On August 28th, 2022 at approximately 12:45 am an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Greene Street and Bridge Street. The officer contacted the operator, Chad McMillan, and observed evidence of impairment. McMillan was requested to perform standardized field sobriety tests, and completed them unsatisfactorily. McMillan was placed under arrest and was later released on driving under the influence citations. Arrest: Chad Michael McMillan, age 26, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Driving Under the Influence related citations. On August 28th, 2022 at approximately 2:00 am an officer of the Cumberland Police…

On August 29th, 2022 at approximately 1:15 am officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with witnesses who advised that Joshua Wayne Howard was creating a disturbance on the property. At this time Howard was ordered to leave the property, not to return, and to refrain from causing any further disturbances. At approximately 1:45 am Officers were dispatched back to the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for Howard to be brandishing a knife and waiving it around in close proximity to…

Other than Garrett County, public school systems across Maryland opened this week, and unfortunately there have already been a number of safety incidents reported. One of those  incidents saw students air-drop several images suggesting a possible bomb threat.  With incidents of violence in schools continuing across the nation- school safety will be one of the focal points in October when the Maryland Association of Boards of Education holds its fall conference in Annapolis. Allegany County Board of Education member Tammy Fraley is the immediate past president of MABE and maintains a seat on the board of directors…      …

A local bar and restaurant owner has requested the Allegany County Commissioners to consider reducing the 40% tax businesses are hit with for paper gaming/ tip jars operations. The funding is used by the county to contribute to fire and rescue departments and for board of education capital projects. Jim Lashbaugh who owns  bar and grills in Cresaptown and Frostburg said that with the cost of doing business rising and inflation skyrocketing- the tax hit on tip jars is just another burden for the hospitality industry. County Administrator Jason Bennett said the county has explored changing the tax split but…

Work on the city’s aging water distribution system in the Decatur Street area has been extended through the end of next month- but despite the longer than anticipated schedule the project won’t exceed original cost estimates. Construction began in March and officials hope the work will help stabilize an area that has experienced numerous water main ruptures over the years. The 24-inch crosstown main runs from Baltimore Avenue northwest beneath Decatur Street, under Frederick and Bedford streets to Independence Street. The work includes replacing 4,300 linear feet of water line, which is expected to directly improve service to 29 businesses…

Thousands of Maryland students are now  back in school- and many systems across the state are operating with serious teacher shortage. While Allegany and Garrett County school systems are adequately staffed at this point- state education officials admit this year will be a challenge. WBAL reports across Maryland, local school systems have developed what they call backup plans to help them respond to the teacher shortage, but even with first-time teachers coming onboard, the numbers are still not adding up. Clarence Crawford, president of the Maryland State Board of Education, says while some of the efforts being taken may help…

Last Thursday’s announcement that the Rocky Gap Casino Resort is being sold caught most local and state officials off guard.  Details of Golden Entertainment’s plan to sell the Western Maryland resort for $260 million were announced during a meeting of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission with Golden Entertainment officials declining to take questions from state regulators as the deal is pending. A number of elected officials with the state and county told WCBC News they had no advanced knowledge of a potential sale- learning through media reports after the announcement was made. In 2021, Rocky Gap had $78…

Although the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently supply chain issues slowed hampered the schedule  considerably in the past year, construction continues along Park Street and the hope is that “open for business”  signs will be popping up in spring. It was seven years ago when city officials announced plans for a commercial plaza at the site situated in the Rolling Mill neighborhood between Maryland Avenue and Park Street and Emily and Williams streets, off Interstate 68- and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in December of 2020. The developer, Ed Scott, of Kline Scott Visco Commercial Real Estate, provided an update…

On August 27th,2022,  The Maryland State Police, and Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to the 12000blk of Bowling Street, Cumberland, MD for a reported armed robbery. Almost immediately upon arriving  officers were directed to a McMullen Highway address as the possible suspect location.  It was learned that a male subject had displayed a handgun to the victim and ordered him to surrender his car keys.  The subject then forced the victim to a different location in the home where he ordered him to remain.  The suspect then exited the home and began to flee.  As the suspect fled he was pursued…

On August 27th, 2022 at approximately 6:00 pm officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Paca Street for a reported assault. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with the victim who advised that Charles Robert Bauman II had assaulted them. The victim advised officers that Bauman had grabbed them by the arms, threw them to the ground, and strangled them. Officers observed evidence of the assault and placed Bauman under arrest. While officers placed Bauman under arrest he began yelling and creating a disturbance. Bauman was then taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was…