The Maryland Transportation Authority is warning drivers to avoid responding to text messages claiming that money is owed for unpaid tolls.  Users of EZ Pass have also experienced these fraudulent messages.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has issued several announcements as he begins his term.  Morrisey said his administration will be announcing a process for people to declare their religious objections to vaccines.  The governor said his administration will also pursue strict definitions of “man” and “woman.”

Frostburg State University President Ronald Nowaczyk has sent a letter to the campus community that he will be stepping down as President at the end of January. Nowaczyk says he has had medical issues in the past and recently new challenges have arisen that will make it difficult to fulfill his duties and responsibilities as university president.  The University System of Maryland Chancellor is expected to make an announcement about the future leadership of the college.

Garrett County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 16, 2025, due to the winter storm warning and impending inclement weather—Code Orange for employees. The Central Office Facilities will open at 10:00 a.m. Please note: If there is a 2- or 3-hour delay on Friday, January 17, 2025, schools will remain in session for the entire day, and the early dismissal/staff development will be canceled.  

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Kimberly Hughes.  The warrant was issued as the result of Hughes failing to comply with a court order.  She was originally charged with Unauthorized Removal of Motor Vehicle, Motor Vehicle/ Unlawful Taking, and Theft: $1500 to under $25000.  Hughes was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Kimberly Dawn Hughes       AGE:  48          Cumberland, MD  

Millions of older adults in the United States face food insecurity, yet many who are eligible for help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are not enrolled. Norm Gold, a consultant with Feeding America and AARP Virginia says SNAP enrollment has been made simpler for easier access by seniors…     “If it’s too much of a pain for them to do it, they don’t . Most seniors don’t want to have to deal with it, honestly, I’m one of them. I’ll be 70 and that’s just the way older people are. To make it easy, that’s why…

West Virginia Senator Shelly Moore-Capito says she is looking to the future with the incoming Trump administration.  Capito told reporters that her state has been somewhat stifled in being able to tap in to its natural energy sources, but the new President wants the country to be energy independent, meaning West Virginia can grow those resources for everyone…    “We’ve been stymied in some ways over the last several years to be able to fully develop those, to be able to enhance our LNG capacities, to be able to move our product, our natural gas, to use coal in the…

Allegany County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Blank informed the school board Tuesday evening of his decision not to seek another term. The announcement came at the end of the public meeting.  "To Boardman members, in accordance with section 4-201 of the Education Article… Please allow this letter to serve as notice that I will not be seeking an additional term as superintendent of Allegany County Public Schools. It's been an honor and a pleasure to serve as superintendent." Mr. Blank had until the end of the month to announce his decision. His term as Superintendent will end in July.  Work now begins…

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at approximately 10:14 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business on Queen City Drive for a subject wielding an axe.  Police contacted the subject who was identified as Gary Trenter II.  Trenter was found to have a small hand axe in his possession.  Multiple people were disturbed by Trenter’s actions.  Witnesses advised that Trenter was not attempting to assault anyone, but they were concerned about his behavior.  Trenter was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Gary Randall Trenter II               AGE:  37                   Westernport, MD CHARGES:  Disorderly Conduct

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Lucas Peterson.  The warrant was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on December 9, 2024.  On this date at approximately 11:10 PM, police responded to a residence in the 300 block of Bedford Street for an assault in progress.  Officers contacted the alleged victims who reported that they had been assaulted by multiple suspects after they had forced their way inside the residence.  One of the suspects was positively identified as Lucas Peterson.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Peterson at…