An Allegany County grand jury has returned an indictment against a Cumberland man in connection with the death of his wife, who disappeared from the Amherst Avenue residence they shared with their children more than eight months ago. According to a press release from C3I, 29 year-old Jesse Austin Donahue  was being held at the Allegany County Detention Center without bond after being served with the first-degree murder indictment Monday. Investigators say that Brittany Kaye Donahue, 29, disappeared from the home last June 5. She was reported missing to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office by a family member after not…

Posting on social media, the owners of a newly opened Frostburg restaurant that was significantly damaged by fire Tuesday are asking for community support and have pledged to reopen.  The fire at El Maya Mexican Bar & Restaurant at 295 E. Main St. started just before 2 a.m. and drew approximately  75 volunteer firefighters from Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire began in a kitchen wall. The cause was under investigation. Investigators estimated damage at $25,000 to the building owned by Sergio Carrizal and $25,000 to its contents. Frostburg Mayor Robert…

Cumberland City Councilman Rock Cioni suffered a mild heart attack this past weekend- but a full recovery is expected. Cioni, 76, had open heart surgery 20 years ago. A veteran, and now retired, Rock serves as the voice of high school football for WCBC Radio in the fall. He joined WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Wednesday and provided a health update. He said he was actually on the treadmill at the YMCA when he began feeling uneasy… He says the doctors report was encouraging…

In the wake of a Supreme Court decision overturning part of Maryland's concealed carry law, lawmakers in Annapolis are back to the drawing board in rewriting the law. WBAL reports the measure attempts to put limits on concealed carry, including limiting permits to people 21 and over, and barring those on probation from receiving a permit. The measure would also double the fees for a concealed carry permit, which some second amendment groups argue is unconstitutional. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Clippinger said it cost the state $20 million to process all of the concealed carry applications last year. He added…

Allegany College of Maryland recently purchased a skidder that will be used by students enrolled in its Forest Technology 205 Harvesting and Primary Manufacturing course, thanks in part to a $45,000 grant from the Rural Maryland Council. During the summer session course, students learn the benefits of timber harvesting, how to operate forestry equipment and earn their chainsaw operation certification

On June 5 of last year, twenty-nine year old Brittany Kaye Donahue was reported missing from her Amherst Avenue residence she shared with her husband and children to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office by another family member after not being seen or heard from for several days. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance, the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted to assist in the investigation.  As part of the investigation into the disappearance, numerous interviews were conducted, and search warrants obtained and searches conducted. Evidence obtained as a result of the lengthy investigation developed enough information…

Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Bowie this Wednesday to discuss housing costs.  WBAL reports she plans to talk about the Biden administration's efforts to lower the cost for homebuyers through a new plan that will lower rent and offer credit for first-time homebuyers to help with down payments. According to the news release, the Department of Housing and Urban Development will reduce its annual mortgage insurance premium by 0.30 percentage points, from 0.85% to 0.55% for most new borrowers. The mortgage insurance premium is the monthly fee that homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages pay to insure their mortgages, which they pay…

On February 21st, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Michelle Porter. The Criminal Summons was issued by the District Court stemming from an assault that occurred on February 19th, 2023, at a residence in the 700 block of Baker Street. During this incident the victim reported that Porter had punched them in the face. An application for charges was completed against Porter and this Criminal Summons was issued. Porter signed for her paperwork and was released pending her trial at the District Court. Arrest: Michelle Lynn Porter, age 39, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Assault Second…

On February 21st, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on David McCauley. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court stemming from an assault that occurred on February 12th, 2023. McCauley was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on bond. Arrest: David Lee McCauley, age 56, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Two Counts of Assault Second Degree. On February 21st, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served two Arrest Warrants on Kristen McCullough. The Arrest Warrants were issued by the Circuit Court after McCullough was Indicted by the Grand Jury stemming…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council Tuesday began the process to transfer 19 Frederick Street to a Washington County-based investment group with plans to transform the aging structure into a unique bar with an events space and Airbnb rentals on the upper floors.  Clock Tower Ventures is headquartered in Hagerstown and has been involved in similar ventures.The council voted unanimously last night to approve the first reading of an ordinance that will transfer the property; The transfer will become official with a second and third vote in early March. The city will receive one dollar for the property- with the…