Allegany County Emergency Services reports the I-68 East exit 44 ramp is currently closed due to a vehicle accident. Fire and EMS are on the scene. 

On Monday, July 4, 2022 at approximately 11:58 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 900 block of Gay Street for a disturbance.  Police contacted the complainant, who reported that Randy Serafin entered her apartment without her permission.  She explained that she told Serafin to leave, but he refused and began causing a disturbance.  After further investigation, it was learned that Serafin had attempted to steal a bicycle from the complainant’s son by using physical force.  Serafin was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing.  He was later taken to Central Booking.  Serafin was seen by…

The United State Supreme Court last week ruled to limit the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that Congress did not authorize the EPA to create regulations geared toward regulating climate change. West Virginia, a heavy coal-producing state, brought the challenge against the EPA. The state’s Attorney General Patrick Morrisey applauded the ruling and he says he will now be closely focusing on how the EPA responds…

Voters in Maryland have just two weeks left to make a choice in primary elections- however for obvious reasons there is already a great deal of focus on the 2024 election. Although maintaining that he will make no announcements until he has completed his current term as governor, Larry Hogan is viewed by most as a probably presidential candidate in two years. Maryland’s Republican governor has consistently scored among the highest approval ratings in the nation even though the state is 2-1 Democrat. A new poll released shows that Republicans in the state are largely undecided about the future leadership…

A Republican candidate for Maryland governor believes Democrats are meddling in the GOP primary by pumping money into it.  A TV campaign ad began airing this past weekend called, "Meet Dan." It is paid for by the Democratic Governors Association, costing the group more than $1 million. The ad describes Republican candidate Dan Cox's ties to former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, as well as Cox's positions on abortion and gun control. Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Schulz said Democrats are interfering, saying they think a Democratic candidate has a better chance against Cox than her in the general election…

A Maryland law that took effect Friday enables nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants who receive special training to perform abortions, as some states seek to expand access to the procedure after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Medical professionals other than physicians with the training  can now provide abortions , though it's unclear how many will immediately be eligible. The Maryland law was passed partly in anticipation that the Supreme Court would strike down Roe and to increase access in rural parts of the state that don't have providers.  House Speaker Adrienne Jones explained her support of…

Inflation is taking a toll on infrastructure and economic development projects across the U.S., driving up costs so much that state and local officials are postponing projects, scaling back others and reprioritizing their needs. The price hikes already are diminishing the value of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan President Joe Biden signed into law just seven months ago. Locally, there are any number of projects in various stages of development including the Rolling Mill effort; a joint city/county venture in the Messick Road area;; and a FedEx distribution center at Mexico Farms. Those projects are still moving forward, but Mayor…

Police said a call about gunfire in Germantown had an officer on the receiving end of some of the gunfire before they started pursuing the accused shooter who ended up crashing his car in Virginia Monday morning. Montgomery County Department of Police said emergency dispatchers received calls about a man with a gun in the 113000 block of Hawks Ridge Terrace around 9:25 a.m. When officers got there, the man took off. Police said when he started shooting at an officer, police followed him and let other jurisdictions know that he was heading toward Virginia.   Police said the pursuit…

Maryland Comptroller and gubernatorial candidate Peter Franchot on Friday announced via Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Franchot said his symptoms are mild and that he is vaccinated and boosted. The comptroller added that he will campaign from home until he can safely return from quarantine. "Unfortunately, this evening I tested positive for COVID-19," Franchot said in a tweet. "The good news is I am vaccinated and boosted, and my symptoms are very mild. I will be quarantining, and continuing to campaign from home until I am able to safely return to the trail." The news comes about three weeks…

 Supreme Court marshal Gail Curley is asking Maryland officials to enforce state and local laws that prohibit picketing outside the homes of justices. Curley sent the requests to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Montgomery County executive Mark Erlich in letters dated July 1, citing an uptick in demonstrations since May – when the draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked to the public. “For weeks on end, large groups of protesters chanting slogans, using bullhorns, and banging drums have picketed Justices’ homes in Maryland,” Curley wrote to Hogan, noting one crowd outside the home of a justice grew to more…