Catholic Schools Week is being celebrated nationwide with the theme “United in Faith and Community.”  Bishop Walsh principal Jen Flinn says that this week kicks off with parish Masses over the weekend where BW students will give presentations.  Other activities include Bring a Friend Day, Catholic Schools Week Mass, Prayer Buddies, and a White Out basketball game Monday night.

Linda Widmyer will be sworn in Monday as the new member of the Allegany County Board of Education.  Widmyer was approved by a 2-1 vote by the county commissioners Thursday.  The swearing in will be at 10 a.m. at the Washington Street office of the school board.

Saturday, January 25th, 2025.     ***Adult Arrest*** On Friday, January 24th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Mary Ellen Marlow, 65, of Cumberland MD. Marlow was arrested on charges of being a fugitive from justice when it was discovered that she had an extraditable warrant for her arrest in West Virginia. The original warrant was issued by the Hampshire County Magistrate Court in 2009 for charges of felonious CDS possession. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held without bond,…

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.