Governor Larry Hogan today called on the Maryland State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, citing the state’s dramatically improved health metrics, the widespread availability of vaccines for school age children, and the growing consensus among medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials. “A growing number of medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials throughout the nation are calling for an end to school mask requirements,” writes Governor Hogan. “In light of dramatic improvements to our health metrics and the widespread availability of vaccines, I am calling on you to take action to rescind this policy.”  

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Amber Lynn James.  The bench warrants were issued as a result of James failing to comply with an order of the court.  James was originally charged with 3 counts of Assault-2nd Degree.  James was arrested and transported to Central Booking at the Allegany County Detention Center.  She was held without bond. ARRESTED: Amber Lynn James       AGE: 38                Cumberland, MD   On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Jonathan Tyler Lease.  The warrant was issued as a result of an…

Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford has joined the charge to drop school mask mandates in Maryland. This week the House Republican Caucus signed off on a letter to the State Board of Education requesting the superintendent and school board immediately rescind the policy requiring face coverings of all students in public schools, including the elimination or modification of all three of the off-ramps. The letter asks that local board’s of education be given a free hand in deciding whether or not to require masks in their schools. Rutherford said the off-ramps are too stringent and nearly impossible to meet… State Superintendent…

A reluctance on the part of some entities to give up any control of their organization is viewed as one of the major obstacles when it comes to pursuing economic development opportunities in the city. During a presentation before the Cumberland Mayor and City Council this week, consultant Kyle Talente showed a chart with more than a dozen groups- including the CEDC; Greater Cumberland Committee; the DDC; the DCBA; Tri County Council and the Canal Place Authority-  all focused on economic development efforts. He said unfortunately all too often those organizations balk at any proposal that might reduce their scope…

Separate bills that would reduce the maximum amount of unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks and require recipients to actively seek work passed the Republican-led West Virginia Senate this week. It took two hours of debate to cover both bills. Legislation addressing the benefits period passed on a 20-14 vote. Governor Jim Justice voiced support for the measures…

It is Black History Month and just an hour east of Cumberland is one of the more interesting- but less well known historical trails. In Hagerstown there is a trail that played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. Maryland was considered a Southern state until the Civil War and had its fair share of enslaved people, some of whom escaped to freedom using the Underground Railroad. Emilie Amt, a professor at Hood College, told WBAL that there are many stories of escape and heroism along the trail in Hagerstown… Historians, in partnership with Visit Hagerstown, created the Underground Railroad Trail.

Governor Larry Hogan announced a new action plan to incentivize Marylanders to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.  VaxCash 2.0, a partnership between the Maryland Lottery and Maryland Department of Health, will award a combined total of $2 million to lucky Marylanders who are fully vaccinated and boosted.  The promotion kicks off February 15 with a special initial drawing of $500,000.  Ten weekly drawings for $50,000 each will follow the initial award, culminating May 3 with a $1 million cash prize for one lucky Marylander.  Maryland residents 18 and older who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccinations and their booster…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, on behalf of West Virginia, is voicing his objections to the State of Maryland for purposely ignoring the questions, concerns and input of West Virginia when it decided, unilaterally, to remove all or part of the Blue Bridge Dam on the Potomac River near Cumberland and Ridgely, West Virginia.   It has come to the Attorney General’s attention that Maryland, through the City of Cumberland, plans to remove all or part of the Blue Bridge Dam to create a new type of tourism destination. The dam is now used by West Virginia residents and…

Today, Wednesday, a report was received about a potential threat to the Center for Career and Technical Education. As a result, the Career Center was placed into Lock-In.  Law enforcement was contacted, and the threat was investigated.  There is no danger to the Career Center at this time, and as a result, the Lock-In has been lifted. As a reminder, during a Lock-In, school security is increased while retaining the ability to continue to operate normally within the school. All outside activities are suspended until the lock-in is lifted. 

On Wednesday at approximately 7:30 AM, Cumberland Barracks Troopers responded to a Westernport residence for a report of a residential alarm.  While en-route to the incident, a witness observed an individual fleeing the scene.  With the assistance of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, a person matching the description of the suspect was located in the yard of a nearby residence, and identified as Gary R. Trenter 2nd, a 34 year old white male.  Mr. Trenter was arrested and charged with crimes related to Burglary and Theft.  He is currently awaiting bond review to determine conditions of his release.