Mineral County deputies encountered gunfire upon arrival at a residence for a well-being check of a man early Wednesday at a home along state Route 28 near Scenic Lane. The Cumberland Times News reported that Mineral County Sheriff Forrest "Buddy" Ellifritz just after 1 p.m.deputies were fired upon as they approached the residence.   Upon encountering the gunfire at about 6 a.m., deputies "backed away" from the residence, according to the sheriff. The deputies set up a perimeter to secure the area of the incident that reportedly occurred in the 2400 block of Frankfort Highway near Route 28 Auto Sales. Deputies…

Maryland State Police are investigating multiple thefts from senior citizens who have been scammed into giving away thousands of dollars after being convinced their grandchildren needed money to be bailed out of jail.   The Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack has received two reports of this scam since Feb. 3. In these cases, the scammers stole $9,200 and $15,000, respectively from their victims.   Commonly called the “Grandparent Scam,” the cases are similar to many that have been reported in other parts of Maryland and across the country in recent months. In each case, the suspects call a senior citizen…

State Route 28 was closed from Scenic Lane to Zims Tire and Auto Service Wednesday morning due to a police-related incident in the area. The Cumberland Times News reports the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office and West Virginia State Police were sent to a home near Route 28 Auto Sales about 6 a.m. and remained there late morning. Various EMS units were also staging in the area. Additional details were not immediately available.  Motorists were advised to use alternate routes. There have been unconfirmed reports of shots fired.

A winter storm watch has been issued for our area and the storm is expected to bring significant freezing rain accumulations. Total ice accumulations of up to three-tenths of an inch are possible. Snow and sleet accumulations less than one inch are also possible, creating dangerous travel conditions Thursday and Friday.   With the safety of our students and staff in mind, all Garrett County Public Schools will shift to virtual learning Thursday and Friday, February 24-25, 2022.  Schools will be closed for in-person learning.  Students are to take all necessary learning materials home at the end of the school…

 West Virginia and federal officials announced Tuesday an awarded bid for completing a section of Corridor H in Tucker County. Triton Construction of St. Albans submitted the $147.8 million bid for the Cheat River Bridge, which will be one of the longest bridges in the state once complete. Governor Jim Justice, state Department of Transportation officials, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Rep. David McKinley announced the funding for the bridge, which will connect a 15-mile section of Corridor H between Kerens and Parsons with the portion from Parsons to Davis

The full House of Delegates will consider a bill that would forbid mask or covid-19 testing mandates in schools from here on out, even if a new wave of covid-19 is worse. Some other states are also moving in this direction. Virginia passed a law last week to lift school mask mandates.  Maryland’s state school board voted to lift a mask mandate, but another legislative step is necessary.  This year in West Virginia, mask policies have been determined at the county level. Twenty-two counties require masks in schools, according to the state Department of Education. Another 16 require masks under varying conditions. Seventeen say…

On February 22, 2022, at approximately 2300 hours, an Allegany County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol in the area of Interstate 68 around Cumberland Maryland when a vehicle was observed conducting numerous traffic violations. The Deputy conducted a traffic stop for the violations which led to further investigation and ultimately a probable cause search of the vehicle. The search recovered illegal drugs, suspected by deputies, to be Heroin and Cocaine. Andrew Joseph Hopkins was placed under arrest and placed in the deputy’s patrol vehicle. Andrew Hopkins attempted to conceal a plastic bag inside the patrol vehicle that deputies found to…

Former Maryland Commerce Secretary and GOP candidate for governor Kelly Schulz announced that Assistant Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Jeff Woolford as her running mate for lieutenant governor.  Schulz and Woolford filed paperwork on Tuesday with the Maryland State Board of Elections to officially be on the ballot for the 2022 gubernatorial primary election. Schulz  stated in a news release “that today's an exciting day for our campaign is we introduced Marylanders to our next lieutenant governor”,  “Woolford professional experience, personal character, and his life story making extremely qualified to serve as our next lieutenant governor and she looks forward to…

More than 12,000 E-Z Pass users experiencing problems have signed a petition calling for Governor Larry Hogan to create a task force to investigate the billing system. According to a report by WBAL the petition seeks a review of leadership at the Maryland Transportation Authority and asks that fees be frozen until the investigation is complete. E-Z Pass users with billing problems are hoping that they're sheer numbers will finally get someone's attention. The petition will be sent to the governor after it reaches 15,000 signatures in the meantime the board of directors of the agency that oversees the Maryland…

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022 the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on David Alan Miltenberger, age 30 of Ridgeley, WV.  The warrant charged Miltenberger with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance-Not Marijuana.  Miltenberger was taken to Central Booking for his initial appearance before the District Court Commissioner.  He was released on his personal recognizance.  Arrested:  David Alan Miltenberger  Age:  30  Ridgeley, WV Charges:  Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance-Not Marijuana   On Tuesday, February 22, 2022 the Cumberland Police served an Arrest Warrant on Robert Christopher Cain, age 59, of Cumberland, MD.  Cain was charged with Failure to…