Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has spent most of the last two years worrying about how to deal with COVID-19, now he's thinking about the president's warning this week that Russia may be ready to launch new large-scale cyberattacks against entities in the United States. President Biden said the administration has issued “new warnings” and said the magnitude of Russia’s cyber capacity is fairly consequential, and it’s coming.” Hogan said no one in his administration is taking these threats lightly…

On Thursday, just before 5:00 PM, troopers from the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack with the assistance of the Allegany County Sheriff’s department responded to Western Correctional Institution (WCI) located at 13800 McMullen Hwy, regarding two suspicious individuals on the WCI property who were dressed in suspicious clothing and video recording the institution. As law enforcement arrived at WCI they located two individuals wearing tactical ballistic style vests, BDU pants, equipment belt, and masks. The individuals refused to comply with the trooper’s orders and continued to video record the troopers and the institution. The two individuals were arrested for disorderly…

During a Thursday afternoon news conference, Gov. Larry Hogan called on lawmakers to pass his crime initiatives.Hogan said he's pleased with progress on the Judicial Transparency bill. which has passed the Senate in modified form, but said work needs to be done on the violent offender sentencing bill. Neither the House nor Senate has approved that bill. “These are critical investments of funding and manpower to assist Baltimore City law enforcement, and we will continue to take additional actions at the state level to back them up in every way we can,” Hogan said. “With only 18 days left of…

Today, members of the Joint Republican Caucus called on Democratic Leadership and members of the General Assembly to address the unfinished business of combating violent crime before the Legislative Session ends in nineteen days. Specifically, Republican Senators and Delegates are pushing for SB 861 and SB 652 to make it to the Governor’s desk. “Rising crime, particularly violent crime, is affecting Marylanders across our state,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel. “Cracking down on violent and career criminals shouldn't be a partisan issue, and it's time for our Democratic colleagues to start taking this issue seriously and stop blocking meaningful…

On 2/12/22 @ approximately 0230 hours, the Frostburg Police Department received a report of an assault with what was believed to be a bb/pellet gun.  The first victim to report the incident was walking on E. College Avenue, near Broadway, in Frostburg.  The victim was struck in the arm with the projectile and sustained a non life threatening injury.  The subject walked to a nearby police station and reported the incident to authorities.   A short time later (approximately 0300 hours), two residents of an E. Main Street address were shot/shot at as they were attempting to enter the door…

On Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at approximately 8:49 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 900 block of Gay Street for a domestic disturbance.  Upon arrival, officers contacted several occupants inside the apartment.  One of the residents was identified as Bethany Montague.  Montague was uncooperative with the police in their attempt to investigate the incident.  It was soon discovered that Montague had an active bench warrant for her arrest.  The warrant was issued as a result of Montague violating her probation.  While attempting to place Montague under arrest, she pulled away and assaulted one…

On Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at approximately 3:17 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation.   A K-9 was requested and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist.  The K-9 alerted to the odor of CDS in the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle and occupants was conducted.  An amount of controlled dangerous substance was located.  After further investigation, two of the occupants, Mark Rankin and Tyler Hoover, were arrested for possession of the CDS.  They were transported to city police headquarters and later released on criminal citations…

The latest deadline to file to run for office in Maryland is April 15th- with two earlier dates having been changed as a result of ongoing legal challenges pertaining to legislative redistricting. Locally the candidate lists are beginning to grow. In the city of Cumberland, while Mayor Ray Morriss does not yet have a challenger, there are a total of six candidates for two open city council seats including incumbents Rock Cioni and Joe George. Also on the ballot: Brett Bean; Mary Conlon; Chris Myers and William Patch. There are also six candidates on file for three Allegany County Board…

A jury trial for the 16-year-old Fort Hill High School student accused of murdering a classmate last October is tentatively set for April 27th.  Although the teenager has been charged as an adult, authorities are not permitted to release his name. He is charged with first-degree murder in the after-school stabbing death Saiquan Jenkins October 28th.  Police said at the time that the stabbing likely stemmed from an “ongoing personal dispute” between Jenkins and the accused teen. The incident occurred at an alley entrance in the area of Warwick Avenue and Williams Street, located a short distance from the school….

Because both candidates are current Republican office holders having chosen to pursue the seat being vacated by State Senator George Edwards- the primary campaign pitting Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade against House of Delegate 1C representative Mike McKay is expected to be one of the more contentious. And there is early evidence that is the case. On social media, Delegate Mckay is questioning Shade’s “fiscal conservative” credentials, accusing him of  having plans to “sneak a tax hike” through as part of the upcoming budget. Shade tells WCBC News that McKay trying to portray Thursday’s constant yield tax rate hearing- advertised…