Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford joined Maryland State Police Superintendent Woodrow W. Jones III, Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Ellington Churchill, other elected officials, and current and members of the Maryland State Police, for the official opening of the new Cumberland Barracks.  The new barracks is built on the site of the previous barracks that had worn out after 62 years of continuous use. The new facility has a footprint unlike any barracks in the 100-year history of the Maryland State Police.  It incorporates best practices in public safety design and resolves many deficiencies of the old barracks. 

There have been any number hurdles that have delayed construction efforts for the Rolling Mill commercial development project- and the latest is a COVID created shortage of construction materials. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss…

When it comes to vaccinations, more than 3.5 million Marylanders are now fully inoculated. To date, at least 76% of the state's population has received at least one dose. This comes as nationwide, vaccination rates are lagging, COVID-19 cases are on the rise and the war against virus misinformation is heating up.  U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland.

The City of Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department is inviting area residents to an evening swim on Friday evening, July 23, followed by a movie on the big screen. The free swim will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Constitution Park Pool. The movie, “The Croods 2: A New Age” will immediately follow. Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy the movie on the pool patio. Nobody will be allowed in the pool during the movie. The concession stand will be open for the purchase of snacks and drinks, which must be enjoyed upstairs in the…

WBAL reports that Thursday marks the tenth day Maryland's daily coronavirus cases have increased by more than 100, exactly two months since numbers were above 300. The Maryland Health Department reported 303 new cases Thursday. Other COVID-19 metrics have increased steadily, but the daily cases have changed the most, especially among the unvaccinated. To date, 3,567,771 Marylanders have received their first dose, while 3,250,330 have received the second dose. So far, 269,093 single-dose vaccinations have been administered. As COVID-19 metrics increase across the nation with the delta variant, leaders and doctors are fighting against vaccine misinformation. To date, more than 3.5 million Marylanders are now fully vaccinated

Today, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at 2:15 p.m., U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) will head to the White House to join President Biden for the signing of  H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, into law. Survivors of violent crime often bear tremendous financial hardship: everything from medical costs to emergency housing to legal fees and mental health services. This bipartisan legislation, passed by the Senate earlier this week, provides a technical fix to address an immediate crisis: massive cuts to Victim of Crime Act (“VOCA”) victim service grants and insufficient funding…

 A proposed $26 billion settlement with opioid producers could bring as much as $485 million to Maryland to help address the opioid epidemic, the state’s attorney general announced Wednesday. The settlement, which is not final, also would require reforms of industry practices, Attorney General Brian Frosh said. “While this settlement cannot undo the harm suffered by millions of Americans who have been hurt by the opioid epidemic, it is a very important step forward,” Frosh, a Democrat, said in a statement. “We hope and anticipate that this proposed agreement will bring relief for many thousands of Maryland families who continue…

Several units responded to a fire on the railroad tracks in the area of Collins and McMullen Highway in Allegany County late Wednesday evening. The fire brought CSX train traffic to a stop for about an hour. No injuries were reported. It's not clear whether the fire was the result of arson. An investigation is underway.

With Jake Shade now a candidate for the District One state Senate seat- his seat on the Allegany County Board of Commissioners will be wide open in the 2022 election. One intriquing potential candidate is Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss. The subject of the next election was discussed during the mayor’s regular appearance on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Wednesday and while he said his plan is to seek a second term as mayor next year- he didn’t completely rule out a run for the county seat…

A local historical group is planning a fund raising effort later this year to honor August Baker.  In 1907, Baker, a Cumberland police officer, was killed by gunfire while trying to apprehend a drunk and disorderly man from an area that is now known as South Wineow Street. The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization has agreed to sponsor a project to erect a large gravemarker in Greenmount Cemetery for Baker and seven family members. Michael Mudge serves as chaplain for the organization and he told the city council the plan is for a dedication ceremony in May of next year…