On Monday, January 24th, 2022 the Cumberland Police responded to a residence on the 900 block of Maryland Ave for a report of an assault.  Upon arrival officers spoke the male and female on the scene.  Officers learned that an argument ensured between the two parties.  During the argument, the female was struck in the face by the male.  As the altercation progressed, the female obtained a kitchen knife and attacked the male, who was hiding in the bathroom.  Officers observed injuries to both parties consistent with their statements.  Based on these injuries, Michael Robert Caswell Jr, age 35 of…

So-called "ghost guns" are easy to make but hard to trace, and Maryland officials are taking aim to outright ban them. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is expected to pass a new rule that would change the definition of what a firearm is, and Maryland leaders hope to adopt a law to do just that. Legislation under consideration during Session 2022 targets the supply chain of ghost guns and the criminals who use them. It would change the definition of a firearm to include unfinished frames or receivers, which would be similar to what will become the…

West Virginia, like Western Maryland, has been going through high COVID-19 rates due to the Omicron Variant., West Virginia's Coronavirus Czar says that there is now a second version of Omicron that has been identified in Denmark… Nearly 90% of the counties in West Virginia are classified in red, which is the high level of COVID transmission. 

Even though the fight to end the filibuster tactic has been thwarted, debate still continues over voting rights and a Democratic proposal to federalize the regulation of elections. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin made a speech on the Senate Floor last week, trying to shame Republicans into allow the bill through…

Governor Larry Hogan today enacted an executive order expanding the state’s efforts to support health care facilities in addressing staffing shortages. In addition, the state’s health metrics continue to substantially improve, with COVID-19 hospitalizations dropping at the fastest rate in the United States. Today’s executive order takes the following actions:  Provides more licensing flexibility for pharmacists and technicians to help support the pharmacy workforce. Pharmacies are conducting a number of critical COVID-19 functions, including testing and vaccination clinics.   Expands the state’s initiative to allow nursing students to serve as licensed practitioners by also including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing…

Gov. Jim Justice and members of the West Virginia COVID-19 pandemic response leadership team held another news briefing today to update the public on the State’s latest pandemic response efforts.   GOV. JUSTICE: “THE WAY YOU CAN ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME FOR YOURSELF IS TO GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.” During Monday’s briefing, Gov. Justice reported that continued spread of the Omicron variant has caused West Virginia’s case numbers to rise over 21,000 and COVID-related hospitalizations once again nearing 1,000. COVID-19 Dashboard | Coronavirus.wv.gov Additionally, with 49 of the state’s 55 counties now designated in the Red category of the West…

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has entered into a settlement with California-based LeaseLock, Inc. resolving allegations that its deposit waiver products violated the Security Deposit Law. The Maryland Security Deposit Law permits landlords to collect security deposits from tenants that must be refunded to the tenant at the end of a tenancy, less any lawful deductions for damages to the rental premises beyond ordinary wear and tear, unpaid rent, and damages due to breach of lease.  LeaseLock offered, through landlords, a program through which tenants would make monthly payments to their landlords…

On January 23rd, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 400 block of Goethe Street for a theft complaint. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the victim who advised that a male suspect had stolen a large ceramic piggy bank containing a large amount of US currency and a wheelbarrow. The victim provided a description of the suspect and officers were able to locate Joshua Buzzard matching the description. Buzzard admitted to taking the piggy bank and was placed under arrest. Officers continued their investigation and were able to recover the stolen property. Buzzard was then released…

Almost having wrapped up the final design for construction of a large storm water pipeline in Cumberland that will ultimately help clean up the Potomac River- the project has hit a major roadblock from an unlikely source:  the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The city has been working for the past five years- taking measures to comply with a state mandate requiring the mitigation of storm water effluent being released into the North Branch of the Potomac River. The plan to prevent the effluent overflows includes installing a 78-inch pipeline behind the Western Maryland Railway Station that will extend to the city’s wastewater treatment plant…

Washington Football Team officials have been meeting with Virginia legislators to seek support for a plan to build a stadium and vast commercial complex in Northern Virginia.  While the team has not ruled out potential sites in Maryland or the District, its efforts in Virginia suggests it is intensifying its push to find a new home.  The team is contractually obligated to play at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., until 2027, after which it could stay or seek another home. Governor Larry Hogan said this is an issue that dates back several years- and that ever effort is being made…