Were city’s streets ever worse?
Arguably, Cumberland’s streets have never been in poorer shape.

Farm subsidies abound in area
Farm subsidies continue to be a big expenditure for American taxpayers, with about $13 billion in subsidies expected to be paid out this year, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Two hate groups exist in area
Last week’s reports of racism at Fort Hill High School prompted us to check with the Southern Poverty Law Center to see if there are any documented findings of hate groups in the area.

Hunt on for judge’s successor
Maryland’s judiciary system has begun advertising for applicants to succeed J. Frederick Sharer on the Court of Special Appeals

School board must share blame
If a buyout of Allegany County school superintendent Bill AuMiller’s contract takes place — and it certainly appears likely — the county school board will hardly have clean hands in what went wrong.

Let’s have a national primary
Unless you are one of those political junkies who just can’t get enough exposure to campaigns, voter polls and electioneering, these caucuses and primary elections can get awfully tiresome. So why not cut to the chase and come up with a single national primary election day?

Commandments displays thrive
While Swanton resident Jeff Davis is still pushing the Allegany County commissioners to move the Ten Commandments from outside the county courthouse, a growing number of communities in Georgia are displaying the commandments in their government buildings.
The most recent are Barrow County and Dougherty County. Within the last 10 days, the two counties have decided to install the Ten Commandments as part of a historic document display.

Look for 31 storms this winter
If the winter of 2007-08 is “average,” then Western Maryland can expect to see 31 winter storm events, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Black Friday may be too late
How much will you be spending on Christmas gifts this year?

Beyond eight days, it’s a guess
How much can we trust weather forecasts? Well, we’ve got an answer, thanks to a report from The American Meteorological Society.

School football tabs to kick off next week
Are you ready for some football? Local high school, football, that is.

Let’s improve safety of walkers, bikers
Cumberland may be a friendly town — but that is hardly the case when it comes to the treatment of pedestrians. In the crosswalks and intersections of the Queen City, it is every man for himself.

Combs a fitting replacement?
With Terry Rephann poised to leave office as a Cumberland councilman, wouldn't it make sense to replace him with the runner-up from last November's city election?

Lack of backseat cage put trooper at risk
Maryland State Police higher-ups surely already have thought of this, but after a trooper was nearly shot and killed by an unruly passenger last Sunday, all police cruisers should be equipped with caged rear seats.

Census figures detail motherhood stats
As we celebrate Mother’s Day today, it is interesting to note that the day’s official observance began 99 years ago — and at a location not too far from here: Grafton, W.Va. It was May 10, 1908, when the first Mother’s Day was observed at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church (now United Methodist) in Grafton.