On Saturday, December 25, 2021 at approximately 1:25 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a N. Wineow Street business for a female subject causing a disturbance. Upon officers’ arrival, they contacted the female who was identified as Brenda McCarthy. Officers attempted to speak with McCarthy, but she was not cooperative. McCarthy screamed incoherently and would not listen to officers’ orders to lower her voice. People in the area began to gather to observe McCarthy’s behavior. McCarthy was placed under arrest and transported to the police station. McCarthy was issued criminal citations and released pending trial at District…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of December 23, 2021, there are currently 9,285 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been nine deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 5,251 deaths attributed to COVID-19.   DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 66-year old female from Cabell County, a 47-year old female from Grant County, an 86-year old male from Jackson County, an 88-year old male from Hancock County, an 87-year old female from Grant County, a 69-year old female from Logan County, a 77-year old female from Greenbrier County, and…

On Saturday, December 25, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Michael Allan Abraham. The warrant was issued as a result of Abraham failing to appear for his court case on an original charge of Disorderly Conduct. Abraham was arrested and transported to Central Booking. Abraham was held at the Allegany County Detention Center on a $1,000 bond.   ARRESTED: Michael Allan Abraham AGE: 57 Cumberland, MD

Harvest 16% Lower, Population Remains Healthy Photo by Olivia Wiley The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that hunters harvested 26,569 deer during the two-week firearms season from Nov. 27 through Dec. 11. The harvest was 16% lower than last year’s official count of 31,649. “The two-week firearm season continues to be our most popular deer season,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “Although we have seen a mix of harvest results this season, the deer population remains healthy.” Hunters reported taking 10,492 antlered deer during the two-week season, down 10% from last year’s official total of 11,649. The antlerless harvest decreased 20%…

On Friday, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Benn Roby Deal.  The warrant was issued as a result of an incident that occurred on December 18, 2021.  On December 19, 2021, the victim reported that she had been assaulted by Deal.  The victim alleged that Deal destroyed her cell phone, threatened her with a knife, and held her against her will.  An application for charges was filed against Deal at the District Court of Allegany County and an arrest warrant was issued.  Deal was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  Deal was held at the Allegany County…

Nearly 5,500 families in West Virginia who receive state assistance are going to get a one-time $400 boost in benefits beginning next week. The state Department of Health and Human Resources announced Tuesday it will issue the one-time payment to families that are part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program who are active in the WV WORKS program. The money is coming from a portion of the DHHR’s federal pandemic relief funds. To be eligible, the recipients had to be active in WV WORKS this month and eligible to be part of the program again next month.

No white Christmas in 2021. Unseasonably warm weather for Christmas with winter feeling more like spring in Cumberland. Christmas Day temperatures will approach the mid 60's.

 Deputy State Fire Marshals arrested a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania man early Christmas Eve after setting multiple Christmas wreaths on fire at a local Hagerstown cemetery.  Peter J. Custer, 43, is charged with Second Degree Malicious Burning, Malicious Destruction of Property Under $1,000, and Trespassing on Private Property. Witnesses called 911 just after 1:00 a.m., after driving by Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Hagerstown and saw Custer standing by a fire.  Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded and concluded that Custer took plastic wreaths from three or more burial plots, placed them on an access…

On December 24, 2021 at approximately 1250 hours, the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack received a call of a vehicle accident at westbound I- 68 at the 62-mile marker.  A Trooper was dispatched and the conditions of the roads were found to be icy/hazardous due to sleet/icy rain.   The Cumberland Barrack started receiving multiple calls for vehicles sliding off the road and other accidents.  The Snow Emergency Plan was put in to effect at 0030 hours.  Several calls for vehicles off the roadway were received.  The roadway was shut down by SHA at the 64-mile marker west bound I-68.  The…

The state of Maryland has surpassed the threshold of 1,500 COVID-19 hospitalizations, triggering additional actions by hospitals, as required by a Maryland Department of Health order issued earlier this month. To date, Maryland has reported 6,869 additional COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, an increased positivity rate of 12.8% and 1,505 people are hospitalized. The state has also not updated the number of deaths as of Dec. 4. With the Omicron variant now spreading, Governor Larry Hogan earlier this week announced an additional $100 million in emergency funding for hospitals and nursing homes to help address urgent staffing needs…