Although there was no public meeting, Cumberland’s Mayor and City Council held a work session on Tuesday to hear updates on projects being headed up by the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.  Matt Miller, Executive Director, provided information on the project to install surveillance cameras throughout the downtown.  Up to 60 cameras will be located on businesses and residences in the area.  Miller said the project should be done by year’s end…

The Maryland State Highway Administration will close the right lane on westbound I-68 (National Freeway) between Midlothian Road and MD 546 (Finzel Road) in Garrett County on Thursday, August 10. The lane closure will be in place for up to a month to remove the existing concrete pavement and is part of a resurfacing project on I-68. Once the concrete is removed, new pavement will be installed.   

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen along with senators from Rhode Island and Virginia has introduced a proposal in both legislative houses that targets new federal funding for local school districts to address building and modernization needs. The Rebuild America’s School Act of 2023 would improve public school infrastructure to ensure school facilities are safe, healthy, sustainable and offer positive learning environments.  The bill creates a federal-state partnership for schools providing $130 billion in direct grants and school construction bonds to help fill the annual gap in school facility capital needs, while creating nearly 2 million jobs.  The money would be…

West Virginia’s governor cut income taxes by 21% and the state is still showing a surplus in revenue for the first month of Fiscal Year 2024.  July showed a $7.7 million overage in collections, taking in a total of $335 million. Governor Jim Justice said he believes the coming year will see a strong surplus as well, despite runaway inflation cutting into Mountaineer’s pockets. Among the funds collected was $93.6 million in sales tax and $13.7 million in tobacco products excise taxes.

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Norman Andrew Fitzgerald, 59, of New Creek, WV. Fitzgerald was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of WV. The warrant was issued on May 16th, 2023, as a result of a grand jury indictment. Fitzgerald was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center where he is currently being held without bond, awaiting extradition to WV.   Arrested: Norman Andrew Fitzgerald               Age: 59 Charges: Distribution of Fentanyl, Possession of Fentanyl with intent to distribute, Possession of Unregistered Firearm

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a business in the 200 block of Greene St for the report of a disturbance. Once on scene, officers contacted employees who advised that a male subject was in the store creating a disturbance. It was also learned that officers with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office had been there earlier in the day for similar incident involving the same male subject. At that time, the subject was advised not to return to the store on this date and create another disturbance of they would be arrested. As a result,…

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to the 300 block of Columbia St for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers contacted a male victim who advised he was riding his electric scooter in the area when he was approached by another male. He advised that the male subject then attacked him and pushed him off of his scooter. The victim then advised that the suspect acted as if he had a weapon and pointed it at the victim. Being in fear, the victim then fled a short distance on foot and called the police….

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Columbia St for the report of a breaking and entering. Upon arrival, officers contacted the residents who advised they had returned home and found the residence had been entered. It was discovered that the residence had been accessed by removing an air conditioner from an exterior window. It was also discovered that the interior of the home had been ransacked and multiple items stolen. Officers were able to develop a suspect after a witness to the incident was located. As a result…

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 700 block of Fayette St for the report of a disturbance. Nearby residents advised officers that a subject was playing music loudly and disturbing the neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers contacted the alleged suspect and advised them not to create any further disturbances. The subject complied and officers then cleared the scene. A short time later, officers were again called to respond to the area for another disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed that the subject had placed speakers in the window of his home and was…

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to the Allegany County Animal Shelter on Furnace St for the report of a burglary. CPD had received a call from a concerned citizen who suspected the shelter had been broken into and also provided suspects names. Officers responded and discovered that an exterior window on the building had been broken. Officers then located the alleged suspects who advised they had broken into the shelter. The suspects advised that they had broken into the shelter to retrieve their pet cat that had been picked up earlier in the day. As…