On January 31st, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served two Arrest Warrants on Travis Leon Shears. The Arrest Warrants were issued by the District Court stemming from an assault investigation and a violation of probation. During the assault investigation officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Quebec Avenue for a reported assault. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the victim who advised that Travis Shears already fled the residence. Officers interviewed the victim who advised Shears had thrown them to the ground, kicked, and stomped on them to the point of losing consciousness. Officers observed…

Maryland U.S. Senator Ben Cardin on Monday afternoon  lead a virtual roundtable with representatives of community colleges and four-year institutions from Allegany, Garrett, Washington, Frederick and Carroll counties to discuss the distinct challenges facing students, faculty and administrators during the pandemic.  Potential learning loss has been at the center of debate in K-12 classrooms for the past two years- but for higher education, the question is more narrow: Will students enter college less academically prepared than previous semesters? Frostburg State University President Dr Ron Nowaczyk…

Tonight, the Cumberland Mayor and City Council will receive a presentation recommending that the soon to be renovated Baltimore Street Bridge be dedicated in honor of former Speaker of the House Casper Taylor. Addressing the mayor and council with the request will be former downtown mall manager Ed Mullaney, Becky McClarran and Jim Stafford. Taylor represented Cumberland in the Maryland General Assembly for nearly 30 years- and during that time Mullaney says he was tremendously  influential in bringing dozens of key local projects  to fruition…

One of the tri state region’s largest health care providers says that while coronavirus cases are trending the right way, it's too early to drop your guard against the omicron variant. UPMC doctors said Monday that the health system's hospitals are still very busy with COVID-19 patients but case numbers and hospitalizations are on the way down. Doctors said they are still urging people to wear masks and get vaccinated. Dr. Donald Yealy is UPMC's chief medical officer…

Having received approval from the Maryland State Department of Education, the Allegany County School Board is moving forward with plans to utilize virtual learning during school closures due to inclement weather.   ACPS will allow a total of three “traditional” closures in the event of inclement weather. To date, ACPS has been closed twice (September 1st and January 7th). However, the September 1st closure will not count towards these three traditional closures.  ACPS will continue to utilize traditional school closures until two more days have been exhausted and will then move to a virtual learning inclement weather format. In addition to…

The City of Cumberland, the Downtown Development Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department are extending an invitation to everyone for the 15th annual Groundhog Day Celebration at City Hall. Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 2nd)  Cumberland’s furry prognosticator, Murray, will be honored with the introduction of a new mascot who will help answer the question, “Will it be an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter?” On hand to interpret the prediction will be Mayor Raymond Morriss, City Council members and special guest Bob Candy of the Tri-State Zoological Park. DDC executive director Melinda Kelleher..

Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill to repeal all abortion restrictions in West Virginia, a move that comes amid efforts in the Republican-led legislature to further restrict access to the procedure. During a news conference at the state Capitol on Monday, the bill's co-sponsor Del. Danielle Walker, a mother who previously had an abortion, described abortion restrictions as “a barrier to safe, affordable, accessible health care.” “It is racist. Sit in that uncomfortable moment," said Walker, the only Black woman in the West Virginia Legislature. Walker, who represents Monongalia County, added, "It affects people of color tremendously. It affects our…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped below 10%, as the state continues to report substantial declines in key health metrics. “For the second straight day, our positivity rate is in single digits, another sign of the encouraging progress we are making,” said Governor Hogan. “While we are emerging from the Omicron wave faster than just about any state, we continue to urge Marylanders to take precautions, and most importantly, get a booster shot.” Positivity Rate Down By Nearly 70%. Since peaking earlier this month just below 30%, the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate has declined…

Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) today announced that it has achieved a major milestone in its plan to construct and operate the 200 MWdc Backbone Solar Farm (CPV Backbone) in western Maryland’s Garrett County. The Maryland Public Service Commission granted CPV a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the project on January 11, 2022. The state’s approval grants CPV permission to construct Backbone Solar on former Vindex/Arch Coal mining sites north of the town of Kitzmiller, MD. The mines served as a major economic contributor to the region for decades. The new solar farm will be sited on approximately…

The Maryland State Board of Elections announced Monday it has started sending mail-in ballot request forms to registered voters before the June 28 primary. The forms will begin arriving in the mail later this week, the board said in a news release. This year, Maryland state law requires that election officials send all voters a form to request a mail-in ballot. Voters who want a mail-in ballot will be asked to fill out the request form, sign and seal it and return it in the postage paid envelope that accompanies the form. Requests must be received by June 21. This…