Maryland’s prisons and jails are experiencing a severe staffing shortage that is creating dangerous conditions for both prisoners and guards, according to a report released by the union representing state correctional officers on Thursday.  The report calls on the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to hire over 3,000 more correctional officers throughout the state.  Corrections spokesman Mark Vernarelli noted the organization is pleased with the efforts of Governor Wes Moore’s administration, including the department’s hiring of 404 new staffers, a 62% increase over this time last year.

Garrett and Washington Counties will be included in Verizon’s plan to expand high-speed internet across the state of Maryland.  In addition to the two western counties, Charles, Cecil, Howard, and St. Mary’s counties will gain access to the Verizon Fios network.  The $26 million project will include the deployment of over 500 miles of fiber optic cable.  Garret County Commissioner Paul Edwards is hopeful that through the initiative, the county will be able to connect over one-third of the unserved addresses in the county. 

Economic Development Specialist Adam Strott made a short presentation to the Allegany County Commissioners on Thursday regarding the use proposed for the old Allegany High School site.  Strott asked for approval to publicize a Request for Proposals to develop housing for the land located on the west side of Cumberland. Area real estate agents have said that units priced between $200-250,000 are in extremely high demand and low supply.

On Friday, April 21st, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a Westview Terrace residence for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival on scene, officers made contact with the complainants. They advised that while taking out the garbage, an intoxicated neighbor began to yell at them. It was then learned that the complainants had an active peace order which prohibited the neighbor from having any contact with them. As a result, Woodrow Matthew Dean, 65, was placed under arrest for violating the peace order. He was taken before the District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was…

A Hampshire County woman has been charged with malicious wounding after an incident Thursday in Shanks, WV.  Jill R. Cummings, 44, was being held on $30,000 bond at the Potomac Highlands Jail in Augusta.  Cummings is accused of shooting a man in the leg after an argument.

Sixth District Congressman David Trone visited Cumberland Friday.  Trone has requested two million dollars from Congress to help renovate the Carver Center on Frederick Street. Renovations on the building will take about a year to complete once funding is secured and house the Boys and Girls Club currently operating from Banneker Gardens.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) voted to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration along with funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs for the next several years. These grant programs provide funding directly to fire departments to purchase essential equipment, hire more trained frontline firefighters, develop training and education programs, and more. Together, these programs have delivered over $150 million to support the needs of local fire departments and agencies across Maryland since 2015. Following the…

On April 20th, 2023 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Hannah Elizabeth Miltenberger. The summons was issued as a result of a hit and run that occurred on March 22nd, 2023. An investigation was conducted into the incident and Miltenberger admitted to being the operator of the motor vehicle. An officer then filed for charges at District Court. Miltenberger signed for her copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court. NAME: Hannah Elizabeth Miltenberger  AGE: 23  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Failure to remain at the scene of an accident, Negligent Driving, Failure to return…

On April 20th, 2023 the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Nicole Rose Bunner. The warrants were issued as result of Bunner failing to appear for court on April 25th, 2016. She was originally charged with animal cruelty. Bunner was placed under arrest and transported to central booking. She was later seen by a District Court commissioner and released on her own recognizance. NAME: Nicole Rose Bunner  AGE: 35  Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Animal Cruelty

The body of a child was recovered from a pond after being reported missing Thursday in Garrett County. The body of Fox Piper, 4, of Oakland, Maryland, was recovered at about 10 p.m. on Thursday by members of the Deep Creek Fire Department Dive Team. He was declared deceased at the scene. The recovery occurred following a multi-agency search for the child. Shortly before 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, troopers from the Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack responded to the unit block of Temperance Way in Oakland, Maryland for a report of a critically missing child. According to a preliminary investigation,…