Maryland State Police made five arrests in connection with an alleged kidnapping and assault that occurred in Carroll County on May 21, 2024. The accused are identified as Dequan Tyheem Gaines, 27, Brian Scott Johnson, 30, Jordan Gabrielle Riley, 29, Marc Anthony Rivera, 21, and his sister Sylena Marie Rivera, 19, all of Westminster. Gaines, Riley, and Marc Rivera are criminally charged with kidnapping, second degree assault, false imprisonment and extortion. Johnson and Sylena Rivers are charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and extortion.  All five are currently held without bond at the Carroll County Detention Center. The two victims are adults,…

 Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) today announced that President Joe Biden has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of West Virginia. This declaration is in response to the severe weather events from April 2-6, 2024, which included straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. “We worked really hard for this Major Disaster Declaration,” said Gov. Justice. “We made sure we had the damage reports from every single county to get our ducks in a row. After the wreckage the April storms caused, West Virginia deserves this funding. Now, we are going to…

The deadline is near for home brewers to register for Allegany College of Maryland’s first home brewing competition. Applicants have until May 31 to register. Only 10 home brewers will be chosen. The competition is part of the Western Maryland Craft Beverage Festival on Sunday September 1 at Hoffman Park in Frostburg. For information, call 301-784-5406.

Sunday is the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization’s annual service at Sumner Cemetery, located off Yale Street in Cumberland. Association President Ed Taylor, Jr says their Memorial Day service takes place at 2pm. He says it is the group’s pinnacle event of the year that has taken place annually since 1991 and marks the true spirit of the holiday…

On Friday, May 24, 2024 at approximately 12:04 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Columbia Street for a burglary complaint.  The caller reported that a male and a female suspect entered a vacant residence.  Officers arrived and checked the residence. Police observed Benjamin Reimer and April Miller attempting to flee the residence on foot.  Officers contacted the suspects and learned that they were not allowed to be there.  Reimer and Miller were arrested and transported to Central Booking.  Reimer and Miller were later seen by a District Court Commissioner for…

On Friday, May 24, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Ronald Davis Jr.  The summons was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Davis at the District Court of Allegany County.  Davis signed for his copy of the summons and he was released pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Ronald Eugene Davis Jr.               AGE:  31                   Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Arson-Threat

On Friday, May 24, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Daniel Jefts.  The warrant was issued as the result of Jefts failing to appear in court.  He was originally charged with driving on a suspended license.  Jefts was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  Daniel Lee Jefts           AGE:  18             Cumberland, MD BENCH WARRANT SERVED On Friday, May 24, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Michael Wallace.  The warrant was issued as the result of Wallace failing…

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 426 will host Fly-In Drive-In all you can eat breakfast consisting of hot cakes, home fries, scrambled eggs, sausage, sausage gravy, fruit cock tail, coffee and orange juice on May 26th at the Cumberland airport. $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for 12 and under. Free “Young Eagles” airplane rides for ages 8 thru 17, weather permitting and pilot available.

Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation, ordering that all United States and West Virginia flags on all State-owned facilities be displayed at half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day – Monday, May 27, 2024 – to honor the memory of the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice defending the United States of America. The Governor’s order also requests that all citizens display any United States and West Virginia flags at their homes at half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day. Additionally, the Governor’s order asks all West Virginians to unite in prayer for permanent peace…

In Ocean City, Comptroller Lierman toured the site of the former Phillips Crab House, which is now undergoing renovations to provide housing for temporary and seasonal workers and students. Housing affordability remains a concern for Maryland residents, including individuals who live and work in Worcester County. Between 2019 and 2022, data found in the Comptroller’s 2024 State of the Economy report shows that housing costs in Worcester County increased by 51%, while housing inventory decreased by 70%. Alleviating housing supply and affordability issues is important for towns like Ocean City because it helps attract and retain a workforce that will…