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Man Arrested in Disturbance Complaint

On Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at approximately 8:53 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 600 block of N. Centre Street for an indecent exposure complaint.  A witness had observed a male subject urinating on the side of a building.  Upon their arrival, police located the male subject in front of a business.  The male was identified as Matthew Zink.  After further investigation, Zink was issued a criminal citation for Disorderly Conduct and released pending trial at the District Court of Allegany County.   ARRESTED:  Matthew Schafer Zink         AGE:  38         Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Disorderly Conduct

Despite Roe v. Wade Decision, Abortions Would Remain Legal in MD

A leaked draft from the Supreme Court this week showed there is an effort underway trying to overturn the Roe V.  Wade decision- however even if that occurs, abortions would remain legal in Maryland. In 1992, voters approved a referendum putting the terms of Roe v. Wade into Maryland law. This year, the General Assembly passed a bill to make abortion care more accessible starting this July. Delegate Ariana Kelly, a Montgomery Democrat, says that even if the Court overturns the law, women in Maryland seeking an abortion will not be impacted…

Hogan Urges Republicans to Return to Reagan Values

In prepared remarks this week, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urged Republican voters to “stand against the extremes” and to return to the values of Ronald Reagan. The term-limited governor is currently weighing a presidential run and has been positioning himself as a legitimate alternative to Donald Trump. In an address at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Hogan said the election results of the last two decades strongly suggest  the GOP has lost its way…

Morriss Talks Housing Developments Around City

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss hopes that a number of planned housing development projects will generate a significant amount of new revenue for the city in the coming years. Appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Wednesday, and provided an update on several of the projects that are in various stages of development…

State Superintendent Comments on a Full Year Without COVID Closings

Just a month remains in the school year in Allegany County, with June 7th the final day for students before summer break. Although it seemed like an unrealistic goal at the time, Maryland Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury’s objective of having no schools close as a result of COVID-19 essentially came to fruition. COVID numbers spiked on several occaisions throughout the 2021-2022 school year, but thanks to safety protocols in place, there was no need for a repeat of virtual learning…

Police Deploy New Technology in Murder Investigation

On May 4th, 2022, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Memorial Avenue, to assist Cumberland Police Department with crime scene mapping. Deputies brought with them a newly purchased Faro Zone Inc. laser crime scene mapping system. The system was purchased in February using grant funding, with this being the first operational deployment. A Faro Zone trainer traveled from Atlanta, GA to Allegany County to provide free training to both Cumberland Police Officers and Deputies.    This technology produces scale diagrams of crash and crime scenes in both 2D and 3D. It additionally allows for…

City Man Charged with First Degree Murder in South Cumberland Shooting

On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 1:51 pm the Cumberland Police Department and Cumberland Fire Department responded to the area of Memorial Avenue and First Street in Cumberland for a report of a shooting.  Upon arrival, officers discovered 20-year-old Travon Lee Morris, age 20, of Cumberland suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  Bystanders and first responders immediately initiated life saving measures and the victim was transported to the hospital; however, he later succumbed to his injuries.  While conducting the investigation at the scene several witnesses identified a suspect who had fled on foot.  Cumberland Police Officers with the help of Allegany…

Frostburg Woman Charged After Backyard Fire

A Frostburg woman has been charged with malicious burning after she intentionally ignited a pile of wood fencing on fire that did not belong to her on Monday afternoon. Just before 4:00 p.m. on May 2, 2022, Frostburg Fire Department and Frostburg City Police Department were dispatched to 189 East Main Street for a reported fire. When police officers arrived, Darlene D. Szlama, 63, told them she intentionally lit the remains of her landlords' fence on fire after observing centipedes inside the wood and believed they would eat her dog. Szlama was later taken to UPMC Western Maryland by Allegany County…

Day of Prayer afternoon event moved to City Hall

Thursday is the National Day of Prayer with a number of activities planned in the Cumberland area. One of the annual events, the downtown mall prayer observance, has been moved this year. It will be held outside of Cumberland's City Hall beginning at 11 AM.

First Peoples appoints Interim CEO

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union Board of Directors announces that Chief Financial Officer, Randy Olsen, has been appointed Interim CEO. Mr. Olsen will be replacing previous CEO, Stacey Bingaman. “First Peoples is exceptionally well positioned strategically and has an extremely talented executive team. They are supported by a dedicated and customer focused work force and I expect that the Credit Union will continue to be successful in the future," says Board Chairman, Stephen Nelson. He continues, “the Board recognizes the considerable value that Stacey has contributed to First Peoples over the past eighteen years in establishing us as a…