Maryland’s highest court has ruled that Washington, D.C.-area sniper Lee Boyd Malvo must be resentenced, because of U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to constitutional protections for juveniles made after Malvo was sentenced to six life sentences without the possibility of parole In its 4-3 ruling, however, the Maryland Court of Appeals said it’s very unlikely Malvo would ever be released from custody, because he is also serving separate life sentences for murders in Virginia. “As a practical matter, this may be an academic question in Mr. Malvo’s case, as he would first have to be granted parole in Virginia before his…

The cause of a Sunday house fire in Frostburg is under investigation. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's office has issued a preliminary report: DATE: August 28, 2022          TIME:  11:12 AM  LOCATION / ADDRESS:  93 Mt. Pleasant Street, Frostburg, Allegany County TYPE OF INCIDENT: basement fire DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE / PROPERTY: two story vinyl siding home with basement OWNER / OCCUPANTS: Timothy J. Snyder INJURIES / DEATHS: none ESTIMATED LOSS – STRUCTURE: $10,000               CONTENTS: $10,000 SMOKE ALARM STATUS:  present and activated FIRE ALARM / SPRINKLER STATUS: none ARREST(S): n/a PRIMARY RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Frostburg Volunteer Fire Dept….

Allegany College of Maryland will host an opening reception for its 2022 Expressions Exhibit in the Hazen Gallery from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on September 7. Featuring student readings, art displays and music, the reception is an opportunity for the community to celebrate the creative work of ACM students, as published in the 2022 edition of Expressions literary magazine. The Hazen Gallery is located in ACM’s College Center. The student art exhibit is open to the public through September 30.  Thirty students submitted original essays, fiction, photography, poetry and artwork for the 2022 edition of Expressions. Donna J. Morgan served…

Local phyisician Dr. Melvin Gonzaga, his son Rommel Gonzaga, and their practice will pay $980,000 to resolve allegations of false claims for urine drug testing that were deemed unnecessary. According to the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, the practice was accused of billing Medicare, Medicaid, and the Railroad Retirement Board for a large number of tests which were ordered January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2019. Gonzaga, a board-certified anethesiologist and pain management specialist owns Gonzaga Interventional Pain Management in Lavale. His son, Rommel Gonzaga, serves as the practice's chief executive officer. The settlement resolves the allegations…

On August 28th, 2022 at approximately 12:45 am an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Greene Street and Bridge Street. The officer contacted the operator, Chad McMillan, and observed evidence of impairment. McMillan was requested to perform standardized field sobriety tests, and completed them unsatisfactorily. McMillan was placed under arrest and was later released on driving under the influence citations. Arrest: Chad Michael McMillan, age 26, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Driving Under the Influence related citations. On August 28th, 2022 at approximately 2:00 am an officer of the Cumberland Police…

On August 29th, 2022 at approximately 1:15 am officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with witnesses who advised that Joshua Wayne Howard was creating a disturbance on the property. At this time Howard was ordered to leave the property, not to return, and to refrain from causing any further disturbances. At approximately 1:45 am Officers were dispatched back to the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for Howard to be brandishing a knife and waiving it around in close proximity to…

Other than Garrett County, public school systems across Maryland opened this week, and unfortunately there have already been a number of safety incidents reported. One of those  incidents saw students air-drop several images suggesting a possible bomb threat.  With incidents of violence in schools continuing across the nation- school safety will be one of the focal points in October when the Maryland Association of Boards of Education holds its fall conference in Annapolis. Allegany County Board of Education member Tammy Fraley is the immediate past president of MABE and maintains a seat on the board of directors…      …

A local bar and restaurant owner has requested the Allegany County Commissioners to consider reducing the 40% tax businesses are hit with for paper gaming/ tip jars operations. The funding is used by the county to contribute to fire and rescue departments and for board of education capital projects. Jim Lashbaugh who owns  bar and grills in Cresaptown and Frostburg said that with the cost of doing business rising and inflation skyrocketing- the tax hit on tip jars is just another burden for the hospitality industry. County Administrator Jason Bennett said the county has explored changing the tax split but…

Work on the city’s aging water distribution system in the Decatur Street area has been extended through the end of next month- but despite the longer than anticipated schedule the project won’t exceed original cost estimates. Construction began in March and officials hope the work will help stabilize an area that has experienced numerous water main ruptures over the years. The 24-inch crosstown main runs from Baltimore Avenue northwest beneath Decatur Street, under Frederick and Bedford streets to Independence Street. The work includes replacing 4,300 linear feet of water line, which is expected to directly improve service to 29 businesses…