Governor Larry Hogan today announced a $20 million Water Assistance Relief Program that will support residents with water bill debt related to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We continue to provide ways—especially during the winter months—to help residents who may have difficulty with their water or heating bills,” said Governor Hogan. “Water systems are encouraged to apply for this funding to ensure savings for customers in the coming months.” As a condition of receiving program funding, water systems must agree to allocate payments as bill credits to customer accounts within a specific number of days after receiving payment, and waive late fees…

A Maryland State Police Aviation Command helicopter crew assisted with the rescue of an injured hiker from a remote portion of Maryland Heights, above the Potomac River Tuesday afternoon.   Shortly before 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Washington County fire, rescue and emergency medical personnel were summoned to the popular overlook, across the river from historic Harpers Ferry, west Virginia, after a hiker became injured and stranded in sub-freezing temperatures.   Upon arrival, Potomac Valley Fire Company personnel determined it would too difficult to extract the 35-year-old woman from the side of the mountain due to remote and dangerous terrain, compounded…

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office announced today that it has once again increased the Lyft rideshare credit to encourage Marylanders to take advantage of the safe ride option this holiday season. The now $20 rideshare credits are available through a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association, Responsibility.org and Lyft. According to preliminary data, so far this month (December 1 – 26, 2022) 975 people have been arrested for driving under the influence. MDOT is encouraging Marylanders to take advantage of the free rideshare credits to put toward a safe alternative to…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a motor vehicle accident that had West Industrial Blvd shut down at Messick Road. The scene has been cleared

The Cumberland City Police Department would like to announce the following street closures that will take place for the annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks display in the downtown area on Saturday, December 31, 2022.  Baltimore Street between Greene and Mechanic Streets will be closed at 9:00 p.m.  to prepare for the fireworks display which will take place on the Baltimore Street Bridge at midnight.  We will allow no vehicular traffic or pedestrian traffic in this area.  All vehicles and pedestrians should use Cumberland Street to Market Street as a detour from the west side of the city. …

On Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police arrested Michael Gage Butler, 27, of Cumberland MD. Butler was arrested on two active Bench Warrants issued by the Allegany County Circuit Court on October 14th, 2022. The warrants alleged that Butler failed to follow the terms and conditions of probation that stemmed from previous CDS Possession charges. Butler was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center where he is currently being held without bond. Arrested: Michael Gage Butler Age: 27 Charges: Bench Warrant – Violation of Probation x2

On Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police arrested Lazaya Christine Lee, 19, and Makenna Grace Williams, 19, both of Cumberland MD. Both were arrested on an active Arrest Warrants issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred December 23rd at a residence in the 100 block of Park St in Frostburg MD. During that incident, it is alleged that Lee and Williams broke into the residence. During the break-in, two victims inside the home were injured after being attacked by an edged weapon. Both were taken before the District Court Commissioner for Initial Appearances….

On Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police arrested Nichole Anne Jones, 32, of Cumberland MD. Jones was arrested an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on December 10th. During that incident, Officers responded to a Queen City Drive business for the report of a disturbance. It was discovered that Jones entered the store and began yelling and throwing items around the store. She was taken before the District Court Commissioner for her Initial Appearance where she was released on her own personal recognizance. Arrested: Nichole Ann Jones    Age:…

On 12/27/2022, at approximately 1438 hours, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a white in color BMW traveling Westbound on Interstate 68, near the 50 mile marker. After making contact with the operator, Deputies observed several factors consistent with criminal activity. It was also learned that the operator did not possess a valid driver’s license. While on scene Deputies requested assistance from the Maryland State Police. After arriving on scene, MSP K9 officer Drake was asked to sniff the exterior of the BMW, and gave an alert to the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and…

After almost eight years in the planning stages- indications are now that the $15 million funding package for the redesign and renovation of the Downtown Mall has been cobbled together and all systems are go for an early April groundbreaking. In late September bids were opened for the project and they were two million higher than anticipated. Since that time efforts have been made to complete the funding puzzle allowing the project to get underway next spring. The renovations planned for the downtown mall include installing high-capacity broadband fiber and replacing aging infrastructure before reinstalling Baltimore Street through the pedestrian…