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.
On February 8, 2022 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Christian O. Ogwuegbu. The Criminal Summons was issued by District Court, in regards to a theft case that occurred in June 2020. Through an investigation Ogwuegbu was charged with theft $10,000 to under $100,000. Ogwuegbu signed all copies of the Criminal Summons and was released, awaiting a court date. Christian O. Ogwuegbu, age 68, Allen, TX Charges: Theft $10,000 to $100,000 On February 8, 2022 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Carissa Paige Ketterman. The Criminal Summons…
On February 8, 2022 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol in the area of Baltimore Street when he observed a male subject, identified as Logan Ray Aldrich, throw an object in to a grassy area. The officer made contact with Aldrich and observed a hypodermic syringe in the grassy area. Contact was made with Aldrich, who admitted to throwing the hypodermic syringe in to the grass. Aldrich was issued criminal citations for possession of controlled paraphernalia, and littering. Aldrich was released from the scene. Logan Ray Aldrich, age 24, Cumberland, MD Charges: Possession of ControlleParaphernalia/Littering
While complaints against Allegany County Emergency Medical Services chief Christopher Biggs made last October were investigated and subsequently dismissed by county government- additional accusations that followed remain under review. In an October 27th letter to the Allegany County Government Department of Human Resources, IAFF Local 1715, which represents paid full-time firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, asked for the removal of Biggs from his position as EMS chief. The union provided county officials with documents that included allegations of nepotism and as well as a general lack of integrity and ethics. In early December, at a public meeting, County Attorney Lee…
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that he will not run for the U.S. Senate, rebuffing an aggressive recruitment push from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans who saw the term-limited governor as the GOP’s best chance to win in the deep-blue state. Hogan announced his decision during an unrelated afternoon press conference in the governor’s mansion, explaining that he could not finish his term as governor effectively and run for the Senate at the same time…
