On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Zainab Dawood. The summons was issued in connection with an incident that occurred on October 31, 2022. On this date at approximately 5:42 PM, police responded to Willowbrook Rd. for a disabled vehicle. The vehicle was unoccupied. Officers discovered that the registration plates attached to the vehicle did not belong on it. While officers were on scene, they were notified that the owner of the vehicle, Zainab Dawood, had just called in to report that her vehicle had been stolen. After further investigation, it was learned…

Cumberland City Councilman Joe George participated in his final meeting on Tuesday night- having been defeated in November’s election in his bid for another term in office. George, who was appointed to the position in 2021 to complete the term of Seth Bernard who resigned, served 16 months. During the city’s work session, George expressed his appreciation to the council, city staff and workers… In a separate but related action, the council announced that the Maryland Board of Elections has certified the General Election results- with incumbents Mayor Ray Morriss and councilman Rock Cioni joined by newcomer James Furstenberg set…

Pharmacies here in Maryland and across the country are limiting purchases of children's pain relief medication as respiratory illnesses continue spreading throughout the United States, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. The state health department has created an RSV dashboard that shows the number of hospitalizations amount over the past few years. CVS Pharmacy put a two-product limit on purchases of all children's pain relief products in stores and online. Walgreens, meanwhile, is limiting customers to six purchases of pain medication for kids online, but there's no limit at retail stores. The so called  tri-demic is creating problems for hospitals across the state…

The Maryland Catholic Conference has backed new legislation that would help child sex abuse victims. The conference released a statement on the possible elimination of the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases. The statement read in part: "The Catholic Church in Maryland will support legislation that may be introduced during the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session that prospectively eliminates the statute of limitations in civil lawsuits involving cases of child sex abuse."  Meanwhile the Maryland Attorney General's 465-page investigation into child sex abuse within the Baltimore Archdiocese remains sealed for now. The man who becomes Maryland's new attorney general…

In a move similar that was taken by the sheriff in November, Cumberland Police Chief Chuck Ternent’s retirement was accepted by the City Council on Tuesday. Like Sheriff’s Robertson’s retirement he will return to officer after a 45-day temporary retirement.  The retirement is necessary in order to retain full retirement benefits under his pension. City Administrator Jeff Silka… In a related action, the council approved appointing Captain James Burt as acting police chief effective January 1

Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will conduct a Synchronous Virtual Learning Day (live instruction) on Thursday, December 22, 2022, due to impending inclement weather.  Schools will be closed for in-person learning.  Students are to take all necessary learning materials home at the end of the school day Wednesday, December 21, 2022, including digital devices.   Garrett County Public Schools will conduct an Asynchronous Virtual Learning Day (no live instruction) on Friday, December 23, 2022, due to impending inclement weather.  Schools will be closed for in-person learning.  Additionally, all school buildings and administrative offices will close at 1:30 p.m.   All…

A late afternoon fire in the 500 block of Columbia Avenue Tuesday reportedly claimed the life of one person.  The fire was reported to the Allegany County 911 Center at 4:49 p.m. with possible entrapment. First-arriving Cumberland firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames showing in the two-story structure. The fire was reported under control in about 20 minutes. In addition to Cumberland firefighters, volunteers from LaVale, Ridgeley, Bowling Green, Cresaptown, Bedford Road, Wiley Ford, Shaft, Frostburg, Midland and District 16 were also dispatched.  The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office and the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit were also called…

WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 4 to 7 inches along and east of the Allegheny Front, with 1 to 2 inches most likely west of the Allegheny Front. Total ice accumulation around a quarter inch along and west of the Allegheny Front with a trace to around one tenth of an inch east of the Allegheny Front. WHERE…The Allegheny and Potomac Highlands of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia. WHEN…From 4 AM to 6 PM EST Thursday. Precipitation will most likely begin as snow and sleet between 4 AM and 7 AM east of the…

A vehicle rollover on Interstate 68 West prior to exit 34 closed the interstate as crews responded to the scene 

A late afternoon fire in the 500 block of Columbia Avenue Tuesday reportedly claimed the life of one person.  The fire was reported to the Allegany County 911 Center at 4:49 p.m. with possible entrapment. First-arriving Cumberland firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames showing in the two-story structure. The fire was reported under control in about 20 minutes. In addition to Cumberland firefighters, volunteers from LaVale, Ridgeley, Bowling Green, Cresaptown, Bedford Road, Wiley Ford, Shaft, Frostburg, Midland and District 16 were also dispatched.  The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office and the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit were also called…