The Cumberland Police served a Criminal Summons on William Leo Miles, age 46 of Hagerstown MD.  The summons charged Miles with Malicious Destruction of Property and Disorderly Conduct.  The summons was issued as a result of a property dispute that occurred on 3-3-22 on the 100 block of Springdale St where it is alleged that Miles damaged another’s property and caused a disturbance. 

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan yesterday saluted agriculture as he recognized state farms that had been in the same family for over a century. Governor Hogan said the program has been playing catch up after being eliminated under former Governor Martin O’Malley for eight years…

A program similar to one that had been providing rental assistance during the pandemic has been announced for West Virginia homeowners who may have fallen behind on bills during the past couple of years. Erica Boggus is the Executive Director for the West Virginia Housing Authority…  

Coronavirus numbers are down across our area and most of America, but are we done with the pandemic? Dr. Clay Marsh says he’s been keeping an eye on Western Europe, which usually runs a few weeks ahead of our region in cases, and there is cause for concern.  

Troopers arrested and charged a Allegany County man early this morning after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of possession of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Justin Allen, 20 of LaVale, Maryland. Allen is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child pornography. He was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail. Beginning in November 2021, the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit conducted an investigation into the possession of child pornography online. The…

The Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Reginel Dechalus, age 36 of Cumberland MD.  The warrant charged Dechalus with Second Degree Assault, Trespassing on Private Property, and Telephone Misuse-Repeat Calls.  The charges were a result of an incident that occurred on March 20th, 2022 at a residence on the 200 block of Industrial Blvd.  Police were called to the residence and contacted a female victim.  She advised that Dechalus had come to her residence and entered it without her permission.  Dechalus refused to leave the property after the female victim requested him to leave.  He eventually left the residence,…

A new poll finds President Biden's approval rating below 50% in Maryland, a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by a 2-1 margin. A Goucher College poll finds 48% of those surveyed either "strongly approve" or "approve" of the job Biden is doing, while 47% "strongly disapprove" or "disapprove." A similar poll in March of last year gave Biden a 61% approval rating, and a poll in October gave him a 53% approval rating. Meanwhile the state’s Republican Governor, Larry Hogan continues a 7 plus year run of strong approval ratings. Pollster Mileah Kromer Since the so-called “honeymoon” period in the…

The city of Cumberland is nearing agreement with a developer for the 19 Frederick Street building- and there are strong indications that it will be a craft brewery operation.  A request for proposals was sent out last fall with more than twenty responses received. Since then the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and city officials have worked toward finalizing a deal for the property- and later today the city council is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss the preferred proposal. With no agreement yet in place and no details are being released- but several sources have pointed to a craft…

The Allegany County Commissioners continue the budget process this week with the first of what will be two days of hearing requests from outside agencies.  Among those making budget presentations Thursday afternoon will be social services; circuit court; the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport. A number of factors have led to a healthy fiscal picture for the county- which now has a record breaking budget surplus of $4.2 million. The county benefited financially in 2021 from coronavirus relief funding which pumped $13 million into the county's coffers through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. In…

While Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed emergency legislation on Friday creating a 30 day gas tax holiday to help offset skyrocketing prices at the pump- in just a few months- as a result of state law- that tax will be on the rise again. In 2013 the state put a mechanism in place that usually results in an automatic increase in the gas-tax every July 1. The increase is based on the consumer price index, which has risen 7.9% in the past year. Such an increase could result in 2 cents to 3 cents being added to the gas tax this summer. A number…