The State of Maryland could be out one billion dollars in federal reimbursements, pinching an already upside down budget.  The audit on the Department of Health shows numerous accounts with questionable balances as of June 30, 2022, including a $1.4 billion deficit in the account where federal fund revenues were initially recorded. It also found that MDH recorded accrued revenue entries at fiscal year-end to eliminate the account balances without regard to the collectability of those revenues. MDH has engaged an outside accounting firm to improve fiscal practices.  

Jefferson County, West Virginia has seen three student suicides since the beginning of the school year.  County Education leaders have a comprehensive suicide response protocol in place, where health and wellness teachers address suicide portions of their curriculum at the start of the year.  A community meeting held at Washington High School earlier this week featured school resource officers presenting information to students and families about safety in schools and at home. The meeting is the first in a series designed to connect parents and families.

Friday at 3pm will see the official reopening of the Dr. Robert S. Zimmer Theater on the campus of Allegany College of Maryland.  The college is presenting a special event for the occasion – Community Takes Center Stage: Celebrating ACM’s Past, Present, and Future. The Zimmer Theatre underwent a $2.75 million renovation, taking a year to complete. ACM Public Relations Director Shauna McQuade said it was time for an update…     

Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police – Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Aaron John Beavers, 30 of Westernport was served a Circuit Court Grand Jury Indictment for Involuntary Manslaughter. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured personal bond. Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Kody Bronson Smith, 31 of Oldtown, was served two Circuit Court Bench Warrants for Failure to Appear. He was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond in each case. Sarah Renae Peterson, 38 of Cumberland, was served a…

Fred Timbrook, dealer principal at Timbrook Chevrolet in Keyser has been nominated for the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year award. Timbrook is one of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas in February of 2024. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. The TIME Dealer of the Year winner will receive $10,000 to give to charity.

Former Gold-Medal Olympic Gymnast Mary Lou Retton is out of the hospital and recovering at home following a 2-week stay in a Texas ICU with a rare form of pneumonia.  Retton, who grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia has a long recovery ahead, according to her daughters. A crowdfunding effort to raise money for Retton who has no health insurance had an initial goal of $50,000 but has garnered almost half a million dollars.

The annual South Cumberland Business and Civic Association Marsha L. Thomas Memorial Halloween parade is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25. The parade will begin at 7PM and Live on WCBC. Follow the same route as in past years as it moves along E. First Street then travels down Virginia Avenue and disbands on West Industrial Boulevard between Kirk Auto Sales and West Third Street. The SCBCA encourages businesses, individuals, clubs, churches to decorate and enter floats in the parade. Candy and handouts will be allowed. Costumed mummers up to the age of twelve will be judged at 5:30PM in Smith Park, located between Race and Seymour…

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at approximately 1:52 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Virginia Avenue.  The officer contacted the occupants of the vehicle who were identified as Dale Wright II and Annette Washington.  A K-9 was utilized and a search of the vehicle was conducted.  Wright and Washington were found to be in possession of suspected CDS Paraphernalia.  Wright and Washington were issued criminal citations and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Dale Franklin Wright II             AGE:  49                   Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possess Paraphernalia ARRESTED:  Annette Washington             AGE:  62                   Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possess…

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Robert Whitacre III.  The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred earlier in the day.  At approximately 5:03 PM, officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Grand Avenue for an assault.  Police arrived and contacted witnesses who advised that Robert Whitacre had been yelling that he was going to blow up the house, light the house on fire, and assault a female inside the residence.  Officers contacted a female at the residence who had sustained injuries.  Officers located Whitacre inside the residence and…

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Rachel Murphy.  The summons was issued in connection with an assault investigation that began on October 12, 2023.  On this date at approximately 4:49 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of Humbird Street for an assault.  The alleged victim reported that he had been assaulted by Rachel Murphy.  The victim had sustained injuries consistent with his statement.  Police filed for charges against Murphy at the District Court of Allegany County.  Murphy signed for her copy of the…