The Mayor and City Council recognized two city residents Tuesday evening for the completion of their Eagle Scout projects.  Certificates were given to Josef Sneathen and Mason Trub for completing community service projects to attain their Eagle Scout status. The scouts undertook the construction of dugouts at Holly Field and did clean-up work and installed signage at Rose Hill Cemetery. Sneathen says he did the project at Holly Field because he played sports there…

Beginning in October 2023, Maryland anticipates receiving from the federal government approximately $29 million in Social Services Block Grant funds. The Social Services Block Grant funds, combined with other federal, state and local funding will provide a wide range of social services for Maryland residents. Some of the services provided by this funding include Adoption, Adult Protective Services, Foster Care, In-Home Aide Services, Intensive Family Services and Services to Families with Children.  Federal law requires the Department to produce the SSBG Report to explain program eligibility, the number of people served, the amount of funds spent, and the way service…

Local educator William “Bill” Helmick passed away on September 30th after a short illness.  Helmick taught woodworking and drafting at Mount Savage School and then worked 15 years at Allegany College of Maryland where he was the Associate Dean of Adult and Continuing Education.  He also worked at Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services.  Helmick helped to develop the annual Spriggs-Helmick golf marathon at Calvary Christian Academy and was active with the Cumberland Camp of the Gideons. Scarpelli Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The most recent Gonzales Poll shows increased support for Governor Wes Moore and President Joe Biden among Maryland voters.  Approval ratings for the Maryland governor have increased 5 points to 60% from a June poll. In the previous poll, 19% of Republicans were positive about the Governor – that number has now increased to 30%. The reason for the Republican bump is unclear other than Moore “hasn’t offended anyone yet,” according to Pollster Patrick Gonzales.  For President Biden, the approval rating also jumped 5 points over June to 57% with most of the support coming from fellow Democrats. 

Moving in to the fall and winter months, the issue of lighting downtown has been addressed a couple of different ways.  Keeping shoppers and pedestrians safe and crime prevention is a challenge the Downtown Development commission has been working to overcome.  Recently, many shops have been keeping their lights on overnight to provide ambient light to the streets. Mayor Ray Morriss says that recently installed light towers will be a help…  

Many residents in Cumberland may be eligible for the City’s Roof Replacement Program.  Run through the City’s Community Development Department, the program is available for roof repairs or replacement.  Ruth Davis-Rogers, Preservation Coordinator for the city, says the program is for homeowners based on income…   Program participants do not have to go to the trouble of finding a contractor to do the work or pay upfront for repairs…    

The Senator George Edwards Fund has already granted $20million in funds to economic development projects.  With the board being re-organized through state legislation, how the fund will operate for its second round is not yet fully determined. Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel who helped get the fund established and serves as a non-voting member, says he is concerned about utilizing the remaining funds effectively…   Buckel says that of the funds already dispersed, none have been for outside investment in the area. He thinks the board needs to be looking outside the borders of Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties……

Joshua Todd Beeman, 41 of Frostburg, was arrested on a District Court Arrest Warrant for Assault 2nd Degree. He is being held at the Allegany County Detention Center on a $2,000 bond. Aaron Devon Manning, 47 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation ofPretrial Release. His original charge was for Assault – 2nd Degree. He is currently being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center pending a bail review in Circuit Court. Marley Zaire Powell, 30 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear. His original charge…

A driver going Westbound in the Eastbound lanes of I-68 Wednesday morning caused a crash involving several vehicles and at least one tractor trailer.  The accident happened just before 6am near the Johnson Street exit and caused a traffic backup while emergency crews responded to the scene.  Seven people were taken by ambulance to UPMC Western Maryland.  All traffic lanes were reopened by 9am.

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public of a temporary water outage on Thursday, October 5th. Customers that will be affected include those fed from Baltimore Street between Park Street and Waverly Terrace, as well as customers fed from Waverly Terrace and Ridgeway Terrace. The outage will occur between 7AM and 10PM.  Additional information will be released in the event the outage duration needs to be extended.  If there are any questions, please contact the City of Cumberland Engineering Department, 301-759-6600.