Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford says that opioid overdose deaths are starting to level off, but the state did see a rise in deaths during the pandemic. He said fentanyl is being used on the street and being mixed with oxycodone and other drugs, including heroin. Rutherford chairs the Maryland Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force and said they announced legislation last week about getting people in treatment and having access to therapists and doctors…

The City of Cumberland Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is seeking community input for a proposed skate park facility. An organized group of local skateboarders are seeking the construction of a skate park facility in the City of Cumberland/surrounding area. While no decision has been made on a location, the skateboard group behind the project has been focused on Jaycee Field, formerly known as Pogey Field on Furnance Street. That site however is not without its problems- including some pushback from some citizens who would like to see it remain a sports complex. City Councilman Joe George…

The chair of the state appointed Canal Place Task Force was not enthusiastic about the recent request by the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority to be absorbed by the Maryland Park Service. In 2018 the Task Force was created to determine if Canal Place should be divided into portions and sold to private investors or kept as is. With no final Task Force report  completed nearly four years later, Canal Place representatives contacted the chair of the newly formed State Park Investment Commission, and testified before a sub committee in Annapolis requesting Canal Place to be designated a state…

Cumberland City Police Saturday arrested Keri Ann Donaldson, 31, of Cumberland. Donaldson was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for violating the conditions of probation. Donaldson was taken before a District Court Commissioner for her initial appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held without bond. Arrested: Keri Ann Donaldson Age: 31 Charges: Bench Warrant – Violation of Probation

On Saturday, Cumberland City Police responded to multiple city residences for reports of destruction of property. Officers discovered that multiple vehicles in the area of Arch Street had been damaged throughout the night. Damage to the vehicles included broken windows and mirrors. The Cumberland Police ask that anyone with information regarding these incidents to please call (301)777-1600.  

Cumberland City Police responded to the intersection of Queen City Dr and N. Centre St Saturday for the report of a motor vehicle crash with a rollover. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a Subaru Impreza had struck a Honda CRV after it failed to stop at the red light. The Honda then rolled over in the roadway. The Cumberland Fire Dept. responded to provide medical treatment to the drivers on scene. The roadway was closed for approximately 1 hour for vehicle and debris removal.

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council will hold a work session Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 PM. Highlighting the agenda will be a discussion of how the city should use millions of dollars in funding awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act, and then coming up with a list of what projects should be at the top of the list. City Council is expected to extend the agreement with UFCW Local 1994 for an additional year when they meet in regular session Tuesday evening. The extension will address wage enhancements with members of the Cumberland Police Department. The agreement was reached…

Frederick County Leads State in Harvest Totals Photo by Patricia Neal, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that deer hunters harvested 70,845 deer during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 10, 2021 through Feb. 3, 2022. The statewide harvest included 27,947 antlered and 39,498 antlerless white-tailed deer, plus 1,541 antlered and 1,859 antlerless sika deer. The harvest was 13% lower than the 2020-2021 total of 81,729 deer. “Maryland hunters concluded another successful but challenging deer season,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “Fluctuations in the annual harvest are attributable to…

Maryland State Police arrested a Baltimore County man after an investigation led to criminal charges including sexual solicitation of a minor. The accused is identified as Mark Planamente, 38, of Parkville, Md.  He is charged with sexual solicitation of a minor and displaying obscene material to a minor.  Planamente was arrested shortly before 11:00 p.m. yesterday at his residence without incident.  He was taken before a court commissioner for an initial appearance and is being held without bond. Additional charges are possible pending further investigation. The investigation began on Friday, February 11, 2022 after investigators from the Maryland State Police…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of February 11, 2022, there are currently 8,076 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been 26 deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 5,992 deaths attributed to COVID-19. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 73-year old male from Raleigh County, a 98-year old female from Mason County, a 64-year old female from Marion County, a 69-year old male from Raleigh County, a 63-year old male from Nicholas County, a 94-year old male from Harrison County, a 60-year old female from Hardy County, an 82-year…