City officials expect the Baltimore Street/Casper R Taylor bridge rebuild project to get underway in October. Although all three West Side bridges are badly in need of upgrades-  Mayor Ray Morriss said the Baltimore Street bridge was deemed a priority as it serves as a main thoroughfare into downtown Cumberland.  The bridge crosses Wills Creek and is owned by the city of Cumberland, making it eligible for federal funds for the repair work. The expected cost is $4 million, with the federal government paying 80% and the city bearing responsibility for the balance. Morriss said the project was put out…

The 4-H Robotics Qualifier was held at the Allegany County Fair in July, and ACPS had numerous student participation. The Cresaptown Coders, consisting of mostly ACPS students, had the opportunity to represent Allegany County at the Maryland State Fair on August 28, 2022, and were ultimately successful in placing 1st in the Maryland 4-H LEGO Robotics Challenge. The Cresaptown Coders team members are Max Linn, Amelia Goetz, and Makenzie Friend, along with Dr. Nia Fields, Maryland 4-H Program Leader. Max is a student at Mt. Savage, and Amelia and Makenzie are students at Cresaptown.

On Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. units from the Cumberland Police and Fire departments responded to I68 W/B near exit 42 for an M/V crash.  The crash was reported by the Allegany County Communication Center as a vehicle roll over with injuries.  Upon arrival, units observed a single passenger vehicle resting on top of the concrete Jersey barrier between the E/B & W/B lanes. Units also located another vehicle that was involved in the crash on the W/B shoulder. As a result of the investigation at the scene, the following facts were determined. Vehicle #1 and #2 were both traveling W/B on…

A disabled vehicle at the Route 220 round-about had traffic backed up this afternoon, but the scene has been cleared. 

Allegany County Emergency Services repor a vehicle accident at McMullen Highway and Warrior Drive. Emergency units are on the scene. 

The latest Marylander involved in the insurrection has been sentenced.  WBAL reports Joshua Pruitt, 40, will spend more than four years in prison for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Pruitt is the Silver Spring man who investigators say came face-to-face with Sen. Chuck Schumer as his armed security detail led him to safety. They described him as an aspiring Proud Boys member whose intimidating figure made him an "ideal recruit" for the group on Jan. 6.

The GIANT Company announced flu vaccinations are now available at all 133 GIANT And MARTIN’S in-store pharmacies.  “The most effective way to fight the flu is by getting your annual flu shot,” said Leigh Shirley, director of pharmacy operations, The GIANT Company. “As the flu virus changes, flu vaccinations are reformulated every year so it’s important for your entire family to get them, especially older adults and young children. Our pharmacies also offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses, which can be administered at the same time as a flu shot.”   GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacies offer several types of…

On Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at approximately 12:03 AM, a Cumberland police officer conducted a traffic stop on E. Industrial Blvd at Canal Parkway.   After investigation into the stop, one of the passengers identified as Karen Moreland, was found to be in possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.  Moreland was issued a criminal citation and released from the scene. ARRESTED:  Karen Frances Moreland    AGE:  47     Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possess Paraphernalia

On Monday, August 29, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Darlene Szlama.  The warrant was issued in connection with an incident that occurred in Frostburg, MD.  Charges were filed against Szlama by the Frostburg City Police Department and a warrant was issued.  Szlama was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on a $2,500 unsecured personal bond. ARRESTED:  Darlene Dorothy Szlama      AGE:  65         Frostburg, MD CHARGES: Assault-2nd Degree (x3), Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing & Hindering, Resisting Arrest

Inmates at the Western Correctional Institution (WCI) near Cresaptown now have access to tablets after the state decided to expand their educational program.  The state  announced the inception of the tablet program in 2018- and it has been expanding since. While the thought of prison inmates having the luxary of internet access doesn’t sit well with a large percentage of the general public- state officials say the tablet program correlates with the inmate education system. It provides them access to apps and tools that help with their learning process with the GED and TABE tests.  At the time the program was initiated…