Cumberland City Council members Eugene Frazier and Laurie Marchini held on to those seats in Tuesday’s election scoring easy wins over two challengers. Frazier, elected to a second term, was the top vote getter with more than 45% of the vote. Marchini, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created when David Caporale ran and was elected County Commissioner, was elected to her first full term scoring nearly 35% of the vote. Candidates Robin Hood Constitution and Sylvester Young III finished a distant third and fourth. Frazier, despite the relatively easy win, said campaigning during a pandemic presented some challenges…

Maryland voters approved two ballot initiatives during the General Election Tuesday. The first question grants the General Assembly the power to add items to the budget, as long as it remains in balance.  The second effort allows sports gambling, and is expected to be a positive development at Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County. Both initiatives passed by comfortable margins. 

Mineral County decided to support three levies on the Tuesday General Election Ballot.  Levies in support of fire and ambulance service both passed by a greater than four to one margin, while one for the Board of Education was victorious by over three to one. Mineral County voters overwhelmingly supported Republican candidates at the national, state and county levels.  

One political newcomer and two incumbents were elected to terms on the Allegany County Board of Education Tuesday. Crystal Bender, a first time candidate was the top vote getter, followed closely by board president Tammy Fraley and incumbent Dr David Bohn. Finishing in fourth was board member Ed Root who was appointed last year to fill the unexpired term of Wayne Foote who was removed from the board by the state. Root finished out of the running  followed  by Linda Widmyer and Steve Lewis. In the Cumberland City Council race incumbents Eugene Frazier and Laurie Marchini were elected to new…

The Maryland State Board of Elections did not report numbers for the 6th Congressional District until after 11:00 PM Tuesday, apparently because not all voters in line had cast ballots. With 54% of the vote counted, incumbent Democrat David Trone led Republican challenger Neil Parrott by approximately 60% to 40%.  We'll update the totals as they become available. In Allegany County, Parrott led Trone by a 2 to 1 margin, while in Garrett County, Parrott had a 4 to 1 edge in votes cast.

On November 2 nd , 2020, The Cumberland City Police Department responded to a Lamont St residence for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers contacted Leann D. Steinmetz, 54, and Austin H. McDonald 20, both of Cumberland MD. It was learned that an argument had ensued between the two individuals in reference to living arrangements in the home. Both subjects were advised to keep the peace and cause no further public disturbances. Officers were later called back to the residence on two separate occasions for the same individuals creating a disturbance. As a result, both subjects were placed under arrest and issued criminal…

On November 2nd , 2020, The Cumberland City Police Department arrested Amber Nicole Koelker, 37, of Cumberland MD. Koelker was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant issued by the District Court of Maryland for failiong to appear in court on an original charge of Obstructing and Hindering. Koelker was taken before the District Court Commissioner for her Initial Appearance where she was released on her own personal recognizance. Arrested: Amber Nicole Koelker Age: 37, Cumberland MD Charges: Bench Warrant – Failure to Appear

The Cumberland Times News reports a rash of newly-reported cases at WVU Potomac State College has caused the school to close its athletic facilities and suspend practices. Monday evening, the school reported in a press release that "a total of 18 positive cases have been reported for the campus, with 15 positive tests for students and three among faculty and sta ff." College spokesperson Rene Trezise clarified Tuesday that there are 18 active cases, 15 of which are students and the rest faculty and staff. The school has seen 16 new cases since Oct. 27. Two of those 18 patients who are…

The Baltimore Ravens have seven "high-risk" close contacts identified after cornerback Marlon Humphrey tested positive for COVID-19, ESPN reports.  Citing a source, the seven players are linebacker Matthew Judon, linebacker Patrick Queen, safety DeShon Elliott, linebacker L.J. Fort, linebacker Malik Harrison, cornerback Terrell Bonds and linebacker Tyus Bowser. This doesn't necessarily mean they have tested positive or will miss Sunday's game. Humphrey, on the other hand, must quarantine for 10 days following his positive test. They are considered "high-risk" because they spent so much time around Humphrey while unmasked. Humphrey played every defensive snap in Sunday's loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In response…

Frostburg State University has released its latest COVID-19 numbers for the last week in October.      RESULTS FROM OCT. 18–31, 2020    NEGATIVE TESTS  POSITIVE TESTS  TOTAL VALIDATED  TEST RESULTS  UNIVERSITY-ADMINISTERED TEST RESULTS  553 93.73%  37 6.27%  590 100.00%  AGGREGATE TEST RESULTS, (INCLUDING SELF-REPORTED)  580 90.62%  60 9.38%  640 100.00%    Additional information:   The aggregate testing data above includes 50 self-reported tests uploaded to the University portal: 23 positive results and 27 negative results.   Since the beginning of the semester, FSU has administered more than 9,200 COVID-19 tests, including two universal testing events, biweekly surveillance and cluster…