Just after midnight, troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack responded to a serious motor vehicle collision in the area of Jefferson Boulevard and Twin Springs Drive.  The first arriving Trooper located two vehicles with substantial damage with the occupants still inside.  Vehicle one was identified as a 2017 Toyota Corolla and Vehicle two was identified as a 2015 Kia Sportage.           A front seat passenger in the Kia, 31 year old Jacob Keller 3rd from Smithsburg, Maryland was injured and transported by ambulance to Meritus Medical Center.            The driver of the Kia Sportage was identified as 74 year…

The CDC has introduced a Quarantine and Isolation Calculator to help those who have been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 determine how long to quarantine or isolate.  You can find this free and easy-to-use tool at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.  It is important to note that the Q&I calculator does not apply to individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and those who are in high-risk settings such as congregate facilities or hospitals.  Immunocompromised individuals should seek advice from their healthcare providers regarding isolation and quarantine, and those in high-risk settings should follow the protocols for their specific facilities.   The Allegany…

The Cumberland Times News reports some pre-trial hearings in a poaching case that spans three counties in West Virginia and crosses into Maryland await new dates. In January, West Virginia Natural Resources Police said 223 charges involving at least 27 antlered bucks taken illegally in Mineral, Grant and Hampshire counties from mid September to late December were filed against eight area residents including former Mineral County deputy sheriffs Tyler Biggs and Dalton Dolly, who resigned from their jobs. Also charged is Allegany County Department of Emergency Services EMS Chief Christopher Biggs, who was suspended from his job for “alleged violation of…

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Friday he plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, praising her "exemplary" record and career and labeling her "supremely qualified" to be a justice. The centrist Democrat's support gives Jackson's nomination a major boost after four days of contentious hearings, all but assuring her historic confirmation to be the first Black woman on the high court, as long as the rest of the Democratic caucus stays on board.

The House of Delegates approved a $58.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year, and negotiators are likely to start meeting soon to reconcile differences with the budget proposal passed by the Maryland Senate last week. The House made about four dozen changes to the Senate budget plan, including increasing appropriations for potential launches of a paid family leave insurance program and a legalized cannabis industry in the state. The chamber also sought, again, to phase out a publicly funded private school voucher program. Like the Senate, the House has set aside $350 million for a tax relief deal being negotiated…

For the 7-day period of  March 18-24, 2022, there were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide or Cohort Outbreak of COVID-19.  ACPS had 6 staff members and 6 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time.  ACPS had 1 staff member quarantined as a close contact, and 4 students were reported as a close contact to a positive person and required to quarantine. 

 A Maryland judge ruled Friday that the state’s new congressional map is unconstitutional, preventing the map from taking effect.  Judge Lynne Battaglia issued the ruling after a trial last week in which Republican lawmakers contended that Maryland's congressional map approved by the General Assembly in December violates the constitution by drawing districts that favor Democrats, who control the legislature. The judge is  entering a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs to reject the map and “permanently enjoining its operation, and giving the General Assembly an opportunity to develop new Congressional Plan that is constitutional.” An appeal by the state is…

Federal and local investigators are asking for the public's help finding an accused violent drug trafficking suspect from Western Maryland. The FBI and Maryland State Police are searching for Rodney Gaines. nvestigators say Gaines is also known by his alias "Butters." Police say Gaines faces charges related to a violent drug trafficking group that has been operating in Western Maryland since April 2021.Federal officials issued an arrest warrant for Gaines earlier this week, after he was charged with several counts including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. 

Governor Larry Hogan today submitted a $291.7 million supplemental budget to the General Assembly with substantial provider rate increases for health care and disability services providers, and additional resources to support child care providers and facilities. “Every day, we are inspired by the commitment of our health care and child care providers, and these investments will help further expand access to critical services for Maryland families,” said Governor Hogan. “We continue to devote part of our record surplus to relief and resources for those in need, including our developmentally disabled community.” $210 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL HEALTH CARE AND DISABILITY SERVICES…

On Thursday, March 24, 2022 at approximately 7:50 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a field interview with Logan McDaniel in the 100 block of Park Street.  After speaking to McDaniel, he advised that he was currently in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  The CDS was seized and McDaniel was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.  He was later released on a criminal citation pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Logan Tyler McDaniel       AGE:  27       Cumberland, MD