The Cumberland Mayor and City Council will hold a special public session at 5pm Tuesday, January 28 to receive public comment on Downtown Cumberland parking. All comments are limited to five minutes per person. The meeting will be held in City Hall meeting chambers.

The University System of Maryland Chancellor, Jay Perman, announced on Wednesday afternoon that Dr. Darlene Brannigan Smith would fill the role as Interim President for Frostburg State University.  Current President Ron Nowaczyk will leave his position at the end of the month. Dr. Smith has worked at the University of Baltimore in roles including executive vice president and provost.  Smith takes over the role on March 10. Perman said that the University System plans a national search for a permanent leader.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Bench Warrant on Dereck Shane Lewis.  The warrant was issued by the Circuit Court of Allegany County for Violation of Probation. Lewis was originally charged with CDS:Possess-Not Marijauna.  Lewis with Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. Lewis was reprimanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. ARRESTED:  Dereck Shane Lewis      AGE:  33           Cumberland, MD Charge: Bench Warrant Violation of Probation. Bench Warrant-Grand Jury Indictment    On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Bench Warrant-Grand Jury Indictment on Daquan Ali Stepney.  The warrant was issued for Violation…

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Tuesday that he and 18 other states are challenging an executive order ending birthright citizenship, which violates the constitutional rights to which all children born in the U.S. are entitled by the 14th amendment.  An executive order was issued Monday to end birthright citizenship, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Section 1401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

U.S. West Virginia State Representative Riley Moore was on Newsmax following former President Biden’s farewell address to the nation. Moore was asked his thoughts on the farewell and the Biden Administration in general.  Moore said the Biden Administration was a failure, and going by a poll taken, over half of everybody agrees…   “He was completely consistent in being tone deaf which is why sixty -one percent of everybody who has been polled out here agrees that this was a failure.  Sixty-one percent of everybody believes that this administration was a failure.”

Tax filing season in Maryland opens January 27.  New initiatives are being launched by Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman to make tax     filing easier. In a Tuesday press conference, Lierman said these improvements are designed to keep more money in taxpayer pockets…     “Number one, implementing agency wide improvements to help state government work better, ensuring that the resources and expertise of the office create opportunities and positively impact Maryland families, communities and businesses, and ensuring that Maryland is well positioned for long-term economic growth and success.” To start, Lierman says a new website and customer relations system has…

A two alarm house fire in Rawlings has fire crews from Allegany and Garrett County currently on scene of a trailer fire located at 21817 Morning Sun Drive. The 12 by 60 ft structure was fully involved when fire crews arrived just before 8 a.m.. Due to the dangerously low temperatures a second fire crew was alerted to standby. A Rehab unit from Garrett county's also responding to assist firefighters.

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council motioned to remove the order regarding the parking changes on Baltimore Street during last night’s Public Meeting.  After much discussion over several weeks, the council wants more time to discuss how to manage the situation.  Councilman James Furstenberg says Baltimore Street is still too much of a construction zone to implement parking changes… “Inevitably it’s going to happen, as a city we have to do this.  And no matter where you go it is.  But we don’t have the destination yet, we are still in construction in a lot of places down there as…

Next Era Energy is proposing a new transmission line through wildland areas of Garrett and Allegany counties. A new bill in Annapolis wants to clarify that pathway first. Senate Bill 399 was requested by Senator Brian Feldman and is being sponsored by Senator Mike McKay since it affects District 1. The bill will be heard in the Energy, Environment, and Education committee. McKay says he is being overly cautious – while Next Era’s plans are in their infancy, he wants to make sure constituents understand what this bill would decide before any other action takes place…    “Potomac Edison has…