During the late night hours of 3/20/22, MSP Cumberland Barracks Troopers responded to E/B I68 at Exit 40 (Vocke Rd) for a tractor trailer brake fire.  The trailer portion of the vehicle was destroyed by fire.  No injuries were reported during the incident.   Alex McDonald photo  

Tracking the latest gas prices in Maryland, the average in Allegany County is currently $3.78 a gallon, with the lowest sitting around $3.73. That is below the state average with Maryland's at $3.81. The national average on Monday afternoon was $4.25

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has donated 50 Astral portable ventilators to treat patients at front line hospitals in Ukraine. Donated to the Paul Chester Children’s Hope Foundation (PCCHF)—a Dickerson-based grassroots medical organization that provides surgical care to people in developing countries—the ventilators will support the treatment of children and adults who have been wounded during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “The State of Maryland continues to stand in solidarity with President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine,” said Governor Hogan. “We are proud to make this donation to help save lives and…

Maryland has new deadlines for registering to vote and to request a mail-in ballot, after the state's highest court moved the state's primary to July 19, the state elections administrator announced Monday. Linda Lamone announced that the deadline to register to vote is June 28. The new deadline to request a mail-in ballot is July 12 for voters who want to receive their ballot in the mail. Early voting will now start on July 7 and end on July 14 , including the Saturday and Sunday. Lamone said in a news release that the state elections board continues to work…

The University of Maryland Men's Basketball program now has a new head coach. On Monday, the university announced that Kevin Willard will now lead the Terps on the hardwood. Willard recently coached Seton Hall to its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six events that were played. Willard replaces coach Mark Turgeon, who resigned in the middle of this past season. Danny Manning took over coaching duties for the remainder of the season.

Governor Larry Hogan today welcomed the announcement by Hitachi Rail, a global provider of rail solutions, that it is establishing its new railcar manufacturing operations in Washington County as part of a major U.S. expansion. Hitachi Rail is planning to build a $70 million, 307,000 square-foot facility on Greencastle Pike in Hagerstown. This project will create up to 460 new full-time jobs and help sustain 1,300 jobs in the region. “Hitachi Rail is an incredible global company, and their decision to select Hagerstown as the site of a major U.S. expansion is tremendous news for Washington County and the entire state…

During the late night hours of Sunday  MSP Cumberland Barracks Troopers responded to E/B I68 at Exit 40 (Vocke Rd) for a tractor trailer brake fire.  The trailer portion of the vehicle was destroyed by fire.  No injuries were reported during the incident.  Due to the significant damage to the trailer it was unable to be moved from the roadway.  Crews have been working all night to unload the product from the trailer, and remove the vehicle from the roadway.  Troopers recommend using an alternative route if traveling from the Frostburg area, and exiting to LaVale at Exit 40.  Currently the…

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Laura Hawkes.  The summons was issued in connection with an assault investigation from March 19, 2022.   On this date at approximately 5:44 PM, officers responded to the 200 block of E. Industrial Blvd. for a disturbance.  Upon officers’ arrival, they contacted two females who were engaged in a loud verbal argument.  One of the females was identified as Laura Hawkes.  The other female reported to police that Hawkes had assaulted her.  Officers observed injuries to the victim.  An application for charges was filed at the District…

On Sunday, March 20, 2022 at approximately 9:54 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of Fayette Street for an assault in progress.  Officers were advised by dispatch that a victim had been pepper sprayed.  Upon officers’ arrival, they contacted numerous subjects who reported that they found an unknown white male with a beard inside their building.  They provided a more detailed description and explained that they got the suspect to leave and he headed towards the bridge on Market Street.  Officers located the suspect on Market Street and detained him.  The…

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.  Jenkins died of his injuries after being taken to UPMC Western Maryland by a Cumberland Fire Department ambulance. Police say the stabbing likely stemmed from an “ongoing personal dispute” between Jenkins and the accused teen. The incident occurred at an alley entrance in the…