This year’s featured speaker for local National Day of Prayer events has a storied past, immigrating from Iran following a death sentence for converting to Christianity from Islam.  Marziyeh Amirazadeh was imprisoned along with a friend for distributing Bibles in Iran… Her time in one of Tehran’s worst prisons, Evin, was 259 days of interrogation and persecution…

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Gary Hartell.  The summons was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Hartell at the District Court of Allegany County.  Hartell signed for his copy of the summons and he was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Gary Allen Hartell             AGE: 65          Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Assault-2nd Degree      

Gov. Jim Justice announced today that West Virginia registered a $114.5 million surplus in April with total General Revenue collections coming in at $634.7 million. Through ten months of Fiscal Year 2024, cumulative revenue collections of $4.703 billion stand at $637.5 million ahead of the official yearly estimate. "This is exactly what seven years of hard work looks like. When I took office, we were flat bankrupt, but the progress we've made in the last seven years is the real deal. We've worked really hard to make West Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. If…

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautions anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it and resist the urge to feed or handle it. Removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is against the law in Maryland.  Born in spring, fawns instinctively lie motionless when approached by potential predators, relying on their adaptations to help them hide. There is usually no need for human intervention since in most cases, the doe is nearby foraging and will return to nurse the fawn when it is safe.

Faculty at Hagerstown Community College have declared their intention to unionize and affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers Maryland. Faculty members and AFT Maryland officials filed unionization cards Tuesday with the Maryland Public Employees Labor Relations Board.  Once certified, the faculty will be a part of the United Academics of Maryland affiliated with the AFT Maryland and the AFL-CIO. Hagerstown Community College marks the fifth community college in the state to organize and affiliate with AFT Maryland.

Allegany County Emergency Services supporting Washington County Fire rescue this morning for motor vehicle accident Eastbound Interstate 68 near mile marker 73. This will be near the Oak Barrel exit 72. Motor vehicle accident, tractor trailer versus car with entrapment. Emergency crews currently on scene. Maryland State Police, Trooper 5 grounded due to fog. Trooper 3 responding ETA 29 minutes. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 5 crews responding via ground and drone to provide medical assistance.

On Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police arrested William Paul Aldridge, 36, of Cumberland MD. Aldridge was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on December 9th, 2021. During that incident, the Cumberland Police responded to a business in the 1000 block of Virginia Ave for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was learned that a male subject had entered the business and displayed a handgun to the employee, demanding money. After obtaining an undisclosed sum of money, the subject then fled the area….

On Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police arrested Amber Rose Westfall, 29, of Cumberland MD. Westfall was arrested on two active Bench Warrants issued by the Allegany County District Court for failing to appear for trial dates. The first warrant alleges Westfall failed to appear in court on April 22nd on charges of burglary, trespassing, and possessing CDS in a place of confinement. The second warrant was issued on April 29th for failing to appear on charges of obstructing, fraud, and CDS possession. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was…

The C&O Canal Trust is looking for help securing state funding to resurface a 15-mile stretch of canal between Little Orleans Campground and the Paw Paw Tunnel. A petition is available online for bikers and hikers to sign, encouraging the C&O Canal National Historic Park’s request for $2.1 million dollars.  That money would be coming from the Maryland Transportation Alternatives Program that has already financed over 90 miles of towpath work.  The petition can be found at www.canaltrust.org.

The Small Business Administration encourages business ownership and investment across the country. Isabel Guzman who heads up the SBA, says small businesses make a significant contribution to the country’s economy through activity and hiring… Downtown Development Commission director Melinda Kelleher talked to WCBC about why this particular week is special for small business … Kelleher would like shoppers to come downtown and encourage the shop owners who have been successfully navigating the reconstruction process in their area…