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Downtown Construction Continues

The 17 million dollar Baltimore Street redesign project might be completed but construction work continues in downtown Cumberland.  9 building projects are under way from remodeling to a complete thread floor addition with 4 additional projects in the planning phase for next year. Under renovation now on Baltimore Street is the former Harvey's Jewelry with the tenant waiting to move into the commercial space once completed. Arcadian Galley renovations are nearing completion with an opening planned for later this month. Asbestos removal is underway in the former CVS building. The Rosenbaum, a $5 million dollar development anticipates opening 9 apartment…

DDC Looks At Vagrancy

One of the problems facing the revitalized downtown Cumberland is a holdover from the old downtown mall – vagrancy. Shopkeepers are dealing with individuals loitering, leaving trash and dropping cigarette butts – in an area deemed to be no smoking.  At Thursday’s Downtown Development Commission meeting, City Administrator Jeff Silka shared that citing individuals multiple times is useless if the courts do not follow up…     “I’ll tell you that lifestyle crimes are not taken seriously at the States Attorney’s office, or they don’t go to hearings – they don’t go in there so these people don’t pay their…

Governor Signs Bill Regarding Personal Holdings In Office

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a bill in to law this week attempting to prevent future governors from profiting from the state’s top position. The new law requires whoever is Governor to place their economic interests in a blind trust and to divest from anything that may pose a conflict of interest. Moore said this new law is long overdue…     “The people deserve a governor who makes decisions in the best interests of the people and not in the best interests of themselves. Gone are the days when a Maryland governor can make millions of dollars in office…

Van Hollen Co-Sponsors Memecoin Legislation

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen is a co-sponsor with Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley on a bill that would prohibit the President and Vice President of the United States, members of Congress and their families from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing cryptocurrency.  Van Hollen said it is a disgrace to the office of President, and opens the door to bad actors…     “Literally selling the presidency of the United States for personal profit. This also gives malign foreign actors an ability to literally by access to Donald Trump. Because he said that the holders of the Trump meme coin will get…

Casino Earnings Top $162 Million In April

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate over $162 million dollars in revenue for the month of April. The total from slots and table games was down just point-three percent from the same month last year.  For the state, tax collections from the revenue totaled $70.5 million and included $50.1 million to the Education Trust Fund. Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore showed the biggest year-over-year gain with 6.2% while Rocky Gap Casino had a 4.1% loss from April of 2024.

Cleveland Cliffs Deal Leaves Weirton Hanging

Last July, West Virginia officials announced a $50 million dollar forgivable loan to Cleveland Cliffs who planned to turn the Weirton tinplate mill into a massive warehouse for electrical transformers, saving over 500 steel worker jobs. The company announced this week that those plans are off as first quarter earnings reports did not meet expectations.  West Virginia State Senator Ryan Weld voiced his displeasure at the company’s decision, saying it wasn’t the first time they have let the region down…    “Cleveland Cliffs leaves a legacy in the Ohio Valley of unemployed workers, closed factories, and vacant land. And this…

New Pope Elected At Vatican

A new Pope has been elected by the Vatican Conclave in Rome.  The traditional white smoke indicating an election had been made started to flow from the chimney of the conclave just after Noon Eastern time.  Thousands of people gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the new Pope to appear on the loggia of the Vatican. The Cardinal elected to the position as leader of the Catholic Church is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American from Chicago, 69 years old, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

The Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton today.  Shelton had managed the Bucs since 2020 and his teams met with little success during his tenure.  This year's team is 12-26 and has lost seven straight.  Bench coach Donnie Kelly will manage the team for the remainder of 2025.  The next game for the Pirates is Friday at home vs. Atlanta.

South Penn In “Hold” Status Briefly Today

From Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, May 8, 2025, South Penn Elementary School was placed in a HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.

Criminal Summons Arrest

On Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Kara Inez Miller, 37, of Cumberland, MD. The summons was in reference to an incident that occurred on May 2nd, in the area of Williams St and Maryland Ave. During the incident, it is alleged that Miller had approached a vehicle stopped at a traffic signal and attempted to get the occupants to roll down the window. When the occupants did not comply, Miller began to yell and strike the vehicle, causing damage to it. On this date, Miller was served the summons and released, pending…