West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Tuesday evening in a news release. The governor, who has battled COVID before, had a “sudden onset of symptoms” but is isolating at home. His symptoms are mild, according to a news release.  Justice is being treated by several medical doctors, including state COVID Czar Dr. Clay Marsh. The governor has been vaccinated and boosted. .

The Maryland State Fire marshal's office has released a preliminary report on a late Sunday night fire that damaged a Duplex on Arch Street.   DATE: January 15, 2023 TIME: 10:42 pm LOCATION / ADDRESS: 124 Arch Street, Cumberland, (city) Allegany County TYPE OF INCIDENT: Structure fire DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE / PROPERTY:  vacant two-story vinyl-sided duplex OWNER / OCCUPANTS:  Sharon Brimhall INJURIES / DEATHS: none ESTIMATED LOSS – STRUCTURE:  $250      CONTENTS:  $250 SMOKE ALARM STATUS: none present FIRE ALARM / SPRINKLER STATUS: none present ARREST(S): n/a PRIMARY RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT: Cumberland Fire Department # OF ALARMS:     1                                                                   # OF FIREFIGHTERS:…

Linda Perrin Taylor, 66, of Medina, Ohio, formerly of Cumberland, passed away at the Cleveland Clinic on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Born, in Cumberland, on Dec. 17, 1956, she was the daughter of Catherine Elaine (Hollern) Perrin and the late Dennis "Denny" Perrin, of Cumberland. Linda was a 1974 graduate of Bishop Walsh High School. Following high school, Linda attended James Madison University and Allegany College of Maryland, before starting her career in the banking business in Washington, D.C. She then married Dane E. Taylor on Sept. 25, 1982, and started a family in Cumberland. Linda was a lifelong member…

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…