On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served criminal summonses on Aaron Destefano, Leah Welsh, and Deanna Shears. The summonses were issued in connection with a theft investigation.  On September 5, 2022 at approximately 2:06 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department were called to a residence in the 200 block of Columbia Street for a trespassing complaint.   Upon their arrival, police observed Destefano and Welsh carrying items from the residence.  Shears was located inside the residence.  It was learned that the subjects did not own any of the items nor did they have permission to be at…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan answered the question that's been asked for months, whether or not he'll run for president in 2024. It wasn’t a yes, but this time on CNBC, he provided a little more insight…. He added that he sees the number one problem facing America is what he calls "toxic politics"  and he believes the country has little appetite for a Biden-Trump rematch in two years…

Berkshire Hathaway, the giant headed by Warren Buffett, is making a major investment in West Virginia. Members of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority formally agreed to sell the former site of Century Aluminum to Berkshire Hathaway Energy during a meeting this week.  The deal calls for 200 jobs within three years, although officials have said there is potential for 1,000. Overall, it’s a $300 million project with the possibility of attracting more manufacturers as tenants at the site. Governor Jim Justice officially announced the deal Tuesday morning saying it is just the latest step in West Virginia’s resurgence…  …

With school safety identified as a top priority- the Allegany County Board of Education has doubled it’s school security personnel in the past year. During Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting, Anthony Rumgay, Assistant Supervisor of Student Support Services and School Safety, provided an update noting that last year there were 5 school security employees and 5 school resource officers. This year those numbers have jumped to 14 and 6- an increase from 10 to 20 security personnel. Board vice president Robert Farrell asked Rumgay if he is recruiting additional officers for the schools… Superintendent Jeff Blank said finding qualified individuals who fit…

The Mayor and City Council received an update from the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation on a number of projects and grant programs – but perhaps the most exciting news continues to be the growing number of businesses interested in locating or expanding in the city. CEDC executive director Matt Miller reported last month that Cumberland has suddenly become a hot target for economic development opportunities and this week he provided more specifics…. In recent months the Lila, McMullen and Manhatten buildings have been purchased as well as the M&T Bank building…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a vehicle accident near Henderson Avenue and Knox Street with a car on the railroad tracks. CSX has been notifed and crews are on the scene.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $30,000 to help women in recovery from substance use reenter the workforce in Western Maryland. This funding will be awarded to Brooke’s House in Hagerstown through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s INSPIRE competition and will support truck-driving training and wraparound services for women in recovery from substance use.   “The opioid epidemic has stolen the lives of too many Marylanders but the graduates from Brooke’s House serve as powerful examples that recovery is possible with the right support. After the death of their own daughter from…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the state continues to expand its COVIDReady campaign to encourage Marylanders to maximize their protection against COVID-19 and the flu this fall and winter. The bivalent boosters—which contain “tools” (spike proteins of the virus) to target the original COVID-19 virus as well as its omicron variants—are available at more than 850 pharmacies, clinics, and local health departments statewide. Find a clinic at covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829). Governor, First Lady, and Health Secretary Receive Bivalent Booster. Governor Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan recently received their single-dose COVID-19 bivalent booster shots. At a…

After close review, the City of Cumberland has decided to remove all 7 sycamore trees along the North Sidewalk of the roadway in the 600 Block of Fayette Street. The City maintains a 4 ft. x 4 ft. storm conduit which nearly half of the trees were planted above.  The storm conduit is critical for the west side storm system.  The roots of the trees have entered the storm conduit.  The weight of the trees and the growth of the roots are placing unnecessary pressure on the conduit.  The tree roots have buckled the sidewalk, as well as grown over…