Nearly half of the city of Cumberland’s operating budget goes toward public safety. And while occasionally there have been calls by frustrated taxpayers to go with an all volunteer fire department- or having law enforcement picked up by the county sheriff’s department- the city has no plans to move in that direction. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, during an appearance on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, was asked specifically about the cost of maintaining a the police department. The nationally-accredited police department consists of 52 sworn officers and 17 civilian support employees and had a budget of $6 million for fiscal year…

The Maryland General Assembly is trying to do what it can to help consumers deal with the inflation spike with a package of legislation announced that would offer tax relief and help for the chronically unemployed. The family budget boosters package is designed to help consumers keep more of their money, put the chronically unemployed back to work and help push the state toward a full economic recovery. WBAL reports Democratic leaders at the State House put together a package of tax relief bills that they said will help people afford everyday products and to make it easier to find…

The Maryland State Board of Education voted 12 to 2 Tuesday in favor of ending the statewide mask mandate in schools effective March 1st.  The vote came moments after state superintendent Mohammed Choudhury recommended returning control of masking guidelines to local school divisions. Approval by a joint legislative committee will be the next step in finalizing the new guidance. Allegany County Board of Education President Crystal Bender reacted to the news… In a related story, an emergency meeting of the Allegany County Board of Health is set for this afternoon to establish new quarantine guidelines for those exposed or potentially…

On Sunday at 9:10 PM the Cumberland Police responded to a Pennsylvania Avenue residence for a reported robbery. Upon arrival Officers learned that two suspects known to the victims had displayed a handgun and demanded the victims turn over cash and valuables to them. At one point the suspects struck two of the victims with the handgun. The suspects then fled in a vehicle in an unknown direction.               The Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted and responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Investigators interviewed the victims and obtained video surveillance from the…

Governor Larry Hogan today visited Greenbrier State Park in Boonsboro to tout the investment of $75 million in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget for the Maryland Park Service, which represents a 20-year high. The governor also announced the opening of new state parks in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore this summer.  The governor was joined for today’s announcement by Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, who has now visited 60 of Maryland’s 75 state parks as part of his State Park Bucket List, and Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “Maryland truly is open…

 By a vote of 12-2, the Maryland State Board of Education on Tuesday voted to rescind its mask mandate in schools, returning the decision to local districts. But the decision will not take effect until the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review, a panel of state delegates and senators that oversees regulations or standards in the state, holds its own vote.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced nearly $8 million in emergency funding to support the state’s four residential treatment centers and to mitigate financial losses they incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, will help ensure critical services are provided to children and adolescents enrolled in Medicaid.   “This emergency funding will enable the state’s residential treatment centers to immediately bolster the behavioral health services and support they provide Maryland’s children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “As we recover from the COVID-19…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped below 3% for the first time since early November, as the state’s health metrics continue to decline.

 The 45th Annual Mountain Maryland PACE event in Annapolis is scheduled for March 3-4, 2022. After a year off in 2021 due to COVID restrictions and a forced delay this year due to a COVID spike, the event is confirmed and proceeding with a slight adjustment to event start time. “We are glad to have had the ability to make some adjustments this year, with the support and flexibility of our partners, to ensure that we didn’t go another year without this important event in Annapolis. That same flexibility is what has led us to make a slight time change…

CUMBERLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT Missing Person Sarah Noelle Kesner, age 18, has been reported missing to the Cumberland Police Department.  Anyone with information as to her whereabouts is urged to contact the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600.  A recent photo of Kesner has been attached to this request.  Thanks for your assistance.