On 12/28/2022 at approximately 11:30PM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of Shriver Avenue for an assault complaint. Upon arrival officers spoke to the victim and learned they were in an argument and then assaulted by Damaris Roessler. Officers observed an injury consistent with the victim’s statement. Officers contacted Roessler and placed her under arrest without issue. Roessler was taken to the Allegany County Detention Center for central booking. Roessler appeared before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance and was released on her personal recognizance. The victim did not require…

It will be the end of an era next fall as coal burning boilers will be replaced at Fort Hill High School with state-of- the- art natural gas systems. Fort Hill is Maryland’s last remaining school heated by coal. Jay Marley, a mechanical engineer, is supervisor of maintenance and construction at Allegany County Public Schools, and said the update is long overdue… Originally the plan was to utilize the board’s fund balance to help cover the costs, but Finance Director Larry Mckenzie said as the result of a state grant that won’t be necessary… Marley hopes installation of the new…

Although the renovation of the Cumberland Mall will include replacing underground utility lines and reinstalling a traffic lane over an 18 month construction period- city officials believe there will be minimal impact on downtown businesses. Specifics will be provided during a February town hall meeting and hard copies of the plan will be delivered to business owners next month. Cumberland Economic Development Corporation executive director Matt Miller said one silver lining that came from the COVID pandemic was that businesses continued to operate despite some severe restrictions… Meanwhile a marketing campaign will begin during the construction process letting the general…

The new board of Allegany County Commissioners was sworn in to office in ceremonies earlier this month with one newcomer joining two incumbents and a new president elected. Bill Atkinson, a first time candidate for office, joined Creade Brodie Jr now beginning his fourth term; and David Caporale  starting a second term. Caporale was the top vote getter and was elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as board president. In a recent interview with WCBC News he talked about the county’s priorities moving forward…

WBAL reports a member of the January 6 committee from Maryland continues to push for the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against former President Donald Trump. Appearing on "Face the Nation" on CBS, Montgomery County Democrat Jamie Raskin said the charges recommended against Trump, which include conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding an insurrection, are necessary because of the magnitude of the attack on Democracy. Raskin also disagreed with former Vice President Mike Pence who said a prosecution would divide the country…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced a $20 million Water Assistance Relief Program that will support residents with water bill debt related to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We continue to provide ways—especially during the winter months—to help residents who may have difficulty with their water or heating bills,” said Governor Hogan. “Water systems are encouraged to apply for this funding to ensure savings for customers in the coming months.” As a condition of receiving program funding, water systems must agree to allocate payments as bill credits to customer accounts within a specific number of days after receiving payment, and waive late fees…

A Maryland State Police Aviation Command helicopter crew assisted with the rescue of an injured hiker from a remote portion of Maryland Heights, above the Potomac River Tuesday afternoon.   Shortly before 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Washington County fire, rescue and emergency medical personnel were summoned to the popular overlook, across the river from historic Harpers Ferry, west Virginia, after a hiker became injured and stranded in sub-freezing temperatures.   Upon arrival, Potomac Valley Fire Company personnel determined it would too difficult to extract the 35-year-old woman from the side of the mountain due to remote and dangerous terrain, compounded…

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office announced today that it has once again increased the Lyft rideshare credit to encourage Marylanders to take advantage of the safe ride option this holiday season. The now $20 rideshare credits are available through a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association, Responsibility.org and Lyft. According to preliminary data, so far this month (December 1 – 26, 2022) 975 people have been arrested for driving under the influence. MDOT is encouraging Marylanders to take advantage of the free rideshare credits to put toward a safe alternative to…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a motor vehicle accident that had West Industrial Blvd shut down at Messick Road. The scene has been cleared

The Cumberland City Police Department would like to announce the following street closures that will take place for the annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks display in the downtown area on Saturday, December 31, 2022.  Baltimore Street between Greene and Mechanic Streets will be closed at 9:00 p.m.  to prepare for the fireworks display which will take place on the Baltimore Street Bridge at midnight.  We will allow no vehicular traffic or pedestrian traffic in this area.  All vehicles and pedestrians should use Cumberland Street to Market Street as a detour from the west side of the city. …