On Monday, January 9th, 2023, the Cumberland City Police responded to the 100 block of Columbia St for the report of a large disturbance. Upon arrival on scene, several subjects were observed to be involved. Officers were able to quickly intervene and compel most of the subjects to cease their disruptive behaviors. One subject; however, continued to engage in disruptive actions. The subject was observed to be aggressive towards others on scene, yelling attempting to incite fear. As a result, Jose Morais Gomes Jr, 35, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. Gomes was issued a Criminal Citation for disorderly…

On Monday, January 9th, 2023, the Cumberland City Police responded to the area of the Allegany County District Court for the report of a wanted subject in that area. Upon arrival on scene, officers observed the subject leaving the area in a vehicle. Subsequently, the vehicle was stopped and the identity of the driver confirmed as William Charles Morris, 39, of Cumberland MD. Morris had an active Bench Warrant for violating the terms and conditions of probation that stemmed from a previous assault charge. It was also learned at this time that Morris was driving without a license and the…

On Monday, January 9th, 2023, the Cumberland City Police responded to a facility in the 12000 block of Willowbrook Rd for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival on scene, officers contacted the employees of the facility. It was learned that Sean Kyle McIntyre, 36, of Cumberland MD, was being uncooperative disruptive with staff. The subject was then advised by both staff and the police that they needed to leave the property. After repeated requests, McIntyre refused to leave the property. As a result, McIntyre was placed under arrest and transported from the property. He was issued a Criminal Citation…

Columbia Gas of Maryland that between January and July 2023 there will be construction performed in the Downtown, Greene St., and Washington St. area of the City on the following streets: Bedford Street Polk Street Hanover Street Centre Street Mechanic Street Market Street Cumberland Street Smallwood Street Spruce Place Fayette Street Johnson Street Bridge Street Greene Street S. Johnson Street Winton Place Paca Street At intermittent times, roads will be closed or flagged to safely facilitate construction between 7am-5pm. Vehicles will be detoured during full road closures and future press releases will be issued to notify the public of overnight…

The announcement last year that the Union Rescue Mission will be relocating  to North Centre Street sparked a debate during City Council meetings- with any number of citizens from that neighborhood expressing concern about the move. One development that resulted from those public debates is the scheduling of a community meeting to focus on the issue- and that is set for this Thursday at the Lavale Library. The statistics locally are trending in the wrong direction- showing that on a given night there are more than 100 people in the city without shelter. Ed Taylor Jr, president of the Cumberland…

Maryland lawmakers will be taking up measures relating to abortion rights and guns, in response to U.S. Supreme Court rulings, when they convene for their 90-day legislative session tomorrow at noon. The lawmakers will also be grappling with the licensing and taxing of recreational marijuana to get a marketplace ready by July 1. Democrats will begin the new term after adding to their supermajority in the General Assembly and reclaiming the governor’s office with Gov.-elect Wes Moore’s victory in November. Delegate Jason Buckel says that the  Democrat heavy General Assembly will definately provide some challenges for the far more conservative,…

With Delegate Wendell Beitzel and Senator George Edwards retiring, the  District One Legislative Delegation is now reconstituted, with Jim Hinebaugh replacing Beitzel and Terry Baker filling the 1C seat that had been held by Mike Mckay who inturn will be replacing  Edwards in the Senate. Only Buckel, who serves as House Minority leader, is returning in the same seat. Mckay said despite the makeover- he is confident this group will work well as a team in representing the best interests of Western Marylanders…

Thanks to a local businessman and a video that went viral, an 82-year-old Navy veteran retired last week  from the LaVale Walmart with a large check in hand. The money was raised after Rory McCarty, who owns a Bug Boys franchise in Ridgeley, posted a TikTok video of Walter Marion and set up a GoFundMe account online to help him retire. The video went viral and donations poured in. Last Wednesday, Rory presented Walter S. “Butch” Marion with a check for $108,682 in the Walmart parking lot as friends, family, members of the media and the Cumberland Civil Air Patrol…

Outgoing Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said while his administration had a great eight years- he leaves with one major regret- failing to get control of the violent crime in Baltimore City calling it his Achilles’ heel. He said his administration made every effort to address the problem but unfortunately in the end he felt there was too much push back from Baltimore officials to achieve any significant accomplishments…

Closing out his term as states’ co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Governor Larry Hogan today announced $230,000 in grant funding for three Western Maryland projects to further support workforce development and critical industries. As the first Maryland co-chair since the 1980s, Governor Hogan hosted the annual Appalachian Regional Commission Conference at Rocky Gap Resort in Cumberland. Workforce Development and Makerspace Initiative, $100,000. The Hogan administration and ARC have provided funding for the startup and expansion of the Allegany College Makerspace. The Makerspace has been instrumental in providing training and certifications for many workers throughout the region—including the displaced…