On Sunday, December 11, 2022 at approximately 2:13 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 900 block of Virginia Avenue for a disturbance.  Officers contacted the residents and learned that there was an assault victim who had sustained injuries.  The victim alleged that the Stephanie Leatherman struck him in the head with her hands. After further investigation, Leatherman was arrested and transported to Central Booking at the Allegany County Detention Center.  She was seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on her personal recognizance pending trial.  ARRESTED:  Stephanie Sue Leatherman    AGE:  30      Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Assault-2nd Degree  

On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on David Nicol.  The warrant was issued as the result of Nicol failing to register as a sex offender.  Nicol was charged with two counts of Fail Reg Offender/False Info.  He was located on Springdale Street and arrested.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  David Edward Nicol   AGE:  53           Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Fail Reg Offender/ False Info (x2)

After having already secured a state safety grant that will help enhance security downtown- the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is now awaiting news on a second grant application to further expand the effort. An update on the program which includes high tech video surveillance cameras was provided during the regular meeting of the Downtown Development Commission by CEDC Executive Director Matt Miller. The initial grant  funds will cover costs for cameras, computer equipment, monitors, communication equipment, video recorders and labor. Miller said the security upgrades complement the planned renovations of the Baltimore Street pedestrian mall…

Although improvements have been made and efforts continue to clean up any glitches in the system- Maryland’s Labor Department is still facing sharp criticism and frustration from those attempting to secure  unemployment benefits. The problems have impacted both individuals and businesses. State Senator-elect Mike Mckay said it’s incomprehensible to him that these issues remain after two years…. He said this leaves a black mark on the Hogan administration…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says a recent incident that saw three city police officers seriously injured shows just how much danger officers can find themselves in during the course their regular duties. Three Cumberland Police officers were injured last week as they attempted to take a 17-year-old into custody at a Bedford Street residence. The incident in the 900 block started just after 7 a.m. when police were called to investigate a disturbance involving the teen who was described as “out of control.”  The injured officers were treated by Cumberland Fire Department ambulance personnel and transported to UPMC Western Maryland…

With his poll numbers still lagging under 50% and the fact that he will be 82 when the next election rolls around-  there is some debate among Democrats as to whether Joe Biden should seek another term as president in 2024. Maryland’s Governor-elect Wes Moore, himself already rumored as a potential presidential candidate, says he fully supports President Biden and plans to support him. He says it is essential for Maryland to have a solid working relationship with the White House and Congress…  

Gov. Jim Justice today announced he officially signed West Virginia’s Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program grants for Comcast to begin construction activities to connect more than 2,100 unserved homes and businesses across the state. Comcast next month will begin to execute the buildout plan for two projects totaling more than $10 million, enabled in part by a $7.5 million state grant to provide more residents in Brooke, Cabell, Hancock, Morgan, Ohio, and Putnam counties access to Comcast’s smart, fast and reliable fiber network. This expansion will add almost 200 additional route miles of fiber to connect unserved residents…

A suspect was arrested last night in connection with two fatal shootings which occurred a few hours apart Thursday evening in Dorchester County. The suspect, Tramelle Lamar Williams, 22, of Cambridge, Maryland is charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges. He is awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. Shortly after 8:45 p.m. last night, officers from the Cambridge Police Department responded to the 700 block of High Street for a report of a burglary in progress. According to a preliminary investigation, at about 10 p.m. on Friday, Cambridge Police located a man, later identified as…

On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Michael Whetsell.  The warrant was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Whetsell at the District Court of Allegany County.  Officers located Whetsell in the 900 block of Gay Street and informed him that he was under arrest for an active warrant.  Whetsell then resisted arrest.  Officers engaged Whetsell and were able to gain control of him.  He was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.  He was taken to Central Booking and later seen by a District…

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Chelsea Betz.  The warrant was issued as the result of Betz failing to appear in court on May 2, 2022.  She was originally charged with driving on a suspended license.  Betz was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on her personal recognizance pending trial. ARRESTED:  Chelsea Don Betz     AGE:  31              Cumberland, MD