Midland News

Grants to improve water systems CUMBERLAND - Water customers in three Allegany County communities will benefit from the latest round of grants approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works to reduce pollution and improve water quality.

An Oklahoma company with ties to Pennsylvania and Virginia has applied for four natural gas well-drilling permits on sites in Allegany and Garrett counties to begin the "exploration phase" of the Marcellus Shale.

Leaders of Allegany County and municipalities from one end of the county to the other hammered home on Friday to all four members of the District 1 legislative delegation the importance of highway user funds from state government.

An agreement has apparently been reached between Midland area residents and a local construction company that wanted to rezone a 104-acre parcel off state Route 36 near the Mountainview Landfill.

Ten people were left homeless Monday by two separate fires in the Georges Creek area, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

An early morning fire destroyed this two-story barn Sunday at Leaning Pine Farm on Mile Lane in Mount Savage.

Federal regulators have agreed to reduce to $100,000 from $180,000 the fine levied against a Barton coal company for a 2007 accident that killed two miners, the firm's lawyer said Monday.