On Sunday, November 27, 2022, the Cumberland Police served a bench warrant on John Jenkins III.  The warrant was issued as the result of Jenkins failing to appear in court on October 28, 2022.  He was originally charged with Trespassing: Posted Property.  Jenkins was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  John William Jenkins III    AGE:  50           Ridgeley, WV

In taking action to repeal and update the Allegany County Board of Education ethics policy- one board member recommended that more detail and clarification be part of the revised document before finalizing any changes. Although seldom making headlines, the school board’s ethics panal does serve an important function. It was in 2019 that the panal offered recommendations on conflict of interest charges made against two board members.  State regulations are what has led to the need to revise the ethics policy- however board member Deb Frank expressed concern that some vital information had been left out- information she believes would…

The wait finally came to an end last week with sports betting in Maryland now online and in casinos across the state.  While sports betting has been legal in the state for quite some time, several hurdles and roadblocks delayed the startup. That changed last week. Unfortunately sports betting  won’t be available at  the Rocky Gap Casino Resort anytime soon. The Casino is in the process of being sold and that  deal isn’t expected to be finalized until next year, pending regulatory approval. Delegate Jason Buckel said that in the midst of a sale, it is apparent the current Rocky Gap…

Maryland’s governor-elect has less than two months to put together a team of staff, pick cabinet secretaries, draft a legislative agenda and propose a budget. And plan an inauguration, too. From now until inauguration on the steps of the State House in Annapolis on Jan. 18, Democrat Wes Moore and his team face a long to-do list of tasks. Moore can expect to be in regular contact with outgoing Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, who is heading up the handover of the reins of government from the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan. Rutherford said that Moore will begin his term in…

Baltimore has officially recorded its 300th homicide for 2022 after city police upgraded the classification of an April shooting. Officials said a 24-year-old man who was shot on April 12 in northeast Baltimore died Monday. No arrests have been made. This case upgrade comes after the Baltimore Police Department last week reclassified two homicide investigations. Speaking at an unrelated news conference, Gov. Larry Hogan reiterated his exasperation with Baltimore leaders in failing to implement the many initiatives his administration has proposed to combat violent crime…

On Saturday, November 26, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Jerome Gerstein.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on November 18, 2022.  On this date at approximately 9:25 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of Henderson Avenue.  During the stop, a male subject identified as Jerome Gerstein approached the vehicle that was stopped and began causing a disturbance, yelling at the operator to move the vehicle.  Gerstein interfered with the traffic stop and refused to listen to the officer’s orders to…

On Saturday, November 26, 2022, the Cumberland Police served a bench warrant on Frank Getson II.  The warrant was issued as the result of Getson failing to appear in court on November 21, 2022.  Getson was originally charged with Assault-2nd Degree.  Getson was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Frank William Getson II    AGE:  43           Cumberland, MD On Saturday, November 26, 2022, the Cumberland Police served two bench warrants on Jessica Lynn Miller.  Both warrants were issued as the result…

ANNAPOLIS, MD—While Giving Tuesday is a day that marks the season of helping others, the Maryland Secretary of State’s Office and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General warn that this year’s holiday season comes with an increased urgency to protect against scam artists preying on generous donors.  “​The holidays are a peak season for charitable giving as Marylanders open their hearts and wallets to donate to charities and those in need, ” said Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith. “While we are grateful to our reputable charities, we urge our citizens to be on alert for scam artists who…

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Justice presented ceremonial checks for $500,000 each during Tuesday's COVID-19 briefing to two West Virginia food banks: the Mountaineer Food Bank and the Facing Hunger Foodbank for the third year in a row. "I promised this money in my State of the State address two years ago and included it in my budget again this year," Gov. Justice said. "This will be the third year that we'll be able to donate these funds. As long as I'm here, I'm going to put this in my budget. We may try in every way to increase it. The bottom…

On Friday, November 25, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Joshua Walker.  The summons was issued in connection with an incident that occurred in the 100 block of Pennsylvania Avenue on the evening of November 23, 2022.  Police had responded to the 400 block of Grand Avenue in an attempt to locate subjects with active arrest warrants.  The subjects had fled the area on foot.  An officer with the Cumberland Police Department located one of the subjects attempting to enter a residence on Pennsylvania Avenue.  The subject was detained at that time and questioned as to…