According to a social media statement published over the weekend, three family-owned fruit stores that have been part of communities in Allegany and Garrett counties for more than six decades will soon close. There was no official date for closure of the Fruit Bowl in Cumberland, the Hill Top Fruit Market in Grantsville and the Farmers Market in Oakland, the owners said in a statement posted to Facebook Sunday morning. The statement read: “Supply chain issues, labor issues, climate changes drastically affecting fresh produce, and many other struggles of small business in America today have affected this decision” . The…

On Monday, December 12, 2022 at approximately 1:02 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Furnace Street for a possible assault.  Police contacted the alleged victim and the suspect, Jesse Benner.  Benner became very upset with the police.  Due to his aggressive behavior, police attempted to place him in hand restraints so they could continue with their investigation.   Benner actively resisted officers and a brief struggle ensued between Benner and officers.  Police were able to gain control of him and place him in hand restraints.  It was learned that Benner had…

On Monday, December 12, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Abraham Ortiz.  The warrant was issued as the result of Ortiz failing to appear in court.  Ortiz was originally charged with two counts of Assault-2nd Degree and one count of Disorderly Conduct.  He was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  Ortiz is currently awaiting his initial hearing. ARRESTED:  Abraham Rivera Ortiz         AGE:  39         Cumberland, MD On Sunday, December 11, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Thomas Lancaster IV.  The warrant was issued as the result of Lancaster failing to appear in court on October…

On Sunday, December 11, 2022 at approximately 2:13 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 900 block of Virginia Avenue for a disturbance.  Officers contacted the residents and learned that there was an assault victim who had sustained injuries.  The victim alleged that the Stephanie Leatherman struck him in the head with her hands. After further investigation, Leatherman was arrested and transported to Central Booking at the Allegany County Detention Center.  She was seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on her personal recognizance pending trial.  ARRESTED:  Stephanie Sue Leatherman    AGE:  30      Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Assault-2nd Degree  

On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on David Nicol.  The warrant was issued as the result of Nicol failing to register as a sex offender.  Nicol was charged with two counts of Fail Reg Offender/False Info.  He was located on Springdale Street and arrested.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  David Edward Nicol   AGE:  53           Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Fail Reg Offender/ False Info (x2)

After having already secured a state safety grant that will help enhance security downtown- the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is now awaiting news on a second grant application to further expand the effort. An update on the program which includes high tech video surveillance cameras was provided during the regular meeting of the Downtown Development Commission by CEDC Executive Director Matt Miller. The initial grant  funds will cover costs for cameras, computer equipment, monitors, communication equipment, video recorders and labor. Miller said the security upgrades complement the planned renovations of the Baltimore Street pedestrian mall…

Although improvements have been made and efforts continue to clean up any glitches in the system- Maryland’s Labor Department is still facing sharp criticism and frustration from those attempting to secure  unemployment benefits. The problems have impacted both individuals and businesses. State Senator-elect Mike Mckay said it’s incomprehensible to him that these issues remain after two years…. He said this leaves a black mark on the Hogan administration…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says a recent incident that saw three city police officers seriously injured shows just how much danger officers can find themselves in during the course their regular duties. Three Cumberland Police officers were injured last week as they attempted to take a 17-year-old into custody at a Bedford Street residence. The incident in the 900 block started just after 7 a.m. when police were called to investigate a disturbance involving the teen who was described as “out of control.”  The injured officers were treated by Cumberland Fire Department ambulance personnel and transported to UPMC Western Maryland…

With his poll numbers still lagging under 50% and the fact that he will be 82 when the next election rolls around-  there is some debate among Democrats as to whether Joe Biden should seek another term as president in 2024. Maryland’s Governor-elect Wes Moore, himself already rumored as a potential presidential candidate, says he fully supports President Biden and plans to support him. He says it is essential for Maryland to have a solid working relationship with the White House and Congress…  

Gov. Jim Justice today announced he officially signed West Virginia’s Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program grants for Comcast to begin construction activities to connect more than 2,100 unserved homes and businesses across the state. Comcast next month will begin to execute the buildout plan for two projects totaling more than $10 million, enabled in part by a $7.5 million state grant to provide more residents in Brooke, Cabell, Hancock, Morgan, Ohio, and Putnam counties access to Comcast’s smart, fast and reliable fiber network. This expansion will add almost 200 additional route miles of fiber to connect unserved residents…