The Allegany County K9 Fund, a newly established nonprofit organization, has been formed to educate and fundraise for retired K9 dogs in Allegany County, Maryland. “As a former K9 officer, I acknowledge the need for funding the health care of retired K9 dogs, and this program has my wholehearted support. The K9 dog’s health deteriorates more quickly than a pet. These dogs have extensive, challenging training to become working dogs.  You see the dogs jumping in and out of vehicles many times a day, which is tough on the dog’s joints. When the K9 is retired, the adopting owner assumes…

On Sunday, Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Pennsylvania Ave for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival on scene, officers made contact with a male subject identified as Michael Thomas Femi, 27. Femi advised that he had gotten into a verbal argument with a female in the home and that the female was no longer on scene. Officers then contacted the female involved who advised that she had been in a verbal altercation with Femi that turned physical. Investigation revealed that during the altercation, the female had been choked by Femi. Femi was…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is speaking publicly for the first time since  the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary was declared on Tuesday night.  says Cox  As the counting process continued last week, it is already known Dan Cox will be the Republican candidate for governor this November, much to the dismay of Hogan, who endorsed his rival, Kelly Schulz… He said by electing Cox as the party nominees, Republicans played right into the hands of Democrats who prefer to take on Donald Trump endorsed candidates…

State Senator George Edwards said he was disappointed but not surprised by Delegate Mike McKay’s primary election win over County Commissioner Jake Shade last week- but he adds that there is no ill and he hopes to see the party come together for November. The McKay/Shade campaign for Edwards District One Senate Seat was contentious at times-  and both candidates also spent a great deal of  time focused on endorsements. Edwards ultimately endorsed Shade, he said, based on his record of accomplishment. Speculation however was the the endorsement was more a slight of McKay, rather than support for Shade… Up…

Efforts to hire additional police officers continue in Cumberland. While some citizens have voiced concern about the lack of adequate police staffing, Chief Charles Ternent stressed that while the department size wasn’t optimum, it was capable of ensuring the safety of the town. He noted that incidents of crime are down and arrests are up. Despite those statistics, the department is operating currently with essentially 40 of 51 spot filled. Captain James Burt says filling those spots represents a challenge given the police shortage in a nationwide problem…

A series of arsons in the area had fire fighters and law enforcement working together to identify the culprits. Cumberland Fire Chief Shannon Adams said it was a true team effort that led to a successful conclusion to the investigation- with surveillance cameras also playing a big role…

On Saturday, July 23, 2022, at apx. 7:40 p.m. Frostburg City Police responded to Taylor Street for a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male victim shot in the leg. The suspect had fled. Preliminary investigation indicated that the victim and the suspect were inside the victim’s residence when a dispute arose and a physical struggle ensued. During the struggle, the suspect produced a handgun, shot the victim in the leg, and fled. The victim was transported to UPMC Western Maryland hospital for treatment and later transferred to another facility. Frostburg City Police Department officers were assisted at the…

  On 7/23/2022 at approximately 10:00 AM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to the single digit block of Valley Street for a suspicious person in a vehicle. Upon arrival officers contacted Jared Nathaniel Citarelli. A police K-9 was requested and alerted to the odor of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) in the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted and a quantity of suspected Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the vehicle. Mr. Citarelli was placed under arrest and transported to the police station. Mr. Citarelli received an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner and was released…

Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the award of $18.8 million to 22 ecological restoration projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while building local resilience to climate impacts. These awards encompass 77 unique sites that will be restored using best management practices, including riparian buffer and reforestation plantings, stream restoration, stormwater management, and wetland creation. “Our administration’s commitment to environmental stewardship has included making record investments in Chesapeake Bay restoration, and fully funding the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund,” said Governor Hogan. “Each of…

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the 2021 underwater grass abundance in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay remained stable compared to the previous year, with a slight decrease of 1%, or 350 acres. Baywide, underwater grasses increased by 7%. Despite record high rainfall and stream flows in 2018 and 2019, long-term monitoring by DNR has identified major reductions in polluted runoff entering the Bay as a result of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration activities. These improving trends in cleaner water provide multiple benefits including being beneficial to the Bay’s underwater grasses.  Substantial underwater grass increases have occurred in areas with…