On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Charles Curry Jr.  The warrant was issued in connection with an assault investigation from January 14, 2023.  On this date at approximately 12:21 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 400 block of Pine Avenue for a disturbance.  Police contacted the resident who reported that she had been involved in a disturbance with Charles Curry Jr. prior to police arrival.  Curry was no longer on scene.  The resident further explained that on the previous evening of January 13, Curry entered her residence without…

On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Lauren Colmer.  The warrants were issued as the result of Colmer failing to appear in court on January 5, 2023.  Colmer was originally charged in one case with Disorderly Conduct and in another case with Disturbing the Peace – Loud Noise.  She was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on her personal recognizance.  ARRESTED:  Lauren Colleen Colmer         AGE:  34                Frostburg, MD On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court bench…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council is poised to begin negotiations to sell the 19 Frederick Street building to Hagerstown based Clock Tower Ventures. That group plans to renovate the aging structure and develop it into a multi purpose building which will include an Alpine Plant Bar and restaurant; event space on the 2nd floor; an AirBNB on the third floor and some apartments. Representatives from the group presented an overview to the city council during Tuesday’s work session. The city has been working for a few years now to get the building back on the tax rolls- but earlier…

Adult use of marijuana outside of Maryland’s medical program will become legal on July 1- and that- says Delegate Jason Buckel, has created a time crunch for lawmakers who are tasked with hashing out the issues such as taxation and regulation. While the referendum passed overwhelming with 66% in the November election- it may not be as popular with employers in the state who ave more questions than answers at this point. One major issue centers on how  employers will be expected to deal with a worker who may be impaired on the job. While it is relatively easy to…

The Annual Mountain Maryland PACE event in Annapolis is nearly upon us and while the guest list hasn’t been finalized-the hope is that the newly sworn in governor will be able to speak at the Friday breakfast. With or without Governor-elect Wes Moore, PACE organizers have put together an impressive list of speakers including Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen; Congressman David Trone and Comptroller Brooke Lierman.  The event, which serves as a showcase for Western Maryland to promote local businesses and priorities, is set to beging Thursday at 5 at the Westin Annapolis Hotel. PACE co-chair Jeremy Irons…

When the city of Cumberland hosts the annual Groundhog Day festivities February 2nd at City Hall- it will be the final significant outdoor event downtown for sometime as construction on the mall redesign is set to get underway in early April. That work is expected to take about 18 months. Downtown Development Commission executive director Melinda Kelleher, during January’s regular meeting, said that talks have been underway with Canal Place officials about relocating most of the events and activities from the mall to Canal Place for the foreseeable future…

Today marks the end of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s two terms in office – and he will leave on a high note with a new Gonzales Poll shows Hogan with a  77% approval rating. Pollster Patrick Gonzales told WBAL that Hogan's approval rating has remained strong and steady during the course of his eight years as governor… As far as the most important matters on the minds of Marylanders- not surprisingly pocketbook issues head the list…

 Diane McMahon, a sociology professor at Allegany College of Maryland (ACM), Jennifer Haydel, a political science professor at Montgomery College (MC), and Joseph Bubman, the founder/executive director of Urban Rural Action (UR Action), are winners of the 2022 Civic Engagement Award from Transform Mid-Atlantic for their semester-long “Basic Needs Security Collaboration” project.            “Your efforts epitomize the role that higher education can and must play in developing dynamic, civically engaged communities across the Mid-Atlantic region and country,” said Madeline Yates, executive director of Transform Mid-Atlantic.            In addition to her instructional duties, McMahon…

West Virginia may soon have a new holiday memorializing 75 people killed in a Marshall University plane crash more than 50 years ago. The Nov. 14, 1970 crash was the worst sports disaster in U.S. history. All 75 people on board died, including most of Marshall's football team. According to the legislation, Nov. 14, or “Marshall University Airplane Crash Day," would not be a paid day off, but more of an annual day of recognition. Lead sponsor Democratic Del. Sean Hornbuckle of Huntington originally proposed making the holiday a paid day off, but that was changed during the committee process. The House Government…

More federal financial help may soon be available for West Virginia small businesses. Gov. Jim Justice is petitioning for Boone, Clay, Hampshire, Monroe and Preston Counties to be added to the state roster as governor-designated HUBZones. “Our great state’s small businesses deserve a fighting chance to show the nation the competitive advantage of West Virginia,” Justice said. “We remain ready and able to compete for federal contracting opportunities and help revitalize our rural communities through continued hard work and dedication.” The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) federal program gives participating small businesses access to exclusive federal contracting opportunities and preferential…