On Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, The Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 900 block of Oldtown Rd for a shoplifting complaint. Once on scene, officers located the female suspect, Brittany Skye McDonald, 31, of Cumberland MD. She was subsequently issued a Criminal Citation for theft, less than $100. At this time, it was discovered that McDonald also had an active warrant for her arrest as well as an unserved Criminal Summons. The Criminal Summons for McDonald was issued for a theft incident that occurred on August 14th. During this incident, it is alleged that McDonald stole approx….

On Saturday, September 21, hikers can join DNR Park Ranger Mac at Dans Mountain for a guided hike along the 4.5 mile Lonaconna Loop Trail.  The hike begins at 10am and will give participants the chance to catch the first foliage changes of fall in the mixed hardwood forest on Allegany County’s highest mountain.  Hikers will learn to identify many trees common to the region. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes. Pets on a leash are welcome.  

Frostburg State University is facing a financial crisis and the website Maryland Matters says that financial aid issues have cost the university hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Maryland Matters reports that a state audit showed that FSU did not comply with procurement policies and procedures when they acquired a new financial aid system and then walked away from the system, resulting in a net loss of $680,000.  Legislative auditor Brian Tanen wrote that “The lack of due diligence in the selection of the software and related vendors is significant because FSU discontinued using the system.”

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has awarded First-Generation Student Success Grants to public colleges and universities across the state. These grants, which provide funding up to $5,000, support initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining, and fostering the success of first-generation college students. First-generation students are the first in their families to pursue higher education and they often face unique challenges in completing their degrees. Potomac State College is one of the public institutions that has been awarded First-Generation Student Success Grants this year.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s annual Adopt-A-Highway Fall Statewide Cleanup is set for Saturday, September 28th.  The Adopt-A-Highway program is administered by the WVDEP’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan and improves the quality of the state’s environment by encouraging public involvement in elimination of highway litter.  Individuals, groups, and organizations can register by September 18th to pick up trash on most state-maintained roads, back roads, or main routes.  To register, call 1-800-322-5530 or send an email to dep.aah@wv.gov.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing teen, Aaleah Park. Aaleah, 17, went missing from Morgantown, West Virginia on July 19, 2024. Authorities believe that she may still be in the local area or travel to Taylor County, Barbour County, or Preston County West Virginia or to Oakland or Cumberland, Maryland. Aaleah is described as 5'2", weighs 119 lbs., and has brown eyes with brown hair.

As car prices climb, AAA expanded this year’s ownership cost study to include comparisons of electric and hybrid vehicles to gas-powered vehicles. EVs have the lowest fuel cost, based on national average pricing for electricity and because of their design and powertrain have the lowest maintenance costs.  Shawn Steward of AAA says EVs tip the scales toward the more expensive because of their upfront costs, including installing home chargers…

Several beaches along the Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware coast remained closed on Monday after the weekend discovery of medical waste washing up on their shores.  Syringes, needles, and other medical waste were discovered on Sunday morning and beaches quickly moved to shut down swimming and wading. Everyone on the beaches is encouraged to wear shoes and be on the lookout for any kind of waste.  Investigators are working to find the source of the debris.

On September 16 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest warrant on Natasha Groves. The warrant was issued for 4th degree burglary and destruction of property. The original incident occurred on September 12, 2024.  Officers were dispatched to a Baltimore Street address for a female yelling. The Officer arrived and was familiar with the apartment. The Officer later contacted the Owner who advised that no one was permitted in the building. The owner stated that he had to change locks due to people gaining access. The Officer took note of the lock and observed that the locked was forced…

On September 16, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Keith Wilkins. The Bench Warrant was issued from the District Court of Maryland for Violation of Probation. Officers observed Mr. Wilkins and had knowledge of the Bench Warrant. Officers located CDS paraphernalia and a Controlled dangerous Substance while searching Wilkins pursuant to the arrest. Arrest: Keith Louis Wilkins, age 36, Cumberland, Maryland. Charges: Violation Of Probation, two counts of CDS possession of Paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.