On May 2nd, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Park Street business for a reported shoplifting. Upon officers arrival they spoke with an employee who advised them that Kenneth Yonker  had left the store without paying for numerous items. Officers spoke with Yonker and issued him a Criminal Citation for Theft. Yonker was released pending his trial at District Court.   Arrest: Kenneth Robert Yonker, age 69, Cumberland Maryland Charge: Theft $100-$1,500.

After announcing last week that the state has lifted it’s outdoor mask mandate, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is already being lobbied to lift additional restrictions. While outdoor dining as of May 1st no longer has any restrictions, indoor dining restrictions will remain in place for now, according to Hogan. The governor was asked when he anticipates lifting restrictions on indoor dining  

Not entirely satisfied with the initial round of applicants, Cumberland officials are considering a national search for a new city administrator. Jeff Rhodes, current city administrator, announced in November he would retire with his last day being June 1. With that date fast approaching  the city council will need to accelerate the process- or consider appointing an interim administrator to allow more time to complete a search. The best way to move forward dominated much of the discussion during a recent work session. The position was advertised and a total of 24 applicants were received. Of those two dozen, four finalists…

Governor Jim Justice began his semi-daily COVID-19 briefing by going over the most recent deaths to occur in West Virginia. The total number of deaths in WV have now reached 2,679.  In sounding a familiar theme – Justice once again urged younger West Virginians to get vaccinated, by reiterating how safe receiving the vaccine is…

The Maryland State Board of Education wants all students to have the option to return to the classroom full-time next school year. The board unanimously approved a resolution last week, saying schools must be able to provide at least 180 days of in-person learning to all students starting in fall 2021. The resolution says teachers must be in classrooms. The action got some immediate push back from the state teachers union headed by Cheryl Bost…   School districts will be allowed to ask the state board for exemptions- however it doesn’t appear any such request will come from the Allegany County Board…

2:45 PM UPDATE: Maryland Department of Transportation advises that lanes 2 and 3 will be closed for an extended period for repair.  Lane 1 will also be affected during the removal process. INITIAL REPORT: The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County has dispatched units to westbound Interstate 68 in Cumberland. A tractor trailer has spilled its load, causing damage to the highway and closing the 2nd and 3rd lanes. The mishap occurred early in the 1 PM hour.

The Allegany County Sheriff's Office will have Rt. 220 closed in the area of Weis Market between Cresaptown and Belair for a motor vehicle crash investigation. The north and south bound lanes will be shut down for approx. one hour between 5pm to 6pm on May 2, 2021.   

On Saturday, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of Gulf Memorial Drive and Union Street for a report of a subject near the train tracks. Upon the officers arrival they spoke with Kelly Brian Swick, who was intoxicated, and was advised to leave the area due to him being at the tracks and the trains being unable to run. Kelly began to act in a disorderly manner and his actions caused numerous motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area. Kelly was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and later released on a criminal citation pending his trial…

The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County dispatched units to Interstate 68 in the eastern part of the county for a potential vehicle rollover. The accident occurred just before 3:00 AM, and EMS tended to three patients at the scene. The westbound passing lane was closed for a period of time during the emeregency response.