On January 9th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 600 block of Baker Street for a reported breaking and entering. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the victim who advised Gabriel Diaw had broken into their apartment and assaulted them as they attempted to call 911. The victim further advised that Gabriel poured an accelerant on the victim and attempted to set fire to them, but was unsuccessful. The victim further advised that Gabriel had fled the residence prior to officer’s arrival. The officers observed evidence that corroborated the description of the incident and completed an…

The deadline to file for elective office in Allegany County is 9 p.m. Tuesday February 22nd- and while a number of candidates have emerged for county commissioner- most other offices have yet to attract many names. In addition to county commissioners, locally voters will elect three board of education members; the sheriff; states attorney; register of wills; clerk of court as well as the mayor of Cumberland and two city council members. 2022 will be particularly challenging for Maryland election officials as the redistricted legislative and congressional maps are headed to court- causing some delays. Elections Administrator Linda Lamone… In…

As lawmakers prepare for the start of the 2022 General Assembly Session, Governor Larry Hogan briefly outlined priorities for his final session before leaving the governor’s mansion. Session kicks off at noon on Wednesday and Gov. Hogan has vowed to reintroduce legislation he’s failed to get through in years past; the Judicial Transparency Act and the Violent Firearms Offender Act. During a COVID-19 news conference took a few minutes to talk about what he hopes to see lawmakers work on during the 90 day session…

Now 2 years into the Coronavirus pandemic- the debate over wearing masks shows no signs of stopping.  While many studies have shown that masks significantly decrease the chances of transmitting coronavirus, and some types of masks can help prevent their wearers from catching the virus, debates still rage across the country including in Allegany County.  In the opinion of Matthew Simmons, an infectious disease expert and vice president of Medical Affairs at UPMC Western Maryland, the science is clear in favor of masking…

The first meeting of 2022 is set for the Allegany County Board of Education on Tuesday highlighted by the annual election of officers and a CDC update from the Allegany County Health Department. Through the years, more often than not the board has rotated the position of president, but there are some indications that Crystal Bender could be elected to serve a second consecutive term. On the COVID front, since the local board last met: the virus has been surging: the state has re-enforced a mask mandate for schools; and a number of Maryland school systems have opted to return…

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST MONDAY… * WHAT…Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE…In Maryland, Garrett and Extreme Western Allegany Counties. In Virginia, Western Highland County, and Northern Virginia Blue Ridge and Central Virginia Blue Ridge. In West Virginia, Western Grant, Western Mineral and Western Pendleton Counties. * WHEN…From 1 AM to 1 PM EST Monday. * IMPACTS…Damaging winds will likely blow down scattered trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible. Loose outdoor objects may be blown away or damaged. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Use extra…

On January 8th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 100 block of Lennox Place for a reported breaking and entering. Upon officers arrival they observed Cory Bennett to run from the residence, and after a brief foot pursuit he was apprehended. Bennett was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held on a $1,000 bond. Arrest: Cory Jacob Bennett, age 32, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Burglary 4th Degree and Trespassing.  

New Year’s Weekend Hikers Brave Rainy Conditions Hikers at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area  head into the woods on Jan. 1, 2022. Maryland DNR photo. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that about 3,000 visitors took part in First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks during the three-day period from December 31, 2021 through January 2, 2022.  More than 350 people self-reported that they hiked 1,223 miles in our state parks during the three-day weekend, in addition to 487 people that took part in ranger-led hikes, and 2,135 hikers who enjoyed self-guided options.  Rainy conditions may have dampened some attendance this…

The Maryland Department of Health released a report on COVID-19 vaccinations Saturday that revealed updated numbers for those aged 5 to 11. According to DOH, 35 percent of the youngest age group has received at least one shot of a Coronavirus vaccine, while 24 percent is considered to be completely vaccinated. Another bad week for COVID-19 numbers in our West Virginia counties, although there was some noticible improvement in Grant County. Mineral County has over 220 active cases, while Morgan, Hampshire, and Hardy Counties are all over 150 active cases. Most of West Virginia is currently in the red classification….

Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation, calling for the West Virginia Legislature to convene in Special Session at 11 a.m. on Monday Jan. 10, 2022. The proclamation lists several items for the Legislature to consider and act upon, all relating generally to economic development. The first is a bill establishing a “West Virginia Industrial Advancement Act,” which provides certain tax incentives, based upon very significant investment and employment thresholds, for labor and capital intensive heavy industrial facilities to locate in the state. The next five are supplemental appropriations bills, capitalizing upon the state’s spectacularly strong revenues and investing in…