Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin have reintroduced their Handgun Permit To Purchase Act. The legislation would expand adoption of state and local gun safety laws. The bill creates an incentive for states to implement laws that require individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. The introduction comes after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Maryland’s 2013 Handgun Qualification Licensing Law.

Dr. Arvin Singh will now lead the WV Department of Health, bringing with him a background in healthcare leadership, strategy, and operations. Dr. Singh holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Public Health from George Washington University, a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University, a Master in Science in Healthcare Leadership from Brown University, and a Doctorate in Education from Nebraska Methodist College, with a focus on healthcare leadership.  

A fire on Friday in Midland was caused by a malfunctioning wood stove, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.  A house trailer on Quinn Street suffered $3,000 in damages from the fire that was discovered by one of the residents just before 6am Friday. The Midland Fire Company No. 1 took 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. The residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

A local attorney is doing damage control after a story concerning a former lawyer with the same name began making rounds. A disbarred Hollidaysburg attorney with the name Michael Cohen is facing criminal charges after a bad real estate transaction.  Cumberland’s City Solicitor, Michael Cohen has had to field questions about the situation and wants to set straight those who may be concerned…     “I’m getting emails, telephone calls, and text messages about it. This guy is not me. My name is Michael Scott Cohen. His is Michael B. And I just want to let everyone know that, or…

A bill under consideration in the General Assembly would allow Maryland voters to decide on whether to increase the minimum wage to $20 an hour.  Bill proponents want the increase to apply to tipped workers, and they want to exempt tips from taxes.  A coalition of labor, lawmakers, and civil rights leaders rallied Thursday to support legislation that would phase in a $20 hourly minimum wage, end subminimum wages for tipped workers, and exempt tips from taxation.

From Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, January 24, 2025, Allegany High School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.

On January 11, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department completed a search warrant on a residence in the 100 Block of Sommerville Avenue. As a result of the search warrant, an application for charges was completed for Jeslynn Crites which yielded a criminal summons. On January 23, 2025, Officers located Crites and she was served with the summons. Crites was released pending her trial at District Court. Arrest: Jeslynn Rochelle Crites, age 20, Cumberland, Maryland. Charges: CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute Cannabis, CDS Possession Not Cannabis, CDS Paraphernalia Possession, Obstructing and Hindering.

Allegany County Habitat For Humanity is planning a new home to be built on Maple Street in Cumberland this year. Applications for homeownership are being accepted. Applicants must show a need for housing, meet income guidelines, be able to pay an affordable mortgage and be willing to provide volunteer hours on the project.  Information sessions are scheduled for this Saturday at the South Cumberland Library at 1pm and at the LaVale Library on February 8 at 11am.

The City of Cumberland has come out in support of the Maryland Railway Safety Act.  Local CSX conductor Randy Martz requested the City to support the Act at a December meeting, and the Mayor and City Council passed a resolution of support Tuesday.  With derailments that have taken place in the past year including hazardous materials, the Act would enforce safety measures for railways in the state, according to the resolution read by City Clerk Allyson Layton…     “There have been over 2,000 rail crossing accidents per year over the last decade causing 8,494 injuries and 2,503 deaths.  The…

On January 23, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of the Underpass on Baltimore Street for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, they met with the victim who advised a male, Gary Trenter II, had assaulted him and threatened to kill him while reaching for an item in his pocket. During the investigation, Officers observed a bladed weapon within reach of where Trenter was seated.  As a result of the investigation, Trenter was placed under arrest and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where he awaits his initial appearance. Arrest: Gary Randall Trenter…