On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant and a bench warrant on Jeremy Combs.  The arrest warrant was issued on August 8, 2022 as a result of a private citizen filing for charges against Combs at the District Court of Allegany County.  The bench warrant was issued on August 19, 2022 as a result of Combs failing to comply with an order of the court. He was originally charged with Assault-2nd Degree. Combs was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on two $2,500…

With Jenelle Mayer resigning as Allegany County Health Officer- Margaret Wright has been appointed as the interim health officer. The State Department of Health issuing that statement late on Wednesday. Mayer was appointed by the state in 2016 after a lengthy search was conducted by Allegany County officials. That search was marred by the lack of any medical doctors applying for the post- which had been a requirement of the state at that time.  With no doctors expressing interest in the health officer position, officials were forced to lower the qualification requirements to allow candidates who hold a master’s degree in…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, said this week he does see some signs of authoritarianism as members of his own party criticized the FBI's search of former President Donald Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago. Hogan was directly addressing President Joe Biden's remarks last week, when he called on Democrats "to vote to literally save democracy once again" while speaking at a rally in Rockville, Maryland.  In his remarks, the president pointed to the presence of "MAGA philosophy" in the Republican party and likened that ideology to "semi-fascism." … He added however that Biden’s description of Republicans as fascists does ring true when looking at…

Like many industries, local police departments are facing staffing issues and you can include Cumberland on that list. The department tries to maintain a staffing level of around 50 officers- but retirements and sick leave oftens finds that number much lower.  Earlier this summer Police Chief Chuck Ternent reported that his department was down 8 officers and while there have been recruitment efforts ongoing, there hasn’t been much success as the shortage is a statewide, regional and national problem. Despite the shortage, Ternent says the crime numbers are actually down across the board…   

In 2010  Kevin Kelly was re-elected to serve another term in the Maryland House of Delegates- and in the 12 years since- no other Democrat has been elected to office in Allegany County. It is an obstacle Democrat candidate for County Commissioner Anthony Joseph thinks he can overcome- and he has been receiving some assistance from a member of the other party.   Joseph, a 20 year-old Frostburg State University student and Cumberland native, will appear on November’s ballot along with Republicans David Caporale, Creade Brodie Jr and William Atkinson. Recent history suggests a significant challenge as the county is now…

City officials expect the Baltimore Street/Casper R Taylor bridge rebuild project to get underway in October. Although all three West Side bridges are badly in need of upgrades-  Mayor Ray Morriss said the Baltimore Street bridge was deemed a priority as it serves as a main thoroughfare into downtown Cumberland.  The bridge crosses Wills Creek and is owned by the city of Cumberland, making it eligible for federal funds for the repair work. The expected cost is $4 million, with the federal government paying 80% and the city bearing responsibility for the balance. Morriss said the project was put out…

The 4-H Robotics Qualifier was held at the Allegany County Fair in July, and ACPS had numerous student participation. The Cresaptown Coders, consisting of mostly ACPS students, had the opportunity to represent Allegany County at the Maryland State Fair on August 28, 2022, and were ultimately successful in placing 1st in the Maryland 4-H LEGO Robotics Challenge. The Cresaptown Coders team members are Max Linn, Amelia Goetz, and Makenzie Friend, along with Dr. Nia Fields, Maryland 4-H Program Leader. Max is a student at Mt. Savage, and Amelia and Makenzie are students at Cresaptown.

On Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. units from the Cumberland Police and Fire departments responded to I68 W/B near exit 42 for an M/V crash.  The crash was reported by the Allegany County Communication Center as a vehicle roll over with injuries.  Upon arrival, units observed a single passenger vehicle resting on top of the concrete Jersey barrier between the E/B & W/B lanes. Units also located another vehicle that was involved in the crash on the W/B shoulder. As a result of the investigation at the scene, the following facts were determined. Vehicle #1 and #2 were both traveling W/B on…

A disabled vehicle at the Route 220 round-about had traffic backed up this afternoon, but the scene has been cleared. 

Allegany County Emergency Services repor a vehicle accident at McMullen Highway and Warrior Drive. Emergency units are on the scene.