Maryland showed a net gain of 2500 jobs in May, according to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. In preliminary data, Maryland saw its employment rate decrease to 2.4%. This is the fourth consecutive month of low unemployment in the state. Showing the most growth with an increae of 1,500 jobs was the public sector. Other job areas experiencing growth were Mining, Logging, and Construction, Professional and Business Services, Information, and Manufacturing. Declines were seen in Finance and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at approximately 7:16 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was met at police headquarters by an alleged victim who reported that she had been assaulted by Wayne King.  The victim stated that she was operating her vehicle when her passenger, King, began assaulting her and attempted to force her to take him to an unknown location in West Virginia.  She reported that King claimed that he had a weapon and he threatened to kill her.  After further investigation, King was arrested and transported to Central Booking where he is currently awaiting his initial…

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at approximately 1:32 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 400 block of Grand Avenue for an assault.  During the course of the investigation, officers learned that Deron Elbin was in violation of a Protective Order that was issued against him.  Elbin was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing.  Elbin was taken before the District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $1,000 bond. ARRESTED:  Deron Michael Elbin        AGE:  48         Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Violate Protective Order

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Randy Jacobs.  The warrant was issued in connection with a child pornography case that was opened on October 7, 2022.  During the course of the investigation, police located numerous illegal images and videos on Jacobs’ electronic device. Charges were filed against Jacobs at the District Court of Allegany County.  Jacobs was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Randy Vincent Jacobs        AGE:  38         Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  10…

Cumberland Mayor and City Council  heard an update from Matt Miller of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation during their work session on Tuesday.  Miller, along with Stu Czapski gave updates on different projects the CEDC has been working on including networking opportunities with other professionals in Economic Development. Miller spoke of plans in the works for taking attendees from the Tech At The Gap event in October on a “field trip” to Cumberland and gaining a younger perspective on economic development ideas…

Senator Mike McKay recently announced several projects being funded in the region with Open Space Funds. One of those projects is the renovation of the entrance ramp to the Grandstand at the Allegany County Fairgrounds.  The use of the grandstands area is increasing with perennial favorites DelFest and the County Fair along with other events that are finding a home at the fairgrounds.  McKay said that recently he had the opportunity to show the fairgrounds to state officials who were in town for DelFest and discuss some other needed improvements to the property…

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has re-introduced the Kids Online Safety Act, which will enhance children’s online safety and hold social media companies accountable. This bipartisan legislation proposes tools and safeguards for children and parents to protect against threats.  WCBC’s Kathy Cornwell has details… The Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to provide options to protect minor’s information, disable addictive product features, and enable opt-out of some recommendations. Platforms would also have to prevent and mitigate harms to minors including the promotion of self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and substance abuse.  Platforms would have independent audits to assess risk to minors…

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan took issue with the many Republican contenders entering the race for President.  Hogan was interviewed on ABC’s “This Week” and said that Republican candidates are not taking on Donald Trump directly and that someone needs to challenge him head-on.  Hogan noted the slight bump in polls that Trump received after his indictment but said that the other candidates should be taking those charges against the former President more seriously. Trump was indicted on 37 counts to which he pled not guilty…

AHEC West is recruiting its next Cohort of AHEC Scholars, a national interprofessional program for health profession students. The two-year program features 40 hours each year of interdisciplinary and didactic training along with community based clinical training or experience. Disciplines include Dentistry, Medicine, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Psychology and Social Work. Students must be currently enrolled in a health profession or public health degree program and be two years from completion.  Students can apply online at ahecwest.org.

After great success for the first weekend of the City of Cumberland Clean-Up Effort, there will be no more tire drop off at the Service Center. The trailer has been filled to capacity over this past weekend and we cannot take anymore tires. To dispose of tires, please contact Rice Tire in Cumberland for more information.  The second weekend of dumpster drop off will be taking place on June 23-25 at White Oaks Shopping Center. This drop off location will be for trash and bulk items. Please do not bring any of the following items to dispose in the dumpsters:…