7-31-08

A POSSIBLE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY EVENING, ACCORDING TO THE TIMES-NEWS. APPARENTLY NO ONE WAS INJURED WHEN AN APPARENTED FUNNEL CLOUD HIT THE HEART OF THE TOWN AND ACROSS ROUTE 219, CUTTING SEVERAL TREES AND A LIGHT POLE. AT LEAST SEVERAL HOMES IN THE AREA WERE DAMAGED BY FALLING TREES. MEANWHILE, A MOBILE HOME AND LIQUOR STORE IN FRIENDSVILLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE BY FALLING TREES.

A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT TUESDAY NIGHT KILLED A 21 YEAR OLD ARTEMAS WOMAN AND SERIOUSLY INJURED AN ARTEMAS MAN, THE BEDFORD GAZETTE REPORTS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED ON ROUTE 26 IN UNION TOWNSHIP NEAR THE FULTON COUNTY BORDERS WITH BEDFORD COUNTY AND THE MARYLAND STATE LINE. STATE POLICE SAY THAT AMY ELBIN'S VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO A SOUTHOUND LANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE.

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A PAIR OF ARMED SUSPECTS WANTED IN CONNECTION TO THE ALLEGEDLY ENTRY OF A VIRGINIA STREET, CARPENDALE RESIDENCE EARLY WEDNESDAY, THE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS. THE WOMAN AT HOME AT THE TIME WAS REPORTEDLY ASSAULTED AND WAS TREATED AT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR A LACERATION TO THE HEAD. SHE WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD WITH A GUN AND FORCED TO OPEN A SAFE BEFORE THE SUSPECTS FLED WITH MONEY. THE SUSPECTS' FACES WERE COVERED ND THE MINERAL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHOULD BE CONTACTED WITH ANY INFORMATION.

Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) Wednesday announced that the Allegany County Board of Education will receive a $100,000 grant to make upgrades to the local-area network (LAN) system currently serving 23 public schools. The money is being awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) through their Telecommunications Initiative. The grant will help pay for upgrades to fiber optic termination equipment and roaming wireless access switches to enhance LAN performance. The grant will also help pay for smart cards, "Smart Boards," video projectors, computers and telephone system upgrades in the schools. The electronic equipment and internet upgrades will enhance the overall performance of the LAN system, allowing the schools in the LAN system to benefit from its full potential.

7-30-08

ALLEGANY COUNTY'S COUNTY BUREAU OF POLICE TUESDAY WAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO BEGIN AN EXPANSION THAT INCLUDES A ROAD PATROL, THE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS. AN AD FOR POSITIONS ON THE FORCE, EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT ABOUT 14, RAN THIS PAST WEEKEND AND THE AUTHORIZATION BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION YESTERDAY WAS NEEDED TO BEGIN INTERVIEWS. THERE IS NO SET DATE FOR THE COUNTY POLICE FORCE TO BEGIN AND IT'S ACTUAL EXECUTION IS STILL NOT A "DONE DEAL" ACCORDING TO ONE COMMISSIONER.

THE JULY 21 FIRE THAT DESTROYED A 13-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX IN ROMNEY HAS BEEN RULED AN ARSON, NBC25 REPORTS. THE FIRE, WHICH APPARENTLY STARTED IN A SECOND STORY UNIT, EVENTUALLY GUTTED THE BUILDING AT GRAVEL LANE AND BOLTON STREET. THE RESIDENTS ESCAPED UNHARMED, BUT TWO CATS PERISHED. INVESTIGATORS ARE SEEKING INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC AT 1-800-233-FIRE AND A $2,500 REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO AN ARREST.

A CUMBERLAND MAN WAS APPARENTLY SLASHED IN THE NECK AND ON HIS HAND AND LEG BY A RAZOR BLADE IN AN ATTACK BY SIX OR SEVEN MEN, ACCORDING TO A TIMES-NEWS REPORT. THE INCIDENT OCCURED EARLY TUESDAY ON OAK STREET AND THE 37 YEAR OLD MAN WAS TAKEN TO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED. CUMBERLAND POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE ATTACK.

KEYSER'S ANNUAL BULK TRASH PROGRAM WILL BE MADE THE WEEKEND OF AUGUST 15, ACCORDING TO THE MINERAL DAILY NEWS-TRIBUNE. LARGE ITEMS TO BE DISCARDED CAN BE TAKEN THEN TO DUMPSTERS AT MILL MEADOW PARK. PERSONS UNABLE TO BRING ITEMS CAN ARRANGE FOR PICKUP BY CALLING CITY HALL AT 304-788-6611. TIRES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

7-29-08

A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 40 IN THE NARROWS AT THE FRUIT BOWL SENT A 20 YEAR OLD LAVALE WOMAN TO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES. IN THE ACCIDENT MONDAY AFTERNOON, THE WOMAN'S VEHICLE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON, ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BUT REFUSED TREATMENT. CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST THE INJURED DRIVER.

In a recent AAA Mid-Atlantic Web Poll that posed the question “Who’s to Blame for High Gas Prices?,” commodity speculators took the brunt of the blame from poll respondents, who also blamed Congress, increased demand for oil and OPEC for driving prices up. In blaming Congress, respondents noted those members who opposed more domestic drilling for oil. The price for a barrel of oil constitutes 75% of each gallon of gasoline - meaning that the first $2.95 of the current Maryland average of $3.93 is directly attributable to the cost of oil sold on the commodities market.

Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department in Allegany County has been awarded $42,370 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senator Cardin is on the Budget Committee, which each year sets priorities for funding to federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. The Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department will use the funding to purchase two Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) kits. RIT kits are used to rescue firefighters when they become trapped in a burning structure. They contain oxygen, portable radios, locator beacons and other rescue tools.

7-28-08

A CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIRM HIRED BY ALLEGANY COUNTY WILL BE SMOKE TESTING SANITARY SEWER LINES IN THE HIGHLAND ESTATES, MT. SAVAGE, CORRIGANVILLE, ELLERSLIE AND LOCUST GROVE AREAS STARTING TODAY AND LASTING FOR THREE WEEKS. MOST WORK WILL BE IN THE STREET AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS BUT SOME YARD ENTRY MAY BE NEEDED. ANYONE EXPERIENCING SMOKE IN THE HOME CAN BE ASSURED IT IS NON-TOXIC, HARMLESS AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD. ANYONE WITH CONCERNS CAN CONTACT THE ALLEGANY COUNTY UTILITIES DIVISION AT 301-777-5942, EXT. 213.

THE HEAD OF BEDFORD COUNTY'S FAIR BELIEVES ATTENDENCE FIGURES TO WILL END UP BEING LOWER THIS YEAR FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, THE BEDFORD GAZETTE REPORTS. THE ECONOMY FIGURES INTO THE NUMBERS WITH GROSS INCOME FROM TICKETS LOWER AND FAIR CONCESSIONAIRES NOTING THAT PEOPLE ARE SPENDING LESS. THE FAIR ALSO CONFLICTED THIS YEAR WITH THE ALLEGANY COUNTY FAIR.

IT WAS SIX YEARS AGO TODAY THAT NINE MINERS WERE RESCUED FROM THE QUECREEK MINE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. A NUMBER OF RESCUERS AND ONE OF THE MINERS WERE ON HAND THIS PAST WEEKEND FOR RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES FOR A PLANNED VISITORS CENTER AT THE SITE, THE DAILY-AMERICAN REPORTS. IT'S ANTICIPATED THAT THE CENTER COULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S ANNIVERSARY.

7-25-08

ALLEGANY COUNTY'S COMMISSIONERS ARE PONDERING AN EXPANSION OF THE COUNTY BUREAU OF POLICE TO BE HEADED BY THE COUNTY'S HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR, THE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS. THE ROAD PATROL CURRENTLY OPERATES UNDER SHERIFF DAVID GOAD, WHO SAID THE MOVE WOULD CREATE A "DUPLICATION OF SERVICES." GOAD AND THE COMMISSION ARE AT ODDS OVER A NEW TAKE-HOME VEHICLE POLICY FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES, SPECIFICALLY, THOSE UNDER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE JURISDICTION.

THE MARCH 28 DEATH OF A 23 YEAR OLD WESTERN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION INMATE HAS BEEN RULED A HOMICIDE BY STRANGULATION, THE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS. A SUSPECT IN MARK CAPANO'S DEATH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, ACCORDING ALLEGANY COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY MICHAEL TWIGG. CAPANO WAS SERVING A 14 YEAR SENTENCE FOR A SECOND DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION IN CECIL COUNTY IN 2003.

THE ALLEGANY COUNTY HRDC HAS RECEIVED AN $250,000 APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GRANT, ACCORDING TO U.S. SENATORS MIKULSKI AND CARDIN. THAT MONEY WILL GO TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW HRDC COMMUNITY CENTER PLANNED FOR VIRGINIA AVENUE IN CUMBERLAND. LAST YEAR, ARC PROVIDED $300,000 TOWARD THE NEW CENTER.

THE CORPORATION BUILDING A NEW HOSPITAL IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HAS COMPLETED PURCHASE OF 50 ACRES OF LAND FOR THE FACILITY, THE HAMPSHIRE REVIEW REPORTS. A GROUND BREAKING IS SLATED THIS FALL FOR THE 65,000 SQUARE FOOT, $30 MILLION HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL WILL BE LOCATED OFF SUNRISE BOULEVARD IN NEW SUNRISE SUMMIT.

7-24-08

A 24 YEAR OLD PAW PAW MAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY ON A BURGULARY CHARGE IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, THE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS. MEANWHILE, FRANK T. CARDRAN FACES A WARRANT IN ALLEGANY COUNTY IN CONNECTION TO FOUR BREAKING AND ENTERINGS IN OLDTOWN. IN THE REPORT, A LAW OFFICER IN MORGAN COUNTY SAYS THAT CARDRAN IS A "PERSON OF INTEREST" IN SEVERAL MORGAN COUNTY BREAK-INS.

A 20 YEAR OLD BEDFORD COUNTY MAN PERISHED IN A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 96 IN NAPIER TOWNSHIP, THE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS. IN THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON ACCIDENT, KYLE L. WALKER'S VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH A TRI-AXLE TRUCK. ACCORDING TO PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, WALKER WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT.