On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Daniel Sweitzer.  The warrant was issued as the result of an incident that was reported on November 21, 2024.  The alleged victim reported that she had property stolen from her.  The suspect was identified as Daniel Sweitzer.  After further investigation, charges were filed against Sweitzer at the District Court of Allegany County.  Sweitzer was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and he posted a $5,000 unsecured personal bond. ARRESTED:  Daniel Gregory Sweitzer        AGE:  43           Bedford, PA CHARGES: …

With the anniversary of the I-95 shutdown, AAA is reminding drivers to prepare an emergency winter weather kit for their cars.  At any time during the winter, whether on a highway or on two-lane roads, drivers can get stuck in the weather. Ragina Ali of the mid-atlantic AAA region says it is important to have an emergency kit in the car. “Make sure that you have a bag of some sort of abrasive material whether that is sand or cat litter.  An ice scraper, a folding shovel, hand warmers, an emergency blanket, flashlights and extra batteries.  A First Aid kit…

West Virginia Senator Shelly Moore Capito took to the Senate floor Wednesday to speak about the outgoing Biden Administration’s wasteful spending. Capito pointed to billions of dollars given through the Environmental Protection Agency to anti-American, anti-semitic, and other hate groups.  The Senator said Americans are ready for accountability… “No more spendthrift bureaucrats getting out of line, no more blank checks or wild excesses. The American people have had enough! And rightfully so. They’re ready for the government to work for them.”

The Allegany County Commissioners approved a quote for the rail designer, RailPros, to conduct rail design services at North Branch Industrial Park associated with the Kingspan Roofing + Waterproofing location.  When Kingspan purchased the former Hunter Douglas building last year, Allegany Economic Development agreed to oversee construction to connect the development site with the CSX Main Line.  Jeffery Barclay, Allegany Economic Development Director, presented the quote from RailPros during last night’s Allegany County Commissioners meeting. “RailPros is a company out of Florida.  They were at $146,845.  They have been really great with communication through this entire process.  They were actually…

Cumberland Fire and Police working a Tractor trailer accident, I68 eastbound on crosstown bridge, exit 43C. Upon the arrival of the Hazmat Team, I68 east bound will be closed for the duration of the clean-up. Traffic is now open.

While the exact details will not be released till sometime next week, Governor Wes Moore says he is going to be proposing about two billion dollars in spending cuts in an attempt to trim a three billion dollar deficit.  Moore spoke with reporters, saying cuts will happen in different areas, but he wants them to be fiscally responsible…     “You’re going to see them from a few different buckets. One is we’re just increasing government efficiency. We as a government ha ve got to make sure we are being more efficient in the way we’re thinking about our capital….

The Western Maryland Delegation in Annapolis will have to spend a good deal of its time during this legislative session campaigning for support to re-fund the Senator George C. Edwards Fund.  The fund was originally established in 2022 with $50 million dollars to spur economic growth in the state’s four westernmost counties.  Senator Mike McKay says the funding has expired and needs renewed…   “We need to put in a bill to replenish that money. This is the last year for the money. There will be a bill put in that will be supported by the delegation of both District…

Governor Jim Justice has presented $2 million to invest in Fairmont State University’s Aviation Center of Excellence. Money will support the expansion of the college’s aviation program, enabling more students to participate. Brian Selmeski, Fairmont State Chief of Staff, said the program will also be able to purchase new equipment for on-hands learning…   “These funds will help us acquire two new engines. Engines are part of the aircraft that you need to upgrade periodically. It will also help us acquire three new aircraft. Those will be instrument trainers.”

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network held a rally in Annapolis Wednesday about the reintroduction of the RENEW Act bill that failed last year. The bill was refiled this year in both the Maryland House and Senate.  Maryland Delegate Dana Stein said the bill will hold fossil fuel producers responsible for damage done to the environment…    “It’s so important that through the RENEW Act that we hold those accountable for these disruptions in our climate which are going to last generations.  And so that’s why I’m a strong supporter of the RENEW Act.”

Like many U.S. cities, Pittsburgh saw homicide and non-fatal shooting rates drop in 2024 to pre-pandemic levels. Pittsburgh police said they investigated 42 homicides last year, down 19% from 52 homicides in 2023. The 2024 figure is the lowest single-year tally since the bureau investigated 38 killings in 2019. In the Pennsylvania county of Allegheny, there was an uptick in homicides, rising to 67 for 2024 from 49 the year before.