The town of Ridgeley and Mayor William Shepherd have been served with the federal lawsuit on allegations of abusive authority and unlawful requests by former Police Chief Eric Wire. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court for the Northern district of West Virginia on August 26th however, the town was not served until Tuesday afternoon. 

On November 30th, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 600 block of Greene Street for a theft complaint. The officer made contact with a representative of the business and were told that a female left without paying for property. The officer continued the investigation and later located the suspect, Shannon Hewlin. Upon further investigation it was determined that Hewlin had an active bench warrant. The bench warrant was issued as a result of Hewlin violating conditions of her probation. She was originally charged with driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance. Hewlin was arrested…

On November 30th, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Levert Ludd. The warrant was issued as a result of Ludd failing to appear for court. He was originally charged with CDS possession. Ludd was transported to central booking. He was later seen by a district court commissioner and released on his own recognizance. NAME: Levert Desmon Ludd  AGE: 33 Washington, DC CHARGES: CDS possession ARREST WARRANT SERVED On November 30th, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Matthew Nazelrod. The warrant was issued as a result of Nazelrod possessing CDS while in confinement…

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, the Allegany County Public School System’s Elementary Outdoor School program returned this year. It has  been a bit of a roller coaster for the program  over the years-  a low point being when it was shut down for more than a decade  as a result of budget cuts. The five-day residential program for fifth graders that includes activities such as hikes, canoeing, and camp songs is now completely back and in full swing.  Michael McGowan, supervisor of elementary education, provided an update on the program during the November meeting of the Board…

In light of the headlines from a year ago that Western Maryland lawmakers were discussing a proposal that would see the region leave the state and become part of West Virginia- it was somewhat surprising to hear House Speaker Adrienne Jones say she was not aware of any dissatisfaction. Delegate Jason Buckel says however that he wouldn’t read too much into those comments. The proposal last year, according to  local officials,  was in response to constituent complaints that leadership in Annapolis pays little to no attention to the western region’s priorities. Delegate Buckel, who serves as House Minority Leader, tells…

Tonight will be the final meeting for Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade. Shade, after being elected twice for the commissioners seat, made a run at the state senate seat being vacated by George Edwards this year, but came up short in the primary. With no immediate plans to seek public office again, Shade tells WCBC News while  his time in office has been enjoyable, but also stressful…

Last month, Baltimore Delegate Brooke Lierman won her bid to become the state’s top financial officer, making her the first woman to hold the job of comptroller and the first woman independently elected to statewide office in Maryland. Prior to Lierman only three comptrollers have been elected in Maryland since 1959. Lierman, a Democrat, said she has already given thought as to how to manage the state’s more than one billion budget surplus…

Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop Westbound, on Interstate 68, near the 43D mile marker. After making contact with the occupants, Deputies observed several factors consistent with criminal behavior, as well as observed associated CDS paraphernalia in plain view. Due to the aforementioned factors and paraphernalia observed,  consent to search the vehicle was requested by Deputies, and granted by the operator.  Following a search of the vehicle a quantity of suspected fentanyl and additional controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia containing suspected fentanyl was located.  Pursuant to the investigation on scene, John David Diehl of Burlington WV,…