The Morgantown restaurant owner accused in the January 6 assault of three U.S. Capitol police officers, including one who later died, has pled not guilty to the charges. During a court appearance, George Tanios also asked for a jury trial, while he continues to pursue bond that could allow him to stay out of jail as he awaits trial. Tanios is one of two suspects accused of using pepper spray against officers while other rioters at the Capitol tried to push past a bicycle rack barrier. Officer Brian Sicknick collapsed after being attacked during the riot and later died at a hospital. The cause of…

Despite fewer drivers on the road due to the COVID-19 pandemic, motor vehicle crashes on Maryland roadways claimed 569 lives in 2020, an increase of 6.4% compared to 535 deaths the previous year. Preliminary data released today by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) also shows an increase in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, from 124 and 10 in 2019 to 134 and 14 in 2020, respectively. Overall crashes and serious injuries decreased, but crashes in 2020 were more severe, contributing to the rise in roadway fatalities. The total number of fatalities was the highest in Maryland since 2008, when the…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined 22 attorneys general in writing to President Biden and congressional leadership raising serious legal concerns to Washington, D.C., statehood as proposed in Congress.   “If this Congress passes and President Biden signs this Act into law, we will use every legal tool at our disposal to defend the United States Constitution and the rights of our States from this unlawful effort to provide statehood to the District of Columbia,” Attorney General Morrisey joined in writing.   The attorneys general argue that the nation’s founders set forth very specific guidelines for the size and…

Through the university’s twice-weekly testing protocol, 30 positive tests and 3,196 negative tests were identified during last week’s seven-day testing period. The week’s positivity rate is 0.93 percent. The rate remains just below 1 percent and below the region and state positivity rates, BUT students and employees must remember that the virus IS IN OUR community and practicing health and safety measures is essential.    Currently, more than 1,000 FSU students and employees have reported receiving a first dose, second dose or single dose of a COVID vaccine. Additionally, recent clinics for students and employees on campus and in Cumberland, allowed more…

This morning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the statement below about recent reports of adverse reactions to the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine and its recommendation to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Based on the federal government’s recommendation and out of an abundance of caution, the Maryland Department of Health directs all Maryland COVID-19 vaccine providers to pause the administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines until further federal guidance is issued. Providers should continue to maintain their supplies of Johnson & Johnson vaccines…

On April 12th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to an address in the 600 block of Bedford Street for a reported assault. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the victim who advised that they and Patrick Lionel Smith Jr were engaged in an argument when Smith began to choke them. Officers observed evidence of the assault and placed Smith under arrest. Smith was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond.   Arrest: Patrick Lionel Smith Jr, age 40, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree.

On April 13th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to an address in the 900 block of Fayette Street for a reported breaking and entering. Upon officers arrival they spoke with a witness who advised they could hear glass breaking in the area. Officers located the residence and heard someone inside. Officers were able to speak with the property owner who stated no one should be in the residence. Officers searched the residence and located Rachel Nicole Dolly inside the residence. Dolly was placed under arrest and is currently awaiting her initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner….

The 90-day Maryland General Assembly session ended at midnight, and Governor Larry Hogan described it as the best of his 7 years in office. It was a session dominated by COVID-19, with lawmakers approving a $1.5 billion relief bill and a Senate work group holding weekly meetings on the state's COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Earlier this month, lawmakers approved a $52 billion budget…  

Despite some last-minute concerns expressed by members of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad board of directors, Allegany County Commissioner Dave Caporale believes plans to have pedal car excursions should go on as scheduled. Tracks and Yaks, a company offering pedal-powered rail bike rides, is expected to begin operating in May on tracks between the Frostburg Depot and the Cash Valley Road area in LaVale. At a meeting in March, company representatives and county officials said they would accommodate the WMSR schedule. However, the railroad board has not signed off on the proposal. Board member Bob Flanigan said that ultimately the Federal Railroad…