# Deep Creek Dispatch > Deep Creek Lake and mountain news: Garrett, Allegany, Mineral and Preston counties Local news, public notices and visitor guides, written from official sources. Every article links its sources and belongs to a running story page that collects every update. Published by Vik Media Group. ## Counties and cities - [Allegany County](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/): news hub for Allegany County - [Cumberland](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/) - [Frostburg](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/frostburg/) - [Green Ridge State Forest](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/green-ridge-state-forest/): visitor guide - [Lake Habeeb](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/rocky-gap-state-park/): visitor guide - [Lonaconing](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/lonaconing/) - [Rocky Gap Casino Resort](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/rocky-gap-casino-resort/): visitor guide - [Westernport](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/westernport/) - [Garrett County](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/): news hub for Garrett County - [Accident](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/accident/) - [Big Run State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/big-run-state-park/): visitor guide - [Deep Creek Lake State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/deep-creek-lake-state-park/): visitor guide - [Deer Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/deer-park/) - [Friendsville](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/friendsville/) - [Grantsville](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/grantsville/) - [McHenry](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mchenry/) - [Mountain Lake Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mountain-lake-park/) - [Oakland](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/oakland/) - [Savage Highlands State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/savage-highlands-state-park/): visitor guide - [Mineral County](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/): news hub for Mineral County - [Barnum Whitewater Area](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/barnum-whitewater-area/): visitor guide - [Jennings Randolph Lake](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/jennings-randolph-lake/): visitor guide - [Keyser](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/keyser/) - [Mineral County Fair](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/mineral-county-fair/): visitor guide - [North Branch Potomac River](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/north-branch-potomac-river/): visitor guide - [Piedmont](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/piedmont/) - [Ridgeley](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/ridgeley/) - [WV Peach Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/wv-peach-festival/): visitor guide - [Preston County](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/): news hub for Preston County - [Arthurdale Heritage (New Deal Homestead Museum)](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/arthurdale-heritage/): visitor guide - [Bruceton Mills](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/bruceton-mills/) - [Cathedral State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/cathedral-state-park/): visitor guide - [Cheat Canyon whitewater (Albright to Jenkinsburg Bridge)](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/cheat-canyon-wma/): visitor guide - [Cheat Fest](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/cheat-fest/): visitor guide - [Kingwood](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/kingwood/) - [New Deal Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/new-deal-festival/): visitor guide - [Terra Alta](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/terra-alta/) - [Tunnelton](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/tunnelton/) ## Running stories - [Broadford water plant outage](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/broadford-water-plant-outage-oakland/): The Broadford treatment plant is out of service and Oakland depends on other plants. The council will review bill adjustments on October 20. - [Public works and city council](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/public-works-council-cumberland/): The city has work on Walnut Place and Sedgwick Street, a facade subsidy program on Virginia Avenue, and a council meeting on October 20. - [National Weather Service forecasts and alerts](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/weather-forecasts-alerts-mineral-county/): Official National Weather Service forecasts and alerts for eastern Mineral County, starting with the Oct. 18, 2026 frost advisory. - [County Commission meetings and agendas](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/county-commission-agendas-mineral-county/): The next item is the Oct. 20, 2026 work session, which includes an executive session to interview County Coordinator candidates. - [National Weather Service forecasts and alerts](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/weather-forecasts-alerts-preston-county/): Official forecasts and alerts from the National Weather Service Pittsburgh office for Preston County, starting with the Oct. 18, 2026 frost advisory. - [Health Department notices and meetings](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/health-department-notices-garrett-county/): The Garrett County Health Department has issued an alert about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors distributed across the county. Its Health Planning Council and Board of Health meet on Oct. 22. - [Village Crossing at Campobello redevelopment](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/village-crossing-campobello-redevelopment-allegany-county/): The county has received the signed land development agreement with D.R. Horton, and the redevelopment of the former Allegany High School property moves to its next phase. - [NWS weather forecasts and advisories](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/nws-weather-forecasts-advisories-garrett-county/): A Freeze Warning is in effect for October 18, 2026, and the week includes morning frosts. - [State highway and bridge projects](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/state-highway-bridge-projects-allegany-county/): Projects come from the Consolidated Transportation Program and include bridges on MD 51 and MD 144, the I-68 viaduct in Cumberland, and US 220 improvements in Cresaptown, along with minor work. - [Mayor and Council meetings, ordinances](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/mayor-council-ordinances-frostburg/): Ordinance 2026-07 on e-bikes is in process. A special work session is set for October 19, and a regular meeting with a public hearing is set for October 20. - [Virtual learning plan and district notices](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/virtual-learning-plan-garrett-county-schools/): The plan is open for comment until October 28, and the school board is expected to vote November 10. District notices include fraudulent calls and substitute training. - [County Commission agendas and meetings](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/story/county-commission-agendas-preston-county/): The Oct. 20, 2026 agenda includes EMS items on licenses, billing software contracts and financing, a FOIA policy, and payroll delays. ## Latest articles - [Freeze Warning in Effect Until 9 a.m. Oct. 18 for Mineral and Preston Counties](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/news/2026/10/freeze-warning-mineral-preston-counties-oct-18/), Oct 18, 2026: The National Weather Service has a Freeze Warning in effect until 9 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, for Eastern Mineral County and Preston County in West Virginia. The NWS forecasts widespread frost and lows around 30 degrees in Eastern Mineral County. - [Preston County agenda for Oct. 20 lists EMS contracts, funding and FOIA policy](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/2026/10/preston-county-commission-oct-20-2026-ems-agenda/), Oct 18, 2026: The Preston County Commission, in Preston County, West Virginia, meets Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Its agenda lists several emergency medical services (EMS) items, including job descriptions, a state license, billing software and cloud-storage contracts with Berry Group, and funding, but it gives no dollar amounts or proposed decisions. - [Mineral County Commission to interview County Coordinator candidates in closed session Oct. 20](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/2026/10/mineral-county-commission-coordinator-interviews-oct-20/), Oct 18, 2026: The Mineral County Commission holds a work session on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Commission Annex, 68 Armstrong Street, in Keyser, West Virginia. The agenda lists an executive session to interview candidates for the County Coordinator position. The meeting can also be watched by Zoom, with the link published in the agenda. - [Freeze Warning for Preston County, W.Va., in effect until 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/2026/10/preston-county-freeze-warning-oct-18-2026/), Oct 18, 2026: The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has a Freeze Warning in effect for Preston County, West Virginia, from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. The NWS forecast issued Oct. 17 also lists widespread frost on Monday morning, Oct. 19. - [Freeze Warning for Eastern Mineral County Until 9 a.m. Sunday](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/2026/10/eastern-mineral-county-freeze-warning-oct-18-2026/), Oct 18, 2026: The National Weather Service (NWS) Baltimore/Washington office has a freeze warning in effect for Eastern Mineral County, West Virginia, from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. The warning is part of the NWS zone forecast for WVZ504, issued at 9:32 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Oct. 17, and covers Keyser and Fort Ashby. - [Oakland reports drinking water turbidity violation for September](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/2026/10/oakland-drinking-water-turbidity-violation-september-2026/), Oct 18, 2026: The Town of Oakland, in Garrett County, Maryland, said in a notice dated Oct. 17, 2026 that its water system violated a drinking water requirement in September 2026. Water samples showed 5.3 percent of turbidity measurements above 0.3 turbidity units, while the standard allows no more than 5 percent per month. The town said the violation was not an emergency. - [Cumberland closes S. Centre Street Oct. 21-23; I-68 Exit 42 ramp has overnight closures](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/2026/10/cumberland-road-work-i68-exit-42-s-centre-street-walnut-place/), Oct 18, 2026: S. Centre Street in Cumberland, Maryland, will be closed from Baltimore Street to W. Union Street from Wednesday, Oct. 21, to Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. The City of Cumberland also announced overnight closures of the I-68 eastbound on-ramp at Exit 42 and continued Walnut Place water line work. - [Garrett County: CPSC says stop using TJTFJS smoke and carbon monoxide detectors](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/2026/10/garrett-county-tjtfjs-smoke-co-detector-warning/), Oct 18, 2026: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers to stop using TJTFJS combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors immediately because of the risk of serious injury or death from smoke and fire. The Garrett County Health Department, in a notice dated Oct. 16, 2026, says it knows these detectors have been distributed within Garrett County. The notice says residents who cannot afford replacements should contact their local fire department. - [Allegany County Finalizes Agreement for 65-Home Redevelopment in Cumberland](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/2026/10/allegany-county-finalizes-65-home-redevelopment-cumberland/), Oct 18, 2026: Allegany County finalized an agreement for a redevelopment that will include 65 homes in Cumberland, according to a blog post dated Oct. 15, 2026, on the Conduit Street site. The full text was not available for this draft, so the project's location, cost and construction schedule are not yet confirmed. - [Freeze Warning in Effect Until 9 a.m. Oct. 18 for Garrett and Allegany Counties, Maryland](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/2026/10/freeze-warning-garrett-allegany-counties-oct-18-2026/), Oct 18, 2026: The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Baltimore/Washington has a Freeze Warning in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, for the Oakland area of Garrett County, Maryland. A Freeze Warning for Central and Eastern Allegany County, Maryland, which includes Cumberland, is in effect until 9 a.m. EDT the same day. - [I-68 Cumberland Viaduct deck work on hold; $45 million construction removed](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/2026/10/i-68-cumberland-viaduct-deck-work-on-hold/), Oct 18, 2026: Maryland's 2027 Consolidated Transportation Program moves the I-68 Cumberland Viaduct deck replacement from construction to Development and Evaluation and removes $45 million in construction funding while a planning study is completed, expected in fiscal 2028. The listing gives no construction start date for the viaduct. Other Allegany County bridge and highway projects also changed in the new plan. - [Frostburg to Hold Public Hearing on E-Bike Ordinance Oct. 20](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/2026/10/frostburg-ordinance-2026-07-public-hearing-oct-20/), Oct 18, 2026: Frostburg's mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-07, an ordinance on bicycles, recreational conveyances and personal delivery devices, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at 37 S. Broadway in Frostburg, Md., according to the city's notice. The notice gives only the ordinance title, and it says the hearing is to receive public comments. Questions can go to the City Administrator at 301-914-1781. - [Cumberland Road Work: Walnut Place Through Oct. 16, Sedgwick Street Through Nov. 6](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/2026/10/cumberland-road-work-walnut-place-sedgwick-street/), Oct 18, 2026: The City of Cumberland Public Works Department will continue infrastructure work on Walnut Place from Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of First Fruits Excavating, says work on Sedgwick Street will run from Oct. 13 through Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, but the notice does not give hours. - [Garrett County schools seek public feedback on virtual learning plan through Oct. 28](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/2026/10/garrett-county-virtual-learning-plan-feedback/), Oct 18, 2026: Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is accepting public feedback on its proposed 2026-27 Virtual Learning Plan through Oct. 28. The Garrett County Board of Education is expected to act on the plan at its monthly meeting on Nov. 10. Comments can be submitted through the feedback form on the district's plan page or sent to public.info@gcps.net. - [Oakland’s Broadford plant still offline; council to discuss Alexandar Lane bill adjustment](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/2026/10/oakland-broadford-water-plant-offline-alexandar-lane/), Oct 18, 2026: Oakland's Broadford Water Treatment Plant remained offline in the Town's Oct. 13, 2026 update, with partial service expected the week of Oct. 13. Customers on Alexandar Lane in Mountain Lake Park have had dirty water since Oct. 9 because of a valve leak, and the Oct. 20, 2026 administrative session agenda lists a discussion of bill adjustments for them. ## Visitor guides - [Visitor guides](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/visitor-guides/): every guide, by county - [Deep Creek Lake](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mchenry/deep-creek-lake/): Deep Creek Lake is a man-made reservoir in Garrett County, Maryland, near the town of McHenry. It has about… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Wisp Resort](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mchenry/wisp-resort/): Wisp Resort is a ski resort and four-season mountain park in McHenry, Garrett County, Maryland, on the edge of… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Western Maryland Scenic Railroad](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/western-maryland-scenic-railroad/): The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Cumberland, Maryland, that runs seasonal… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Deep Creek Lake State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/deep-creek-lake-state-park/): Deep Creek Lake State Park is a Maryland state park on the northeast side of Deep Creek Lake in Garrett… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [DelFest](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/delfest/): DelFest is a multi-day bluegrass and roots music festival held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland. The official DelFest website… - [Autumn Glory Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/oakland/autumn-glory-festival/): Autumn Glory Festival is a five-day fall foliage festival run by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce in Garrett County, Maryland, with its signature… - [Cheat Canyon whitewater (Albright to Jenkinsburg Bridge)](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/cheat-canyon-wma/): Cheat Canyon Wildlife Management Area is a state-managed area of about 3,836 acres in Preston County, West… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Great Allegheny Passage](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/great-allegheny-passage/): The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile rail trail for cyclists, hikers and runners that runs from… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Potomac River (North Branch, Allegany County)](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/westernport/potomac-river/): The North Branch of the Potomac River runs along the southern border of Allegany County, Maryland, between… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Swallow Falls State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/oakland/swallow-falls-state-park/): Swallow Falls State Park is a Maryland state park on the west bank of the Youghiogheny River, about 9 miles… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Cheat Fest](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/cheat-fest/): Cheat Fest, also called the Cheat River Festival, is the annual music and river festival held on the grounds in Albright, Preston County, West Virginia… - [Preston County Buckwheat Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/kingwood/preston-county-buckwheat-festival/): The Preston County Buckwheat Festival is a five-day annual festival in Kingwood, West Virginia, organized by the Kingwood Volunteer Fire Department. The… - [Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/chesapeake-and-ohio-canal-national-historical-park/): The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a National Park Service unit whose canal and towpath… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Lake Habeeb](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/rocky-gap-state-park/): Lake Habeeb is a 243-acre man-made lake inside Rocky Gap State Park, seven miles east of Cumberland in… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Rocky Gap Casino Resort](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/rocky-gap-casino-resort/): Rocky Gap Casino Resort is a casino and hotel in Flintstone, Maryland, inside Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Herrington Manor State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/oakland/herrington-manor-state-park/): Herrington Manor State Park is a 365-acre Maryland state park in Garrett County, about four miles north of… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Jennings Randolph Lake](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/jennings-randolph-lake/): Jennings Randolph Lake is a 952-acre reservoir on the North Branch Potomac River, managed by the U.S. Army… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Downtown Cumberland](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/downtown-cumberland/): Downtown Cumberland is the historic business district of Cumberland, Maryland, in Allegany County, centered on… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Green Ridge State Forest](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/green-ridge-state-forest/): Green Ridge State Forest is a state forest of about 46,000 acres in eastern Allegany County, Maryland, along… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Fire on the Mountain Fireworks](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mchenry/fire-on-the-mountain-fireworks/): Fire on the Mountain is the annual July 4 fireworks display over Deep Creek Lake, launched from Marsh Mountain at Wisp Resort in McHenry, Garrett County… - [Garrett County Agricultural Fair](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mchenry/garrett-county-agricultural-fair/): The Garrett County Agriculture Fair is an annual agricultural fair held at 270 Mosser Rd in McHenry, Maryland. It suits families and visitors who want… - [Youghiogheny River (Upper Yough, Friendsville)](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/friendsville/upper-youghiogheny-river/): The Upper Yough is the whitewater reach of the Youghiogheny River below Deep Creek Reservoir, near… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [North Branch Potomac River](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/north-branch-potomac-river/): The North Branch Potomac River is a river in Mineral County, West Virginia, that is used for trout fishing and… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Arthurdale Heritage (New Deal Homestead Museum)](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/arthurdale-heritage/): Arthurdale Heritage (New Deal Homestead Museum) runs the Arthurdale New Deal community museum at 18 Q Road in… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Heritage Days Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/allegany-county/cumberland/heritage-days-festival/): Heritage Days Festival is a history and heritage festival held along Historic Washington Street and Canal Place in downtown Cumberland, Maryland… - [Adventure Sports Center International](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/mchenry/adventure-sports-center-international/): Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) is an artificial whitewater course on the mountaintop at Wisp… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [New Germany State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/grantsville/new-germany-state-park/): New Germany State Park is a 508-acre Maryland state park near Grantsville in Garrett County, run by the… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Mineral County Fair](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/mineral-county-fair/): The Mineral County Fair, also called the Fort Ashby Fair, is an annual county fair in Fort Ashby, Mineral County, West Virginia, run by the Fort Ashby… - [WV Peach Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/mineral-county/wv-peach-festival/): The WV Peach Festival is a three-day family festival held at the Fort Ashby Fairgrounds in Fort Ashby, Mineral County, West Virginia. It suits families… - [Alpine Lake Resort and Golf Club](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/terra-alta/alpine-lake-resort/): Alpine Lake Resort and Golf Club is a private resort on a 150-acre lake in Terra Alta, Preston County, West… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Cathedral State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/cathedral-state-park/): Cathedral State Park is a West Virginia state park about one mile east of Aurora in Preston County, and it… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/kingwood/hovatters-wildlife-zoo/): Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo, also called the West Virginia Zoo, is a privately run exotic animal zoo in Kingwood… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [Big Run State Park](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/garrett-county/big-run-state-park/): Big Run State Park is a Maryland state park at the northern end of the Savage River Reservoir in Garrett… Live go/no-go check updated every 3 hours. - [New Deal Festival](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/preston-county/new-deal-festival/): The New Deal Festival is a family festival held in Arthurdale, Preston County, West Virginia, at Arthurdale Heritage, 18 Q Road. The program combines… ## Policies - [About Deep Creek Dispatch](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/about/) - [Corrections](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/corrections/) - [How we choose recommendations](https://deepcreekdispatch.com/how-we-choose/)