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Delegate Richard Impallaria charged with theft, embezzlement

WBAL reports a Maryland state delegate faces charges of misconduct in office, theft and embezzlement, the Maryland State Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday. Prosecutors said in a statement that the charges stem from payments for office rent and fundraising letters. Anne Arundel County Delegate Richard Impallaria, R-District 7, whose district encompasses portions of Baltimore and Harford counties, is accused of facilitating rental payments from the General Assembly to his personal landlord using state funds for a "district office" that was actually a building outside his district. "Elected officials are expected to be good stewards of the state's resources," Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T….

Police Serve Arrest Warrants

On Tueday officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Jennifer Beth Thompson. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when she failed to appear for her trial on July 1st, 2022. Thompson was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was held on a $3,000 bond. Arrest: Jennifer Beth Thompson, age 36, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Failure to Appear.   On July 26th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department conducted patrols of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and located Nicholas Kneisley to be in an area marked “no trespassing”. The officers continued their investigation…

Rutherford Rejects Cox as GOP Gubernatorial Nominee

Another day and another high profile Republican is rejecting Dan Cox as Maryland’s GOP gubernatorial nominee.  Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford says he has no plans to support or vote for Cox.  A Donald Trump backed candidate, Cox easily defeated Kelly Schulz who was endorsed  by Governor Larry Hogan in last week’s primary election. Rutherford, who considered the idea of running for the office himself, says he can’t support Cox for many reasons. Most notably because of his conspiracy theories, his insistence that the 2020 election was stolen as well as his embracing of the January 6th attack on the Capital….

Hogan Doesn’t See Abortion as Issue in November Election

The Supreme Court ruling in June to overturn Roe v. Wade touched off a flurry of action in courthouses as conservative-leaning states seek to ban or restrict the procedure. But other states, including Maryland, have expanded access, and advocates say that more providers are needed in areas that may see an influx of patients crossing state lines. While this has been a hot button issue and sparked protests across the nation, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says it won’t be a major factor in the November elections. He says the battles and debates are being waged between the extremist wings of…

River Park Clears Hurdle, Continuing Plan to Remove Blue Bridge Dam

While it appeared as though the River Park  project had hit a snag earlier this summer- the news was all good during Tuesday’s meeting of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority. At the May meeting, there were indications that other sources of funding would have to be pursued if certain federal and state environmental conditions were not met. Those hurdles have been cleared as a result of a modification of the service area for the project. Executive director Dee Dee Ritchie reported that Water  and Land Solutions is still on board and work will continue toward a plan to…

City seeking grants for Proposed Skate Park

In March, the Mason Sporting Complex in South Cumberland was chosen as the likely site for construction of a $700,000 skate park- and efforts have been underway since to secure a funding package. City officials,  along with advocates for the skate park, agreed in principle that the Mason Complex at Offut Street would be the logical choice for the facility. Other locations that were considered included: Jaycees Field on Furnace Street and Constitution Park. Allegany County has pledged $250,000 toward the project. The city, and the advocates, will need to raise roughly $450,000 to make the park become a reality….

City Announces Decatur Heights Water Service to Interrupted Today

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Belt Construction, would like to notify the public that water service will be shut down in the Decatur Heights region of the City on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, from 8am – 5pm, in order for the contractor to connect the existing service mains to the new water main. Residents and businesses on the following streets are expected to be without water:   Decatur St. from Frederick St. to Baltimore Ave. Charles St. from Henderson Ave. to Bellevue St. Davidson St. from Henderson Ave. to Linden St.  Water service is expected to…

W.Va. abortion ban advances without rape, incest exceptions

As West Virginia's Republican supermajority continued advancing a sweeping abortion ban bill Tuesday, Democrats failed for the second time in two days to garner enough support to add exceptions for rape and incest victims. During an hourslong meeting Tuesday, House Judiciary Committee Republicans overwhelmingly rejected Democrat's amendment for a rape and incest exception, sending the abortion ban to the full House of Delegates. A similar proposal failed Monday in the House Health and Human Resources Committee. “Men perpetrating such horrific acts makes me unsettled at times,” said Republican Del. Pat McGeehan, who noted he has a daughter. He voted against the…

Water Shut Down in Decatur Heights Wednesday

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Belt Construction, would like to notify the public that water service will be shut down in the Decatur Heights region of the City on Wednesday, July 27, from 8am – 5pm, in order for the contractor to connect the existing service mains to the new water main. Residents and businesses on the following streets are expected to be without water: Decatur St. from Frederick St. to Baltimore Ave. Charles St. from Henderson Ave. to Bellevue St. Davidson St. from Henderson Ave. to Linden St. Water service is expected to be restored…

Center Street Developer identified by Frostburg

The Cumberland Times News reports Frostburg officials have entered into an agreement with a developer who plans a project featuring business and residential space as part of the Center Street redevelopment project. A letter of intent was signed during the regular  mayor and City Council meeting with Gillis Gilkerson of Salisbury. The agreement provides for the selling of the property to Gilkerson after a year. The city has been pursuing the project for a number of years using Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Strategic Demolition Funds and Allegany County Community Enhancement Program funds.