Following his letters urging Visa, Mastercard and American Express to reconsider their bid to apply a new merchant code to distinguish firearms purchases at gun shops, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has joined a coalition raising concerns over the legality of the proposed action.   The letter, signed by 24 attorneys general, was sent to the CEOs of Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Recently, the International Organization for Standardization voted to create a Merchant Category Code for gun stores to use when processing credit and debit card transactions.   “This move has nothing to do with public safety and…

After a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge approved the state's motion to vacate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed,  Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh released a statement that said the allegations prosecutors did not offer evidence to Syed's defense is not true. Frosh said City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby did not consult with prosecutors in the case or with anyone in his office regarding the alleged violations. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh released a statement: "Among the other serious problems with the motion to vacate, the allegations related to Brady violations are incorrect. Neither State's Attorney Mosby nor anyone from her office…

Beginning today the City of Cumberland Water Department will be replacing the 6" water main on Brentwood Street from Greenway Avenue to Edgevale Avenue. NO PARKING signs will be placed in active work zones during working hours.  Please plan to take alternate routes.  Parking will be limited throughout the duration of the project.

On September 19, 2022 the Cumberland Police responded to the intersection of Lamont St and Industrial Blvd for a report of a motor vehicle crash.  Upon arrival officers contacted the operators of two vehicles that were involved in the crash, along with several witnesses.  Through the investigation, it was learned that a passenger car was traveling east on Industrial Blvd.  The second vehicle, an SUV, was attempting to cross Industrial Blvd from Lamont St and failed to see the passenger vehicle approaching.  The two collided, resulting in the passenger vehicle traveling over the grass median between Industrial Blvd and Thomas…

The Cumberland Police served an Arrest Warrant on Cody Michael Skelley, age 29 of Cumberland, MD.  Skelley was charged with Violation of Probation by the Circuit Court.  His original charges were for Possession of CDS – not marijuana.  He was taken to Central Booking and held without bond.  Arrested:  Cody Michael Skelley  Age: 29   Cumberland, MD Charges:  Violation of Probation The Cumberland Police served a Fugitive Arrest Warrant on Ryan Anthony Kimble, age 28, of Piedmont, WV.  Kimble was charged with Child Abuse and Malicious Assault in West Virginia.  He was taken to Central Booking to await extradition.  Arrested:  Ryan…

The city of Cumberland ran into a major stop sign earlier this year on it’s $55 million project to help stop the dumping of storm water and sewage effluent into the Potomac River. After several years of investment and state support the project has been significantly delayed  after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pulled its support. Supported by the state, the plan includes installing a 78-inch pipeline at a large outfall located behind Canal Place. The project was moving forward until January of this year when  the Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for the flood control system…

With just weeks before Maryland voters go to the polls and days before mail-in voting begins, Democratic nominee Wes Moore and his Republican opponent, Dan Cox, have begun campaigning in earnest after being relatively dormant over the past month. Each made courtesy appearances at the Maryland State Fair, a Labor Day parade in Gaithersburg, the streets of West Baltimore during the city water system’s E. coli crisis and separate events commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But it’s only recently that they have been hitting the streets to consistently talk with voters. One issue on the…

A number of  revisions to the Allegany County Public Schools attendance policy were approved by the Board of Education at the September meeting. Mike Llewellyn, the board’s attorney, said the changes includes adding language to address behavioral health needs. The policy states that if a student accumulates more than 12 absences during the school year, the principal will require documentation such as a certificate from a physician or qualified behavioral professional.  Llewellyn said that a recently passed Maryland law requires that school systems treat behavioral health needs of students, that excuse for attendance, the same as are used  for any…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a motor vehicle crash as Route 51 at Mexico Farms Road. Emergency Units are on the scene. 

Maryland’s football stadium will have a new name next month. The athletic department announced Friday a partnership with SECU, a state-chartered credit union, which includes renaming the venue SECU Stadium starting Oct. 1. It is currently called Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. WBAL reports SECU is set to pay Maryland Athletics $11 million guaranteed, including a $2.5 million gift supporting programs and facilities. That includes the construction of a basketball performance center. The partnership is for 10 years. "SECU is a longstanding stalwart corporate citizen of the state of Maryland and the University of Maryland is thrilled to be…