On Sunday, January 12th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Aaron Devone Manning, 48, of Cumberland MD. Manning was arrested when it was discovered he had on two active warrants for his arrest in Allegany County. One warrant was issued by the Circuit Court on November 20th, 2024, and alleged Manning had violated his probation that stemmed from a previous 1st-degree assault conviction. A second warrant, issued by the District Court, was in reference to an incident that occurred on November 5th, 2024. During that incident, it is alleged that Manning unlawfully entered a residence in the 200 block of…

Allegany County Emergency services working garage fire, single story with attachment to a residential building. Fire crews dispatch to Golden Eagle Drive Southwest in Rawlings just after 4 a.m. Monday. Garrett County Fire Rescue providing mutual aid. The residents of the property safely evacuated. Fire Marshall has been requested to the scene. 

During his final address to the state, Governor Jim Justice relayed successes West Virginia has seen in education, energy, and tourism during his two terms as governor.  He encouraged everyone to keep going with the work that has been done and to support the new governor’s administration…     “I think the world of Patrick and Denise, and I wish them the best in every way and I stand ready to try to help them at every minute and so does Kathy, so does my whole family.  I pray that they will have successes like you can’t imagine.”

The Maryland Senate unanimously approved a new rule this past week that would curtail the number of bills a Senator could introduce, creating a limit of 25 per session. But, Senator Mike McKay took issue with Senator Jim Rosapepe’s idea to cut the number of public hearings on proposed legislation. McKay argued that having no voice in law-making was one reason the country broke away from England. He said, “we cannot and will not limit residents in the state of Maryland from coming down and voicing their support or opposition for the work we do here over 90 days.”

Residents across Maryland are concerned with the sharp rise in property value assessments. Recently, what is known as “Group 1” assessments were released by the Department of Taxation and showed an average increase in that group of about 20%.  A resident spoke at the Allegany County Commissioner’s meeting, concerned that property taxes will rise by the same amount.  County Administrator Jason Bennett said that the commissioners have rules in place to keep that from happening…    “They set theirs at 4% so that limits an increase, even though your assessment went up by more than that, it limits the increase…

The Maryland House Republican Caucus in Annapolis agrees with Governor Wes Moore, at least on one item.  The Governor has been saying that the state needs to grow the private business sector and not rely on federal and state government money. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says neighboring states are not using that strategy and they are succeeding…     “Maryland has become a state with a government that is of the government, by the government, and for the government. Everything is directed at how do we get more government spending, how do we get more government jobs, how do…

Deputy State Fire Marshals continue to investigate the cause of a building fire in Garrett County that caused over one million dollars in damages early Sunday morning. At around 4:20 a.m., Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments were called to Corsa Coal Corporation, located at 865 Durst Road, after an employee responding to check on the property discovered an approximate 100 x 80 industrial storage building engulfed. It took around 30 firefighters about 20 minutes to control the one-alarm fire, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading into adjacent structures, The Office…

Gov. Jim Justice has ordered all United States and West Virginia flags at the Capitol Complex and state-owned facilities in Wyoming County to be displayed at half-staff from dawn to dusk on January 18, 2025, in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of former West Virginia Delegate, Frank "Bucky" Blackwell. Blackwell began his career as an elementary school teacher, later becoming a principal and then Assistant Superintendent for 15 years. He served as the Superintendent of Wyoming County Schools for 34 years, making a lasting impact on local education. In 1976, he was elected to the West Virginia House of…

Cumberland gets a fair amount of snow each winter and with it comes the inevitable shoveling of sidewalks and parking spaces. The Cumberland Police Department reminds everyone that city ordinances require snow to be removed from residential sidewalks within 24 hours. Citizens are encouraged to help neighbors with snow removal whenever possible. It is also important to note that putting up barriers to preserve shoveled parking places in the city is prohibited and may be removed by police officers.

On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of Sommerville Ave for the report of an assault involving a firearm. Upon arrival, officers were flagged down by individuals outside of the residence. The subjects advised officers that they had been inside the residence with a male subject, known as “SB”. The subjects advised officers that an argument had started inside the home and began to escalate. It was alleged then that the “SB” subject produced an AR-style rifle and threatened to kill the subjects if they did not get out of…