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Cumberland Fire Department responded to a two-alarm structure fire just after 2 a.m. Monday. Multiple surrounding fire crews also assisting along with Law Enforcement to the Green Street fire. Bridge Street to Smallwood Street and Johnson Street was closed and electrical power was shut off in the area as firefighters extinguish the blaze. Electrical service and gas has been restored to the unaffected properties. Approximately seven residents were displaced from the fire and being assisted by the American Red Cross. Fire Marshal is investigating cause of the fire.

Maryland State Police are investigating the death of an inmate at the Jessup Correctional Institute. The inmate is identified as Deon Smith, 23. Smith was declared deceased by emergency medical services personnel at the facility. He was a state prison inmate serving time at the Jessup Correctional Institute in Jessup, Maryland. A suspect, also an inmate, has been identified.  He is not being identified until charges are placed. At approximately 8 p.m. on December 13, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit (DPSCS IID) about…

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen took to the Senate Floor urging passage of the Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act, legislation he cosponsored to prohibit the use of federal funds for any military force against Venezuela without explicit Congressional authorization…     “President Trump is bringing us to the brink of war. A regime-change war in our hemisphere and we are running out of time to stop it. We know the president has already authorized the CIA to conduct operations in Venezuela. We know that we’re witnessing the largest naval buildup in the Caribbean in decades.”

Part of the focus for the Maryland Freedom Caucus in the coming legislative year is election reform. The caucus is looking at specifically voter fraud, saying it is far too easy for anyone to show up and vote with no accountability. Delegate Ryan Nawrocki says voter id would cut such vulnerabilities…     “You just go in there and say yep, that’s me, I’m this person and yeah, I’m a citizen and that’s it.  We want to have ironclad proof, documentary proof that you are an American citizen.”

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce recently set out their legislative priorities for 2026. The Chamber sees an uncertain session ahead, but as advocates for business, they have set talking points including sustaining transportation funding and the reliance on the gas tax as a key funding sources. They are also looking for a regulatory framework to be developed around data privacy and artificial intelligence innovation.

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will meet in public session beginning at 4:15 p.m. in the 2nd floor Conference Room of City Hall on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 for the purpose of immediately closing the meeting to A) discuss Board and Commission appointments, B) receive legal advice from the City Solicitor relative to the terms and conditions of a particular lease agreement and C) receive the advice of the City Solicitor regarding the Tolling Agreement with CSX.  Authority to close the session is provided by Sections 3-305(b)(1)(i) and (b)(7) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code…

Winter is in full swing and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management is reminding drivers to prepare a winter emergency kit, have ice melt, snow shovels, and have a three-day supply of water and food.  While on the road, Charlie Gischlar with Maryland State Highways adds that staying off the roads is recommended, but if road travel is necessary    “If you don’t have to go out, stay in, but if you do have to go out, take it slow on ice and snow.  Never pass our equipment or our contractor equipment on the highway—they’re literally clearing a path for…

Unwelcome arctic air expected Sunday evening could plunge the region into single-digit temperatures, but forecasters expect this visitor to leave by early next week and temperatures could rise close to 40 degrees by mid-week. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service’s issued a Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM in Maryland, Eastern Garrett and Extreme Western Allegany Counties. In West Virginia, Western Mineral and Western Pendleton. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Visibility may be reduced in snow and blowing snow to around a quarter to half of a mile at times.  

Due to expected snowfall and plunging temperatures, Governor Patrick Morrisey has declared a State of Preparedness in all 55 counties in West Virginia, which will remain in effect until Thursday, December 18, 2025. Governor Morrisey ordered personnel and resources to prepare to mobilize and respond to any emergency that may develop and delegated certain administrative powers to the Director of the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) to facilitate the provision of essential emergency services. Governor Morrisey and the WVEMD ask all West Virginians to remain attentive to weather conditions through local media reports and follow any instructions issued by…