Laws that ban abortion or severely restrict the procedure have gone into effect in about a dozen states after the US Supreme Court ended a constitutional right to abortion on June 24. On July 26, the Supreme Court transmitted its judgment in the case, taking the procedural step that started the process for some states to implement their so-called trigger bans on abortion. Maryland is not moving in that direction. The right to an abortion has been state law for three decades, and that’s not likely to change. Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican who is contemplating a run for president in 2024, says he would not…

The all clear has been given after a number of residents In Hagerstown had to evacuate Tuesday over a natural gas leak. It was reported that over 1,000 people had to leave several blocks of the city's south end after a construction crew struck a pipe in the area by mistake. The city said Memorial Boulevard between Potomac Street and Maryland Avenue would be temporarily closed until Columbia Gas completed repair work. Four customers reportedly lost gas service due to the incident. WBAL reported there were no injuries

The Cumberland Downtown Development Commission continues its FREE Friday After Five music series with The Plate Scrapers on Friday, September 9th from 6PM-9PM on the bricks. The Plate Scrapers will serve up their own flavor of bluegrass through folk, jazz, and rock and roll dimensions. There will be an open container ordinance in place, so bring your lawn chair, grab a cocktail and food from a local establishment and enjoy this free show! Friday After Five will continue on Friday, October 14 with a performance on the bricks by Butterscotch Blonde. These events are presented by the Downtown Development Commission (DDC). Any questions may be…

The federal government said on Tuesday that it will get up to 5,000 shipments of monkeypox vaccines out to the states per week. WBAL reports that in Maryland, it's been more than one month since the state received a shipment.  Marylanders can pre-register online for their first dose.  More than 20 new cases have been identified since Friday; however, the CDC said there's been a gradual decline in new infections over the past week.

On September 5th, 2022 the Cumberland Police were contacted by a male at the Police Station.  The male subject advised that he had been assaulted by Crystal Nicole Rymer, age 31 of Cumberland, MD.  According to the male victim, he and Rymer had an argument while on Frederick St, in the downtown area.  During the argument, Rymer pulled a knife and threatened to stab the male.  A brief struggle ensued and he was able to get the knife away from her, however he sustained minor injuries due to the incident.  An application of charges was filed and an Arrest Warrant…

On September 7, 2022 the Cumberland Police responded to I 68 W/B at the Downtown Exit for a single vehicle crash.  Upon arrival the Officers found the vehicle unattended with heavy damage.  After searching the area, Officers located John Melvin Buckbee, age 51, of Cumberland, MD walking in the downtown area.  After speaking with Buckbee it was determined that he was the operator of the vehicle.  Officers also observed signs of impairment while speaking with him.  Based on the Officer’s observations, Buckbee was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence.  He was issued several citations and released. 

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council is moving forward to have the city’s conceal carry policy be in compliance with the new state guidelines. The June 23 Supreme Court decision making it easier to obtain and carry a concealed weapon without having to provide a “good and sunstantial reason”  was followed in mid July by Maryland Governor  Larry Hogan issuing an order bringing the state in line with the ruling.  On Tuesday the city council conducted a public hearing on amending Cumberland’s charter to follow suit with the state. The action was not fully embraced by the city officials with councilwoman Laurie…

Former President Donald Trump at a rally in neighboring Pennsylvania took a few minutes to focus on Maryland’s Gubernatorial campaign- bashing the current governor and giving a shout out to the GOP nominee. Dan Cox, a Trump endorsed candidate was the easy winner in the June primary, but he will not receive support from Governor Larry Hogan who has said he is unfit for office and unelectable. Trump, with Cox in attendance, fired back at Hogan… He then recognized Cox…

The new Omicron booster has been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and doses have already started arriving in West Virginia. Governor  Jim Justice, during his COVID pandemic briefing, said the booster is designed specifically to help provide better protection from the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, which are now dominant in the country as well as in West Virginia. While the new  booster has been approved for those over 12 years old the governor said that the state will  initially target those 65 and over, long-term care residents, health care workers and those who systems are compromised…

Heritage Days returns this weekend with most of the attractions centered on Washington Street. The event will be the 53rd annual festival featuring arts and crafts, food vendors, tours, historical re-enactors and activities for children. The festival will also feature an antique car show at the corner of Mechanic and Baltimore streets. Typically held in June, the popular street festival was canceled for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. It returned in 2022 but  was scheduled for the fall. Festival coordinator Dave Williams said the momentum begun last year will see Heritage Days continue annually in September…