Cumberland Goes to War, which begins today, is not just a celebration of those who fought more than six decades ago in the most terrible war this world has seen.
If Allegany & Mineral Counties Crime Solvers succeeds in its mission to help local law enforcement, then the community at large benefits. For the success to occur, the public’s help is needed.
Deborah Zamanali, a Karns Avenue resident, spent more than a year trying to win city zoning approval for a porch enclosure. Last Friday, Allegany County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Finan ruled that the enclosed porch is a permitted modification.
Although autumn leaves offer us a spectacular color scheme, they also can be a danger to pedestrians and motorists — particularly when it rains. That is why Cumberland’s annual leaf collection is important from more than just an aesthetic viewpoint.
If the national and regional attention being received by the Great Allegheny Passage in Allegany County is an indicator, expect to see even more trail enthusiasts visit Cumberland in 2010 and beyond.
If an escape occurs at one of Maryland’s prisons, citizens now have the option of being notified of the breakout via an e-mail, text message, telephone or cell phone.
Hunting continues to be one of the oldest and most revered of our traditions and, with all due respects to its detractors, it should be.
If an escape occurs at one of Maryland’s prisons, citizens now have the option of being notified of the breakout via an e-mail, text message, telephone or cell phone.
Even in the best of times, it is often difficult for the American Red Cross to keep adequate blood supplies on hand. The challenge is even harder today because of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus outbreak.
After four straight years of seeing the price of a first-class stamp rise, the Postal Service will skip an increase in the coming year.
If there was one main idea public information officers in the area took away from last week’s discussion of the Maryland Public Information Act, we hope it is the fact that the state law is meant to help, not hinder, the public’s access to documents.
When Gov. Martin O’Malley visited Cumberland a year ago to help honor students from Cresaptown Elementary and Fort Hill High schools, the students planted trees as part of the city’s urban tree canopy program.
With influenza cases obviously on the increase, it is important for people to limit hospital visits as much as possible.
When we hear of tragedies such as Wednesday’s traffic accident that claimed the lives of two women and an 11-year-old boy, our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
What’s the $64,000 question?
Because motor vehicle accidents are the No. 1 killer of American teen-agers, the Maryland State Highway Administration is focusing on National Teen Driver Safety Week as a means of helping young motorists to develop safe driving habits.
Autistic children in Allegany County, as well as from the surrounding area, wil benefit from a new educational center to be opened next month on the campus of the Jefferson School at the Thomas B. Finan Center.
Thanks to a federal grant, at least 33 automated external defibrillators — and maybe as many as 50 — will be located in Allegany County public schools and elsewhere around the county.
Tips from citizens frequently play an important role in solving crimes.
The Allegany County Habitat for Humanity is only in its infancy, but already it is making a contribution to the community.
It used to be that there were several parades throughout the year in Cumberland and Allegany County.
Much of the news that comes out of our nation’s correctional institutions isn’t good news. All things considered, that shouldn’t be surprising.
The list of plays performed on its stage included some of Broadway’s greatest: “The Music Man,” “Oklahoma,” “South Pacific,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “The Sound of Music.”
Until the recent installation of parking space kiosks downtown, it was not uncommon to see some employees of local businesses repeatedly stepping to the curb during the day to feed the parking meter and hang on to a parking space.
Those who know more about the subject than anyone else say that keeping your home fire-safe is the best way to prevent one type of tragedy that we must report far too often.
It’s fortunate for Allegany County election officials that the state’s next primary election is still nearly a year away. There is plenty of work to be done to get ready for early voting in the 2010 election.
Congratulations to Jennifer Burdock Rankin, the Northern Middle School teacher in Garrett County who has been named 2010 Maryland Teacher of the Year.
The Willowbrook Road-Williams Road area’s growth spurt, touched off by the new Western Maryland Health System hospital, is expanding yet again via a new access road to Allegany College of Maryland.
Cumberland Chapter 172, Vietnam Veterans of America, reached a milestone Saturday, and we join a grateful Uncle Sam in tipping his hat to the former members of the armed forces in their 25th anniversary celebration.
One of the most informative — and perhaps lucrative — nights of the year will occur for local high school students Oct. 13.
We liked the optimistic yet pragmatic approach Frostburg State University President Jonathan Gilbralter took the other day during the school’s fall convocation.
Speed cameras, a ban on texting while driving and stricter rules on drunken driving are among new laws taking effect in Maryland today.
There’s something new at Mountain Ridge High School, Allegany County’s newest institute of public education.
Money talks, as the old saying goes, and hopefully any ensuing “conversation” will lead to an arrest for arson in the destruction at John Humbird Elementary School.
Maryland will join 17 other states and the District of Columbia on Thursday when its new state law that bans the sending or receiving of a text message while driving becomes effective.
Our friends who ride motorcycles frequently tell us the biggest danger they face comes from the drivers of vehicles that have more than three wheels (motorcycles also come in three-wheeled versions for people who aren’t comfortable with having only two wheels on the road).
Our reinvigorated CanalFest/RailFest, which begins today, will offer more than just a good time for those who attend.
Cumberland’s mayor and City Council may end a policy that allows officials’ spouses to travel to conferences and seminars at the city’s expense.
A 16-month study that was recently revealed had some good news about Allegany County, reflecting significant improvements over what was learned following the 2000 census.
It wasn’t too many years ago that the average American would have been outraged at the thought of paying $2.50 for a gallon of gasoline. Today, we’re relieved — and almost delighted — when the price dips that low.
A Bob Dylan/Joni Mitchell song popular nearly 40 years ago lamented that, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” reflecting upon a development phenomenon that could be sympathized with by many of us who are old enough to remember it.
Among the first American Prisoners of War were the 11,500 men who died on British prison ships during the Revolutionary War.
Only one successful prosecution has been recorded under a two-year-old law that was aimed at curbing gang activity in Maryland, and it came under a plea agreement.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has delivered on his pledge to keep the north-south highway in Western Maryland on the front-burner.
The Maryland Public Service Commission should be commended for its decision to hold local hearings on a proposed water rate increase for the Pinto area.
If you are age 55 or over and taking one or more prescription medications for medical conditions, the odds are good that you have no idea of the impact those medications may have on your ability to drive a car.
Montana lost a seat in the House of Representatives in 1990 because it counted illegal immigrants in the census and was denied a new House district in 2000.
Momentum to give states the right to jam contraband cell phones in prisons continues to grow.
Each generation of Americans has a defining event that sticks in living memory ... and it’s not a good memory.
Nearly every home these days has a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).
We believe keeping Americans healthy and strong is of paramount importance. The governor of Maryland must think that way, too.
You can go crow hunting when that season opens in mid-August, but only on the appropriate days, of course.
Some Allegany County teachers might broadcast President Barack Obama’s education speech in their classrooms on Tuesday, but no student will be required to watch it.
I’ve been thinking about writing this letter for a while and after my trip home from work today, I decided now is the time.
Last week in this space, we implored local authorities to take swift and decisive action on law enforcement issues on Virginia Avenue.
Even in the midst of an income-sapping national recession, visitors are flocking to Maryland.
With abbreviated hours of operation and other cutbacks at local post offices, it’s becoming more and more difficult to conduct regular U.S. Postal Service business.
The decision by Paul Aber, owner of Aber’s Hallmark, to conclude the store’s run as a contract postal unit means one less place to buy a book of stamps, mail a letter, or send a package.
It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly, and a backlog in Maryland of DNA analyses has certainly contributed to the plodding pace of prosecution.
Two serious incidents within 24 hours show that local authorities still are wrestling with chronic crime problems on Virginia Avenue.
Mineral County’s government did the best it could last week in trying to keep strip clubs in line. The county commissioners voted to regulate where sexually-oriented businesses set up shop.
The signs on Allegany County’s recycling bins read, “Newspaper Only,” “Aluminum Cans Only,” “Green Glass Only,” and so on.
Proof that government remains willing to act on behalf of its citizens became apparent Thursday when the Federal Trade Commission announced that as of next Tuesday, most prerecorded telemarketing calls will be banned.
A dangerous intersection near Vale Summit might become a little safer if the state agrees to a county request for installing rumble strips.
What are the chances there will ever be a slot machine parlor at Rocky Gap State Park? We hope some light will be shed on that question today when the executive director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation visits Cumberland.
Schools throughout Maryland and in our tri-state area are reopening this week and next. So it is vitally important that motorists be on the lookout for children. The return of classes means more buses and cars on the road, and more children walking along school routes or waiting at school bus stops.
One of the long-time members of America’s 9/11 Ride said he told its first-time participants they might be amazed at the type of reception they would receive on their way to the sites of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks ... particularly when they arrived in Cumberland.
The good news is that Maryland’s government is planning an ambitious and unprecedented effort that would provide free or reduced-price swine flu vaccine to any state resident who wants it.
U.S. Senate
A purse-snatching came to a satisfactory ending this week at a local store when the alleged thief was arrested and the purse was recovered without any injuries to the victim.
Organized less than two months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, America’s 911 Ride continues to grow.
We’ve begun hearing news reports that some economists are saying America’s worst recession since World War II is now over.
Maryland citizens have plenty of ideas on how the state can deal with its budget problems.
That the Allegany County Board of Education has saved more than $4.5 million in energy costs over the past 6 1/2 years is a remarkable accomplishment.
The way a proposed water rate increase for Pinto area customers is being handled is disappointing.
In a day when baggy pants and scanty clothing seem to be the clothing of choice for many students, it is refreshing to learn that Moorefield (W.Va.) Middle School will have a dress code this fall. And a strict one, at that.
Dog owners who walk their pets and fail to clean up after them are a problem in nearly every community. And, enforcing laws dealing with dog waste appears to be difficult to do.
West Virginia has come up with an appropriate way to allow families to place roadside memorials to mark where a loved one has been killed.
At a time when many states are furloughing workers and making other cuts, West Virginia’s governor is proposing a $500 bonus for the state’s 51,000 full-time employees.
Now comes word that unions representing state workers would rather have $1,000 pay raises instead of the bonuses. It makes us wonder.
So far, so good.
Although it is discouraging to learn that 37 Allegany County businesses were cited recently for selling alcoholic beverages to minors, there seems to be an improvement in the situation.
Individuals and families who need help building a home now have Allegany County Habitat for Humanity as one possibility of assistance.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has repeatedly expressed support for a north-south highway in the far reaches of Western Maryland.
The new GI bill that became effective last Saturday is the most comprehensive education benefit program since the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
We realize that financial times are tight, but some of the ways that our governments have decided to cut spending are questionable and short-sighted. They likely to produce counterproductive results that prove expensive in the long run — and not just monetarily.
Granted that some people actually chase them — either in search of thrills or for scientific research — few things are as terrifying as being in the path of an oncoming tornado.
Parents in Morgan County, W.Va., are getting some extra help in making sure their children are not using drugs.
