due to several disabled commercial vehicles. Use caution in the area and take an alternate route if possible.

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 7:39 am, Frostburg City Police responded to High St. for a report of a missing 82-year-old woman with dementia. Police learned that sometime between 5:00 am and the 7:39am call to police, the woman had left the residence on foot and that her whereabouts were unknown. The family believed she was only physically capable of walking the length of two or three houses and that she could have entered an unlocked house, car, or shed.   Officers from the Frostburg City Police Department, Frostburg State University Police Department, and members of the Allegany County Department…